Serious and in-depth scooter modifications (paging RallyDarkStrike)

"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher) 05/19/2020 at 22:30 • Filed to: two wheels good

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This afternoon I did some serious custom work to the Hooligan. I started with the mirrors. The right side mirror was missing. I can’t stand not having both mirrors. The stock mirrors are stupidly overpriced, and frankly I think they’re ugly, so I bought a basic set of rectangular mirrors from RevZilla.

They did not fit. It was then that I found out their “No hassle return policy” does not include free shipping back. Fortunately I then discovered mirror adapters were a thing, so I ordered a set ... From Amazon.

Here’s a comparison of the new rectangular one on the right, with the goofy stock one on the left.

I think it looks much better now. Plus I can see behind me way better.

Now for the real custom work. A drink holder!

This is so good, I should open my own shop. Wait, would I have to get shitty tattoos and giant goofy ass watches then? Eh, forget that. I ai n’t time for that jibba-jabba.

The only thing left to deal with on the Hooly , is the non-functional fuel gauge. So, RallyDarkStrike, do you happen to have a service manual for a Genuine Hooligan 170i, my good man?

The other scoots need a bit of love too. For the Zuma, I ordered a set of Continental tires (D inner with Racers fans, read that in Ryan Eversley’s voice). One of those arrived today, the other is somewhere in Illinois.

As for my wife’s Vespa, she has ridden it once since I bought it for her in September of 2018. That was about a year ago. I’m going to change it’s oil, and then ride it for a few days to get the old gas out of it. Then I shall put fresh gas in with stabilizer, and try and convince her to ride it some this year.

The Vespa has an actual spin on oil filter, like a car ... But much smaller. I have the filter, but I’m waiting for Amazon to deliver their cheapest 24mm open end wrench, so I can cut it down short enough to be able to open the drain plug, without having to pull the exhaust. Those darn Italians!

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > shop-teacher 05/19/2020 at 22:54

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I have only owned old Vespas but they are annoying to work on! 

Mercedes Streeter > shop-teacher 05/19/2020 at 23:00

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I have a service manual for your scoot!

https://www.dropbox.com/s/k6oaswh503b7kgr/Hooligan_170i_Service_Manual.pdf?dl=0

shop-teacher > Mercedes Streeter 05/19/2020 at 23:03

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Thanks Merc!

shop-teacher > 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) 05/19/2020 at 23:04

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I’d like to get an old one to see what they're like . This one is an ‘09 LX150.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > shop-teacher 05/19/2020 at 23:10

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Yay, scooter mods! To be honest, I like the weird shape of the old mirrors better, but I am weird :P

The new ones look very nice though! Alas, I do not have the Service Manual for the Hooligan...but some quick Google-Fu turned up with this...? Hopefully this is the right one?

http://www.modernbuddy.com/pdf/Hooligan_170i_Service_Manual.pdf

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > shop-teacher 05/19/2020 at 23:13

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I’ve had pretty much all the old ones, Lambrettas too in Hawaii . The newest was a 78' P200E with a 10cc kit. I only have one left, a 66' 150 Super in

storage.

Mercedes Streeter > shop-teacher 05/19/2020 at 23:22

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You’re welcome! And those mods are sweeeeeeet! :) Reminds me that I need a drinking solution for full face helmets. I guess a backpack with a straw coming out.

shop-teacher > Mercedes Streeter 05/19/2020 at 23:48

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I bought a full face helmet with a front that hinges open. I can't obviously drink while in motion, but I can at a stop light.

cg-guy > shop-teacher 05/20/2020 at 07:43

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Now you need to work on obtaining an appropriate keychain.

shop-teacher > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars 05/20/2020 at 08:16

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You are an odd duck ;)

If it had both mirrors, I would have just left them be. With one missing though, I wasn’t about to pay twice as much for a design I don’t really care for.

Thanks for always being my go-to for scooter service manuals! 

shop-teacher > 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) 05/20/2020 at 08:20

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Do you have any particular advice/suggestions for someone considering diving into the world of vintage scooters?

Sovande > shop-teacher 05/20/2020 at 08:32

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I only had one mirror when I used to ride a Vespa. It was low on the fairing on the left side. Here’s an example.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > shop-teacher 05/20/2020 at 09:12

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Haha, no problem! :P

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > shop-teacher 05/20/2020 at 13:29

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They have become more popular and collectable since I stopped doing it, they aren’t really complicated, sometimes annoying but you can find a frame and get your own parts if you want to build one. I’m not really up on the prices these days but some models were really climbing in price, like VBBs. A 150 Super or P frame isn’t a big deal I wouldn’t think. Most serious riders want the LML reed valve motors (Bajaj),

https://www.scooterworks.com/Engine-150-cc-oil-injected-5-port-welectric-start—P1985.aspx

If I built my frame in storage I would get that engine and swap in a later front end so you can use disk brakes. I like the old large frames better than the newer PX frames but the PX is a bit bigger if you plan of having a second rider and has the more modern upgrades (200cc+ ) or can have them added more easily . There are also small frames with a 90cc motor, that was my first in school.

I haven’t thought about it in years, blast from the past, if you have any questions let me know. For the USA Scooterworks has a lot of stuff, in Hawaii I used to get stuff from SF First Kick Scooters sometimes, they would ship me smaller stuff in a flat rate box since Hawaii makes shipping more expensive .

shop-teacher > 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) 05/20/2020 at 14:33

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Thanks for the info!