Vespatude - A Vespa Blog: The Vespa's not moving

Trying to get my gas tank paint issues is becoming a lower priority than before. I am afraid that I am going to have to go back in the engine. I spent some time doing everything I could on the outside of the case to fix the shifting problems I am having. I'm convinced it is something inside the case.

I worked on the rear hub to make sure it was tight. Someone on ScooterBBS told me that could cause the bike to drop out of fourth gear. Everything back there seems to be just fine. I don't think I could get it any tighter and there is no play with the wheel.

I then turned my attention again to the selector box. The shifting rod is as far in as it will go. I also put in a thicker gasket that moved the box out just enough to make sure the selector fits perfectly in the rocker. I can't find anything else that could be causing this. The gears change just find, but something inside the engine is pulling the scooter out of fourth - it will pop right back in, but who wants to go down the road popping in and out of fourth?

I've ordered more parts and will be going into the case when they get here. I plan to replace the gear shim and the shifting cross. While I am at it, I will replace the rear seal.

That's not all. I noticed that I started losing compression. Turns out that one of the studs for the cylinder was broken up near the nut! It was causing the gases to escape around the base of the cylinder. I've had to go ahead and purchase new studs as well.

So, right now, I can't even limp around in third gear. The scooter's engine is just about shot. I really need to get a new one. This is going to start driving me nuts!