Rear tire - only! - 8 to 10 inch conversion...?

vespamiami · Post by **vespamiami** » Sun Jul 21, 2013 5:08 am

I have a 1963 VBB with a Stella LML 150 2T engine. I have 8 inch wheels on both, the front and rear tire. I like the 8 inch look however I have experienced a soft seizure recently. I have talked to a mechanic and he pointed out that the LML 150cc engine is not recommended to run with 8inch wheels. He thinks that it would be a great idea to convert the rear tire to 10 inch to not to kill the engine at higher speed and avoid any more soft seizure...
I have noticed that the bike loves to start in 2 gear and the 1 first gear is useless.

What do I need to do to convert the rear tire only? I have looked at SIP conversation rims, however they are not made for VBB.

Here is the link: http://www.sip-scootershop.com/en/produ ... +_80131000

What should I do? Do you think the SIP 8-10 inch conversion rim would fit my VBB?

vespamiami · Post by **vespamiami** » Wed Jul 31, 2013 6:10 pm

nobody???

PeteH · Post by **PeteH** » Wed Jul 31, 2013 6:20 pm

There was a '61 VBB restoration (or maybe it was a VBA, can't be sure) up for sale at my local shop last year, and it had 10" upgrades front and rear. I'm sorry to say I don't really know more than that. I will say, however, that if you upgrade only the rear, the handling might be funny, as the anecdotal legends go.

Post by **ericalm** » Thu Aug 01, 2013 7:34 pm

You might want to try asking this in the Not So Modern section over at Modern Vespa. I bet someone there would know.

Lambrettaman · Post by **Lambrettaman** » Thu Aug 01, 2013 9:05 pm

Nonsense. I ran a Stella motor in a VBB for a couple years before giving the motor to a friend. We are prepping another Stella motor for the VBB now. It will have a 22 tooth clutch, a Sito Plus, and the drilled out air filter.

Seizing is from running too hot due to being too lean or not having oil in the fuel. Not because of the 8 inch wheels.