Vespa GS 150 Airbox-September 19, 2010

After a long search, I finally found a GS 150 Airbox for sale. It is a little rough cosmetically, but structurally it is in good shape. With some new paint, it should be good as new. Thanks Mark from Scooter Bellissimo for the airbox and your patience. I would highly recommend this guy and his company. Also picked up a junction box cover while I was at it.

Scammers-August 22, 2010

In my never ending search for a GS 150 Airbox, I posted several "WTB" threads on some scooter forums and scoot.net classifieds. The scammers came out of the woodwork. One guy going by Franco Peroni claimed he was from the UK, and when I asked to see photos of the airbox, he attached an image of a V5 that is the first image when you do a google search for "Vespa GS 150". He stated that he was going to part out the scooter. This was a good looking scooter that no one would part. What an idiot.

So be careful. Personally, I don't trust buying anything oversees unless it is from an actual shop. Don't use Western Union or MoneyGram. There is no protection using these services. Once the money is wired, it is gone. Even Ebay won't offer any protection outside the US.

If you are buying a high priced item in the US, check out this service www.escrow.com. It is a bit pricey. Around $25.00 for anything up to $5000.00, but at least you won't get burnt.

If anyone has any other suggestions for services that will offer the buyer some form of protection for purchasing parts, scooters, etc, I would love to hear them.

I am leaving today for Ireland and Scotland for a week vacation, but when I get back, I will have the time for some needed updating on the scooter progress.

Scooter Shops-August 11, 2010

Normally I wouldn't post something like this, but I've been amazed at the poor service I've been receiving while ordering parts from the big scooter shops. One place messed my order up the first time and sent the wrong parts. They tried a second time, and since I was in a hurry, I paid for the 1-3 day priority shipping. It took them five days to fill the order. I believe the whole affair took almost 3 weeks from my first order. Another shop's online system was down and everytime I called I got the "we will call you back. If you don't hear from us by 5pm, call us back." This happened for 3 days straight. Do I really have to beg you to take my money?

Personally, I've found ScooterWest to be quick, accurate, and reliable.

http://www.scooterwest.com/

Pride of Cleveland has also been extremely helpful when I have called or stopped in.

http://www.clevelandscooters.com/

To be fair I have not ordered from these folks, so I don't know, but I've heard good things.

http://www.scootermercato.com/

Engine Tear Down-July 31, 2010

I got the engine completely tore down and cleaned. There were some chunks of metal floating around and places where the gears were scraping against the engine case. Found some makeshift parts that were questionable from the previous rebuild, so I am guessing that might have been causing some of the problems. Also as expected, the corks in the clutch were completely dry. Soaked those in oil overnight and got the clutch rebuilt. Now to put it all back together and get the parts off of the basement floor.

Engine Rebuild-July 23, 2010

I got the clutch cover on the scooter and was hoping to make it down the street that night.  That didn't happen, so I got a chance to work on it the following morning.  I got the scooter to idle, but when I would put it in gear the scooter didn't have enough power to pull the bike.  After several tries, some strange sounds started coming from inside the cases.  Lots of grinding and some sounds of snapping metal.  Not good.  I also suspect some air leaks so time for an engine strip.  Not too bad though since I wanted to do this from the beginning.

Clutch Cover-July 22, 2010

Well I got all of the parts needed for the clutch cover.  This included a NOS clutch cover, clutch arm, spring, actuating pad, and actuating lever.

It's Alive...Ugly but Alive...July 12, 2010

Definitely not pretty but going in the right direction. Holy smokes! No adjustments yet. Also seems like smoke is coming out at the beginning of the exhaust and the cylinder. Had to use my smallframe tank, since I am waiting on a fuel tap wrench to clean the original tank.