Modern Vespa

So here's my dilemma,

Ive got a Rally thats starting to develop some problems. The legshield is dented, seat post ripped out, floorboard cracking near the outer edges, extra holes from where the previous owner added some stuff, holes in the cowls and headset from the turn signals, miscellaneous rusty holes and it might be a little smashed in the rear. The thing vibrates like hell and the glovebox needs some tweaking.

I've got $1500 to work with and hate the idea of letting it continue to get worse.

I can do disassembly/ engine work/ assembly but dont know anything about body work or painting.

Think thats enough money to get that frame back in good shape, get it painted and have something left?

I'm sure demographics will come into play here.

I got a quote of $900 here in Southeast Texas.

Mind if I ask what the breakdown was? 600 for bodywork 300 for paint?

What kind of paint job are you thinking? Show paint? Single color?
look up http://www.paintbysmokey.com/ he is in San Clemente.
He is the one that painted my P200 Racer that was at Amerivespa but that paint job was ALOT more then a $1,500 paint job

I think you can get it done for $1,500.

Just single color with Rally stripe stickers.

Funny you mention Smokey. I looked him up when I was looking for someone to air brush my Chargers themed tandem bike.

Actually it was all for paint with two very small pl;aces filled.

My guy did all my body work and paint for 500. Granted he painted my bug too. He's in Houston and I can get you his number. Search my restoration thread for pics.

Hi,

Living in the mid-Atlantic area (MD), I recently had my 66 Blue Badge painted a 2 stage paint. It is a nice street worthy job. I did 95% of the body and dropped it off with a coat of Urethane primer. With a little bit of pin striping, it was $1150. The remaining 5% of body work was the painter's finishing touches on areas I missed on the body work.

Thanks everyone for the replies so far.

Now i'm debating whether to get the frame blasted and primered and just hold off on final paint until I have some more $$ or to just wait another 6 months and do a full restore

I had mine blasted for $300. Did all of the body work and primer, then, it sat for 8-9 months before I could get a paint date. He's popular with the Harley boys, so, his work is good.....or they bust him LOL!

I like the idea of blasting and then waiting a bit. I can survey the damage and I have two other bikes I can ride.

In the past I've always started and finished a project as quick as I could so maybe this will help me with my OCD

Well, the blasting does show all of the dings and divots to repair. Another thought, if you have a powder coater in the area, check with them for an estimate, that is, if you can find a color and they have tons to pick from. The draw back, if you call that, is you have to use a metal based filler. As the body is cured at about 400-450 F.
Powder coating can be cheaper than paint too.
Good luck with your project.