PIAGGIO Vespa 150 1962 User manual

STABILIMENTO DI PONTEDERA UFFICIO TECNICO SERIE
Dis. 88356 M
2 a EDIZIONE, 600016102
Printed in Italy
Fig. 1 -Vespa 150
2

NOTICE
To keep your VESPA in perfect running order and not to invalidate the guarantee offered by
the contract, it is advisable to entrust repairs only to retailers or authorized service stations.
Demand original Piaggio spare parts exclusively. All PIAGGIO spares are made of the same
material, have undergone the same machining steps and inspections as the components of
your VESPA.This means guarantee for long life and normal performance of your machine
and for your personal safety.Special care should be taken with regard to fuel mixture which
should consist of agood quality gasoline and oil of make, grade and in the amount
prescribed in this booklet, page 21.
INDEX
Introductory note
Technical data
Identification data
Engine
Controls
Frame
Electric wiring
Tool kit
Accessories
Operation
Maintenance
Lubrication chart
Fault finding
4
5
6
7
12
13
16
19
19
21
26
32
35
3

The descriptions and illustrations in this booklet are not to be taken as binding on the Manufacturer.The
essential features of the model described and illustrated herein remaining unaltered, the PIAGGIO Firm
reserves therefore the right to carry out at any moment, without being obliged to bring this booklet up-to-
date in due course, modification that may occur concerning machine units and parts, or delivery of
accessories, that the Firm deems to be convenient on improvement purposes or for what may concern
manufacturing or commercial requirements.
INTRODUCTORY NOTE
The «Piaggio Co. » welcoming you in the family of the Vespa owners, wishes to thank you
for your preference, trusting that this scooter will be to your satisfaction.For its characteristics
(comfort, low fuel consumption, noiseless running, neatness etc.) the Vespa can have alarge
field of use:for work purpose as well as tourist trips, both along large highways and narrow
farm roads.
Long and hard rides will not worry you and, on driving the Vespa, you will soon realize its
excellent performance.
This booklet, in which the simple instructions for operation and maintenance can be found,
will enable you to better know your Vespa and use it in the most suitable way.
NOTE:This manual was copied from an original 1962 owner's manual.It was carefully
restored by Scooterstation.This manual may be freely copied and passed on to others
for sharing, as long as Scooterstation remains mentioned as the provider of this
manual.Scooterstation is not liable for any damage incurred through the use of this
manual be it physical or mechanical.
This manual was created using the free office software OpenOffice.This software is
obtainable for free at www.openoffice.org
(c)2004 Scooterstation (www.scooterstation.com)
4

TECHNICAL DATA
Weight (w/out fuel) 87 Kg (194 Lbs)
Carrying capacity 2 persons and 10 Kg (22 Lbs) of luggage.
Maximum length 1745 mm (68.7") Handlebar width 710 mm (27.9")
Wheel base 1180 mm (46.4") Maximum height 1020 mm (40.1 ")
Ground clearance 130 mm (5.1 ") Min. turning circle 1500 mm (59")
Engine single cylinder, air cooled 2-stroke
Bore 57 mm (2.24") Stroke 57 mm (2.24")
Cubic capacity 145.5 cc (8.88 cu in) Compression ration 6.5: 1
Max BHP 5.5 @ 5000 rpm Lubrication 2%
Transmission 4 speed, constant mesh
Primary drive 22/67
1st gear 13.35: 1 2nd gear 9.32: 1
3rd gear 6.64: 1 4th gear 4.73: 1
Clutch wet, multiplate
Carburetor Dell'Orto SI 20/17C
Main jet 100 Slow running jet 42
Diffuser BE/1 Main air bleed 185
Throttle valve No 7.0
Ignition contact breaker & coil
Ignition timing 28 deg. BTDC Breaker gap 0.3 -0.5 mm
Voltage 6 volt Max stator output 6v -50w
Wheels 8“ Wheel hubs cast w/cooling fins
Tire 3.00 x 8
Max speed (CUNA) 85 Km/h (53 MPH)
Fuel consumption (CUNA Standards) 2.2 l per 100 Km (107 MPG)
Total fuel capacity 7.7 l (2.03 gals)
Emergency fuel reserve 1.4 I (0.37 gals)
Range 360 Km (225 miles)
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6
Figs.2&3–Identification data
IDENTIFICATION DATA
Serial numbers with prefix VBB are stamped on both frame and engine in the positions
indicated on Figs. 2 and 3respectively. Such numbers and prefixes identify the Vespa as
prescribed by law and are repeated on the test card and other documents of the Vespa.They
must be quoted when ordering spares.
-Stamping on frame
-Stamping on engine

ENGINE
Single horizontal cylinder, two-stroke, with deflector piston and rotary valve, i.e., the fuel
mixture flow to the cylinder is controlled by the rotation of acrankweb (see Fig. 4).
The engine works on a 2% gasoline-oil mixture.Lubrication of piston, cylinder, wrist pin,
connecting rod, crankshaft, main bearings is attended to by the oil in the fuel mixture.
The engine is pivoted to the chassis of scooter through the cylindrical arm of the crankcase
half, clutch side, provided with aspindle and two bushes (see Fig. 4). Its vibrations are
damped by the rear suspension with variable rate coil spring and hydraulic damper (see also
page 13). The rear wheel is secured to the end of the mainshaft.
7
Fig. 4 -Section of engine
1. Air cleaner and carburetor 2. Piston 3. Crank shaft 4. Clutch 5. Main shaft with gear pinions
6. Gear shifter 7. Flywheel magneto 8. Kick-starter 9. Crankcase arm, pivoted to the frame.

Ignition by an external H. T. coil with primary winding fed by another coil inside the flywheel
magneto (see Fig. 5). Use one of the following sparkplugs:
-AC 43F -Marelli CW 230 A-T or CW 225 N-T
-Champion L86 -Bosch W225T1
-KLG F70 or F75
Fig. 5 -Ignition diagram
1. Ignition coil in flywheel magneto 2. External H. T. coil 3. Rotor cam
4. Breaker 5. Condenser 6. Sparkplug 7. Engine cut-out on switch.
8

Fuel supply by gravity with a2%gasoline-oil mixture.The flow is controlled by athree way
fuel cock.The carburetor is embodied in the air cleaner case, has aplate-shaped slide valve
and immersed jets.
9
Fig. 6 -Feeding circuit
1. Fuel cock lever w/sediment trap 2. Float 3. Air cleaner/carburetor 4. Air vent for starter device
5. Set screw for throttle slide 6. Throttle slide 7. Air vent for main jet 8. Hole on mixer top
9. Mixer 10. Main jet 11. Idling jet 12. Air vent for idling jet 13. Inlet hole for oil (for laying up)
14. Idling adjuster 15. Valve for starter device 16. Intake port 17. Transfer ports 18. Exhaust
A -Reserve
B -Open
C -Closed

Cooling effected at all engine speeds by acentrifugal fan (see Fig. 7).
The muffler is of the expansion and absorption combined type with very high silencing
efficiency.
Air cleaner mounted inside the body. Air goes to the carburetor through alarge flexible inlet
tube, asilencing chamber and porous filter, which ensures avery quiet air intake.
We recommend not to alter the muffler or the air cleaner but to keep them in perfect
efficiency, to ensure that the noise level does not exceed the limits prescribed by law.
10
Fig. 7 -Cooling

The engine directly drives the rear wheel through the clutch and the gear box engine (see
Fig. 4).
The clutch is of multiplate type, with linings bonded to the driving discs (see Fig. 4). Its control
is done by lever, on left hand side of handlebars (see Fig. 8), and adjustable cable.
Four speed gear box with mesh gears in oil bath (see Fig. 15). Its adjustable twist grip control
is coupled with that of the clutch, on left hand side of handlebars (see Fig. 8).
Both clutch and gear box operate in oil bath.
Starting done by means of kick-starter, on the right hand side of scooter.The multiple gear
and consequently the engine is set in motion through aratchet sector and agear by
operating the kick-starter.
11

CONTROLS
12
Fig. 8 -Controls
1. Gear change twist grip with clutch control lever 2. Front brake lever 3. Throttle control grip
4. Light and dip switch 5. Front brake shoes 6. Rear brake pedal 7. Kick-starter
8. Gear shifter 9. Rear brake shoes 10. Clutch 11. Carburetor/air cleaner
12. Starter device control lever 13. Fuel tap.

FRAME
Stressed skin body of pressed steel sheet, (see Fig. 9), with streamlined, monocoque type
structure. It gives full protection to the driver, to the passenger and to the machine units;it is
completed in this function by the mudguard and, on the two sides, by the steel sheet engine
bonnet and tool box.
Handlebars in light alloy, with arrangement for headlamp and speedometer.Control cables
and electric wires connected to the handlebars are concealed inside them.
The steering column bears the handlebars, clamped on its top end, and the front wheel
swinging hub, pivoted at its bottom end through astub axle (see Fig. 9).
13
Fig. 9 - Frame and suspension
1. Steering column and front suspension 2. Engine 3. Pivoting arm of crankcase half, clutch side
4. Rear suspension spring and hydraulic shock absorber

14
Front suspension with variable rate coil spring and double action hydraulic damper.
Rear suspension:swinging bracket for engine and rear wheel, variable rate coil spring and
coaxial, double action hydraulic tamper.
The wheels are of 8” diameter, interchangeable, and with rims of pressed steel sheet.
Saddle of the nose-pivoted, sprung type with central spring adjustable to the driver's weight.
Brakes of expanding type with cable control.Drums in light alloy with cooling fins.Front
brake control on lever on R. H. side of handlebars.Rear brake control on pedal on R.H side
of floorboard.
Two-legged central stand, easy to operate, is arranged under the floorboard. A strong return
spring in the middle holds it in contact with the floorboard and keeps it from vibrating while
the scooter is being ridden.
Asuitable security lock is arranged on the frame, near the handlebars.Turning the key
anticlockwise and the handlebars to the left, the lock engages the lugs welded on the
steering column, so that the machine can only turn around.Turn the key clockwise for
releasing the steering system (see Fig.10).
We recommend not to lubricate the steering lock, even if it does not function properly.
Do not attempt to ride the machine unless the key is in, and remains in, the lock and
the handlebars move freely.
The speedometer is housed in the central portion of the handlebars (see Fig.10)and adds to
the appearance of the scooter.It is driven by the front wheel, the flex drive being completely
enclosed in the steering column.The speedometer dial is lit during night riding by abulb
suitably installed in the head lamp.

15
Fig. 10 -Security lock
-Normal operating position
-Locked position

16
Fig. 11 -Cables & harness
1. Magneto 2. External ignition coil 3. Spark plug 4. Low tension terminal 5. Tail lamp (6V-3W)
6. STOP light (6V-3W) 7. Main switch 8. Speedometer bulb (6V-0.6W) 9. Headlamp (6V-25/25W)
10. Pilot light (6V-0.6W) 11. Horn 12. STOP light switch
ELECTRIC WIRING
The electrical supply for illumination and horn is in a. c., fed directly from a 6 pole flywheel
magneto (nominal voltage 6V), to the following groups:
-Head lamp,of115 mm (4.5") diameter, installed in the handlebars (25W/25Whigh/dipped
beam, double filament bulb and a3Wbulb for the parking light);
-Tail lamp,with red reflector (3Wbulb, which also lights the registration plate, and a 3 W
bulb for the STOP light);
-Speedometer (0.6 W bulb is provided for illuminating the speedometer dial);and
-Horn.

The man switch unit (see Fig.11A), with two levers is installed on the right hand side of the
handlebars.One of the control levers has three positions:
-Pilot light, tail lamp and speedometer bulb on;
-Lights off;and
-Head lamp, tail lamp and speedometer bulb on.
The other one gives the two lighting conditions of the headlamp (high and dipped beam).The
switch has also two push buttons for cut-out and horn respectively.
Fig. 11A -Main handlebar switch (Item 7 on Fig. 11)
A -Engine cut-out
B -Parking lights and speedometer bulb on
C -Lights off
D -Head lamp, tail lamp speedometer bulb on
E -Dip switch
F - Horn button
17

18
Fig. 12 –Electric wiring diagram
1. Magneto 2. External ignition coil 3. Spark plug 4. Low tension terminal 5. Tail lamp (6V-3W)
6. STOP light (6V-3W) 7. Main switch 8. Speedometer bulb (6V-0.6W) 9. Headlamp (6V-25/25W)
10. Pilot light (6V-0.6W) 11. Horn 12. STOP light switch 13. Inside view of headlamp 14. Black
15. Red 16. Grey 17. Black-yellow 18. Yellow 19. White 20. Sky blue 21. Green
22. Violet 23. Brown.

TOOL KIT
The included tool kit is composed of:
- 1 four-ended box wrench (11-14-21-22 mm);
- 2 double open-ended wrenches (11 -14 and 7-10 mm);
- 1 single open-ended wrench (8 mm);and
- 1 screwdriver.
These tools are contained in acanvas roll which is placed in the left wing together with this
booklet and the test card.
ACCESSORIES
On request the Vespa 150 can be equipped with following accessories (see Fig.13):
-Rear saddle of the nose pivoted, sprung type, to be secured to three chassis holes after
removing the luggage rack. The central spring is adjustable to the rider’s weight.
-Apillion seat,of foam rubber, can be used instead of the rear saddle.The seat can be
secured to the rear luggage rack of the scooter.Both rear saddle and foam rubber seat are
small and attractive looking and give remarkable comfort to the passenger, thus completing
the efficiency of suspension.
-Spare wheel and bracket.The wheel can be secured in two ways to the scooter:in front,
by alight alloy bracket secured to the scooter longeron by means of two screws;or at the
rear, by asteel sheet pressing, provided with spacers, to be clamped onto the frame, under
the luggage carrier or the rear saddle, by means of the three screws securing the latter.
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20
Fig. 13 -Pillion seat, rear saddle, spare wheel and bracket