Modern Vespa

Hi everyone. I am new to the forum. I promise I will lurk more and do some research over the next few months before bombarding you all with posts and questions about a restoration of my scooter. My grandfather purchased a Sears Allstate for my dad in June of 1964. He kept a lot of the papers for it and gave it all to us in 2003. According to the website scooterhelp.com, if I search the model number 788.94331 it comes up as a 1964 (http://www.scooterhelp.com/scooters/allstate.788.94331.html) but if I search the actual serial number, VA14t.61xxx, it comes up as a 1965 . Which year is it? Does the '64 differ much from the '65?

My dad and I got it running in '03 but a snapped clutch cable and my moving out of state relegated it to the garage. I will hopefully take possession of it again in the next few months.

no difference between the years. don't sweat it. a lot of us have a bike that is titled in one year, but the data base says differently.

Hi,
I own a '64 Allstate, as well. Perhaps, I can help. I think you'll find, like any mid-year changes, there can be a x-over in assembly period. I found that in my case. You will find the Allstate breed is somewhat unique, as it was a Sears brand that was specifically ordered by them and to be a "no frills" model. Yet, retains many of the same attributes of the regular Piaggio line up.
Your best bet is to hang around these mugs (self included) and you will learn a bunch from these characters.
Happy trails....and WELCOME! Scooter Dude.

the most valuable item on an Allstate Vespa is the legsheild badge. they are incredibly rare and cannot be replaced. its just a VBB otherwise.

but I could be wrong of course. no matter, welcome to the club. all these Vespas, when running, are rare. so enjoy it for what it is. cheers!

Yep, wrong on both counts.

To the OP: No significant difference between the '64 and '65. The '63 was a blue three speed, but both the '64 and '65 were red four speeds.

Thank you all. As for my scooter, is it a small or large frame?

And since Christmas is around the corner, what books would you suggest I get for the scooter? I have nothing at this point. Parts manual, maybe the Haynes blue book? What else?

Thanks

Hi,
An easy way to tell,... if the "entire" engine cowl is removed to gain access to the engine, it's a large frame. With small frames, you removed only a section or insert within the cowl. However, that posted number 788....331 is indicative of a large frame.

This is a great story, your scooter has family history.
Good luck getting it running again, and if you can,
post some photos.



Rob

I will definitely post a picture or two when I get a hold of it. Maybe I can convince my dad to unbury it from the garage so I can let it see some sunlight and get some pictures for you before then. i opened up the side compartment when I was home last and found the original measuring cup that came with it for mixing the oil with the gas. I even have the instructions that came with it for how to put it together when you got it in a crate. Pretty good shape

there was never a smallframe "allstate". Sears sold a smallframe for one year only, 1966, and it didn't say "allstate", it just had a blue round "Sears" sticker, which nicknamed it the "bluebadge". So if it has an allstate badge, it's a largeframe.

the front fork is different from the vespa model, you don't have a shock and spring, just the spring. It's also a 125cc instead of a 150cc (vbb). An allstate of that year would more closely resemble a VNB than a VBB.

As for books, none. The haynes manual is worthless. Ask for gift certificates to scootermercato instead, you're going to need them.

Also check the Tech section @ Mercato and Scooterhelp. Vespamaintenance has been randomly unavailable & now has it's own current 'status' thread here, with reports from around the globe.
http://www.scootermercato.com/Garage/Tech-Tips
http://www.scooterhelp.com/
http://www.vespamaintenance.com/index.html


Just about everything you'd find in Haynes & somebody here mentioned errors in Haynes. Useful side reference only.

I love this kind of stuff & have never seen that. Could you scan & post, please?

Thanks!

Cforst513,
I am going to take it you are from Cincinnati.
There is a well sized vintage scooter community there.
I recommend riding your scoot to The Comet on a weekend.
You will find other your some of your local scooter enthusiasts there.
The "scooter scene" here in Dayton sucks donkey dongs!
Best of luck with your Vespa endeavors!

Hmmmm? Was there not a primevera ( AKA smallframe) with MM tailight? AKA Sears?

Yeah, there was. The operating manual and parts list for the '66 smallframe identifies it pretty clearly as an Allstate.

everybody is correct

ok. post a link to an allstate badge for sale.

http://www.scooterwest.com/items/?_pageCCS=t#page=/item_details/Allstate-badge/341

Sure. I have a bunch of goodies I will try to scan

Thanks for the tip. I'm in the extreme opposite end of the state however

Repro badges made of a Tin-lead mix, copied from a original badge.


that's not NOS. try again.

Thanks, looking forward to this! Rejecter, you're not serious? @ $30, pretty expensive for a knockoff, seems to support their scarcity.

edit: beat like a mule.

You're looking for NOS? Can't help you there. So are most other Allstate parts available NOS?

My Allstate is quite the beater -- when I replace parts I go with the best quality repro I can find; not NOS. If you/he meant "can't replace it with NOS" I suppose you're right.

i said it wasn't BADGED as an allstate. i don't know what the parts manual says, since i've never seen one.

Thought the 513 may have been your area code.

Hmm. I've used this handle for YEARS and never made the 513 connection to the Queen City. That's actually my birthday - May 13. You're obviously more clever than I! I'm in the Cleveland area.

hey Guys,
here's a link...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/howard33/3533046391/

do you see the word "ALLSTATE" on this sticker?

Bud, not sure of your point? As in my case you're preaching to choir, btw.
I own a 64 Allstate (large frame) with the US outline. I, also, own a 66 BB Large frame with the OEM/NOS sticker.
I posted the "flicker" pics for he benefit of those questioning what was the correct "badging" for the small frame Sears scoot of the period.
I think, folks use the term "Allstate" in the loose sense at times. Perhaps, forgetting that Sears old that small frame model, as well.
My point was to clear up the badging issue. The original poster (OP), has a large frame "Allstate" and probably realizes that by now.
Happy Trails....

my whole point was this....

if your legshield says ALLSTATE, it's a large frame. The OP wanted to know if he had a LF or a SF. I offered a simple way to find out, that turned into a pissing contest, like only modernvespa can do.

Yes I quite agree. I guess there are too many "thin skins" here? I don't find this very often in my classic car forums, wherein, I'm quit active.
Oh, and not to mention, it doesn't take much for the dialog to stray....another interesting trait here.
Happy motoring mate!

I have never been, but only heard of this place.
Pride of Cleveland Scooters
http://www.clevelandscooters.com

This manual might be a book worth having, though I agree with V oodoo and JSharp that internet forums will probably serve you better.

Sorry for the crappy cell phone pics. Scanner isn't big enough.

Cover:
Inside left:
Inside right:
Back:
Diagram insert:

These came with the scooter too

That is sooo cool to have those authentication papers!

That is really nice to have some thing a nice as a scooter that has been in your family for so long and is being passed down to you. I hope you can hold on to it and pass it down to your kids. All I got was an old bag of tools, but there precious to me anyway.

Sweet! the scooter comes with a workbench as well

Yes, that is one cool looking crate! That's like finding the buck sheet in an early mustang. Very cool pics.[/list]