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Post by pinkscoot on Feb 15, 2018 21:39:06 GMT -5
On Sunday I was looking through CL and saw this picture:
What did I see pocking its nose out between the Tao Tao's but an LX4. It was listed in Motorcycle parts so I would have never found it in the scooter section and he didn't list the Vespa so no search would work. I called the guy and he said it was an LX50 That he got from a police auction and had no title, not a problem in NC. I got him to hold it for me and went today to get it.
It has no keys, see lock was drilled and the ignition looks like it works with a screw driver. He wired a switch in to turn it on. The yellow was a paint job though some of the plastic looks like it wasn't painted and is yellow. Who ever painted it did mask it off and did an okay job. It wasn't rattle can black because it was stolen. Here are pictures, it has a few dings, not as bad as the ET2:
It's really not in bad shape and I got it for $350. He says it runs. I'm not interested in that engine running, I'm thinking drop the ET2 engine in and make it a 2 stroke. I know it will fit they do it in Europe. There is even a hole in the frame for the oil bottle. I think what it will need is to swap wire harnesses to make it work. That's what I need to figure out. But I am really psyched about the ET2 as a rat scooter running naked. For now I'll clean this up and get it running as is and use it as a grocery getter.
I'll keep you all posted about how it goes.
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Post by aeroxbud on Feb 15, 2018 22:17:42 GMT -5
Nice find 👍
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Post by hamsun on Feb 16, 2018 16:12:24 GMT -5
Good price and nice tasty find.  |
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Post by pinkscoot on Feb 16, 2018 21:30:15 GMT -5
I posted the question on Modern Vespa and Jorge who owns Scooterpartsco and is very knowledgeable says its doable His reply was:
"Piaggio put the motor in the ET2 into the LX, S, Primavera and Sprint. It will bolt right in. You will probably need to get a UK wiring diagram and parts list to see what they do about the wiring. I know the LX 2 Stroke uses a different stator and cdi than the ET2, which we have because they are in a couple of bikes that were sold in the US, like the Derbi Atlantis and some of the Aprilias. Different throttle cable, because the LX two stroke and ET two stroke models have different throttle mechanisms, but you might be able to find the cable that goes from the throttle to the splitter box (583870) and use the rest of the cable from the ET2. The cover over the battery and oil tank are the same parts on the ET2 and the LX 2 Stroke, and there are probably mounting holes for the tank on the LX frame. Should be easy. I can get all the parts to do this, it's just a matter of looking them up on a parts fiche for the LX 50 2 Stroke."
Let me get the 4poke running and see if it needs the 2 stroke or if some tuning it can be respectable. That will leave me the ET2 as a rat scoot with teeth and flames on the side.
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Post by collinsd84 on Feb 16, 2018 21:57:11 GMT -5
Nice find!
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Post by pinkscoot on Feb 17, 2018 22:55:04 GMT -5
Today David and I got this up on the lift and started to try and get it running. I wanted to see the plug and check compression. I also wanted to pull the floor board to be sure no critters were living in it. Nothing but gravel and dead stink bugs. I managed to get a socket on the plug and get a ratchet on that when I remembered that on the GTS they say use the wrench from the tool kit because it fits better. I managed with Davids help to pull the plug. It had been replaced at one time and was an Autolite.
I decided to be sure it had spark before it went back together. I put the switch I scavenged of the ET2 on and turned it and nothing. Checked the kill switch and it was right. Played with the switch still nothing. I put on my trouble shooting hat and checked the fuse, it was good when I checked continuity. I then went back to the switch and I had 12V there. Hmmmm this made no sense. I went back to the fuse and as I slid it in and out I heard clicking in the front. I grabbed another fuse and stuck it in and we had ignition. I cranked it over and had pretty blue spark. Here is a shot showing where the spark plug boot is: 
Of course with the steel body no way to get at it easily.
Before I moved on to the carb I decided to check the oil. The guy I bought it from said it looked fresh so I pulled the dip stick and yes it had oil.
No need for the dipstick. I went ahead and drained it and of course that was a trail. The person that changed it last must have used a plug from a GY6 because the strainer in it was jammed into the plug and made it hard to get out. It doesn't help that the exhaust pipe is right there and gets in the way. I'll need to remember welding gloves when I change the oil when its warm. There are 2 reasons for all of the oil, stupidity or its getting gas in it. David thought he smelled gas but after 40 yeqrs of cigarettes I don't smell much.
I managed to drain the gas tank, the PO had vise grips clamping the fuel line off and said it leaked a little. When I pulled the fuel line off of the carb there was a little dribble. When I went to suck on the vacuum line it was like sucking through an open tube. either the tube was cracked or petcock bad. I went ahead and pulled the petcock and replaced it with the expensive Malossi one I had hanging on the wall then put a new fuel line in and inline fuel filter. I finally pulled the carb and took it apart. No stripped screws thanks to my JIS screw drivers. The carb was dry so it wasn't to bad mainly corrosion on the jets. Off to the ultrasonic cleaner for a bath for the whole carb.
Another weird thing was on the front tire. It looks newer that the mileage but whoever mounted it set the rotation to reverse:
Do I need to remount it or just live with it?
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Post by collinsd84 on Feb 18, 2018 18:40:18 GMT -5
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Post by pinkscoot on Feb 18, 2018 20:25:19 GMT -5
Today David and I were able to get back at it today. Before I put the carb together I wanted to get the air filter cleaned and oiled. I opened the air box and found this:
 I thought it was something a critter left. Fortunatly I have some UNI bulk filter so I cut myself a new filter.
I got that oiled up and started to put the carb together. The pilot jet wasn't as clean as I wanted so I spent some time and carb cleaner and wire and got it open. I should have soaked it over night. The carb got together and on the first try the diaphragm didn't seat. I got some Blue gasket sealer and put 3 spots on the carb and all was good. The vacuum test worked so I was good to go. When tightening the cover on it felt like one screw wasn't tightening. The screw was good the carb was stripped. I ended up through bolting it and all was good. I then discovered that the hose clamp on the intake was stripped, I think that who ever owned this was to strong for the scoots good. Finally all was good and it started. It idled fine but no rev it would bog. I covered the air box intake and it revved right up. Hmmm a lean condition. I went ahead and tightened everything a little more and no success. I checked the intake and it was tight. I saw no cracking. I pulled it and all was good, the cap on the vacuum line was tight. It looked like the o-ring on the base might be a little to flat. I stuck another o-ring between the case and intake and tightened slowly. It started and the lean seemed to be gone. I put a new intake on my list of things needed. I then tried riding up and down the street. As soon as I got out of the drive and hit that bump it died, I'm sure the o-ring moved.
It was now time to look in the CVT, it was dirty and the belt looked warn. The pulleys were dirty but the rollers looked new and there was no restrictor ring. This had already been derestricted. I then went through and made a list of parts needed and placed some orders.
As I was driving to work I had an aha moment. The filter material I used was pretty open UNI foam and I wasn't very careful with the cutting. I may have created my own lean condition just with the air filter. That with the hose clamps and a possible intake leak would have done it. I have everything on order to make it tight again. Its getting there I was glad it ran. Next time I'm on it I'll check the valves to see if they are okay.
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Post by aeroxbud on Feb 18, 2018 21:32:20 GMT -5
Nice work. At least it's running now you can start to sort out all the little problems.
If you do decide to go with the LX swap, and I can help being based in the U.K. Let me know.
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Post by pinkscoot on Feb 28, 2018 20:50:48 GMT -5
All of the pieces I needed came in so I got back on this. I replaced the clip on the needle and discovered I didn't have the spring on it, no wonder it ran so bad. I put the new intake on, it had a nice full o-ring and sealed up tight. You can see the difference here:
Next was the new air filter and I put the bubble on the bottom of the air box so no air coming in there. I found a skinny clamp at Mcmaster-Carr and was able to seal the manifold on the carb. I was tempted to zip tie the air box on like OEM but went for as skinny of a clamp I could find. It worked well. I got the CVT together with some cleaning and a new belt. Cleaned it out and made it look pretty. These Piaggio 50's have ventilation in the CVT, a hose in the front and the have openings in the case behind the clutch. That should keep it cool. I got it to start up, adjusted the idle speed and let it idle a bit. I took it for a spin up and down the street and all seemed good, except for the fact it runs like your average 50cc 4 poke. Hmmm maybe it will get a BBK. Malossi has a nice 88cc one that with a cam can help a lot.
The steering was a little wonky but I figured that. I noticed last time I worked on it that the steering race was a few ball bearings shy of a full load.
I also saw that the speedo wasn't working, not that I was in danger of a ticket. I checked and the cable is good and turning. I tightened it up and I'll see tomorrow. Next is mirrors, glove box latch, ignition lock and seat lock. Then it should be good to go, maybe slow, but go all the same.
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Post by drc174 on Feb 28, 2018 22:39:26 GMT -5
Make that engine run, they are $$$ and then get yourself a nice little setup for that 50
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Post by pinkscoot on Mar 1, 2018 21:03:47 GMT -5
I may have a buyer for the LX50 so the ET2 will be my naked Vespa project. I picked up an S50 today so now I have 4 valves to play with. If the sale falls thorough the 2 stroke is going in the LX and I'll part out the rest of the ET.
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Post by pinkscoot on Mar 2, 2018 21:55:34 GMT -5
I had the afternoon off so I got to work on the scoot. I checked to see how it starts and it started right up. I took the speedo apart and put a screw driver in the drive shaft and spun it and it worked, Hmmm the old take it apart and put it together and it works now. While I was there I decided to put a new battery in the clock. I had to go to batteries plus to find one, got back put it in and nothing. That was a waste. I pulled the handle bars and dropped the steering bearing race in, easy peasey with a ball peen hammer and a cold chisel, not to mention the PB blaster. I got the new brake handle and mirror mount on and glued a screw point back on the front handle bar cover. Took it out and speedo worked. It was a little better running but no race winner. It was taching at 6500 rpm. I checked that the slide was working still and it seemed fine. I have a Malossi Multivar coming so I'll see if that helps. The steering was much improved. Tomorrow I hope to get it all buttoned up and wait on the Multivar. Maybe I'll take it on a longer run and see if it opens up a little more. I want to get the S50 on the lift and hear it run.
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Post by pinkscoot on Mar 3, 2018 19:11:57 GMT -5
I finally got this buttoned up and the plastics back on. The handle bar plastics are a pain. I put the new lock tumblers in and they worked great except that if you don't push in on the switch the key spins. I need to better research that. I adjusted the intake valve, it was a little tight. It is a biotch getting to the bolts, I should have pulled the coil to get one but was able to work around it. It started up every time I've tried it and runs nicely. collinsd84 was helping me and took it for a ride because he knows what w 50cc 4 stroke should feel like. He came back and said it was fine., then decided he definitely wanted to buy it. I offered a year warranty and would take his scoot in trade. I'm going to ride it for a month and work out any issues and then its his. Congratulations David you are now a Vespa owner.  |
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Post by collinsd84 on Mar 4, 2018 16:42:49 GMT -5
It was a lot of fun riding it yesterday, pinkscoot. Can't wait for the month to be up.
Pretty happy with it.
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