Modern Vespa

No real reason for my post but forums are built for nattering arent they...I had few posts under a different name but had to re-register. Is there a way of finding out your username based on the email address so you can retrieve the password?

Anyway my girlfriend had a minor ding on my 1997 ET4 - see photo. Some bloke did an emergency stop in the middle of the road - she hit the back at around 15mph and cracked the mudguard/front shell bit next to the cupboard door and grazed the side of the bike on the road at it fell over. Absolutely gutted.

He was driving some old Nissan and it had a two inch crack on the rear bumper. He got it written off and successfully claimed medical too for whiplash! Getting rear ended by a SCOOT!!! My girl was ok - just hurt her wrist a bit stopping the bike.

Took it into a shop but the colour was a respray so getting a match on the mudguard/front section is going to cost too much. In a bit of a bind now as bloke said its almost worthless as its done 28k miles and is so old (pre-leader, etc). As my first purchase I didnt know what I was doing so paid too much for it and then had to shell out for a new bendix, new tyre, and new seat lock. My CBT is due for renewal as well so wondering whether thats me done with two wheels for a bit and back on the tube.

Its got about 9 months MOT so wondering whether its illegal to ride it without the mudguard?

Bummer - sorry to hear that. Did you collect the broken bits? If so you could glue/stitch with cable-ties (gives a nice 'wounded' effect).

I don't *think* the front mudguard is needed for MOT - but do check with your local friendly tester...

And try username 'turnpikelane'.

Thanks for the username tip. Great!

Nah she didnt collect the pieces - from overseas so didnt really know what the score was - think she was expecting to settle it up there and then in cash as the other vehicle only had a scratch. Took a while for me to explain that this'll result in all types of compensation!

You could try ebay or gumtree for a spare front mud guard. I've seen plenty of vespas being broken down on there.

I was thinking that too... And if you can't match it, how about spraying it a nice contrasting color and adding a matching racing stripe or something. You know when life gives you lemons make lemonade??? (I prefer for life to give me oranges so I can make sangria... Both work )

Yeh considered getting some parts and trying to patch it up but guy in the shop said it's going to cost £150+ to install the new panel/mudguard...so that with the cost of the parts is beyond me.

I'll definitely have to check its not illegal to ride without a mudguard

I can't see why it would be - there are enough rat-bikes out there without mudguards.

Yeh exactly! Just feels a bit wrong when it was a pretty good looking little runner...

Hmmmm I'll need to ride without a right mirror too as got home yesterday and someone had ripped that off to jam open and break the seat lock! Still as there was nothing in there they were kind enough to put the seat down and leave all the broken bits inside.

Probably be on bricks when I get home tonight!

this makes me angry and sad.

Dude. Sorry to hear about your gf's bike. I thought my day was bad yesterday. Yes in USA u can ride wout mudguard, not sure where u live, kinda looks like Europe so not sure. Check eBay like previous posts suggested. Good luck man & keep us posted on outcome!