Hoppin Up the ET4 and Hating the Cheapo After Market
 

I bought a Vespa ET4 back in '02 after a four month "Tour" in the Philippines. I used to commute between Hilo and Honolulu M-F via Hawaiian Airlines and the scoot saved $100.00 Clams a month in parking fees.
http://robgrunt.smugmug.com/photos/27777163-M.jpg


I've always wanted more speed from them little wheels and thought helping it breathe easier would do the trick. Yeah, I don't commute to the "Gathering Place" on Oahu anymore and rarely ride the thing but what the hell, it paid for itself in savings so let's hop it up a bit. Intake and exhaust I'm thinking and what better way to get more authority than a "Performance" Sito Plus Exhaust?
http://robgrunt.smugmug.com/photos/43767430-M-1.jpg


Obviously before you start you need a proper $49.00 Checker Lift.
http://robgrunt.smugmug.com/photos/43767438-M-1.jpg


Liquid Wrench is a Plus, is it just me? But, if that stuff is so damm good, why doesn't it all leak out past the plastic Snap Cap when you leave it on it's side?!?!?!?
http://robgrunt.smugmug.com/photos/43767441-S-1.jpg


As my Pops said "The right tool for the…" The correct wrench for…" "When in doubt, a bigger Hammer.." Well, you know what he meant.
http://robgrunt.smugmug.com/photos/43767448-S-1.jpg


Whenever I lift the ET4 I always check the centerstand springs for, uh, rust, yeah, always check that.
http://robgrunt.smugmug.com/photos/43767452-S-1.jpg


Here they are side by side.
http://robgrunt.smugmug.com/photos/43767445-M-1.jpg


Hmm, that Header Neck looks like a tighter bend, I guess that's where the "Performance" comes from.
http://robgrunt.smugmug.com/photos/43767447-M-1.jpg


Frick, Frack, and FUCK!! Why won't it freakin go on!!!???



Duh, 11.25 inches from the center of the stock header to the top mounting bracket Puka (as we say locally for HOLE).

http://robgrunt.smugmug.com/photos/43767454-M-1.jpg

Versus 10.75 too freakin close inches for the Sito Plus. You'd a thunk "Plus" meant bigger, longer, more , extra…
http://robgrunt.smugmug.com/photos/43767455-M-1.jpg


Let's look at it again, Rusty is Stock, Worthless is "Sito Plus"

http://robgrunt.smugmug.com/photos/43767456-M-1.jpg

Screw it!! I should have learned my lesson (That the Freakin EYEtalians knew nothing about QUALITY AFTER Market!!) in college with the '74 Fiat SL128 Coupe that I autocrossed after putting, read forcing- modifying- cussing, on an Alquati Manifold with Dual 40 DCNF Webers, Alquati Cam, Headers, Koni Shocks, Swaybars, Springs, Minilite Wheels with Continental Tires, etc. etc. etc.




Fuckem, time to ride….. Thanks Sooterworks, I hope you freeze your nads this winter. Ha Ha Ha
http://robgrunt.smugmug.com/photos/43767427-M-1.jpg

I'm going to Scooterworks later this morning. I'll tell them you said hi.

Just hacksaw off the muffler. It won't go any faster but the neighbours will love you :lol3

Wish I had that luxury- got a $32.45 UPS Bill instead... Price of living in paradise I suppose..
http://robgrunt.smugmug.com/photos/41893700-S.jpg

Don't forget your Nad Warmers!!

I told them about the pipe. They seemed pretty concerned about it and hoped you would call them and tell them exactly what doesn't fit since I couldn't remember. All I could remember is that it was the Sito pipe for the ET4. I'm sure you called and explained the situation.

They seemed pretty nice there and they genuinely like and ride scooters (The "show room" is about as big as my bathroom at home). There were some nice rat bikes out front. I forgot to take pictures.

Pay Dirt
 

I did call em today, they're sending another out and will credit me the cost of returning the one I got here.:thumbup

I actually have had pretty good luck with Scooterworks, there have been times when they shipped PE 200 parts to hotels I was staying at on the mainland (the righter 48?) so I could put them in my luggage and CBOA the shipping home.

I just hate the frustration of taking stuff off and putting it back on...

I hear that. I've taken the carb off my WR426 about 6 times in the last 2 days trying to fix a leak out of the overflow.

How much of a difference do you expect by installing this muffler?

There's a lot of info on "supercharging" a 2 stroke. But I don't hear much about the 4 strokes.

You kidding!?!? I'm counting on the weight savings of going from a metal to a plastic muffler guard to add any performance.:D

I doubt any noticeable improvement, looking at air filter options, and trying to find jetting info too. It's just an errand boy for zipping in to town to pick up take out sushi and I figured tinker with it a bit....

Oh.

In that case, I'd probably get more out of going on a diet, than trying to find ways to lose 1 or 2 lbs off the scooter. :lol3

Next step is suspension and some knobbies......

I don't think there's a weight loss program for traction:dunno

This was really just a maintenance spoof post with a little "Screwed up Part" venting tossed in. I'd give the scoot to my mom if I could find some knobbies though, all of the roads in her sub division are loose cinder and I'd hate to see her wash out the front end.

My brother lives in Hilo and he says it gets pretty cold where he works and the snow is often pretty deep.

this pic stolen from someone else

http://bobsr.smugmug.com/photos/1627612-M.jpg

Noted...
http://robgrunt.smugmug.com/photos/15676943-M-1.jpg
@ 13,796 Feet it does get chilly, that's why they make more than just Bra's out of coconut shells.

Does your brother want to buy an ET4????

I don't know what he rides if he even rides any more. I know he used to ride a 650cc 500cc laverda and I know he rode a vespa 150cc with a four speed and a 750 matchless. Now however he seems to be into racing interisland canoes.

to me it seems like that scoot is just perfect for out there.

ps you got some pretty good pictures

Swapped packages with the mailman today (Boxes didn't seem to fit)
http://robgrunt.smugmug.com/photos/44229224-S.jpg
Here's the un-damaged pipe, well, the pipe without the 90 degree bend next to the stocker.
http://robgrunt.smugmug.com/photos/44229219-M.jpg
Bolted right in, immediate increase in power.... And leaking vacumm gas valve gizmo.... The saga continues....

Heading to CA Monday to load the KLX 400 on the boat and attend a work conference.

ysr, you gotta mean the other smugmug stuff..... Thx!