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Post by shaunbt on Sept 23, 2009 22:05:38 GMT
hi there,just got my first vespa, its a px200 (1996) and wondering if anyone can give me a few pointers as to why the bike feels unstable at anything over 50mph,i have set the tyre pressures as per haynes manual,checked the wheel bearings they are fine,maybe its me just not being used to vespas,and also the front brake (drum) is just "dangerous " as regards the brake i have checked the brake shoes,they were ok,cleaned the drum with brake cleaner,roughed up the shoes with sandpaper but its still useless.
thanks in advance.
shaun
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Post by cbtpwrman on Sept 24, 2009 20:38:45 GMT
Shaunbt,
I got my first Vespa, a 1997 PX 200 E about 10 months ago (I had an old PK 50 years ago) and I was thinking what you are probably thinking now ref handling. I have had/ridden sh*t loads of other bikes ad nothing is like a Vespa !!!!
I would strongly suggest investing in some decent quality tyres, I did and this helped, I had the original factory ones on when I bought it. Like you say you have checked all the obvious, wheels, bearings etc, but double check, check rims are true and not buckeled etc. Check your rear suspension as well, basically everything. I must admit when I first rode mine I sh*t myself, try going on the motorway with lorries passing you!! thats a laugh....NOT!
As for your front break, mine isn't that great but yours sounds a little suspect to say the least, all I can sugest is go out and ride it and maybe gently rub the break (when safe to do so), mabe it has sat a while before you bought it.
Happy Vesparing, and enjoy the craic.
All the best
Stu W
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Post by Rudi on Sept 25, 2009 6:01:03 GMT
hi there,just got my first vespa, its a px200 (1996) and wondering if anyone can give me a few pointers as to why the bike feels unstable at anything over 50mph,i have set the tyre pressures as per haynes manual,checked the wheel bearings they are fine,maybe its me just not being used to vespas,and also the front brake (drum) is just "dangerous " as regards the brake i have checked the brake shoes,they were ok,cleaned the drum with brake cleaner,roughed up the shoes with sandpaper but its still useless. thanks in advance. shaun hi , well, poor handling is a wide term. maybe there is sth wrong with your scooter but in general the classic vespa's aren't good at strait line stability , especially in high speeds. its the steering geometry, small diameter wheels, short wheel base... regarding air pressure,Haynes manual numbers are way too low for me. the only advantage i could think of , of so low air pressure in the front, is more contact area with the asphalt...i fill 36R/30F. try different pressures, see what you prefer as for the front brake, I dont think you can do anything with the old shoe brakes, in every way you look at it, they stink... the solution is a kit |
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Post by scootlin on Sept 28, 2009 7:18:06 GMT
hiya mate, ive got a p125x and had same problem as you. turned out the tyres wernt positioned on the rims correctly. if you look at the tyres, there is a moulded line going round the edge next to your wheel rim, make sure the spacing is even all way round. i had to inflate to 45psi to even it out, and then deflate to correct pressures. was fine after that. i use 30r/20f. hope you sort it. scotty
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Post by dave1967 on Oct 3, 2009 11:06:02 GMT
Hi
I had exactly the same problem with my P200 after changing the tyres to Conti Zippys, The compound on Contis was far harder than the michelins i had before so the vibration coming through the steering was really bad under braking and the tyres just didnt grip. However what i did discover whilst investigating how to cure this was that the Hub back plate bearing where knackered so stripped it down and replaced all bearing and seals put the contis back on but still felt they were to hard. Put michelins back on and the ride and handling has inproved no end, however brakes are still crap so i have invested in a disc brake conversion from reserrection scooters, problem solved.
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Post by toyclean on Oct 7, 2009 19:31:17 GMT
Hey Dave1967, how did you get on wiht that Resurrection disc brake kit? I've seen them for £180, there's not mention of having to grind our extra space in the handlebar bottom piece, is that true?
Cheers.
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