Topic: Winterizing a two stroke Vespa Moped?

[andy750]

So my g/f has a 1966 Vespa moped (kickstart, 2-stroke) that will be sitting all winter in the garage. Usually I would add some seafoam or stabil to the gas tank (of my CB750s) but whats the best way for a 2-stroke? Same idea? Anything else I should know thats 2-stroke specific for 4+ months storage?

thanks
Andy

[mattcb350f]

Your going to want to fog the engine with fogging oil. There are several brands available. Since two-strokes don't have oil in the crankcase they can easily get condensation in them and that can cause all kinds of problems. Fogging oil is sprayed into the engine while it is running and coats the crank and bottom end as well as the piston and cylinders with a sticky oil. This also causes a LOT of white smoke so do it outside  This will keep the parts preserved in oil for winter storage. This is common practice for outboards and snowmobiles.
 Matt.

[andy750]

Thanks for the reply Matt. Im trying to visualize the scooter now but how exactly do I spray this fogging oil into the engine? Through the gas tank or what? Sorry Im being slow today....and is there a particular brand of fogging oil you would recommend or are the all the same?

Many thanks
Andy

[BobbyR]

What passes for gasoline these days spoils very fast, when you mix 2 stroke oild into it, it goes bad faster. On my outboards and my bike. I run them dry and then flush out the carbs with whatever I have handy Gumout etc. Then I use a foam fogging type oil in each clyinder but I use it on cold engine, since I want all of the oil to stay behind. Give it a few spins and shoot more foam in and put in the plugs. In the spring I fire them up. I usually drain the gas out of the tank slosh some kerosene around in it. Kero is oily so it protects the metal.   

[Tim.]

Fogging oil is sprayed into the air-intake of the carb while the engine is running.

I'm in the same sort of boat with my wife's 2-stroke (no jokes) Vino.  While the gas/oil isn't pre-mixed, I'm still not sure about putting Seafoam into the gas, and need to protect the engine against condensation.

That being said, on these stupid plastic scoots, I don't even know where the carb is!  Need to pull out the manual.

[andy750]

Thanks guys! That answers the question....now just to pull the cover to locate the one carb 

cheers
Andy

[mattcb350f]

I run them dry and then flush out the carbs with whatever I have handy Gumout etc. Then I use a foam fogging type oil in each clyinder but I use it on cold engine, since I want all of the oil to stay behind. Give it a few spins and shoot more foam in and put in the plugs.

That's a good point, when you fog, most do it with the engine running but that also means that a lot of the oil won't stay in the cylinder because it gets burned off. Sometimes, you can just pop out the plug and hose some down the hole after you do a running fog. Or, like I started doing, just before shuting the engine down, rev it up a little and hit the kill. Then, just as you hit the kill, open the throttle all the way and spray in a bunch of fogging oil as the engine spins to a stop. That will make sure the last bit of oil stays in the engine.
 Matt.

[Terry in Australia]

Bugger that Andy, it's about 80 deg F here today in Oz, so just send that little scoot to me, and I'll send it back in time for summer stateside! Cheers, (thoughtful) Terry.

[andy750]

Too late Terry I beat you to it....although this was taken in the summer.....



cheers
Andy

[Bob Wessner]

Are  those what they call "racing stripes?"

[grumburg]

Andy: Does your Vespa have the sediment bowl? My 64 Vepsa GL is a real pain to drain the carb, so I remove the tank and pour the fuel out. Run the bike until it quits, remove the bowl, and leave the tank empty until spring.

[mkramer1121]

Too late Terry I beat you to it....although this was taken in the summer.....



cheers
Andy

Andy, that's creepy, like child molester creepy....

[andy750]

Thanks....but last time I checked I wasnt a child molester....

Grumburg...Im not sure about the sediment bowl  -Ill need to pull the cover and have a look at the carbs.

cheers
Andy

[BobbyR]

Andy, i would not ride that scooter around Southie if I were you.

[Terry in Australia]

Geez Andy, that's bright! I don't know why, but I'm somehow reminded of Monty Python, when I look at that pic? Ha ha, Cheers, Terry.

[grumburg]

Thanks....but last time I checked I wasnt a child molester....

Grumburg...Im not sure about the sediment bowl  -Ill need to pull the cover and have a look at the carbs.

cheers
Andy
Andy; Sediment bowl is on bottom of tank. Have to remove tank to get to it. Glenn

[andy750]

Thanks Glenn! Im new to scooter maintenance.

Yeah Bobby I agree!! I had to ride it home with my tinted visor down!!

cheers
Andy