Modern Vespa

Thoughts on this bike please. Looking cheap.

I think the front wheel fender is wrong? Any other comments from Rally 200 experts?

The badges are wrong for a 1972. It should have a horizontal 'Vespa' script badge on the front and RALLY 200 in caps on rear. Alternatively, it's late '73 or early '74 and the seller has listed the incorrect year.

The trim is also wrong, both on the top and the edges of the fender. No Rally had side trims and fender ornament should be black and rectangular. The legshield trim also appears to be reproduction (hard to tell from the photos), not Ulma 044.

That said for just over $/EUR 2,000 it looks like a decent project.

The ad mentioned 1979 in the text but a quick check of the VIN will put any year doubts to bed. seigiorni is right about the badges which makes me think it could more likely be a very late model rally, which I prefer anyway due to the engine change to the ducati ignition. Mine is a 74 Rally but has a very early P200 engine on it which is pretty much the same as the late Rally engines anyway.

If it is not the original trim, good luck finding one at a reasonable price

The rest looks pretty well priced and once you confirm the Engine and VIN numbers you'll know what you've got.

Yeah I saw the 1979/1972 in the add. Going to check it out tomorrow morning.

I understand the VIN would confirm the age of the frame. How do I check the engine? I'll look at the engine number but I read I may not be able to tell if it's a P200 or Rally model?

Have a squizz at this link for where the Engine number should be.

http://www.scooterhelp.com/serial/vespa.serial.locator.html

Very late with the early headset and kill switch under the seat?

It's most likely very late '73 or early '74, however, only a VIN will confirm.

VIN was painted over, so couldn't get it.

Engine was 74 Rally so some of the comments here are spot-on in dating. Seems to be red underneath.

Paperwork is a problem. He found some old paperwork (not reg mind you) but that seams to be for a 67 sprint. He is confused. Don't think there is any chance that's a sprint right?

I will insist on getting to the VIN. Paint stripper. Scratching on the VIN is a no no.

after some investigating I figured out what had happened.

He checked the bike using the (I)GM number instead of the VIN when he bought it way back. Found the Sprint on the system also registered on the same GM number.

He still has the results of this check which is the paper work he showed me Sounds like his bike is running a P-series carb-box as the IGM number matches the P-series carb IGM number stamped on it. Well except for the fact that the I has been dropped. Just GM...

Thought it was quite funny.

I had to do that with mine. In fact, I'm still to paint back over the VIN. Make sure you are pretty accurate with the placement of the stripper, but at least it is under the cowl so any imperfections are not seen.

Took a while of stripper and gentle sanding to get to it though......

There is a kill switch under the seat???

See the 2nd and 3rd pictures. This along with the early headset and the late badges would date it as very late '73 or early '74.

Frame is also 1974 Rally 200. So again comments spot on. So it looks as it might be the original engine.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it. Ride it definitely but the rest is a queston. I like to have a bike looking original but I'm not a nut and bolter.

Couple of questions:
1. Is the correct front mudguard the same shape or do I need to replace the whole mudguard to correct it? Or just remove the chrome? Availability of mudguards?
2. No spare-wheel? Would that be a problem to obtain one? Think not?
3. Basic battery mount there but the sparewheel cowl/cover at the bottom is missing and no battery. (I'm fine with no battery bike though).
4. Exhaust is done as well. I'm not sure what to search for on. P200 or Rally 180 as there doesn't seem to be Rally 200 parts on SIP.
5. Legshield trim is not great. I see original is potentially over the top. Good repro stuff?
6. Horn not working...

Just looking at more expensive items to get a sense of costs. Not sure what we are talking about kill-switch. Didn't see any other than on the steering switch. This is South Africa, so we probably similar to Euro/UK models of the time. So AFAIK also would have less of the optional add-ons.

For better or worse I have 2 in the garage now

Two is more better. Like the black and white.

I'm starting to think I'm going do lot of the work myself. So I'm going to try and document it as much as I can.

And more pics

Too much uploading on the forum. I've created a Google Photos album isntead:
https://goo.gl/photos/gKXVTseuwWf7DstL6

Couple of questions on this:

Couple of loose wires but it seems to be running. I think the lights are gone though.

Engine cover seems a bit beat up and loose.

Looks like a P-series carb?

Is it wrong mudguard or is it just the chrome that's wrong?

Speedo took a beating as well and is not working.

Exhaust also not well...

Steering column turns until light is on the legshield.

I need to wait to work on this as this needs to go for clearance,paperwork and formalities before I get my hands to dirty.

Figured out a few more things.

I think I have the original legshield trim. Or at least it seems to be stamped 044.

The light lens is installed upside down. with TOP pointing downards. NL markings on the light. Not original SIEM I guess.

I keep doubting the mudguard. It looks wrong but I'm not sure. I need to take pictures in the day but work's been keeping me busy.

The other thing that makes me worry is the neck. It seems off.
See this pic: https://goo.gl/photos/8Ai5CCBCf2LhzUKy7 or this https://goo.gl/photos/fgQQCCyy4E3CbqCf9

Gap seems large?

My worry is that more than the mudguard is wrong in the front-end? The whole fork? Any way to confirm this is a Rally fork?

The gap looks about the same on my US market 74 Rally ,, 3/8" eyeballing it with a tape measure , I'll post a pic below. I'd recomend getting a Rally parts manual if you don't already have one.

Thanks icebox. Wonder if there is a euro version of that? I know I won't find an South African version

I guess it won't be that different compared to the US one. And the Euro one would be in Italian presumably.

Agreed! What is the white one? GL?

My GL yes. See link in sig for pics.

I bought it "restored". The guy did a good job visually but there were some problems mechanically. Sorted that out over the last couple of years. Worst was the wrong nut on the rear wheel. My wheel nearly came off one night. At least he had the pin in. Most of the fixing was done via a local shop. After the wheel incident I also asked them to go over the bike. I did fixed some of the mechanical issues too. See for example the incorrectly installed brake cable in the pics

I want to do it the other way round with this bike. I want to try to do the most and only take to the shop for the jobs with the specific tools etc. I know what I lack in skills I will make up in attention to details which the local shops don't always seem to have.

SIP does have a section for Rally 200's

I think your mudguard is correct , it's just the trim. You can still find a NOS front mudguard if needed ,, but yours looks OK.

You'd likely want to replace the stock exhaust anyway ,, maybe run a box type
expansion chamber ,, lots of options there.

Keep the factory leg shield trim. It's stainless ,, you can tap out the dings , file , sand , polish ,, it's very restorable. Or pay a pro to do it. It's nearly impossible to find for sell. Be happy you have it ,, it makes the bike IMO

Off to get all the paperwork sorted out:

It's back from police clearance and such. Just waiting for the paper work to come through.

Finished my work bench and it will be staying on that for a number of months:

-The loose wire is a ground for the Femsa unit holding bolts. Since it's running it's not essential, but it's always nice to have everything perfect.
- Engine cover I'd replace. It's hard plastic.
-Rallys and P's share the same carb. Nothing wrong here.
-Chrome is incorrect on front fender
-Speedo problems could be hub, cable, or speedometer. Gonna have to dive deeper to see what's causing the problems.
-as long as the exhaust is working no worries.
-behind the horn is the steering stops for the front fork. Have a look and see if those are mangled from abuse.

Order one of these for sure! The one I have has both Euro and US diagrams. Whatever supplier you have in SA would be able to help you get a correct one.

I was looking for one with cheaper shipping but the ScooterWest was the only I could find. Closed my eyes and bought it now.

Shipping to SA?!?!?!? Jesus Christ

OK first time dropping an engine for me today.
It went relatively smoothly. Everything came of reasonably easily. The rear shock mount was a bit tricky, but got it out eventually.

1. The engine mounts look quite bad.
2. Also had a (very thick?) fuel hose as well as with a fuel filter in. Guessing the filter should go?