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Here's Punkin

Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2017 1:57 pm
by Wheelman-111
Greetings:

With the sale of Golden Boy, I have been on the hunt for a lighter scooter like the PCX 150. Instead a Deal popped up a 5 minute WALK from my Deepinnaharta home. Here's Punkin:
PunkinAstern.jpg
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That's a 2010 Vespa S50 with 256 miles on the odometer.

In a race, that is the view hardly anyone will ever see. Y'see, Punkin is a bit uhm, ... Performance Challenged. Despite the Techy 4-valve top end and substantial 20mm carb, the people over at Vespa have made sure nobody ever gets hurt on one:
PunkinGPS1StockR.jpg
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Yup, the advertised top speed is pretty much all it allows. The speedometer is about 7% optimistic, so the indicated speed was a needle or two north of 40 but GPS don't lie.

Still, I've always wanted to see how this expensive brand still managed to sell with underwhelming performance at a high price. So far - 10 miles ridden - I've already noticed how stiff the chassis feels. While not wallowing, the ride is firm and controlled and steering inputs have a palpably more precise result than the SR Elite. Brakes are superb. It's also substantially larger and - GULP! - 85 pounds heavier. But it was in exceptionally good condition overall and the mileage was accurate by every criterion I could find.

I installed a Malossi variator yesterday. The process is the same as the Elite, but there are a lot more screws AND a belt cavity ventilation system to get through before you get to the good stuff. I foolishly included a plastic spacer that the Italian-translated instructions said to use. A white spring replaced the stocker in the driven pulleys, and a 36 gram load of Malossi rollerage supplanted the pristine 32 that was there before. Because of the spacer, top speed went DOWN to 29 on the first test, with the engine obviously bouncing off the rev limiter. So I got to do it all again. Still have yet to GPS the result, but the second-try ride suggested it would be better. The Vario is about 3mm bigger than stock, and the engine sings a bit higher than stock.

A cam and a 78cc bore kit from Malossi is also on its way. Curious that I got no response from G9 when I inquired if he could get me these parts. Wish me luck on this new adventure.

Re: Here's Punkin

Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2017 1:59 pm
by Wheelman-111
Greetings:

If anyone knows of a Vespa enthusiast site where I may learn of other people's mistakes instead of making my own, please let me know?

Re: Here's Punkin

Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2017 2:16 pm
by kevinv710
nice looking one, i like that color a lot. Nice toy, Wheelman!

Re: Here's Punkin

Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2017 7:06 pm
by Wheelman-111
Greetings:

All-stock S50 returned a slightly wind-assisted best GPS:
PunkinGPS1Stock.jpg
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Took a test ride with the spacer removed, finally. With the variator now able to shift completely to Overdrive, Garmin-Girl recorded:
PunkinGPSVar.jpg
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Malossi advertises a 6-MPH gain, and I now believe the Hype. But make no mistake; despite the 4-valve Eye-talian wizardry, this thing is underpowered. It doesn't accelerate so much as it Gathers Speed. I estimate 5HP from sensitive Wheel-pants dyno. Still await another package of Malossi 49mm cylinder kit and gears, with 78ccs and a cam, I expect to get to 50, perhaps beyond with a less-tiny exhaust header and an ECM with a more rational rev limiter. Roommate pics:
FlashPunkinF.jpg
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The Elite will always be my first love, but with carefully-considered Mods, I hope Punkin will be able to keep up.
FlashPunkinR.jpg
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Re: Here's Punkin

Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2017 7:10 pm
by Wheelman-111
Greetings:

Still welcome anyone's input on a web site for Vespa mods, and in particular anyone with practical first-hand experience. I expect to install the cam, 78cc cylinder and gear kit next week.

Re: Here's Punkin

Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2017 7:24 pm
by vintagegarage

Re: Here's Punkin

Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2017 7:41 pm
by Wheelman-111
Greetings:

Thank you vintage! I just registered. Could learn something?

Re: Here's Punkin

Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2017 3:37 am
by Ultraliner
Nice addition Wheelman, good luck with wringing as much out of Punkin as you can! I shall follow this thread with much interest.

Both Flash9 and Punkin look fresh off the showroom floor, clean enough to comb your hair in the reflection!

Re: Here's Punkin

Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2017 11:53 am
by benji
Nice choice! I like the color. I had a cat named punkin when I was a kid.

4t 49cc is slooooow. You can do the same-ole variator stuff n airbox n muffler stuff to get em faster, but don't expect 2t performance. Better fuel mileage usually.

Here's what I found on derestriction:
78 main jet instaed of 75

"Cut a wire" on the cdi to increase rev limit

Ring on variator(which you did w the malossi vario already)

Supposedly there may be an exhaust restriction.

Re: Here's Punkin

Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2017 5:46 pm
by Wheelman-111
Greetings:

Thanks, Dawgs! I can get a Malossi "unrestricted module for about $140, but I'll wait until the cam and 78cc kit are installed to see if the rev limiter is even a factor. For the big-bore Malossi recommends a .78 or .80 main (depends who's advice you follow...). I'll be examining the intake port and exhaust header carefully for welded-in party-poopers - yes it does feel like the engine can't breathe fast enough and the rig is eerily quiet. Thinkin' about a Trail Tech tach and CHT gauge for it too. Anybody heard from Graphie?

Re: Here's Punkin

Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2017 6:00 pm
by Meatball
Wheelman-111 wrote:Greetings: Anybody heard from Graphie?
He posted a comment or two this morning. All I know.

Re: Here's Punkin

Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2017 9:41 pm
by benji
I'm not sure if head temp is a huge factor on 4t. Is this one air cooled? I'd assume water cooled.

Re: Here's Punkin

Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2017 9:30 am
by 1man8scoots
You're on the right track for it. The fly 4v is a good swap but keep it og.

Re: Here's Punkin

Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2017 2:06 am
by ped
Hi wheelman.
Smooth ride. orange is cool. it's nice. :thumbwink:

Re: Here's Punkin

Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2017 1:10 pm
by Wheelman-111
Greetings:

Thanks again, everyone! I've been stumbling around the Inter-Nuts for about 4 hours searching unsuccessfully for a dang gear case cover gasket for my 2010 S50 4-Valve 4-Stroke. I have a gear set coming, but the vendor doesn't specify if a gasket is included or not. Experience shows that the chances of salvaging the existing gasket are slim to none.

Scooter West and Scooter Parts Co parts lookups really suck; they don't use an online fiche-type system that allows you to zero in on the section and parts diagram. Instead you have to search 32 pages of random parts, some aren't even for the S50! There is a Euro site that does use the Fiche system, (OEM Scooterparts), but I figure it'll be a long wait before anything arrives here from there. While we're at it, I need a full set of valve shims for the same unit. Anyone who's ordered this type of stuff or just knows of an American site that's easier to work with, please let me know?