Comments on: Becoming a Minor Vespa Mechanic https://scooterinthesticks.com/2012/05/becoming-minor-vespa-mechanic/ Exploring life on a Vespa, Royal Enfield Himalayan, Honda Trail 125, and a Kawasaki W650 Tue, 08 Jul 2014 21:25:27 +0000 hourly 1 By: Jack Riepe https://scooterinthesticks.com/2012/05/becoming-minor-vespa-mechanic/#comment-6759 Sat, 26 May 2012 20:59:00 +0000 http://69.195.124.229/~scootet3/?p=192#comment-6759 Dear Steve:

Mini tire changer from Harbor Freight? Installing your own windscreen? Pulling off the muffler? My, my… We are getting ambitious.

May I make a practical suggestion that will cost you a few hundred dollars (max) and eliminate busting your chops with the muffler ever again?

Remove the muffler… See if you can get the rust sand-blasted off of it. You’ll need a smooth surface. Send the muffler to “Jet-Hot.” Your choice of finishes are flat black, or a non-shiny silver. My recommendation is the flat black. The coating is porcelain and tougher than nails. And it will look great, precluding the need to ever do this again.

Fondest regards,
Jack/reep
Twisted Roads

]]> By: Steve Williams https://scooterinthesticks.com/2012/05/becoming-minor-vespa-mechanic/#comment-6754 Sat, 19 May 2012 16:10:46 +0000 http://69.195.124.229/~scootet3/?p=192#comment-6754 Harv: I did the Liquid Wrench but not the heating and riding part. Still trying to get the bolt remains out of the clamp so I can reuse…

]]> By: Steve Williams https://scooterinthesticks.com/2012/05/becoming-minor-vespa-mechanic/#comment-6753 Sat, 19 May 2012 16:09:03 +0000 http://69.195.124.229/~scootet3/?p=192#comment-6753 bobskoot: I really want to become more fluent with the mechanical nature and workings of the Vespa. I am going to try and stay within my limits.

For the tires I bought a mini-tire changer from Harbor Freight and a balancer unit from Marc Parnes. You can see the tire change process HERE.

I’m hoping it’s an easy process!

]]> By: Steve Williams https://scooterinthesticks.com/2012/05/becoming-minor-vespa-mechanic/#comment-6752 Sat, 19 May 2012 16:02:23 +0000 http://69.195.124.229/~scootet3/?p=192#comment-6752 Marilyn Elmore: I think there’s a process I need to revisit about mechanical work. Slow but sure I’ll get up to speed — no more pain…

]]> By: Steve Williams https://scooterinthesticks.com/2012/05/becoming-minor-vespa-mechanic/#comment-6751 Sat, 19 May 2012 16:01:28 +0000 http://69.195.124.229/~scootet3/?p=192#comment-6751 The Original Steven H: I like the quiet character of the stock exhaust. When it finally dies I’ll replace with the same. For now it just needs paint!

]]> By: Steve Williams https://scooterinthesticks.com/2012/05/becoming-minor-vespa-mechanic/#comment-6748 Sat, 19 May 2012 02:12:45 +0000 http://69.195.124.229/~scootet3/?p=192#comment-6748 Ronman: Thanks! Stuff happens though. Good that I’m learning to deal with it.

]]> By: American Scooterist Blog https://scooterinthesticks.com/2012/05/becoming-minor-vespa-mechanic/#comment-6741 Tue, 15 May 2012 13:11:36 +0000 http://69.195.124.229/~scootet3/?p=192#comment-6741 Liquid Wrench. Spray on the bolts, let it soak for twenty minutes, and ride the bike until hot. Repeat this for a couple days so that the LQ can really soak in. We tend to think most fasteners are #1 when they’re probably fours or greater.

You won’t lose anything by using the LQ before you get to the easy-out.

You reminded me to use some of that anti sieze the next time I have to get to something.

Best of luck to you

Harv

]]> By: bobskoot https://scooterinthesticks.com/2012/05/becoming-minor-vespa-mechanic/#comment-6740 Mon, 14 May 2012 16:43:01 +0000 http://69.195.124.229/~scootet3/?p=192#comment-6740 Steve:

I envy you and your attempts to do your own DIY mechannical repairs. I think I would just buy another exhaust, but if it works and is only an appearance thing, I would leave it alone. I have come to embrace the “if it’s not broke, don’t fix” motto

I’m also interested in how you change your tires & balance them. Do you use the spoon, lever and grunt method of jumping on and off the tire carcass when mounting your tires ?

bob
Riding the Wet Coast
My Flickr // My YouTube

]]> By: Marilyn Elmore https://scooterinthesticks.com/2012/05/becoming-minor-vespa-mechanic/#comment-6739 Mon, 14 May 2012 12:45:22 +0000 http://69.195.124.229/~scootet3/?p=192#comment-6739 Steve, as I’ve aged…I’ve discovered every time (on average) I pick up a tool to do some “minor” maintenance, I end up having to play Mr. Goodwrench for more than I bargained. Something always goes awry. Guess one could say part and parcel when working on a 20 y/o machine.
I hate broke off bolts. I hate drilling them out/easy outs…oh you know. I just wanna ride!
I’m feelin’ your pain here Steve. Yup. I am.

]]> By: The Original Steven H! https://scooterinthesticks.com/2012/05/becoming-minor-vespa-mechanic/#comment-6738 Mon, 14 May 2012 08:18:46 +0000 http://69.195.124.229/~scootet3/?p=192#comment-6738 Id just get a new exhaust system probably do you good anyway. How do you balance your tires?

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