It's simple once you've done it, but daunting the first time

When I purchased my first Vespa and I got a flat I was glad to have help changing my tire. The design for a Vespa suspension was inspired by the landing gear of an airplane. This design allows for easy removal and replacement of both front and rear tires.

Vespa Tool (or 13mm socket and wrench)

Remove the spare tire. Almost every older Vespa model has the ability to carry a spare tire, so tire repair will not be covered in this section. Depending which model you have the spare can be carried inside the legshield, under the left-hand cowling or on a rear rack. Removing the spare is pretty self-explanatory, usually involving removing the two nuts that hold the tire in place. On the "P" series Vespa you'll have to remove the plastic cover covering the bottom half of the tire as well.

While the scooter is still on the stand, loosen the nuts around the flat tire. Earlier Vespas have four nuts in the center of the rim. Later Vespas have four or five nuts on the outer part of the rim. Loosen these nuts at least one full turn.

If you're changing the front tire, make sure there's room under the tire so that you'll have enough clearance when you put onthe spare tire. You may have to put a piece of wood or two under the stand feet to make the scooter front tire sit higher off the ground.

If you're changing the rear tire, I recommend laying the scooter on the right side. A few tips when you're laying your scooter over. First off, turn off the gas and run the scooter until it dies. This will help to keep the carburetor from flooding. Also make sure your gas cap is on tight so nothing leaks if your tank is full. You may want to remove the cowling as well. I try and find a nice patch of grass I can lay my scooter over on so that there is no chance of scratching the paint on rocks or gravel.

Remove the nuts of the flat tire using your Vespa tool or socket set. Make sure you don't loose the nuts and washers. Examine the tire and rim, taking note of how the wheel came off (you'll put it back on the same way). On the wheel hub inspect the studs and threads, making sure there is no damage. If there is damage do not attempt to re-install the tire or use your spare: Contact your scooter shop for help. Once the inspection is complete, set the wheel aside.

Put the spare on the same way the flat tire came off, taking note that on most Vespas the rim is split and slightly offset. If you can't recall, here's a trick. The tire is supposed to go on with the air filler tube pointing away from the shock absorber, either front or rear. Another way to make sure you've done it right is to check nuts that hold the split rim together. These should be facing away from you. Be aware that models such as the GS160 and SS180 are not offset.

Put the split washers on followed by the nuts, tightening them hand tight as you go.

Once the nuts are on, stand the scooter back up and tighten the nuts in a star shaped pattern so that each nut gets the same tightness. When you've got all of the nuts tight, double check and make sure you used the split washers on each one and that you tightened all of the nuts good and tight (careful not to strip them).

Put the cowls back on and the flat can be carried in the spare position. Give the scooter a test push to make sure the spare is on properly and ride like the wind. Recheck your wheel nuts for tightness after 100 miles.

>> If you have any questions about this or any other topic, please don't hesitate to contact us: 206.763.0160 or info@bigpeoplescooters.com