Piaggio APE E 400 (175) - South Africa

[madhatter987]

Hi All,

I am new to this website, have just purchased a Piaggio Ape, my first EPA.
I have owned a Vepa before but this is a whole new ball game to me.
Does any one have a manual in English for me? I will post some picks the min I get my room restored.
She has a some rust, okay a lot of rust.

Started with the carb, not sure its the right carb though, I any help I can get from you guys.
Coming soon MADHATTERS the BUS!

[dieguito]

I haven't it.. Maybe contact Ken (kjjohnson)

PS Welcome!

[ApeOperaiando]

welcome

[kjjohnson]

Hi from Canada - go to my website - http://www.kjjohnson.ca - look in Parts Information at all the Manuals and download whatever you think you'll need, it's free. Like to see some photos. Welcome, lots of help here on this site. - Ken

[olandese volante]

daar heb je nou wat aan!

[madhatter987]

HI Guys,

Here are some pics of my lil bee...
her fuel tank is rusted, any advice?
How do I take the fuel tap off? What do the tools look like you use?

[madhatter987]

this is the carb and tank ....

[kjjohnson]

Hi: You have a bit of work to do. First thing you'll need is a set of metric wrenches and all the screws are either slot or Phillips. You'll need lubricant like WD40 or Liquid Wrench to loosen nuts and bolts and screws. I specialize in P501 and P601's so I won't be too much help, however the Manuals on my website will assist and there's lots of folks here who will help you through this. You will need patience. When I did my first P501 my wife Delores asked me why I spent so much time initially just looking at it and every part I'd removed. My explanation was that my family came from Finland and Germany and now I must think like an Italian to understand the machine. You must become familiar with it and you should be organized or you'll end up with baskets of parts. Read the manuals and the parts books available and ask with photos and help will be given. As an example, I'm doing a Slide Show presentation called Vespacar Restoration and it will be from start to finish on my current project, a P501. Five shows to date with over 170 photos and I'm only taking it apart! If you photograph everything and put them numerically in order you will remember and it is a great reference. Get the serial number and the motor number, you'll need them. Good luck - Ken

[madhatter987]

Hi Ken,

Thanks for the advice, and not to worry I am veryorganised when it comes to working.
I have startedstripping it down and taking photos at the same time of each part. I worked on my families and my own vespa alot, so I know how to think like an italian now.

I look forward to your slide show...
Your manuals were of great help, thanks.

[kjjohnson]

There are only two P401's that I know of here in Canada and neither are in my shop so I have no experiece with that type. However, many owners of similar types on this site will help. Best to also go through "My Ape" and look at some of the restorations of "Real Ape's" as Olandese calls them and it will give you some insight. I'll keep an eye out to see how you progress. Ken

[madhatter987]

Hi Guys,

I have stripped the doors down completely now, they are ready to be fixed and primed for painting now...
Next I must take out the windshield and take the cab top off...



The windows are not as easy as I thought... saved the rubber around the main windows, but the swing windows will need new rubber I think...

I think I may have come up with an idea from a friend of mine to work on the tank. Can anyone tell me the size of the nut holding the fuel tap in the tank? It looks like a 27 or so??

[kjjohnson]

Use a crescent wrench on the fuel tank nut so you won't have to seek out the correct size wrench, it's a big one. Take the tank to a radiator shop and have it cleaned and checked for leaks, and after repainting it and installing it get yourself an in-line gas filter to assist in catching any residue from the tank. Ken

[kjjohnson]

Should look like this when you're finished although yours is in the dash. I can help you with the vent window rubbers I think. - Ken

[madhatter987]

Hi Ken,

Thanks for the advice. Unfortunately the cresent wrench doesn't fit in the tank to losen the nut. I am going to the hardware today to get a 27 Deep Socket, then I am going to weld a pipe onto it to make it like a long plug spanner.
Once i have done that then I can take it to a radiator shop like you suggest. I have been labeling all the wires in the ape, stripping her down so that i can work on the body. I got to fit the front wheel mudgaurd, its a mould so i have to fiberglass her and then put on some custom mounting brackets...
Next i will start removing the cab and then the engine, once the engine is out the body work begins, not sure on the colour, was thinking white...what do you think?

[kjjohnson]

White as the driven snow! The P501 that I finished last summer turned out beautifully. You must pay special attention to rustproofing inside the doors etc. if it's a problem where you live. Good idea to mark the wires, you'll have forgotten by the time you put it back together. - Ken