SBF Classic Vespa's Cafe 2009 / 2010

[Sharpey]

Modstar.. no worries... try 92... you should be fine... honest.

If it is too low an octane for your scoot (because your compression is high, or timing too far advanced) you'll hear the sound of ball bearings rattling in your cylinder when you accelerate.

 

If you don't hear it.... you'll be just fine using 92... Your engine will run cooler again.

 

Cheers.

[emrun]

Sharpey, what grade have u been usin' for your souped-up vespa?

dont tell me ur vespa is usin' diesel after all those modifcations. heh.

[Sharpey]

Still got a stock top end.... only engine mods are a cut crank and vortex carb... with timing at 18btdc i'm using 92!!! Its great, cruises at 100 and will touch 120 if I'm brave....

 

You only need high octane if you have high compression....

[planescape]

2T oil @ 4% seems to be high indeed. not too sure about the smoke..... i haven had the chance to turn my head back to check..... maybe someone can trail behind me to see if there's any smoke given the chance...

 

Mine is a PX with sprint body... supposedly to be PX150 but from wat the seller told me, he change the kit n its more or less running at 175cc or more. I need to check with him on the actual displacement bah.

 

machine k> oh! the infamous TA ah? how much did they charge u?? Hmmm maybe i should consider popping down soon to get my vespa checked n tighten n stuff...... I still have a problem with stopping in neutral gear as well as skipping gears. Always from gear 1 str to gear 3

[modstar]

i'm not sure if you chaps loathe this idea.

 

has anyone experimented on the idea of installing a stereo system on the glovebox.

 

any shops will do it?

[machine k]

planescape, tat time i change EO n spark plug for $7, nx time shld be de-coking it as well after advices from Sharpey & edge-t (see prev page) ya, TA does charge abit higher, always have to bargain with the auntie (to no avail), usually only discount a few cents or to round dollars

 

n btw, u can try throttle abit before u engage neutral, juz turn lightly..shld b able to engage

 

right now i'm lookin at fixing my headlight. TA said its wiring problem (i've checked the bulb, its not fused) and will probably cost $100-160... tink its too overpriced. find the faulty wire n replace it mah, not as if my whole system haywire.

 

any advices? posted a thread on it, but the response not warm ah

 

i'm still riding it cos i haf a working mudguard lamp =)

[Sharpey]

Modstar... am sure the speakers can be done... no clue where... My glovebox is full of stuff (rain coats etc...) so 'tunes' aren't an option. Good luck in your search.

 

Machine K... nice pic... as for your wiring.... the price offered might actually be for replacing all of your wiring... Am sure that labour costs for finding a faulty wire wouldn't be all that high... From what I have read on this forum.. TA is very good at doing wiring properly... others aledgedly not as diligent. That's the trouble with a sorting out a newly purchased scoot... you've got to iron all the bugs out...

 

Just as a little aside... when I first got mine... the fuel line snapped and dumped 5 litres of petrol down orchard road (without me noticing) until at the traffic light outside centrepoint... putt... putt.... __________. Bugger, walking a stalled scoot to the curb without being run down by impatient motorists wouldn't rate as something I'd like to do again.

 

If it were me, I'd spend the money and be confident that the problem would be fixed properly and professionally. But I know that $100 isn't pocket change.... Just be glad that you weren't the poor chap who bought a lovely shiny new scoot that had screwed up engine casings... that would be heart-break.

 

Cheers.

[machine k]

Yeah, i read abt TA being wonderful at wiring, actually i'm quite happy with the wiring i have now, quite neat... i wanted to DIY find the fault myself n do it, but i realised i wld nid to strip down the parts (which is easy) but putting everything back is a problem esp at my own carpark n it would take me some days. always like to fiddle n play ard with my vespa =)

 

other problems include the fact tat mine's a PX, but using a sprint handle, so conventional electrical diagram dun work well there, most probably going down nx wk to get the headlights done.

 

it makes me wonder, how much would replacing engine casing cost? tryin to find out the most expensive repair tat could be done to a scoot...n try to avoid that

[planescape]

Originally posted by machine k@Aug 4 2006, 12:50 PM

other problems include the fact tat mine's a PX, but using a sprint handle, so conventional electrical diagram dun work well there, most probably going down nx wk to get the headlights done.

Mine too!!!! also a PX engine with sprint body.

 

LOL maybe e should go down together sometime?? U can induct me n hopefully with 2 pax, we can ask for a bargain. Haha

[Sharpey]

Replacing engine casings is not easy in Singapore..... Due to LTA requirements you can't do it easily. You'll need to scrap the bike & then apply for some transfer.... easily 1000 bucks, not to mention the red tape mountain to wade through.... (in short... don't mess with your casings!!!)

 

Just about everything else can be fixed (unless you screw up the frame badly in a crash...touch wood). Most expensive replacement.... probably an engine rebuild & new top end (stock piston and cylinder with all new bearings and seals in the casings) around 600 i'd 'guesstimate'...

[machine k]

Sharpey> wah! ya i noe the paper work problems..LTA like to scrutinise our engine/chasis number oso..but i din noe the $$ can go up so high, might as well scrap it n get a new scoot

 

planescape> urs oso a sprint handle? frm wat i noe, ppl try to avoid that handle unless they having a real sprint..usually ppl juz mod the rest of the body, but leave the handle untouch..

 

bcos besides looking nice, no other added benefits...can't fix a mirror on because no where to screw, unless u clamp on it... n other mechanical 'problems' cos the handle not really meant to b fix on px, so some boring n a different fork nid to be done on it (if i'm not wrong, not v sure abt it since i got it with that handle)

 

i shld be going down TA nx wk to get 'tok' like a carrot, u can join me~ haha

[reddy]

Originally posted by machine k@Aug 4 2006, 12:50 PM

Yeah, i read abt TA being wonderful at wiring, actually i'm quite happy with the wiring i have now, quite neat... i wanted to DIY find the fault myself n do it, but i realised i wld nid to strip down the parts (which is easy) but putting everything back is a problem esp at my own carpark n it would take me some days. always like to fiddle n play ard with my vespa =)

 

other problems include the fact tat mine's a PX, but using a sprint handle, so conventional electrical diagram dun work well there, most probably going down nx wk to get the headlights done.

 

it makes me wonder, how much would replacing engine casing cost? tryin to find out the most expensive repair tat could be done to a scoot...n try to avoid that

wiring can be done diy if u know a thing or two abt eletricity. i used to have same bike as urs. px with sprint handle. it can be a ###### when comes to the wire in the handle but all it takes is a little patience, blood and of course loads of swearing. haha. u might wanna check the grounding wire of the headlight cos that may be the reason behind the light not lighting up. also check the bulb while u at it. sometimes also all it needs is a bit of shaking. as for doing wiring in TA. the amount you stated doesnt include some necessary replacement parts. a word of advice, if u do decide to send in for a wiring overhaul, have some money beside the agreed amount for the replacement part. it could be costly. *winks*

hope that helps.

cheers

[reddy]

Originally posted by modstar@Aug 3 2006, 01:53 PM

hi chaps,

will be extremely glad if u can help me with this one.i am running a stock px200.question is,will it be alright if i top up with RON92 petrol.

 

i followed the advise of dropping from 98 to 95. the results were amazing.cooler engine and alot smoother ..i cant really describe but i think u get my drift.

 

now wonder if 92 is alright for this.

 

appreciate your valuable advise doodes.

bro 92 would be suffice man... even most modern cars are using 92 octane. unless u have a turbocharged engine, high compression or higly tuned engine.. save the money on using synthetic 2t.

cheers

[reddy]

hey sharpey u cropped ya hair huh..bumped into u in the elevator but u were talking to someone else so i stayed quiet.. haha. typical brit hairstyle..which part of england ur from? btw adam selling his scoot rite. why dont u buy his and do a project on the bike

cheers

[Sharpey]

Now reddy, I'd buy his scoot in a heartbeat if I wasn't already a married man. My wife belives that one mistress is plenty . Cropped the hair in solidarity for childrens cancer... all for a good cause... Do point yourself out next time eh!

 

If anyone is interested in a decent 2nd hand PX200 disc... do contact Adam... I posted a spam topic (naughty I know...) and there's an entry in the Singapore bikes classifieds also... Decent scoot to be honest...

 

Cheers...

[machine k]

reddy> shake the bulb? haha i tink its due to too much shaking thats y its not working, i sprayed the contact pts with some-cleaning-and-supposed-to-prevent-short-circuit liquid, i dun haf a voltmeter/multimeter, otherwise can attempt to find out which wire is broken/faulty =(

 

i'll probably use my whole morning/afternoon tmr to do tat fault finding sh*t, wish me luck, probably end up getting dirty and thirsty from the swearing...

 

will take note of the $$ portion when sendin to shop, confirm the price before i agree anything.

 

thanks!

[planescape]

Originally posted by machine k@Aug 4 2006, 04:50 PM

i shld be going down TA nx wk to get 'tok' like a carrot, u can join me~ haha

Hmmm i might just pop down tmr if i have time.... LOL just to check the clutch cables n lub it up first. Getting worried due to the fact i skipped gears so often.

 

We can just drive into the shell station, park, then go up to TA? or do we need to go to a specific carpark?? Sorry dudes, a super-duper noob here. Another carrot to be 'tok' by TA....

 

If i do pop by there, i make sure i'll post what happen!

[ackl]

Planescape...so did you manage to go TA today.

can park right in front of TA (In the pavement ) or can go into the carpark(free) directly to workshop -.but well got ERP..don"t try to go the anti-land beside shell..can save ERP...but always got TP there..i saw a bike kanna caught before.

But TA so far do a good job on my bike.

Just sent my bike there on wed..

[itsonfire]

Hello fellow classic vesporeans(As how u guys call it)!! I am a freaking noob in classic vespa. Basically i dunno anything about bikes, but i am willing to learn from u guys. Cos i want to fulfil my dream of owning a vespa. I got a few questions i need to ask u guys here,

 

Firstly>> what is the difference between sprint and the px versions(as in the inside parts)?? Can a px be made to look classic?? as in the 2 side semi-circle covers(i dunno whts it called) be changed into a round like other then the squarish type??

 

Secondly>> A friend of mine is selling me his late dad's vespa registered in 1990 and coe extended from 2000 to 2010 with FJ plate at $200 but i dunno wht model it is.. Anyone enlighten me on wht models usually haf an FJ plate?(btw viewing the bike next saturday)

 

Thirdly>> Is it a worth buy of 200 bucks since tt the bike has been unused for about a year maybe more? Could the engine still be in working condition since its not been used for a year? need i overhaul? If so, how much is needed to overhaul the whole engine?

 

Fourthly>> Since i am viewing the bike next saturday, wht should i look out for to make shure its a worth buy?

 

 

I would highly appreciate ur guys reply. Hoping tt i could ride with u guys soon.. Thanks in advance..

[Sharpey]

200 bucks!!!! That is practically free. Even the most beat-up old vespas manage to sell for about 500. So, its either really beat-up, or you have a really nice friend.

 

An FJ plate vespa will likely be one of the following...

 

PX200, PX150, GS150 (made in Indonesia with square headlight)

Ask the owner, I'm sure he'll know...

 

If you have the cash, any vespa can be made to look more classic... but I'd budget at least 1500 for this (new paint and body mods etc)... If its a GS150 and you don't dig the square headlight, you can also change to a PX one, no hassle (the rest of the scoot is pretty identical...).

 

Things to look out for... esp if it's been left out in the rain all these years... RUST. esp down where your feet go on the floorboards... also in glove box and side panels... heck everywhere....

 

If not used for a year (and in ok visable condition) its likely not going to be a terrible buy (unless the engine is screwed...) If the engine is ok, bike should need some new transmission oil and (if you want to play it safe) a motor rebuild where seals are replaced (will cost about the same as the bike though but is great insurance against future problems and headaches and will likely be the most you have to spend in one go on maintainence (rebuilds are good to do every 40,000km or so IMHO). An overhaul will also allow you to replace worn parts (likely you'll have some), so I'd budget for one.

 

If you don't want it... let me know... at that price I'm even debating tracking you down and following you to the sale to outbid you

 

Good luck

[Sharpey]

oh and you'll need a new coe in 3 and a half years... oh the joys of COE... just hope that the cost is low in 2010

 

Also, to make sure that engine isn't totaled... (engine casings are a ###### to change here thanks to the strict LTA guidelines to stop black market dealings) ask owner lots of questions.. i.e. why did he stop riding it... has it ever been crashed (probelm, as a bent frame is a disaster waiting to happen), how serious was crash. How often did he service it? What have some of the main probs been with the scooter...

 

You can also go round a check a few things...

 

Tire wear... if its uneven then somethings about the scoot is uneven... not good, but fixable (unless frame is bent)

 

"play" in front wheel... when scoot is on main stand shake the front wheel from side to side to test the bearing... it shouldn't be moving much (some is ok, just not more than 1cm from side to side AFAIK)

 

Erm.... you can also do a search on the scooterbbs (http://www.scooterbbs.com)... folks will make fun of you there if you ask noob questions (its a ######, but so is life). Search the archives for others who've been in your boat...

 

[Sharpey]

I've also just noticed that you can't say the word for 'female dog on this forum... strange... I never thought is was as bad as saying 'fornicate', or 'excrement'... Oh well

[edge-t]

Ha, yeah... just spell it with an asterisk somewhere. i.e. b*tch.

[reddy]

Originally posted by Sharpey@Aug 7 2006, 08:49 AM

 

If you don't want it... let me know... at that price I'm even debating tracking you down and following you to the sale to outbid you

 

Good luck

and i thought mrs sharpe frowned on such action/idea...hmmmm :cheeky:

[Sharpey]

Hmmm, well the thought of having a project scooter (laid up, so no need for insurance or road tax outlay) has always been appealing. I shall be doing a scooter for her (allbeit slowly), so that when she gets her license she'll have a scoot ready and waiting. Since laying up only costs like $5 a year... I'm seriously considering...

 

The other good thing is that such a project would prevent me from screwing up my current scoot... at least I could afford to make mistakes on one I didn't need to ride to work everyday!!!

 

So, if anyone knows of a cheap, straight (not crashed or bent) px200 with auto-lube for under 1k... I'm interested.