trad hunt continues

[scorpakid]

i find the secret to longevity with any engine..either 2t or 4t... is regular oil changes.... not wringing the crap out of em either....

im pretty good at finding an engines sweet spot...(well i think we all are)... top speed all the time, ragging it thru gears and away from the lights is no good..

find that point where its not vibrating to death and rattling.... and the engine doesnt feel stressed beyond its comfort zone..... and things should be ok..

but sometimes its bad luck...me bruv had a kawasaki tengai 650 when they first came out.... and that done the big end before 2k...

and we both had honda ntv650's his one needed new 2nd gear after 35k miles.... mine was faultless at 130k an still going strong..?

[ginge]

Have you tried the Scooter shop in Cleethorpes. They're stocking the new Piaggio vespas.
Ginge.

[M.H.nexus500]

look on scooter trader through the scootering website is the best place to have a look, theres no pics but you can ring the seller up and request photos etc,

theres nout on sbw, ebay is a good place, but like you say you probably won't get the best deal on there,

ring round trad dealers and see if any have anything on offer is another bet, if they don't they always know someone who knows someone who might be selling something

[Sgt Ernie Bilko]

I'd keep an eye out for a nice Vespa Cosa 200. OK so not as retro as a P200 but those wide rims, linked brakes and crisp and precise gear change make for a much superior ride. Underneath the panels beats a sweet P200 lump anyway. Think of the missing link between the P range and the GT/GTS and you've a good idea of how this much maligned machine performs.

I picked mine up for £350 and she was worth every penny! Spent about the same getting her to this level. Nick named 'Road Toad' I've decided to enter her in the VMSC Custom show on 15 April...

[barryG]

Ive had PXs and one Cosa, the gearchanges were identical so I think you must have a goodun as underneath the gearshift is the same. The wide rims are good, and the longer wheelbase make it more stable, also the better located rear shock is good. I found the brakes poor, the PX Disc is miles better and try getting a master cylinder for those linked brakes, not easy.

Good luck at the VSMC rally

[Sgt Ernie Bilko]

Ive had PXs and one Cosa, the gearchanges were identical so I think you must have a goodun as underneath the gearshift is the same. The wide rims are good, and the longer wheelbase make it more stable, also the better located rear shock is good. I found the brakes poor, the PX Disc is miles better and try getting a master cylinder for those linked brakes, not easy.

Good luck at the VSMC rally

Thanks Barry. The later mark 2 LX range had one single solid gear cable and a stronger selector box and it works really well. Brakes on my three Cosa's have always been excellent, but do need to be checked for leaky cylinders. Probably the weakest part of the whole scooter. Welsh Scooter Parts have many Cosa spares in stock, my cylinders cost me £30 each!

[M.H.nexus500]

i remember seeing somewhere that some austrian guy basically took the engine and linked brakes etc out a cosa and transplanted them into a gs i think,

said it made it have the best handling but still keep the classic style and engine in the frame.