Prima Exhaust / yes or no

whonozz · Post by **whonozz** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 1:49 pm

I went by my dealers shop last week to look at and hear the Prima exhaust he'd just installed on a new 125. I like the way it looks and it does have a little deeper sound to it. From reading other treads here I've learned that if installing this exhaust one needs to add different rollers and re-jet. What I'm not clear about is after doing all this will: a) it add to my scooters performance and/or, b) add or take away from MPG's? If all I'm really going to get for $200+ is a deeper sound and some more chrome, I might have to pass. All those who have done this mod chime in please....

Leeroy Jenkins · Post by **Leeroy Jenkins** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 5:30 pm

you will need to do re-jet to tune ur bike.

without the re-jeting ur air cooled lump it will run lean/hot and could damage ur engine.

re jet will also complete the preformance (speed) but it will take away from mpg

It will use more fuel, and it will void ur warenty

IMHO its not worth it.

paige · Post by **paige** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 5:37 pm

I have it, I like it. It is mostly a deeper sound and a shiny pipe. I may have a slightly higher top end, but I rarely get up to 70 mph in the city anyway.

iamryan2 · Post by **iamryan2** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 5:44 pm

If you want performance the best purchase you could make first would be a windshield. A windshield will give you quicker acceleration, higher top end, more stability, less engine strain, and better gas mileage.

After a windshield, a big yes for the exhaust. Not only does the exhaust add a deep rumble it also adds quicker acceleration. I did rejet, but at higher altitudes it might not make a difference. Either way the jets arn't expensive and you will see the best performance after re-jetting. Also, I havn't seen a change in gas mileage. I havn't seen a higher top end than before, but I havn't changed my rollers yet either.

SCOOTER SOLDIER · Post by **SCOOTER SOLDIER** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 5:49 pm

Great advice with the windshield first, I have both and am very happy, I am at a higher altitude and did not rejet and the spark plug looks fine, fastest speed down hill at my high altitude is about 74mph indicated.

whonozz · Post by **whonozz** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 6:27 pm

iamryan2 wrote:If you want performance the best purchase you could make first would be a windshield. A windshield will give you quicker acceleration, higher top end, more stability, less engine strain, and better gas mileage.

I put a Cuppini "short" on last week and I completely agree with everything you said. Made a BIG difference....

Thanks for your thoughts about the exhaust mod. It's looking like most people who have done it are glad they did. I'll give this tread a few more days before I make a final decision.

pocphil · Post by **pocphil** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 7:26 pm

Install the Prima pipe - You'll love the sound
Change the Jet - You'll feel the top end improve
Change the rollers - You'll launch like a rocket
Change the Clutch spring - You'll accellerate through the whole powerband.

No complaints - we don't care about mileage (especially when the alternative gets around 18 mpg).

Phil Waters
Pride Of Cleveland Scooters
Vespa Cleveland Lakewood
www.clevelandscooters.com
216-277-1964

twharton · Post by **twharton** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 9:31 pm

I installed the pipe but did not change the jetting and have been satisfied.

For those who have 'changed' the jet. Can you advise what size, a part #, and which one assuming there is more than one and what to set it to?

Thank you in advance.

Tom

vitaminC · Post by **vitaminC** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 9:52 pm

pocphil wrote: Change the Jet - You'll feel the top end improve
Change the rollers - You'll launch like a rocket
Change the Clutch spring - You'll accellerate through the whole powerband.

Prices, part numbers and/or a source for these goodies?

After a year with a stock Buddy, I'm ready to make some changes...

Once it cools down a bit more I will be getting a windscreen.

whonozz · Post by **whonozz** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 10:43 pm

pocphil wrote:Install the Prima pipe - You'll love the sound
Change the Jet - You'll feel the top end improve
Change the rollers - You'll launch like a rocket
Change the Clutch spring - You'll accellerate through the whole powerband.

No complaints - we don't care about mileage (especially when the alternative gets around 18 mpg).

Phil Waters
Pride Of Cleveland Scooters
Vespa Cleveland Lakewood
www.clevelandscooters.com
216-277-1964

Thanks Phil,

I think you might have met my local dealer, Tim with Powersports here in SW MO. He visited your store right about the time you guys were moving a month or so ago.

Anyway,,,, thanks for your thoughts and I just might have to go with the whole shebang....

sparty · Post by **sparty** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 12:30 am

After weeks of debate, tonight I went ahead and replaced the prima pipe with the stock one. I am not sure if I installed it incorrect, but I didn't like the noise made by prima at all. I don't think I'll miss it too much, it does certainly look better than the stock pie... I took a ride afterward and I found myself enjoying the sound of the stock pipe very much. it's very comforting.

pocphil · Post by **pocphil** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 3:55 am

As far as part #'s go - Contact your local dealer - most of us have our own part #'s.

If your local dealer doesn't stock it, give me a shout, I can ship it out to you.

ALWAYS CALL YOUR DEALER FIRST - Support them and they'll be there to support you!

It takes us only about an hour to install the whole she-bang. Most do-it-yourselfers won't want to tackle it on their own. The clutch spring can be a real bugger without specialized tools.

Regarding the sound - Yes it is louder than the OEM exhaust, but in a nice, deep, rumbly sort of way. This is definitely not an exhaust your neighbors will be calling the police about.

If your exhaust seems too loud:

Make SURE you have replaced the exhaust manifold gasket - Ideally you should get a new one, but, we've seen the original ones reused with no problems. Tighten the new exhaust at the exhaust manifold FIRST. A little at a time on each nut. Use a good quality High Temperature Loctite on the hardware. Once you have the exhaust manifold nuts tightend fully THEN start to line up and tighten the exhaust hanging hardware.

If you do this correctly you should have a nice thumpy tone and no leaks.

JettaKnight · Post by **JettaKnight** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 4:27 pm

What size of jet is best?

sparty · Post by **sparty** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 5:37 pm

pocphil wrote:
If your exhaust seems too loud:

Make SURE you have replaced the exhaust manifold gasket - Ideally you should get a new one, but, we've seen the original ones reused with no problems. Tighten the new exhaust at the exhaust manifold FIRST. A little at a time on each nut. Use a good quality High Temperature Loctite on the hardware. Once you have the exhaust manifold nuts tightend fully THEN start to line up and tighten the exhaust hanging hardware.

Maybe that's why my exhaust was annoying sounding. I didn't replace the "exhaust manifold gasket" I took it to a motorbike shop, and the mechanic said i need a "donut gasket", so I asked around here and emailed scooterworks (where I bought my pipe) and scooterwest but nobody responded so I thought it was a stupid question by my mechanic. At this point, I guess I learned a lesson that I should not do my own mechanic work.

scotty · Post by **scotty** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 6:11 pm

The prima pipe has helped performance after re-jetting the carb. The exhaust works even better with a simple air filter upgrade. The performance enhancement from the Prima exhaust and removing the stock air filter system is doubled because of the weight reduction. The stock pipe weighs over 9 pounds. I dont know the weight of the prima, because I dont feel like removing it, but I guess that it weighs less than 7 pounds. Removing the stock airbox/ tubing/ and filter also saved a pound or so.

JettaKnight · Post by **JettaKnight** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 7:20 pm

scotty wrote:The prima pipe has helped performance after re-jetting the carb. The exhaust works even better with a simple air filter upgrade. The performance enhancement from the Prima exhaust and removing the stock air filter system is doubled because of the weight reduction. The stock pipe weighs over 9 pounds. I dont know the weight of the prima, because I dont feel like removing it, but I guess that it weighs less than 7 pounds. Removing the stock airbox/ tubing/ and filter also saved a pound or so.

So what options are available for airbox replacement / modification?

StL_Stadtroller · Post by **StL_Stadtroller** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 7:23 pm

JettaKnight wrote: So what options are available for airbox replacement / modification?

First thing that comes to mind is replacing the airbox ass'y with a nice K&N cone filter...

Anyone tried it yet?

BoneGirl · Post by **BoneGirl** » Wed Aug 29, 2007 10:24 pm

paige wrote:...but I rarely get up to 70 mph in the city anyway.

I participated in my first motorcycle benefit ride a couple weeks ago and my GPS recorded 72mph as my top speed that day. Pretty good for no extras on the Buddy. Even Brett at Genuine thought I had installed the Prima Pipe. I'm telling you, the pink Buddy is faster!

Modern Buddy

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