Winter project....Vespa Sprint VLB

Discussion in 'Show Us Your Bit On The Side' started by theBusmonkey, Dec 9, 2021.

  1. theBusmonkey

    theBusmonkey Sponsor

    I really aught to get on with this. It won't take much I reckon and with a Vespa guru not a million miles away there are no excuses really...

    IMG_20211209_173859_compress86.jpg

    IMG_20211209_173245_compress87.jpg

    IMG_20211209_173919_compress14.jpg
     
  2. It Looks Italian and Spanish..
     
  3. theBusmonkey

    theBusmonkey Sponsor

    Indeed:thumbsup:
    Built under license in Madrid by Moto Vespa.
    Vespas were produced there since 1953 but no longer. Its owned by parent Piaggio I think now.
     
    F_Pantos, scrooge95 and dubsurftones like this.
  4. Muy bonita!
     
    F_Pantos likes this.
  5. theBusmonkey

    theBusmonkey Sponsor

    Gassy arse mi amigo
     
    Jack Tatty, F_Pantos and Dicky like this.
  6. De nada!
     
  7. scrooge95

    scrooge95 Moderator and piggy bank keeper

    That'll be okay - you're used to left hand drive ;)

    Looks ace! Get on with it then :D
     
    theBusmonkey and art b like this.
  8. theBusmonkey

    theBusmonkey Sponsor

    Well the first step is to make it all accessible. The space in the 'clean' side of the workshop has become somewhat limited with the T3 interior and add-ons sort of growing arms and legs whilst the van has been away.
    Loads of carp has been piled up on the err pile, so a bit of messing about this morning and I now have accessible projects....:thumbsup:
    I'm afraid I have to force myself to take away the excuses:rolleyes:

    IMG_20211210_104637_compress59.jpg

    It amazing what you can do with a bit of pallet wood and enthusiasm..:D
     
    F_Pantos and Dicky like this.
  9. [QUOTE="theBusmonkey, post:

    It amazing what you can do with a bit of pallet wood and enthusiasm..:D[/QUOTE]
    Crikey… you building a sidecar too!
     
    Merlin Cat, art b and theBusmonkey like this.
  10. theBusmonkey

    theBusmonkey Sponsor

    Stumbled over that video of Gem Booth the other day. Nah, think I'll leave that to the loons!
     
    Dicky likes this.
  11. its good fun - believe me!
     
  12. theBusmonkey

    theBusmonkey Sponsor

    New Year's Day, how better than to spend it tinkering.
    A little while ago I fitted a later PX125 engine for more modern reliability.
    The original mid 60s Spanish unit was based on even earlier 1950s technology being made under licence and not actually by Piaggio, and there were bits missing etc.
    The large frame Vespas are reasonably modular so a late 90s/early 2000s lump went in with no bother.
    I hadn't opened the motor, just fitted a new clutch which was giving problems, so I decided to pull the head in order to send it away for skimming.
    2 strokes are tuned by altering port timings and an easy old skool method is to raise the cylinder with a thicker base gasket and zero deck the head. 125s are weedy and I want it to be a bit safer.

    Later PX125E engine in mid 60s frame..
    IMG_20220101_164939_compress91.jpg

    Head off, but all is not as it seems...
    IMG_20220101_141654_compress86.jpg

    The DR denotes it's an aftermarket one...
    IMG_20220101_144528_compress57.jpg

    ..and a quick measure confirms it's a 63mm bore as opposed to standard 125 which is 52.5

    Result, it turns out this motor already has a 177cc conversion with additional porting.
    IMG_20220101_145512_compress3.jpg

    It had been blowing a little around the head so I got out the glass and grinding paste and lapped it smooth..
    IMG_20220101_152906_compress54.jpg

    And threw it all back together.

    Next stop, find out what's wrong with the clutch. The reason I threw it into the back of the workshop in the first place :rolleyes:
     
    art b, F_Pantos, CollyP and 2 others like this.
  13. theBusmonkey

    theBusmonkey Sponsor

    Clutching at stuff...

    Around the other side today.
    IMG_20220102_131754_compress44.jpg

    The clutch is cable operated and is simply a lever, pushing on a basket of alternating steel and cork plates which is either driven by the crank, or not!
    Screenshot_2022-01-02-18-10-15-919_com.miui.gallery_compress99.jpg

    Once the cable and cover are off, the clutch is exposed.
    IMG_20220102_133916_compress77.jpg

    So I wrestled it on to a bench and stripped it down.
    IMG_20220102_155604_compress96.jpg

    Nothing obviously wrong, so it got thrown back together and stuffed back on to the end of the crank.
    IMG_20220102_141602_compress65.jpg

    Next step is to run the engine and see if it all works. Need fuel for that so called it a day for today:cheers:
     
    nicktuft, CollyP, Purple and 3 others like this.
  14. Good work...:thumbsup:

    nice pics n write up too..:hattip:
     
    theBusmonkey likes this.
  15. theBusmonkey likes this.
  16. theBusmonkey

    theBusmonkey Sponsor

    This PK started at 500. Not as pretty but a potentially good entry to small frames and their tuning.

    Screenshot_2022-01-03-11-25-36-405_com.ebay.mobile.jpg

    Already got a 130 conversion but clutch issues and a bit of welding required apparently:thinking:
     
    Purple likes this.
  17. Thats already on my watch list......


    And this:

    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284592278009

    I had an auto a few years but stupidly sold it along with a 50 Special.......

    It was odd sitting on a Vespa with no foot brake.
     
  18. And off we go again.....

    20220103_155118.jpg
     
    F_Pantos, Dicky and theBusmonkey like this.
  19. theBusmonkey

    theBusmonkey Sponsor

  20. theBusmonkey

    theBusmonkey Sponsor

    Well, as far as my project is concerned the clutch still doesn't operate properly. Hours of reading through forums has led to the possibility that I need a shim or two between the crank and the clutch gear.
    They'll have to come from Germany.
    So yesterday's fettling finished with a scoot that starts first kick, idles nicely, goes like sh1t off a shovel but with clutch-less changes and has all lights and horn working.
    I consoled myself over the clutch shenanigans by fitting the rear lamp and the panel trims.

    Late finish
    IMG_20220103_164753_compress27.jpg

    Nice ass...well I think so
    IMG_20220103_174754_compress97.jpg

    Timing disc arrived today so I get to play a bit more before the shims arrive!
    IMG_20220104_190650_compress11.jpg
     
    F_Pantos, Purple, Zed and 3 others like this.

Share This Page