If you are in the market for a scooter, the P200 is a good choice. It is a well designed "classic" scooter with power to spare. Many people complain about the angularity of the P-Series, but they are still very waspy. The front mudgard and cowls are what give the "P" it's look. I think it really suits an electronic music lifestyle (reminds me of the old JX-3P synth in my room). Anyway, I find the specifications give a good insight into the workings of this infamous series. What follows is a list of specifications for the Vespa P200 under ideal conditions.(1)

Quick Index: Physical : Engine & Transmission : Fuel System : Brakes & Wheels : Electrical : Wrench Settings

Overall Length:      1760 mm (69.3 in)
Overall Width:       695 mm  (27.3 in)
Overall Height:      1110 mm (43.7 in)
Wheelbase:           123 5mm (48.7 in)
Ground Clearance:    225 mm  (8.9 in)
Dry Weight:          108 kg  (238 lb)  
Chassis No. Prefix:  VSX 1 T
Engine  No. Prefix:  VSE 1 M
Typical Speeds:
Top:                 120 kph (75 mph)
Cruise:              104 kph (65 mph)

Engine
Type:         Single cylinder fan-cooled two stroke
Bore:         66.5 mm (2.618 in)
Stroke:       57.0 mm (2.240 in)
Displacement: 197.97cc (12.080 cu in.)
Compression:  9.8:1

Cylinder
Type:         Cast Aluminum Alloy

Cylinder Barrel
Type:         Cast Iron
Bore Sizes:   66.5 mm (2.618 in)
1st Oversize: 66.7 mm (2.626 in)
2nd Oversize: 66.9 mm (2.634 in)
3rd Oversize: 67.1 mm (2.642 in)

Piston
Standard Diamter:    66.292 mm (2.6099 in)
Oversizes:           3, in 0.2 mm (0.0079 in increments)
Ring free end gap:   0.025-0.040 mm (0.010-0.016 in)

Crankshaft Assembly
Max. Runout
At mainshaft ends:   0.03mm (0.0012 in)
At flywheel faces:   0.02mm (0.0079 in)

Clutch
Type:                     Wet, Multiplate
No. of Friction Plates:   3
No. of Plain Plates:      2

Gearbox 
Type:                      4 speed constant mesh
Ratios: 
1st Gear:                  14.47:1
2nd Gear:                  10.28:1
3rd Gear:                  7.31:1
4th Gear:                  5.36:1 

Carburettor
Make:          Dell'Orto [sic]
Type:          SI24/24E (older models may have an SI20/20D)
Venturi Size:  24 mm (0.95 in)

Jets
Main:          116
Diffuser:      BE3
Atomizer:      60
Idle SS:       160
Starter Jet:   60

Air Filter
Type:          Pleated Fabric and Gauze

Engine Lube
Type:               Premix or Injection
Pre-Mix Oil Ratio:  50:1 (2%)
Two Stroke Oil:     Good Quality [ash free] 2 Stroke Oil (Synthetic or Natural)

Gearbox Lube
Oil Grade:          [Non-Detergent] SAE 30 motor oil
Capacity:           Holding the bike straight up and down, the oil will drip 
                    from the filler hole when full. (approx. 250mL 8.5oz)

Physical Fuel Line Length
length:    2 feet

Wheels
Type:               Pressed steel split rims, spare wheel available as option. Wheels 
                    are interchangeable
Size:               2.10 X 10

Brakes
Type:               Internal expanding drum brakes, single leading shoe (SLS) type, front
                    and rear.

Tires
Size:                        3.50 X 10, front and rear
Pressure (for factory tires)
Front:                        17.6 psi (1.23 kg/cm2)
Rear (up to 180 pound load):  25.8 psi (1.8 kg/cm2)
Rear (over 180 pound load):   36.7 psi (2.58 kg/cm2)

System
Type:           12VAC with electronic AC regulation
                Some bikes are fitted with batteries for DOT safety equipment.
                (such as Turn Signals, Horn, Tail and Brake Lights)
Alternator:     Ducati "Star" configuration @ 12 Volts
Regulator:      Electronic AC type
Horn:           Electromagnetic, 12VAC for non battery bikes
                Electromagnetic or Resonant Disc, 12VDC for battery bikes

12 Volt Bulbs
Headlamp:         25/25W (some bikes may have a sealed beam. Replace with equivalent)
Tail Lamp:        5W/10W combination lamp
Stop Lamp:        5W/10W combination lamp
Speedometer Lamp: (no. 1816) 12 Volt 3W bulb. (Canadian Tire No. 20-3064-2)
Warning Lamps:    2W 

Spark Plug
Normal Conditions:    NGK B7ES or equivalent
Highway Conditions:   NGK B8ES or equivalent

Battery
Type:             12V 9 Amp Hours (Ah)     
Specific Gravity: 1.260 to 1.280
Chemical Makeup:  Lead Acid

Fuse
Type: 8 amp (european style)

CDI Unit
Type:                       Proprietary Sealed 'black box' Unit
Spark Plug interconnection: Silicone coated Oxygen Free Cable (18 Guage inner)
                            Almost any car spark plug wire will work as long as
                            the wire length is correct. 

Standard Settings
BOLTS
5mm bolt or nut:      0.45-0.6 kgf m (3.5-4.5 lbf ft)
6mm bolt or nut:      0.8-1.2 kgf m  (6-9 lbf ft)
8mm bolt or nut:      1.8-2.5 kgf m  (13-18 lbf ft)
10mm bolt or nut:     3.0-4.0 kgf m  (22-29 lbf ft)
12mm bolt or nut:     5.0-6.0 kgf m  (36-43 lbf ft)

SCREWS
5mm screw:            0.35-0.5 kgf m (2.5-3.6 lbf ft)
6mm screw:            0.7-1.1 kgf m  (5-8 lbf ft)

FLANGE BOLTS
6mm flange bolt:            1.0-1.4 kgf m (7-10 lbf ft)
8mm flange bolt:            2.4-3.0 kgf m (17-22 lbf ft)
10mm flange bolt:           3.0-4.0 kgf m (22-29 lbf ft)

Engine & Tranny Settings
Stator Screws:                 0.3-0.4 kgf m (2.17-2.89 lbf ft)
Kickstart Lever Nut:           2.3-2.6 kgf m (16.64-18.81 lbf ft)
Coil Pickup mounting screws:   0.2-0.25 kgf m (1.45-1.81 lbf ft)
Clutch Center Nut:             4.0-4.5  kgf m (28.93-32.55 lbf ft)
Input Shat Nut:                3.5-3.5  kgf m (21.70-25.32 lbf ft)
Rotor Nut:                     6.0-6.5  kgf m (43.40-47.01 lbf ft)
Carb Sleeve Nuts:              1.6-2.0  kgf m (11.57-14.47 lbf ft)
Clutch Cover Bolts:            0.6-0.8  kgf m (4.34-5.79 lbf ft)
Cylinder Head Nuts:            1.7-2.2  kgf m (12.30-15.91 lbf ft)
Exhaust Pipe Stub:             7.5-8.0  kgf m (54.25-57.86 lbf ft)

Frame & Suspension Settings
Suspension unit mounting plate nuts:      2.0-2.7  kgf m (14.5-19.5 lbf ft)
Suspension unit to mounting plate nut:    3.0-4.0  kgf m (21.7-28.9 lbf ft)
Suspension unit lower mounting nuts:      2.0-2.7  kgf m (14.5-19.5 lbf ft)
Steering head adjuster (preload):         0.6-0.7  kgf m (4.34-5.06 lbf ft)
Steering head locknut:                    5.0-6.0  kgf m (36.2-43.4 lbf ft)
Handlebar pinch bolt:                     3.0-4.4  kgf m (21.7-28.9 lbf ft)
Rear suspension unit lower mounting bolt: 1.3-2.3  kgf m (9.4-16.6 lbf ft)
Engine unit pivot unit:                   6.1-7.5  kgf m (44.1-54.3 lbf ft)
Front wheel hub nut:                      7.0-10.0  kgf m (43.4-72.3 lbf ft)
Rear wheel hub nut:                       7.5-9.0  kgf m (54.3-65.1 lbf ft)
Wheel mounting nuts:                      2.0-2.7  kgf m (14.5-19.5 lbf ft)

All Material Copyright 2001-2025 by Richard Hoar. Use at your own risk.