Modern Vespa

Disclaimers:
*Vietbodges have their reputation for a reason. No matter how this experiment turns out, don't go buyin' a random one from Craigslist!
*Your mileage may vary. You should not expect similar results unless you happen to buy one from the same folks I went with.
*I cannot divulge who I chose. If you wish to attempt this, research your options carefully!
*No old Vespa should be considered as a daily commuter. This is strictly a weekend toy.

On to the story...
This spring, I decided to get a Vespa. Looking at my options, I ran across vietbodges, and of course the warnings about vietbodges. While there were many examples of franken-bikes stitched together from multiple frames and innards composed of cupcake pans and baling wire, others seemed to be just fine.
What I did not see is what would happen if somebody set out to attempt to get a relatively "good" one. Figuring that somebody else might find it useful, I set out to do just that and document it.

So I looked at several different Vietnamese shops. I found write-ups from people who had purchased bikes from them in the past, customer reviews, and contacted some customers as well as the proprietors.

I weighed my options and settled on a shop that I figured would give me my best chance of success.

So when I get the bike, I'm going to make sure it runs properly, then disassemble/ inspect it and document what I find.
I will not be talking about things that I find satisfactory, as this is not a commercial. I will also not worry about things that are not "period correct" or minor complaints. I'll be looking strictly for defects that affect the safety and function of the bike.

If there are certain areas you folks would like me to look at, please let me know.


I will have the bike in about a month and we'll get started. Now that the bike has shipped, I can start posting some details about what was promised. More to follow...

Best,
-Slashy

I would like you to take a look at your bank account and to double-check the expiration date on your prescription meds.

Clearly you have more time and money then common sense. Don't give these jack holes any money and don't perpetuate the myth that a good viet-bodge can be had.

Please refrain from sharing your opinions about the advisability of doing this. It just clogs up the page and adds nothing of value.
If you simply *must* send me hate mail or encouragement, please do so by PM.
All posts like the above two will be reported to the mods.

Please and thank you,
-Slashy

Are you looking in the mirror when you're saying that?

So....you want to post this useless exercise here for everyone to read...but to NOT comment upon or "share opinions" about? (otherwise you'll complain that the other kids are picking on you?)


Then just do it for yourself and don't even bother posting it here. I am completely baffled as to your motivations. What "value" are YOU adding, other than comedic?


OK, I'm done now. Commence with your brilliant project...

Grown men playing w/ scooters would hardly be the ideal ppl to talk about common sense or staying on your meds. We already had the first thread locked because so many objected to this 'project'. There are MANY other projects on here that I don't care for but I don't see a lot of this kind of personal commentary when someone is doing something to their scooter most of us might avoid.

This is a done deal, comment on the bike not the buyer. I think the non competitive bodge vs Hodge reporting to come will prove to be at least entertaining and probably interesting and informative.

Fixed this for you!

Disclaimers:
*Vietbodges have their reputation for a reason. No matter how this experiment turns out, don't go buyin' one!
*Your mileage may vary, But it will break
*I cannot divulge who I chose. Do not attempt this, research your options carefully and buy a reputable scooter
*Old Vespa can be considered as a daily commuter if setup and maintained correctly

My 2 cents: I'll keep my personal opinions to myself. It's your time and money to with however you see fit. If anyone does not want to look at your posts, they can skip it. Keep on rockin' (in the free world)

If don't like his topic, don't bother reading his posts. This might be informative to some, and should read. And it might be offensive to some, if that's you then don't read it

Eyeroll.

Thanks for that deep wisdom, Socrates.

BTW, you are offering an opinion, which the original poster gets upset about.

So aaanyway...

Not a lot to report at the moment, but I would like to point out an interesting set of assurances I got during my correspondence with the proprietor:

This is a pretty bold statement, and I'll verify it one way or the other as best I can (I can't do much about the paint).

The proprietor never claimed that this was to be a true "numbers matching" bike, but the verbiage in some of the literature could mislead the unwary. To be clear, do *not* expect a true numbers matching bike from these folks.
In my case, the bike is a '64 and the engine is a '61, both VBB. I was informed of this before paying for it and verified the serial numbers on the bill of lading myself on ScooterHelp. I will, of course, double check them when it arrives. I have a '59 VBA I got from a reputable source to verify what authentic serial number stampings look like.

Finally, the bike cost me $3,000 (not including shipping) and took nearly 2 months to restore (from May 17th to July 10th). Clearly not cheap and not quick. Probably also not worth it, but I'm doing this to find out.

The scoot will be a prototypical vietbodge, with shiny 2 tone paint, white wall tires, and lots of chrome. I will refrain from posting any pics that I haven't taken myself.

That's all for now. The scoot isn't due to arrive in Des Moines for another month.

Best,
-Slashy

On the other front...

I took delivery of a '59 VBA (I dubbed it "sock monkey") from a highly respected source yesterday. It's a project bike that never got completed, and I immediately set about stripping it down in preparation for refurbishment.

The paint on the frame is still original and in surprisingly good shape, but unfortunately a couple factors are going to keep me from retaining the original paint: the cowlings, fairing, and head unit were repainted a particularly nasty shade of blue over the original, and (more importantly) there are a couple stress cracks in the leg shield that I have to cut out to repair properly.

I love the way this bike looks dull and flat, so I'm picturing an olive drab "army" scheme for it.


Today I started knocking out the dents/ reshaping the coachwork.

You should start a separate project thread for it either here or in the projects section, since it is a different topic. I'd like to watch that without having to wade through all the banter on this bodge topic.

Whats going to be even worse for you is when someone recognises your Vietnamese scooter in the street and confronts you about it. A scooter run won't be on the calendar. Anyways, have fun with it.

[quote="GoSlash27"]
I love the way this bike looks dull and flat, so I'm picturing an olive drab "army" scheme for it. [quote]

I have a bicycle that I didn't want to spend a lot of money having painted so I went the Olive Drab look. If you take the time to prep each part by itself it turns out pretty nice. I bought my paint at the Army surplus store. It was a major brand and said WWII Olive Drab on the can.

Well said, o mere mortals.

The Posting Guidelines prohibit personal attacks. No mention of the severity, just personal attacks in general.

The thread may not be locked, but rather, those who attack Slashy himself will be simply ejected, keeping the dialog to those who keep the discussion to the bike, not the buyer.

You are forewarned!

Looking forward to this. Can I suggest an inspection camera for some internal shots in the tunnel? You can get them very cheaply and attach directly to your phone.

Well... paint it if you must. I think it's beautiful as is, just cut and wax. I even like the two tone job but it's your scoot and I have odd tastes. If you wanted one w/ a fancy paint job you should have ordered one from Vie.... Oh wait

Ginch,

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll definitely be doing that.

Best,
-Slashy

Agree with sdjohn... make the Hodgescoot a separate thread.

Hey Slashy - when you get your bodge, can you post pics that the seller sent you and compare them to the pics you took, to give us an idea if they are sending you pics of the actual scoot or just stock photos?

Yeah, I think you're right. I'll move the sock monkey project elsewhere. Sure I can do that. I am confident that the pics they sent me are not stock photos because I had the bike built with custom details, but there's no harm in posting the pics.

Thanks,
-Slashy

I tried with my phone camera, & it kinda worked, just hard to aim

Are you going to strip paint in tear down? That would be best way to see dodgy repairs.

Not right away. I'll see if I can spot a frankenframe without resorting to such extreme measures first.

Best,
-Slashy

I want to see what you get and keep track of this thread. People I work with are interested in having a scooter but the local market is poorly made ones that usually don't make it through the summer before having problems that are not repairable. Dave lost the muffler-no fixing, paved streets, 49 cc and he ran it to work and store trips, fishing off the levee.. In my age group, AARP wants us for members....
So, something lower budget than Vespa or Honda but that is not total junk might be of interest to some I know--they are NOT getting my Vespa...

I have no idea what you just said there. Did Sarah Palin join this list?


(now proudly sporting half an "X", apparently)

Get a Buddy scooter

Another Scooter

Are you incapable of understanding the meaning of "no personal attacks"?

Take a two week time out to think about it.

A co-worker of mine who lives in NW Indiana and wants to get a Vespa sent me drooly pictures of this one he saw at the grocery store.





I've been through him with this and the reality that what he really wants is a Buddy 170, but his aesthetic taste keeps bringing him back to the bodges. I've suggested the twisty P-style LML, but even that isn't quite "vintage" enough.

We shall see if he heeds my advice (I think he will), but someone in NW Indiana clearly didn't.

This is the problem, people are so used to so many things not increasing in price over a long period of time (like 30 years) that they're not willing to pay $$ for quality. We've been held in a time warp (price-wise) for many items since Reagan was president that we're not willing to suspend the disbelief that prices go up. Levi's jeans were somewhere in the $25 range a while ago, and they still can be had for about $35 or so now. Old Navy and WalMart have made cheap clothing the norm, and completely acceptable.

So then we extrapolate this to another non-essential, the scooter. I have no idea what a P series was priced at in 1982, but when people look at new scooters, they're not willing to part with more than $695, because a cheap, unreliable, unrepairable Chinese scooter is that price, so everything else must be that price also.

My wife accuses me of this same "time warp" pricing issue. I recall for years purchasing pasta on sale for 4 for $1.00, and I seem to get outraged (get off my lawn!!) when I see it at regular price for $1.79, or even on sale for 4/$5.00.

We also need to realize that Vespa is a premium brand, and is priced accordingly. Hyundai, Kia, and even some American branded cars sell for a lot less than a Lexus, Mercedes, or BMW. Same with scooters, where Genuine, Kymco, and others are priced a lot less than Honda or Vespa.

Never lived in Alaska but my father did and is buried there... OK- but I do work in a meat packing plant, with people from all over the world. Our work force has had people from as many as 45 different countries working there at 1 time.
And I work with people who cannot see paying $5000 for a scooter, but would spend that much over time on smoking, drinking and their cell phone bills...
And yes, some ask me about scooters, several were interested in buying my Metro but wanted to make payments, but not layaway. Or wanted me to sell it to them at the same price the dealership was giving me for trade in on the new Vespa.
So, having other options to suggest to some works nice for me. I work with 2 men, 1 local 'redneck' who thinks I should have bought a Harley, been there, done that, new '73 Sportster back when I was young.. The other from some country in Africa, he wants the Vespa, but would not part with more than $600 for the Metro--
So, yes, I am a real person, 60 years old this month and have been riding bikes and horses since before I started school, also learned to clean fish, knit and a few other things before starting school, not the average old woman and not the average American upbringing or outlook on life.

Maggie, This topic is goin off the rails a little, but I will give you a few suggestions:, Kymco, Buddy, TGB, honda and I'm sure there is more. If you are willing to wrench a little, buying used is good way to go. In all honesty, there are better scooters than Vespas. (I'm talking about the modern ones here). Sacrilege, I know, on a Vespa site, but there are many Honda scooters out there that have been running for years and years. And the parts are easier on the wallet. Thing is, that no matter what, everyone has an idea in their head what something should be worth. Usually based on what it cost in their country back home or what it cost 25 years ago. I'm a frugal 60 man, four kids, so I kinda know where they are coming from, but I also know quality costs more in the beginning. And better over the long run.

I will follow your bodge updates buddy....should be entertaining to say the least... I would get a really good helmet, and maybe bubble wrap yourself before riding. I find many of the threads on this site informative and comments from other members extremely entertaining, and this one promises not to disappoint.
P.S. May want to increase comprehensive/medical coverage with some of the surplus cash you seem to have, I think thats a better investment than your Vietnamese scoot!
Best wishes!

I don't think you should paint this scooter.

Leave it like it is.

Hey, I know who that is and where you're getting it from. Are you getting it shipped to one of the ports on the Coast? How is it getting through Customs? How do you plan on getting it registered? I'm asking because I got it from the same guy and it was a freaking nightmare getting it registered, despite his reassurances. And I'm pretty close to the Port of Oakland, where I could see it get taken off the container.

I'm one of the ones that would say "don't do it" but some people, like me, just don't listen and have to learn the hard way. Good luck!

dewane,
Everything is already cleared through to my pickup in Des Moines. The proprietor handles all of that at the other end.
AFA registration, if I run into any problems, I'll post it in this thread.

Best,
-Slashy

Customs is pretty easy, it's getting it registered that might be hard. What you WONT get is a tittle. So your local motor vehicle department is going to require a VIN inspection. That's where the fun starts. Your shop my have used a complete frame and not altered the vin number. If that's the case you should get thru easy. Often times the shops there cut and weld in a new vin number. There have been cases where the DMV feels up under the body/frame and feels the weld lines around the vin panel. Now they've got you. In some cases they can order the scooter destroyed. I know of a poor guy this happened to.

One more comment on registration. Check under the bike for the vin before you go motor vehicle department. If you have any doubt about the vin, don't try to register without getting a title first. A bill of sale from veitnam is not a title. Customs paperwork is not a title. If you doubt the vin, find a third party to get you a title, it's not cheap.
With a title the process at the motor vehicle department will be much easier. They may not look as hard at the vin. Every state is different, check before you go, know what's required. Use the states web site, don't rely on what they tell you over the counter.

Kevco, are you suggesting going the Vermont route?