Modern Vespa

This is what I get for temporary bumping Dave off the lift.

This is the first MP3 I've ever worked on and I understand why dealers don't want to touch them now. They are very complicated scoots.

Tilt-lock actuator is currently halted in a partially activated state. I need to rig power to the actuator in order to back it up into an unlocked state. Went through a quart of DOT4 brake fluid trying to reverse bleed the tilt-lock circuit. Ended up removing the actuator cylinder and several hydraulic lines to clear blockages and flush crud out. Still have work to do on it, but it's reliably over 100F (38C) here now and an uninsulated tin shed it a lousy place to loiter.

Maybe I can get it sorted later this week; had to disconnect the horn because the tilt-lock warning keeps repeatedly beeping it every time the scoot is powered on.

S.M.O.G.

That even LOOKS complicated

What's the yellow and red scooterpeds?

Red is a '65 Puch DS60 "Cheetah", sold here by Sears as the Allstate "Compact". Currently in parts limbo.

Yellow is a '74 VeloSoleX 4600 "Horse". Engine's getting rebuilt with some minor improvements. SoleXes are weird little buggers.

Gas tank on the back of the SoleX is for my '86 Honda TG50 Road Fox / Gyro S.

Thars some lovely little "oddities"

Dunno if Frčo can help with that... https://frcomoto.com/puch/

Not a 4600, but Robert Redford famously rode one of its older siblings (a 3800) in 3 Days Of The Condor.

I liked those brighter colored ones with the white engine case sold in the '70s. They were a little more square, and looked pretty cool.

Solex are so ridiculous. I want to add one to my collection.

You are a better man than me for taking on an MP3, AZ. I occasionally used to see one in the area. Then one day, it showed up in my driveway with a guy whose bike I worked on in the past - I guess bad news gets around. Anyhow, he was having some sort of of problem that I can't recall. The back part of the scoot is easy enough, basically like any auto Piaggio. But the front? What an overcomplicated machine! I took a look around and I told him to take it to the dealership to sort out. No thank you

That looks like a complete pain in the ass. Thanks for sharing. If anyone ever asks me for help on one, I know what to say.

Finished putting on my GTS some custom stickers I made and cut on my vinyl cutter. Two tones of green vinyl to match the color of the scooter. Inspired by the GTV, GTV 140th Anniversary and the 946 Bunny. Serviced and ready for the Vespa World Days 2026 in Rome. We're leaving next week on the 24th...

SaFIS

You have mad skills sir!

Hec

Very nice work, looks very sharp!

That's amazing!

Got the wiring all done. Just have to mount up the headset top, then move the whole lot to the garage for engine installation. Back on the road by the end of the month!

Today I.....

Decided "no more scratchy panel clips!".. se fitted stainless Rivnuts instead (4mm)

Damn. That thing is a looker!

Ooo, sassy! Where, how, what...? 👏🏻

T5 floorboard, and retainer for the spoiler?

I might steal that idea! I also need to get M8 rivnuts for the seat on the lambretta. (Note to myself)

Correct!
Fasteners for the spoiler on a T5 Mk 1

And possibly the LMLthat came with big rubber floor mats

Dude that's awesome

The lml didn't have a spoiler to keep attached tho, did it?

I like the idea of replacing the old wood screws and clips with proper hardware, some pink loctite, and forgetting about it. The headset needs some rethinking too, for the same reason.

If only there were a way to keep the spoiler from slipping off the mat...

Ill ponder that dor when I get round to fastening thoae teo parts together

Had a phone call from the powder coaters.. so off i went

Happy 😊

Mate, you're heaven sent 😁 PM on the way

SWMBO - would argue that point 😉

😂

Today I weed whacked my lawn, or started to. My next door attached neighbor saw me and asked why I was doing that, said every time I gotta cut it I forget our lawn mower died (it's electric) and just resort to using the weed whacker on the 1/4 acre back yard…. He offered up his lawn mower so I took that offer. Afterward I took the mower back and parked her where I got her from. Noticed a Puch moped buried in the back and remember them offering it to me. It was their oldest sons and last time I saw him he also asked me to take it. So with both Allstates out of the house I brought in this foster child. Also came home with a snow blower that the previous owner of my house gave to them 25yrs ago and they never used it. And a gas lawn mower that he couldn't get running.

Lawn mower has a cross threaded spark plug. May be able to just get a new head for it. It's a Briggs motor so should be common enough to source.

The Puch I have zero info on. Can't find a model name or number anywhere. Maybe one of you all can help so I can source the right rebuild videos or something.

I just bought a Vape for the smallframe, and the CDI was DOA.

I had this one in the picture spare - the bracket broke ages ago and I managed to hold it together to get home.

While I'm waiting for SIP to come good, does anyone know if I can weld the bracket without causing damage to the electronics?
Maybe Rikko or Gravelrash2004?

Looks like a Hi-Torque cylinder, so maybe a 2HP model. Guessing it's a '77 or '78 model. There should be a VIN plate in the right side of the frame. Pretty sure the fuel tank is from a Tomos Targa.

Engine's an E50, with the "E" being "eingang", or "one gear." There were "zweigang", or "two gear" models in manual or automatic configs. I think I have a few spare ZA50s laying around.

Treats is your friend for parts. Myron's Mopeds has stuff too and Moped Army is a good forum for build info.

If you need something, let me know. I seem to have a lot of Puch spares laying around.

Puch e50, wonderful little engines. Last one I had looked like it'd been used as a saltwater anchor. I put it together with a fresh crank and cheap 70cc top end from Dos Cycles in Atlanta and it'd hit 50, eventually. And when I say put together that's what I mean, I just got the basic stuff I needed to rebuild it, didn't do any matching or check port timing against the pipe or anything.
I usually run PHBGs on everything but went with a SHA on that one because I found a good deal on a Malossi intake/carb kit. That pipe you have should be a great street pipe.

When you get the clutch dialed in right it feels almost like a two speed because it'll slip a bit until everything gets spinning right then grab and pull on up into the power band.

I have a friend building an e50 right now so she's been sending me pics of all the crazy go fast stuff she's drooling over for it. Dos will take care of you for everything you'd need for a basic rebuild but if you really feel the need to put a dent in your bank account and embarrass some bigger bikes check out Puch Shop.

Wound up raffling this sucker off at our rally in '22

Spot welding would be yoir friend here... however that also isn't without it's drawbacks.

My advise is, remove the entire plate and mount to a new one using standoffs through where the current plate looks to be held in place with a crush pin

What I would do is join all the conductors together, and earth them. By earthing, I'm referring to main's earth, not the welder ground. If there's any conductors connected to the core, that needs to come off. Still, there are no guarantees it will save the electronics, but I'd do it in a pinch.

Yeah...remember how CM2 learned the hard way this spring why you don't MIG/TIG weld while connected to electronics?

Nice score Friday!

*cues up Hollywood Holt*

Currently sitting in Atlanta Airport Delta Concourse enjoying a beer and lunch, and keeping my fingers crossed that my plane home is not delayed or cancelled due to the post tropical cyclone making a mess. I already received a notification that delays or cancellations are possible!😳🫰

Hec

Every cloud sir.... in your case its quite apt 😉

Well I just got my first 30 min delay notice. Ugh

Hec

I feel your pain. Sending dry, calm thoughts your way.