Modern Vespa

This summer I bough a 1998 Vespa ET4. The owner told me that it had a bit of rust, but he never got the time to look over it.
It had been in daily use, even on salty roads during winter. In Norway they salt the roads a lot.

Since I wanted a project, this was OK with just some minor welding I thought.
The price was very low, so I went for it.

After stripping it down to the bear chassis, I figured it was too much of a welding job
Here you will see what salt does to metal


Under


So you figure, welding is out of the question
I bought a used chassis from dismantler. Since I already had opted for a red colour, the color of the cassis did not matter.
Also the part number for the chassis is the same for ET2/4 50-150ccm

I sanded down the chassis and parts, and had it all primed.









After sanding the primer properly, I borrowed a friends spray booth at his paint shop to paint the chassis and parts.
I did not have any Vespa paint codes, so went with "signal red"
Quite happy with the result






It is so nice to put it back together when all is so clean





I powdercoated some parts with my DIY powder coating kit from Eastwood.
I was not sure what color I should go for on the wheels. After some desition I went with grey.
The wheels are about the biggest size that will fit in the oven

The engine was partly stripped down to re-seal, but also since I wanted to go for a bigger bore.
I bought a 140ccm piston and bored tha cylinder.
All parts was glass blasted before it went back in.
I also ported the intake and exhaust ports to flow better since I am going for a bigger carburetor.

Anyone that have a good sugegstion for a bigger size carburetor ?

Great job!!

Good job! That looks to be quite a project.

Thanks guys.
It is a project, but as long as I enjoy the process all is good.
Compare to restoring a classic Porsche, this is a quick project
And it does not take too much space either.

Nice work man!! Keep up the good work 8)

Gr. Jim

excellent work there, nice one.

Thanks guys.
Waiting for some new parts from sip.
Malossi multivar variator is on the way.

What weights have your guys been using?

Got some new dacals on



Next I will put on the rear crash bars and change seat cover to black.


I also onstalled the front luggage carrier




Engine started right up, but the diaphragme is broken, so the engine does not have much power.
Tried to repair it, but did not work much better

Anyone know if the diapragme/reed valve from a GY6 125 will fit?

Like this one
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pulse-GY6-125cc-4-Stroke-Carburettor-Diaphragm-/220821457480?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item3369fc0a48


Remember reading about one that had it working...

you saved her, and she is beautiful. congrats.

Then she is completed. (more or less )
Will install 30mm caruretor in the spring

New seat cover. Some small parts remains painting (forgot to bring them to paint booth)

Stored for the winter. Now I need to spend the winter on my 79' 911 turbo.