Modern Vespa

I’ve got an ET4 with only 58 miles on it. Poor thing barely saw the light of day. It flew the coop and hit a telephone pole. The only damage was to what I now call “disposable body parts” such as leg shield, floorboards, rear cowls and the like.



My plan was to drop the ET4 “twist and go” engine into one of my many Zundapp Bella carcasses. After consulting only those friends of mine that always agree with me, we decided the little 150cc didn’t have the oomph to cart around the heavy Bella frame and body.


I’ve always loved the looks of the French Terrot, it’s cute as a bugs ear. I’m thinking it’s the perfect size for the ET4 transplant. So, I consulted with my buddy Dan; he’s hooked up to all kinds of machining, fabricating, cnc’ing, tooling, re-tooling, modeling, etc. etc. Sure enough, Dan was able to get a quote on carbon fiber Terrot body parts, but that money I set aside for space travel on the Shuttle. I’m still thinking about it though, do I want a “twist and go” Terrot or do I want to vacation at a space station? Hmmmm.


While I weigh my options, I’m sure you peeps can suggest some other way to utilize the broken, but not bent, ET4. What do you think I should make with it?

Well I sure have no idea, but I love those Bella, and Terrot scooters! Wonderful bikes that anybody would like to own.

Good luck with your project, Beale.

If the thing is ridable, then just make it a cut down. You're most of the way there already.

That or DIY an Italjet Amarcord. If you do that, don't do the goofy swing arm they did. Have it pivot independently of the engine.

Finally, don't entirely rule out the Bella. The Benelli Adiva used the 125 and 150cc air cooled LEADER engines, and that sucker had a dry weight well above 300lb.

Diane - I love your imagination and your taste in scooters.

I'm with Bryce.Cutdown...NEVER seen a Vespa auto cutdown yet,you'd be the first.

It's kind of funny as is, it is rideable in that condition? I kinda like it!!

The Bella is a beauty!



Mel

Do a leg shield that is comprised of tubing. Something that creates the outline of what a legshield might be, with ribs running downward diagonally from the center. Chrome is, of course, recommended here.

Being a cut down, it should be obligatory to put a Lambretta series 3 horncast on it. You also would really need spun metal disc wheel covers. Something like you would see on a land speed record car out on the Bonneville salt flats. Paint...I'd go with a satin finish that's not black. A satin blue and white would be excellent. Maybe a little bit of gold, silver, and copper leaf pin striping could be done if you need a little bling. A cut down doesn't necessarily have to be a rat bike.

I vote for the InvisiVespa. Chrome outline of where the body should be, including the rear skirt, etc. It's just crazy enough to work.

Oh my gosh, it's NAKED! I'm shocked. Is this allowed? Doesn't this violate some sort of no-nudes rule on MV?????

I say just put a bar for your feet and a seat for your butt, and ride it like that. That way you can still take that Space Shuttle ride and send us pics!

-Dan

I'd go with Bryce and scoots, and have it as a cutdown. You can try and beat Quang (Coming to Amerivespa) to it!

Love the Bella too

Martin

Jeff, the owner of Vespa Detroit/Detroit Eurocycles, had the brilliant idea to make a Dust Bin pit bike. I borrowed his Dust Bin to get an idea of what it would look like.



Way cool.

I'm afraid I'm not up to the task.

I love competition. I think it is a good idea. I wish you the best.
Now I have a question for Martin. How do you know I haven't finish yet?

That dustbin thing is tremendously cool. Looks like a land speed record Vespa or something. I wonder if you could break 75 on that thing out on the salt flats.

Now I have a question for Martin. How do you know I haven't finish yet?[/quote]

Well that would be unsporting, but having seen your build picks I can not wait to see the end results

Martin