Modern Vespa

I have not been on here in a long time to post. I have been on here a lot in the recent months because I was researching the barn find scoot I just got. I purchased a 95% complete 1952 Allstate, model 788.102.

On halloween the stock engine turned over for the first time since I purchased it in July. It has a spare tire holder (not in the picture). The gas tank was in perfect condition and it was missing the tail light, allstate badge, headlamp glass, and the kill switch on the handlebars. Some of the surprise finds on this bike as it was getting pulled apart were the brass lug nuts (all 8 there), the brass headlamp reflector (looks like a trumpet) and the glass sediment collector behind the carb door. Some of the not so happy surprises as the HUGE wolf spider, mud wasp nest in the fly wheel, and many broken open spider nests during the tear down.

The aluminum is going to be taken down to bare metal and polished as good as I can get it and the rusty paint on the frame will stay that way for a while. There is no cancer on this bike, just surface rust. All in all up until this point less than 2k has been spent to get the bike rolling! Just thought you all would appreciate it.

If anyone has any ideas why it is idling so high I would appreciate it. We pulled the carb and rebuilt it for a second time, thinking there would be a air leak in there somewhere.

Nuttmeg

I'm not an expert & know little about this very early model. I'm only responding because we're neighbors & I was so surprised at seeing that beautiful bike pop up! I like your plans a lot & can relate to the horror stories too. You know how lucky you are to have that...

If you've eliminated any air leak between the carb and engine, you might consider this test if the seals have never been replaced. There are other tests as well and with any tech issues, I suggest you also post your question over in NSM. With this scoot, they will be all over this.

the one screw on top dont work open the slide:?:



primed it prime it like a chainsaw




looks hot eh

The needle on the slide is adjustable there should be a circlip that engages the needle at the top with three grooves. Make sure the needle is not worn. There should be no marks on it. Check that your timing is not too advanced as that will cause it to rev out also. Good luck!

v oodoo, thank you for the reply. Yes after I got the bike I learned a lot about how special it really was. I did not want to get too excited about it until it was in my possession. My boyfriend and I are working on this together, it is my first time really getting my hands dirty on a bike, and boy those spiders are creepy! I am going to post the question in the forum you suggested and maybe because others would be interested I will post the pictures I have been taking for my photo journal of this build tonight. I know the pictures I have taken are not something easily found online and so to share this piece with others that appreciate it is fun! We are regular rally go-ers in seattle during the summer, there will be a time where we truck this for a rally showing.

I have been asked to show the engine. Here it is just after it was rebuilt and about back together on the scoot. I think the cowl cutout is the scoots best side

everything is ur bike is sweet

good luck with the project and cheer

We have put lots of in town miles on the 1952. I love this bike. I dream of riding a 100 year old scooter and with this one it will be possible in my lifetime. I even rode it to a rally we had in town. Of course it was the oldest bike.

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