Two-Stroke Fuel Mix for Vespa Scooter

Just checked my 1960 copy of 'Vespa' by HG Cornish...

It just says fuel petroil oil mix. No Data sorry, maybe check Shell's website?

I'll Google around a bit.... ah it brings back memories..I had a 42L2 model with chrome handle bars, it was sooo old some of the new scooters are so retro they look a bit like it.

Del

If you really can't find any info...

I would start with 20:1 run it until the plug fouls, or a full tank of gas.

Remove plug, if it is black and oily, then try 32:1 for a tank.... and so on....

Just keep checking the spark plug. And look for a nice, blue cloud of smoke.

On an old scooter the engine is probably nice and free anyhow, so you can probably go fairly light with the oil.

Del

a buddy of mine used to have a vespa, cant remember the year, but he seems to recall that it was 32:1. hope it helps.

What type of two-stroke oil? I used to run a mineral based oil at around 20:1 and then went to 25:1 in a bike, not a Vespa. When I went to synthetic this was at 50:1, and smelled nice too.. Check with the oil you are using, and as mentioned check your plug, it is a great indicator, as well as if you are leaving a trail of smoke behind.

My other bit of advice is to go for a good quality oil recommended for motorbike engines.

Regards,

Trevor.

Hello Leonf,

Here is a two-stroke engine 'oil/petrol/' calculator.

http://www.scooterhelp.com/genmaintain/mix.calc.html

It was taken from www.scooterhelp.com

There is lots of other stuff, just click on any of the icons at the top which are pieces of the scooter.

Take care, and good luck. Have a wonderful holiday.....................

Hello Leonf,

I forgot to mention that this page:

http://www.scooterhelp.com/genmaintain/mix.calc.html

Included details of all oils used in a Vespa and Lambretta.

The older Vespa 200cc motors ran with a 2% or 50:1 ratio of gas to Mineral oil. Hope this helps as I have restored about 20 of the old scooters in the past 5 years.

Good Luck

Jim

That chimes in with my memory too, but I was not sure enough to post till I read yours.....

The best oil for mixing was called Castrol R40 if I remember correctly, vegetable based I think and smelt FANTASTIC from the exhaust!! But was expensive......designed for racing bikes of the day and "boy Racers" like myself and many others!!!

I believe the "R" vwas for "Racing".....

All good answers for mineral oil up to 50:1. Synthetic should be able to begin at 50:1 and go up to 100:1.

Just keep in mind that for 'black' plug fouling the thinner you go (50:1 is thinner, less viscous than 20:1) more fuel goes trough the jet and is actually a richer mixture in the cylinder. So you can still get a black plug with 50:1 and a tan plug on 20:1 since 20:1 will run the engine 'lean'. When you find your happy place with mix ratio, then re-jet the carb for your altitude and weather. When I raced, I'd rejet for 15*F ambient change and tune it in between that with pre-mix ratios from 60:1 to 100:1 synthetic in my Maico 450, 490 and 125. Yes, I said Maico so now I dated myself. 3" rear travel on 125 and front forks had springs on the outside. I feel oooold now.

Thank you to all for the info on this topic.

I have now gotten the problem sorted and can putter around on that old scooter knowing that the mix is ok.

Wishing you all a very good xmas and new year!

This pc will now shut down untill mid Jan, '09

cheers, its time for my beer.

Hello Leonf,

I am please you sorted it out. I may have missed it, can you tell me what mixture ratio you decided to use please?

Have a wonderful holiday.........................