Modern Vespa

So I'm pretty new to everything about fixing up anything with a motor. This Vespa has been sitting in the basement for 14 years after my Dad drove over a nail and killed a tire and got busy with life. It has 37 miles on it and is in pretty decent condition. I've wanted to get it back to life for a very long time so here it goes. I am receiving help from people who know what they're doing so that's a plus.

I just brought it to the shop today so all I have done so far is wash it down but I'll try to keep this updated and any help would be greatly appreciated. There isn't a working battery in it right now so I don't know if it will start or not.

It looks to have most, if not all of the parts it needs but I will be needing to get some new lock and key systems, take apart the motor (my dad did so 15 years ago but noted he dropped something in the engine while rebuilding it so the goal is to get that figured out), get some new paint on it and possibly work out any wiring problems. There is minor rust and one of the rubber stops on the kickstand is broken.

It comes with what seems to be a bumper but we haven't figured out where it hooks up. (picture will be available in a day or so)

no, that's just galvanized flue pipe...

if you're talking about what i suggested to be a bumper...you can't see it in the picture. it's got red pieces in it and connects through the bottom front of the seat by the floor. it wraps around both ends.

whatever is laying on top of the vespa in the picture has nothing to do with the vespa

Sounds like crash bars, they wrap around the cowls.

Make friends with local scooterists and you will be glad for their support (buy them beer).

Keep this thread going with all your pics and progress or start one in the project reports section.

Looks like a good project, be patient and you will have a good time with it.

Thank You!

PS don't buy them beer if you're not 21

Great find! Red tipped cowl protectors are cool period correct pieces and can be re-chromed if needed.

Take those tires off. They're dry and cracked for sure.

I have that exact bike with similar story. Only I boought it from someone like your dad. I had someone go through the motor and get it running perfect . Sweat motor only 1400 miles on it just replace seals and bearings and it was great. I did all rest like tires and wheels rubber this and that new cables and clutch. I just did the battery conversion and its on You tube and easy. Don't wast your money on a new battery just do the conversion it's cheaper than 3 batteries in 5 years. I didn't paint got talked out of it by everyone on this forum and it's rough but people love it . I washed it and tried to wax it rust spots and all. Just get it running and ride it.

Thanks everyone!

I will definitely be getting new tires. I am interested in the battery conversion idea too. I'll look it up on Youtube before I head to the shop tonight.

This might be a slow and little project since I am still in class and afterwards I'll be moving about an hour away from the shop for work. I hope to get it done mid summer however.

Take your time with and have fun. And it's cool that you have something from your dad - that makes it priceless. Good Luck.

Pictures of it clean and one in progress photo.

I've decided for sure to do the battery conversion

Went down to the shop only for a bit tonight. Took off the battery and the side part. Started to take apart the motor.

You can see the crash bar in one of the photos. Not in place. The back metal piece it attaches too needs to be replaced.

I have to say that bike is in amazing shape. Way better shape than mine. And it's all there score!!!

The Vespa gods will weep if you repaint this one... please leave it original, it looks great.

Well I wouldn't want to make the vespa gods weep. There are some scratch and rust patches. A fairly big scrape in the front but I am thinking I will not repaint it. The original coat does hold my heart but the scrapes and rust deter me.

I might finish taking off the motor tonight if I'm alive enough, (long day at work). Then I have to order new tires.... after I get my paycheck lol.

Thanks everyone. I will post updates as I go

Give it a good waxing to make sure it does not continue to rust, but otherwise keep that body as is... that paint came from the factory, it's only going to be original once

this bike is beautiful.

Will do!

Finished taking off the motor tonight. We put the kickstarter back on and we'll keep it off while we do the battery conversion. Then the wheels get replaced.

Thank you!

So everyone knows I may post it for sale when it's complete but I haven't 100% decided yet.

Oh man, that's looking good. It's your scoot, so you can do whatever you want with it, but if it came from my father you would have to pry it out of my cold dead hands. Plus, I don't think you ever come across something that nice again in your life time. Good Luck. ( if you decide to sell, post it up here first)

My dad didn't give it to me. He just left it in my mom's house for 14 years after owning it for a very short while. So there's not much sentimental value attached to it. My sister and I discussed selling it for a long time but I always wanted to fix it up first. I think the process of bringing it back to life will bring me the most attachment to it. I will post it here first as a thank you to everyone who's wished me luck, offered me advise and whatnot if I do decide to sell it though .

You are so right about that.

Dream bike. If i could sell a kidney and a testicle...

Ok, I can understand that. As I said before it's your scoot or maybe your sister's and yours, whatever. Meanwhile it's a nice project at least in that you won't have to chase down parts which can be aggravating as heck. Keep posting pictures when you can. Again, Good luck.

Not sure if this is an issue in Wisconsin, but you may want to make sure yuou have or can get a title etc in anticipation of getting this thing registered and on the road.

I have the title ready to sign so no worries on that part

Sorry everyone for how long it's been.

I haven't been able to go down for quite a while as it's getting close to finals week for me and I've been thrown into all of the last exams/projects etc.

I went down for a bit last night to just reattach the motor now that it's all put together properly and whatnot.

I wasn't able to get a photo as my phone was dead.

Hopefully I'll be able to go down more often to work on it