There was a hornet's nest inside the carb. We hired Christopher Markley to rebuild the carb, because he was doing the engine rebuild at the same time and we wanted to have him deliver us a completely functioning engine. We even had him clean the air filter in his parts cleaner. The carb sat in his parts cleaner machine for two weeks I believe before he could rebuild it. He said it was a mess.
Look at how dirty the carb bowl was. A carb rebuild kit costs about $15 and labor with Christopher Markley was another $25. It helps when you have the right tools. We now have a rebuilt carb that is clean and to manufacturer spec.Note: SS180s produced in 1966 and before used a 117 main jet in the carb and they had problems seizing. Piaggio then switched to a 120 main jet and recommended all earlier models do the same.
5 comments:
I don't know how you are for available time to work on your scoot but, I would suggest that you do as much of the work that you can yourself. It saves money, but, more importantly, it teaches you about your scoot, how everything works and how it all goes together. It's fun (well, I think so anyway) and it gives you a real knowledge base so you never really have to take your scoot to any scoot service shop in the future (you just fix it yourself). It's very rewarding when you bring the scoot back from the grave and make it live again. "They" say we men so this because we can't give birth....
Paul B.
I agree with Paul. The cleaning of the carb is really easy. The main keys of good running motor of GS160/SS180 are the timing and the carb condition. That's it.
-Palmog
Paul,
First off thanx for adding to this Blog in the making. I hope that inspires and helps other restore, and in my opinion, get back on the road vintage beauties.
Short answer:
You are correct & my wife and I agree with you. From here on out I plan to box up what we have done until next Fall (a lot going on) and then VERY slowly put everything back together researching each step and peice a long the way. I need to bond with bike.
Long answer:
I have a 14 week old son and have made a career change -- went back to school at 30 (now 33)-- and became a teacher. This is my first year teaching and sucks up so much of me.
When Lisa and I first bought this bike our goal was to do as much of it as possible, but then decided to have a baby and also make a few big financial commitments so (1) we complete the bike while we had the money and (2) due to the rarity of the bike I would not have to make any "beginner's mistakes" -- as I'd rather learn on a more common bike and finally (3) we could unvail the SS at Seattle at AmeriVespa this summer -- we have lots of family in Portland, OR and that is where my wife is from.
What we quickly learned is (1) bikes take time to put back together correctly and (2) my gawd it gets expensive. Way too expensive to have another person do it for me. I will save over $1,000 by bonding with this bike and doing the work myself, plus I will get the satisfaction and pride of doing the work myself.
Furthermore, since we have to do the work ourselves I know longer feel stressed out about money and timing and we freed up some funds . . . we are looking at a 1964 Lammy TV 175 with two motors in package for $1300 next weeked. We'll probably pick it up, box it up, and open it after the SS is done.
Best,
Jeremy
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