800 241 8178

i n f o @ yo u r ve s p a . c o m
w w w. yo u r ve s p a . c o m

G E T T I N G T O K N O W Y O U R V I N TA G E V E S PA
Before starting your Vespa
1. Remove the tape from the tip of the exhaust. The tape has been placed there to prevent moisture from entering the
engine.
2. Remove the leather piece from beneath the gas tank cap. The leather is used to prevent penetrating moisture from
inside the gas tank.
3. The oil for the transmission is already inside and ready to use. Although you will need to change this oil about every
3 months, you do not need to add oil before starting the Vespa.
4. The gas tank is located in between the two seats. (See figure 1)
Figure 1

5. Loosen the nut and fold it over the bar. Lift the bar with the gas cap to open the tank. Make sure you screw the nut
back tightly to secure the gas cap.
6. This is a 2 stroke motor and requires both unleaded gasoline and oil (2 stroke motor oil - i.e. SAE 30). The tank holds
about 2 gallons. Since there are many new parts in the engine, the engine needs to be broken in properly. Start with
higher mix ratio and continue to standard mix of 3% after you used 6 tanks of gas or ridden over 200 miles.
Important note: Since there are many new components in the engine, the engine must be broken in properly. It is very
important not to drive the scooter over 30 mph (or over 1/3 of the throttle)for the first 500 miles. Use the following
mixture ratio to break in the engine.
First 4 tanks of gas - use 5% (or 20:1) mixture of oil and gas. Each gallon of gas requires 6.4 fluid ounces of oil
Another 2 tanks of gas (or until you reach 200 miles) - use 4% (or 25:1) mixture. Each gallon of gas will require 5 fluid
ounces of oil.
After this initial break in period, use standard mixture of 3% (or 32:1), where each gallon of gas requires 3.85 fluid
ounces of oil.
7. Make sure your key is in the ignition and turned on. (See figures 2 and 3)
Figure 2 Figure 3

Key in the OFF position Key in the ON position

Page 1
8. The fuel switch must be turned to the ON position as shown on figure 4 below. This switch also includes a position
for the reserve tank. There is no fuel level indicator as on most older motorcycles, so the reserve gas tank allows you
to travel up to additional 10 miles in case you run out of gas. When operating the scooter make sure the switch is in
the upright position as pictured below.
Figure 4

Reserve position ON position OFF position

9. When the Vespa is first started (or the engine is cold), use the choke to help start the scooter. The choke is located
under the seat directly above the fuel switch. Refer to figure 4, where you can see the choke pull. Pull the choke out
every time the engine is cold. When you get your Vespa, it might take several kicks to start it since it has been traveling
for a while. After the engine starts, slowly push the choke back to the off position.
Important note: Please make sure that the choke is pushed all the way back to the off position before driving
the Vespa.
10. Ensure your Vespa is in the neutral gear before starting it (between gears 1 and 2). (See figure 5) Also make sure that
the throttle is pushed all the way forward to the idle position.
Figure 5

Starting your Vespa - Operating instructions

1. Kick start your Vespa. Make sure you push through on the starter. Think push, not kick.
2. Now the scooter is running and you need to know how to operate it. The throttle is on the right side handle and as
you rotate it backwards it increases the engine speed. There are two ways to stop the engine. You can either turn the
key in the ignition to the off position or you can use the kill switch located on the right side handle. (See figure 6)
Figure 6
Push the kill switch button in and hold it until the engine stops. On the left side
handle you will also find electronic operators as depicted on the picture. Make
sure you learn what each button/switch performs before you take your Vespa
out on the streets.

Page 2
3. Clutch and shifter are located on the left side handle, while throttle and front brake are on the right side handle. (See
figure 7) Pull in the clutch and move the shifter to the first gear position (number 1 must be aligned with the dot). You
are now in the first gear. To complete the shifting let the clutch out slowly and pull the throttle towards you slowly.
You will be able to shift the gears depending on your speed with the same procedure. Make sure that when you start
and stop the engine, the shifter is in the neutral gear (the two dots are aligned).

Figure 7

4. Should you need to access the engine for maintenance or oil change, there is an engine cover release, which allows
you to remove the whole cowl covering the engine. Do this slowly and carefully so that you do not scratch the paint.
(1) Rotate the engine cover release locates on the right bottom corner of the cowl (See figure 8). (2) After you open
the lever, pull the cover slowly away from the body in order to release the pin on the left side of the cowl. (3) Lift the
cover straight up and rotate along the curvature of the pin to release from the body. There are two pins in the bottom
corners of the cover and one “U” shaped holder in the center top portion. Please remove the cover slowly and do not
force it in directions it is not supposed to go.

Figure 8

IMPORTANT NOTE: Please be sure to check the brake lines before using the scooter, it is possible that they have been
loosened during the shipping period. Just check the correct response and adjust accordingly.
NOTE: Use rear brakes (pedal brake) for primary braking, drum brakes are harder to stop than the disc ones. The rear
brake works better and should be used for most of the breaking power.

Page 3
Troubleshooting
Problem: I have taken the scooter out of the crate and followed the instructions and the Vespa does not start, what do I
do?
Solution: Since the scooter has not been started for a long journey sometimes some fuel in the lines clogs the fuel flow, or
the spark plug gets fouled. Simply remove the spark plug and spray starter fluid into the spark plug hole. Replace the spark
plug with the new one shipped with the Scooter. Try restarting. If this does not work try turning the fuel on off switch
to the reserve position and repeat the proceeding instructions. If none of the steps and tips work, it is possible that the
gas in the tank got compromised after a long journey. Pump out all the gas from the tank and replace with new mixture
according to instructions above.
Tip: Tilt the scooter to the right side to help get the fuel flowing when the scooter is cold. This is better then using the
choke and works for all Vespa scooters.
Tip: Replacing your spark plug once a month regardless of use will reduce any problems, and improve performance. This
is especially important during the break in period running higher oil mixtures.
Problem: After driving for some time the clutch needs some adjusting.
Solution: After the break in period the clutch may need a minor adjustment. Under the chassis there is a clutch adjust-
ment arm. Tighten or loosen the cable to make the clutch perform properly. Consult your original manual for specific
instructions.

Routine maintenance (for specific and advanced information, please consult your original manual)
1. Replace the spark plug monthly. 90% of all engine trouble is related to the spark plug. To ensure a highly reliable en-
gine, please replace the spark plug monthly regardless of use. Please put the spare spark plug included and universal
wrench on the scooter and take with you at all times.
2. Crank case oil needs to be replaced every three months. New oil was put in after the engine was rebuilt. he scooter
uses SAE 30W or ST90 Oil.
Instructions for replacing the oil in your Vespa Scooter:
A two stroke engine lubricates itself in two separate ways. The gearbox, clutch, and drive assembly is lubricated by stan-
dard gearbox oil. There is no oil pump but instead the gears running in the oil manage to pass enough oil around the
gearbox to lubricate it properly. Gearbox oil in a Vespa scooter should be changed about every 3000 miles with new SAE
80 gear oil, which is the same as SAE 30 motor oil. For some reason oil manufacturers have different viscosity definitions
for motor oil vs. gear oil. This is a constant cause of confusion when buying transmission oil for your scooter. If in doubt
remember that oil for car engines is crankcase oil and oil specifically for scooter transmissions is gear oil. Below are direc-
tions for most large frame Vespas. These are all the scooters we offer except for scooters with the optional 50cc engines.
Tools you will need:
• A 10mm wrench or a socket and driver
• Large flathead screwdriver
• About 1 1/4 pints of ST 90 gear oil (SAE 30 motor oil) with a syringe or hose attachment to the container
• Oil drain pan
It is a good idea to run the bike around for a while to get the oil hot as it
will flow much more easily. Place the bike on its kick stand on level ground
and look underneath the right hand side of the engine. You’ll see a small
bolt that (if it is not covered in grime) should have “OLIO” printed on the
head.

Place an oil drain pan below the bolt and loosen it (see figure 9) allowing
the oil to drain. Be careful not to lose the small sealing washer around the
outer rim as this can be reused if necessary although it is best if replaced.
Once the oil plug is removed the oil will flow out of the crankcase into the
oil pan below.

(Continues on the next page)

Figure 9
Page 4
Once all the oil has drained out, refit the oil drain plug, but only turn it about 1/2 to 1 turn past finger tight. Once the oil
has drained refit the drain plug with a new felt or brass sealing washer. DO NOT tighten more than about a 1/2 to 3/4 of
a turn more than hand tight. The small diameter and soft aluminum casing make it easy to strip the threads. If you find
that the threads are stripped or you strip them yourself we’ve had success with using white plumbers tape around the
threads. It can be bought at any hardware store and is basically a very thin plastic tape that plumbers use to seal threads
when connecting gas or water lines. Wrap a 2” length around the threads and carefully tighten it in place.

Find the oil filler hole which is just to the rear and slightly below the gear selector box. Remove the slotted bolt with a
large screwdriver. The new oil goes in this hole and needs to be filled up to the filler hole level when the bike is on the
stand on level ground. We use an attachment tube which screws on to a standard quart of oil. These are available at most
auto parts stores.

Other helpful sources

For general maintenance and community-driven help site visit: www.scooterhelp.com

For parts and accessories, please visit: www.yourvespa.com

T H A N K Y O U V E RY M U C H F O R Y O U R B U S I N E S S
We appreciate your business and hope that the Vespa scooter will bring you much enjoyment for the
years to come. If you are satisfied with your purchase and our service, please spread the word. We would
also very much appreciate any feedback you can possibly give us. Your words will help us improve and
grow. Please let us know at info@yourvespa.com.

If you ever run into a problem do not hesitate to contact us and we will be happy to help. We stay in touch and we would
love, if you do the same.

Page 5