Long term underside protection...ooooh ahhh Mrs.

[ET]

As I'm intending keeping my Scoot for a while...I get one opportunity where everything is brand spanking new.

So fellow Vesperators, what measures should I take to protect underside areas and under fenders.

Copter tape? Stone chip paint?  Or something different?

I'm going to spray ACF50 in hidden areas too.


What have others done?  Things to avoid? 

Ta.

[bryno]

I just use clear wax oil, I'd not spray stone chip paint or anything similar on new scoot or a restoration personally. If it's a daily ride wax oil needs doing every 6 months or so, I use GT 85 on metal parts, doesn't last long but I do regular.

I use copter tape (3m high abrasive tape) in various parts on the scooter though not on the underside.

[henri]

i stopped using stone chip as i found it will eventually crack n hide damage til a bit size of ya palm falls off revealing rust hole behind , on my own scoots i bare-metal,rust cure,etch prime n synthetic enamel cellulose ,like hammerite, its used for tractors n lorry chassis , comes in loads of colours so you can near-match top colour or contrast it ,on my daily i went red n grey rubbers/seat cover so covered underside in grey enamel ,
recently have thought about using rubberised paint under enamel in really vunerable areas ,inside mudguards an just behind front wheel , its expensive stuff but if guaranteed for 30 years on flat roofs should last a while ,
if you really want scoot to last ,pull the tank n waxoyl with added rust inhibitor inside frame ,stand it in boily hot water as ya spray ,the waxoyl not scoot or you, so its really runny .
an every time exhaust is off scrub n re-paint frame above where exhaust sits with high temp paint as exhaust cooks the paint off here . an last but not least every autumn prepare for winter ,fix all chips n rust spots an either wax or wax oil all vulnerable spots n shiny stuff , H

[ET]

Thanks guys. I really rate ACF50 (its for aircraft frames and expensive - its like a very fine oil but acts as an anode, so it deteriates rather than the bike -So the frame, or rather monocoque will get this tratment annually. I agree about stone chip paint - I think you both have a good point.

Might just use clear copter tape (or sheet) on the underside in direct wheel line blast, at least you can see what's going on and replace as necessary. Rubberised paint is an idea...I do have a big pot of waxoil protecty paint stuff, but my concern is that you can't see what's going on underneath.

Does rust tend to be a problem on modern Vespas? The only other ITalian built bike I had was, ironically, a Yamaha. When it was left in the rain, and I returned, as I stood it up there would be a big pool of "sunrise orange" water, as it drained from inside the frame...it was a new bike too. After the rectifier blew up for the second time in six months I got rid of it"

[henri]

if ya buy a new vespa check the warranty ,it says an i shorten the legal speak here ," if it rusts in first year dont tell us coz we dont care" ,an my routines repeated every 2 winters ,new paint n rust cleaned , they can last a long time if cared for ,otherwise ive done lifesaving welding on 4-6 year olds , up to you really i guess , H

[bryno]

If it's a modern auto then I am happy to know nothing!

If it's a PX, then it will rust very quickly, they don't do much in the way of paint on the underside and certainly no other anti-corrosion measures.

Copter tape benind the front wheel where it get hammered is a good idea, on my PX I actually have a home made guard there (think PVC tape and black plastic LOL) as even when I repaint, it soon gets chipped off.

On my sports bike I used copter tape in the same place to good effect.