Modern Vespa

I just bought a NZ 90 super sprint that sat under a house in Brisbane (Australia) for the last 25 years, so needless to say it is in need of restoration.

I think I will get the body done first.

That looks great just the way it is...Congrats on the find!!

Thanks TR, I wish I could leave as is but as they are so rare around these parts I want to get the body back in shape.

The previous owner is a close friend of mine and was the Vespa importer back in the 60s, he has heaps of old bikes left over from the day and this one he was going to keep to restore with his son but never got around to it.

He also had a 50SS that he sent to WA.

It is "appliance white"

Don't restore it too much... that looks awesome.

Hmmmm...I do like a nice SS. Good find.

...only in Aussie/NZ.

Congrats!

Me too... looks great.. what a find.

Amazing find! Very rare in the UK now. Last one I saw fully restored for sale was about £10k I think. We were only talking about this green one this week (pics on this thread). Not sure if its a repro from a standard 90 of course as I know these have been done...

Donkei Hotay and the Windskoks (Page 86)

Perfect post to cheer up anyone.

If you can resist, maintain and not restore. The wear and patina seem perfect to me.

A remarkable find mate.

Cheers

Nice find. Restore and repaint it. The leg shield aluminum trim is a bitch to put back on, just FYI. Does this 90ss have a vin number ? Just curious, can you take a pic of the body where it's supposed to be, I've never seen one with out the vin .

Yes, it does but they are different on the NZ model to avoid tax laws back in the day. They were made in pontedera but assembled in NZ and the frame was just stamped with a number.

I have seen numerous posts on the small frame forum stating that the NZ 90SS does not have VIN, maybe to convince themselves that they had not bought a fake.

Anyway, I know the 1960s Vespa importer personally and this was one of his imports that he was saving to restore with his son so his son has one of his bikes to remember his father. He also had a 50SS under his house that he sold to someone in WA.

Some updates;

Frame has been blasted and there was some light pitting that needed to be neutralised along with some minor panel work on the leg shield.

Also some engine work after the cases were Hydroblasted, not cheap but sure worth the results. New bearings, seals, rings, clutch plates and cruciform......not my work but in very good hands.

Great find. Very glad you decided to restore it too.

For heavens sake don't let on that these are everywhere in Melbourne or they'll all want one.

What a gem!!

Restoring it is just the right thing to do. These are so rare and it's great that you are giving it a new life.
Congrats!

Looking great!

That engine looks new after the blast!

Not many of my posts are of any help... BUT if anyone in Aust wants a smallie let me know, I have a few contacts & options .

If you want one for under $2k, then just outbid Stuart & you will have it, if you are SERIOUS & have the CASHOLA, then $6k will get a REAL SS90.

Nice find, and it looks like it ended up in the right hands to take care of it properly.

Grease on the fly bearing is a huge no no. Basically the grease acts like a damn and won't allow the proper 2t oil to lubricate the bearing. Also as the grease breaks down/burns up it turns into a thick sticky residue that can cause all kinds of headaches.

Push it apart clean the grease off and lube the bearing with your favorite 2t oil through the lube passage after you assemble.

As stated previously this is not my handy work and I am not in a position to question my Italian restorer that gained a diploma of Industrial Chief Technician specialising in Mechanics and Technical Drawing (Perito Meccanico Capotecnico) at the Technical Industrial Institute in Florence (Italy)

He was subsequently employed as workshop manager for a large Piaggio dealership in Florence (Italy) from 1970 to 1975.

During this period he gained a considerable experience on Vespa and Lambretta Scooters, Piaggio three wheel carry vehicles (Ape) and Gilera Motorcycles.

He also attended numerous refresher courses at the Piaggio factory in Pontedera near Pisa.

I am really just funding this build for all of humanity to preserve this unique breed from extinction lol.

Not a penny has been spared, all replacement parts have come from Mauro Pascoli including the exquisite seat that the photos really don't do it any justice.

Besides we don't know the context why the grease is on the bearing so I just leave it to him to sort out, as I have full confidence in him.

Piaggio also reccommended using 30wt oil for Mixing with fuel. We've come a long way.

Nice scoot! Enjoy.

Me too, but I don't think I would have gone to such extremes if it was any other model though. I can't believe how my friend could just leave it under his house for 25 years, I think if it was left much longer it would have not been so restorable.

Lol there is a few of us now here now in Melbourne.

Funny how our parents in Italy didn't want these in the day so they sent them all to NZ and Canada and now they would give a limb for them.

Goetz doing the engine build?

Hi Giramassi,

Do you know if the NZ 90ss without serial number on the frame change the value of this one?

thanks,

Spacove