Flywheel and Brakes removal

So after getting past my little stripped screw incident I have had pretty smooth sailing in the disassembly process. I managed to get off the flywheel magneto fairly simply. Just leave the snap ring (circlip in british english, also the language used in my haynes manual) and slowly loosen the self extracting nut. It just popped off!

Then onto the rear brakes. They were easy enough, just remove the snap rings on the brake shoes, compress them to loosen up the spring on the other side and slip them off the their respective bolts.

 

Pics on the web!

So I've only been posting the most pertinent pics on here, but to see the whole progression go to my picassa webpage for all the images! Picass Album

Screw Extractor, random disassembly

So after rebuilding the carb I got stuck for a few days thanks to a nicely stripped countersunk aluminum retaining screw in the air filter box. 

This is where I learned of the gloriousness that is a 'screw extractor' or a left threaded screw. Thanks to the drill from dad and the titanium bit, I drilled a little hole in the screw and with a pair of vice grips she came right out! VICTORY! 

In the meantime, I had got frustrated so I started doing things I knew I could accomplish, like disassembly of random parts and their cataloging for later reassembly. See pics.

You probably cant read or see it from the pic but this is in italian and is very visibly the original inner tube, which still holds air. Better believe thats goin back in!

Carb rebuild

So this is was my first real test of mechanical savvy. Thank goodness it was the most straighforward and everything was more or less intact when I got there. A quick soak with some carb cleaner and she was ready to be put back together. I replaced the necessary seals, the float and rearranged the air jets, though I am still waiting for another package with the Carb Jets cover. When she arrives you bet there will be pics.

ScooterWorks!!!

So its ironic that I have to move halfway around the country to find out about the most amazing scootershop in the US right in my own backyard. Scooterworks on North Damen, thank goodness, also does a fantastic internet parts business. I got the first of what I'm sure are to be many packages from these wonderful gentleman, quickly and at a reasonable price! Got a set of engine block gaskets and some rubber grommets and other various odds and ends. And as a treat they threw in some cherry heads, talk about great service!

Yankin the gas tank and finding a friend

So I am a little stuck with the engine rebuild as there is a stripped screw holding down the carb box to the engine block. I changed gears and decided to do some more work on the body/fuel system and remove the gas tank. Wasnt that difficult, just remove the rubber grommet on the fuel tap lever and the two screws holding down the tank to the body. Then pull up and twist and the whole apparatus pulls out.  

Little did I know that a friend had decided to take up residence in the body. He had apparently been there for awhile as he was just as rusted and crusty as the rest of the dirty inside. No more squatters in my Vespa!!

The future saddle of my mighty steed

So she may not look pretty now, but thats not what's important. Theres a lot of character here to work with and hopefully with a little help from mom and the nice people at the leather goods store I'll have a great looking hand stitched saddle and passenger seat! This is what it looks like now:

I haven't decided yet how I am going to clean'er up but I've got some ideas. I have read about electrolysis and seems to be the most hardcore, but not necessarily the easiest. Then theres sandblasting and about a million different products you can buy from Autozone to spray off the rust. Will update when I've decided.