Hey all. I bought this 1979 Vespa last summer, and it rode beautifully until I managed to crack the original exhaust coming off a curb. I replaced it with a new Pollini race pipe, but has not run smoothly since.
Essentially it is hard to start, and stalls often.
I have done all the obvious things - checked the spark, fuel flow and compression, cleaned the jet and the carb.
I’ve even had my friendly (non-vespa) bike mechanic have a look at it but I am at a bit of a dead end.
Does anyone have
a) Any suggestions as to what I might have missed or
b) a good vespa mechanic who would be happy to have a look at it (I spoke to Mr Agius, but he didn’t really want to know)
These might be worth a try
Dave, Dee, Dozy & Les plus D C Scooters
0208 29459107 Tudor Parade, Well Hall Road. Eltham.
Chelsea Scooters at the bottom of Wandsworth Bridge Road; they’ve been repairing and selling scooters since the early 60s and have all original staff still there. 
Thanks for the advice. I have got Lawrence (formerly of Scooterworks) at Scootech on London Road looking at it. Lets see what he comes up with.
He’s a good guy. I heard he left Scooterworks, but didn’t know where he went to. I only used to get good service at Scooterworks when he would look after my scoot.
Turns out to have been a snapped choke cable. Grr, such a simple problem, but hard to spot.
It’s now running like a dream.
Thanks Lawrence, good work.
Used to ride a vespa T5, get used to replacing the clutch cable and always carry a spare, (you want one of these http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Pedros_Cable_Puller/5360049369/?referid=frogoog&source=googleps)
You’re a bit screwed for decent scooter engineers in london, all too busy and not interested and very very expensive.
Any changes to the exhaust system and you will need to adjust the carbs fuel/air mix screw.
Theres two mobile vespa mechs scootercables and vespaman, both are ok.
Theres some geezer in kingscross thats also ment to be ok. You can also use scooterworks if you want really crap customer service and minimal effort for maximum cost.
Cheers Dunc
The guy in Kings Cross is called Trevor, he’s moved to brick lane somewhere. Very good tuner, but not really interested in being a grease monkey.
I’ll definitely check out the mobile vespa mechanics.
I bumped into Trevor in Brick Lane, he is running a tuning workshop called Project 13 and is at 111-121 Fairfield road in Bow E3 2QA. His number is 07740 680239.
Just in case anyone is trying to get in touch with him.
