Vespa Variator Roller Change & Bendix gear cleaning

Scooter girl gets some help in her latest installment of scooter maintenance videos. Learn how to replace the variator rollers and clean the "sticky" bendix gear on a Vespa LX150 with a LEADER engine.

The Dracula ride: a Halloween event

It was two days before Halloween, and I led a ride for the St. Pete Beach scooter club from Treasure Island to Dunedin, FL. It was a beautiful evening for a ride. Unseasonably warm, which made for a great ride. I left my trade mark aloha shirt at home, and wore a special Halloween Margaritaville long sleeve T as my costume.

I realized that my route to Treasure Island took me over Florida Highway 666 "The Devil's Highway". I thought it was appropriate for this spooky event. My Vespa was covered jack-o-lanterns which light up for the ride back to Dunedin.

My costumed Vespa on "The Devil's Highway"

When we got to Dunedin, it was packed with witches and ghouls of all types. There where even a few other scooters on Main street. We left our scoot-o-lanterns flashing and started down Main street. We stopped in a Pan y Vino for dinner. We ordered some wood fire pizzas, and I had a great glass of wine. While the food was really good, we did feel it was a little pricey. I definitely recommend Pan y Vino but be prepared to spend more than your average pizza place.

Stella and Vespa decorated with glowing jack-o-lanterns

After dinner we took a walk to the park and caught a few minutes of the classic Dracula. The park was packed with people. Not being able to find anywhere to sit, we walked down to Flanagan's Irish Pub for a pint. We were entertained by Peter Robinson singing some classic Irish songs with lively audience joining it. Flanagan's is a great place, and we stayed for a couple hours, and a couple pints, having a great time.

Peter Robinson at Flanagan's Irish Pub

While there wasn't as many scooters on the ride as I had hoped. The six of us who showed up ended up having a great time. Next time, maybe we'll skip the movie and go straight to the pub.

Vespa Rear Drum Brake Adjustment (How to)

Scooter Girl demonstrates how to adjust the rear drum brake on a Vespa LX150. This procedure can be applied to any scooter or motorcycle with rear drum brakes.

TIP: If either the lock nut or adjustment nut will not loosen, possibly due to corrosion, the outer cable must be held stable. There is a 7mm nut at the cable sheath end of the threaded shaft (at the opposite end from the locknut) specifically for holding the cable steady.  See image below

Vespa Brake Fluid Change (How to)

Scooter Girl demonstrates how to change the hydraulic brake fluid on the disc brakes of a Vespa LX150. It's important to change your brake fluid regularly. Vespa recommends every two years for the LX150. This procedure can be applied to any scooter or motorcycle with disc brakes.

Tampa Bay loses a Vespa dealer

Maybe it was the extreme cold winter or the economic recession has taken it's toll, but Vespa Tampa (actually located in St. Petersburg) has closed it's doors. It wasn't too long ago that gas was over $4 a gallon, and everyone was looking for scooters and small motorcycles to commute. It's a shame, Vespa Tampa's store in downtown St. Pete was a unique boutique type store.

It's been confirmed on ModernVespa.com that Vespa Clearwater (part of Universal Motors) is open for business with bikes and parts in stock. Hopefully with the weather turning the warmer, we'll start to see more happy faces out riding on scooters.

Testing my camera while riding

Last June I got a new camera, and I wanted to test out the quality if I hand held the camera while riding. Probably not the safest thing to do, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. I tested this on a street in our community, so I new there would be little traffic. The camera worked pretty well, my next step is to try to mount it with a gorilla post for more extended riding. All of our videos to date have been shot on the Sanyo Xacti 2 waterproof camera.

Here's short clip of me and the beach. I may have gotten carried away with some of the iMovie sounds clips.

Vespa Air Filter Cleaning (How to)

Scooter Girl demonstrates how to clean the sponge type air filter used in Vespas. This video shows a Vespa LX150, and how to clean both the primary and secondary air filters.

Scooter Girl Euro Turn Signal Kit Installation on Vespa LX150

Scooter Girl demonstrates how to install the Vespa LX150 Euro Turn Signal Kit from Motorsport Scooters. This kit allows you to remove the stock turn signal pods, and convert your running lights into running lights and turn signals. Your scooter will regain the original European look.

Vespa - Rear Tire Change (How to)

In this video excerpt, Maureen demonstrates how to change the rear tire on a Vespa LX. The reassembly is available in "Part 2: A Florida Scooter Girl's Vespa LX 150 Maintenance Video".

To watch the full procedure, including the engine and gear box oil changes, please view "Part 1: A Florida Scooter Girl's Vespa LX 150 Maintenance Video".

Vespa LX 150 Engine Oil Change (How to)

In this video excerpt, Maureen demonstrates how to change the engine oil on a Vespa LX. To watch the full procedure, including removal of the wheel, please view "Part 1: A Florida Scooter Girl's Vespa LX 150 Maintenance Video".

Vespa LX 150 Gear Box 'hub' Oil Change (How to)

In this video excerpt, Maureen demonstrates how to change the hub (gear box) oil on a Vespa LX. To watch the full procedure, including removal of the wheel, please view "Part 1: A Florida Scooter Girl's Vespa LX 150 Maintenance Video".

Part 2: A Florida Scooter Girl's Vespa LX 150 Maintenance Video

Maureen wanted to learn how to do some of the Vespa maintenance. I told her why not make a video to share with other scooter riders who may want to learn as well. She thought it was a great idea. 

In this video, she demonstrates how to: change the rear tire; change the gear box oil; and change the engine oil. Part 1 shows the tire removal and part 2 shows the reassembly. We had a great time, and I hope you enjoy watching.

Part 1: A Florida Scooter Girl's Vespa LX 150 Maintenance Video

Maureen wanted to learn how to do some of the Vespa maintenance. I told her why not make a video to share with other scooter riders who may want to learn as well. She thought it was a great idea. 

In this video, she demonstrates how to: change the rear tire; change the gear box oil; and change the engine oil. Part 1 shows the tire removal and part 2 shows the reassembly. We had a great time, and I hope you enjoy watching.