
1956 Vespa Ape rebuild |
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Post Reply Forum -> Project Reports | 12Next |
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![]() I've had an Ape project in my garage for well over a year, and I'm finally getting started. Actually I have two Apes, one is a 1956 and one is a 1957. I am using the '57 as a source of parts for the '56. Here is the before picture. It looks pretty good from this distance, but when you get a little closer, you can see how much work it's really going to take.
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![]() There is some pretty significant body rust in the roof area, particularly at the rear near the support columns. The repair of the roof will take someone with skill that is far beyond my own, so I'll be having someone with the proper tools and experience handle this part.
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![]() The first thing I had to do to was just get it mobile. The tires were rotted, and the hubs didn't want to spin, so it was hard to move it around the garage. I bought some new wheels (I'll be blasting and powder coating the old ones) and removed the old, only to find the the area between the wheels and the hub were completely packed with the remains of a community of spiders. I got all this cleaned out and put the new wheels on...it moves great now. Below is a picture of the Ape with the temporary wheels on, and the spider stuff has all been removed.
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![]() Next I removed the box from the rear of the Ape, to make it easier to get at all the parts that will need to be removed and rebuilt. My next task was to remove the transmission from the parts Ape and the motor from the '56 (which is now done). Then I removed headset and front fork from the donor Ape.. My plan is to rebuild the front fork, the transmission, and the engine first, because they are the simplest steps.
I'll be using the front mudguard from the donor, only because I like it better. The '56 has a split/welded front mudguard, but the donor had a one piece mudguard. Once the front fork assembly is removed and cleaned, I'll be getting some of the parts blasted and powdercoated prior to reassembly. ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Petty Tyrant
![]() ![]() GTS250 GTS300 MP3 500
Joined: 11 Oct 2005
Posts: 29677 Location: Bay Area, California |
![]() I made a comment about the glass before, am i correct that all the glass is good.?
Love the headlight and bracket, cool. |
![]() jimmyb865 wrote: I made a comment about the glass before, am i correct that all the glass is good.? Love the headlight and bracket, cool. Between the two Apes I have one complete set of windows. I'm going to have to buff out the curved sections to get rid of the haziness. Len |
![]() Once apart, I inspected the parts and noticed that a small bit of the collet thru which the shock bolts is broken off. You can see it at the bottom right corner of the picture. I'm wondering if this will affect the performance of the fork when rebuilt? It seems to serve more as a stand-off for the shock to bolt up against than for actual strength of support. I have another fork I could poach a part from, but would rather use/fix this one if possible. What do you think, fixable?
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Moderibbit
![]() ![]() 1980 P200E - "Old Rusty", 1976 ET3 Primavera
Joined: 12 Jun 2008
Posts: 8129 Location: Atlanta, GA |
![]() That's where the dampner sits, correct. Do you have someone close that can just build that area up and then you shape??
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![]() jimmyb865 wrote: That's where the dampner sits, correct. Do you have someone close that can just build that area up and then you shape?? |
Hooked
![]() 1974 Rally, 1978 P200E, 2000 HD Fat Boy. 2007 HD Street Glide
Joined: 16 Sep 2009
Posts: 445 Location: Atascadero, CA |
Ossessionato
![]() ![]() I have a few scooters....
Joined: 08 Nov 2005
Posts: 2205 Location: San Antonio, TX |
![]() If this turns out half as nice as your last restoration, it's gonna be frickin awesome. Keep the pics coming, Len.
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Ossessionato
![]() ![]() GTS 300 70th Anniversary
Joined: 04 Aug 2009
Posts: 3337 Location: Bromsgrove, UK |
![]() Very nice.
I'm looking forward to seeing the end result. What's the engine in an Ape of this age? |
![]() gator51 wrote: Can i ask where you found those 2 gems in the rough? |
![]() Dr Zoidberg wrote: Very nice. I'm looking forward to seeing the end result. What's the engine in an Ape of this age? |
Ossessionato
![]() ![]() GTS 300 70th Anniversary
Joined: 04 Aug 2009
Posts: 3337 Location: Bromsgrove, UK |
![]() Len Smith wrote: Dr Zoidberg wrote: Very nice. I'm looking forward to seeing the end result. What's the engine in an Ape of this age? I like the idea of doing 40mph backwards! ![]() |
![]() What kind of cleaner are you using? I have completely dismantled my P200 and am in the process of cleaning and evaluating all the parts. Solvent and carb cleaner aren’t doing as good a job as whatever you are using is doing.
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![]() Turkman wrote: You will become the Ape Expert. ![]() |
![]() When you're finished.....
....we'll have to ride down just to see the completed project. Good reason for a trip.
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![]() Fender blasted and etched. Also got fork parts blasted, etched and painted. Will be getting fork assembly back together so it is ready when needed. Next up after fork assembly is motor, then differential.
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![]() Please keep up all the threads & photos to document your restoration -- this should fun!
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![]() Putting fork back together, and dismantling motor for rebuilding. The piston didn't look to bad for a 54 year old.
Also, I re-posted some Ape technical manuals on my website after the data was lost. will also be updating a page there with more pictures (but will keep posting progress pics here.) http://www.brooktownclassics.com ![]() ![]() |
Ossessionato
![]() ![]() 2012 BMW G650GS, 2006 GTS,
Joined: 15 Jan 2006
Posts: 2089 Location: Snohomish County, WA |
![]() You have been pretty busy Len!
Great job, makes me want to get back out in the garage to work on my small frame. |
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