Modern Vespa

I sometimes throw a question on Facebook about Vespas or VW's but usually it is the bottom feeders of automotive discourse as it is for political or social discourse. Frequent adoration of obvious bodges or simply, It's fucked mate.

I haven't used Facebook in probably closer to ten years at this point, but the handful of times I've looked at vespa stuff on there, it was useless garbage.

I see no reason to leave a community like this for that, full stop.

Agreed. The best of the best here for expertise, civility and camaraderie. Sooo many forums out there are pissing matches and big dick contests.

We have seen our share of toxic members over the years. Eventually, though, everyone just ignores them and they leave out of boredom or frustration that no one is buying into their crap.

We're lucky to have a critical mass of solid, positive members and a well-run server (thanks, Jess! ) to congregate on.

Well, not exactly today but finished today. There will be haters. But in my mind I saved something and now have something for the next build.

I wanted to be a DISAPPROVER (not hater) but just I can't. Too common, too rusty, too cheap and look how nicely it turned out.

And looks like you already have enuff whole bikes anyways! Standing by for the second chapter...

I share the sentiment. you can save anything, but when you could go get basically the exact same thing running riding and ready to go for 2500 there would have to be some type of reason for bringing that specific one back.

that being said, while it took an unexpected turn I like the destination and look forward to the 2nd half of the journey!

Sold my Ninja. Now to decide if I start the VBB or the ET4 project first. I'm thinking of building the VBB fork and then moving to the et4. I can keep my px for a bit then.

I like it. I wouldn't be able to do it. It would sit in a corner of my shop for years while I ordered more parts to throw in a same corner while I promised myself I would one day restore it.

Logically, anyone who really wanted to restore an Allstate would start with a much better and more complete example and be time and money ahead.

Made another poor life choice. Bought an '08 Aprilia Scarabeo 200 that a local shop wanted to unload. Buck a cc and the club is always looking for a loaner scoot. I made them find all the bodywork, the keys and gin up a clean title as part of the deal. It had been sitting outside since October. The plug was out of the motor, so I wanted a peek.

I did ask if they had a borescope I could use to check it out, but nobody seemed to have one. I bought one off Amazon and it got porch pirated. Lovely.

Finally got the replacement scope, but the shop had met all the conditions, so I bought it. Picked it up last night.

Poked the borescope into it this evening. Cylinder looked decent and so did the head. Then I saw where the water had gotten in. Fudge.

Well, I'm gonna put some Marvel in there, screw in a plug and let the thing pickle until I can get to it.

P.S. Borescopes are cheap and decent enough that everyone should have one in their toolbox.

Figure the master fabricators here might appreciate this guy's madness:

https://www.bistella.cz/bistella-500-motorcycle/

ummm... wow x 10!

"The pipe-octopus" LOLZ!!!


Good score on the Aprillia even with the rusty crusty.

Now, If I could only find a deal on a Super project, life would be sweet. I loved my VBB and my Rally back in the day, figure it's time to split the difference.

I have an Allstate carcass that made the floor lamp project look minty. Should lay it out and post it for laughs. Can't start with much less.

you're playing a dangerous game...

On your lift now? I dig the look of it. Scoot's weird anyway, just lean into it.

on. and off. and on, and then off. and back on again.

the parts game is what just wears you out with these.

that and the jigsaw bodywork what with the 5 million different fasteners.

check your intake manifold. if it's busted you're boned. there be none out there for carb'd versions of the rotax motor-- which that may or may not have, amongst what could be 3 or four others-- yet another flavor of infuriation with aprilia scooters!

hit me if you need anything, I have some spares kicking around-- brakes, belts, rollers, air filters something might fit!

Thank you sir, I may take you up on that.

Motor looks like a longcase version of a LEADER to me. Aside from having a housing for the oil filter, the sense of deja vu is palpable.

that's rotax. it's shim under bucket on the valves, takes a filter element. the rollers are the same as GTS, as is the vario, but the 1/2 pulley is different. clutch is same, but it is supported by the inside of the cover. belt is a weirdo few year only piece, but ebay has 'em.

rebuilding the fuel system sucks because you have to tear all the body work off.

they're good bikes when they work right!

god forbid you need a cylinder. hopefully you can get away with the marvel in there and just turn it over real slow and it'll come back.

Shittiest engine ever produced, along with Piaggio's pre-Leader 125…

anything besides oil changes and transmission service is just a miserable slog. and the dizzying array of parts breakdowns and cutoffs (mid year changes!) along with the lack of information just leads to hopeless despair.

Thanks for the warm fuzzies, guys.

It's been sitting, so the fuel system will be pulled and cleaned. It has just under 7700 miles on the clock so it's probably due for a CVT service. Rolls on the original tires, so maintenance might be long overdue.

Looked at some exploded parts diagrams last night to get a better idea of what I'm looking at. I thought it was neat that it's a twin cam, though that enthusiasm was muted when I saw that Aprilia listed the buckets with varying thicknesses; so the shims are the buckets. Lovely.

At any rate, it stays pickled for the moment. I have other projects to finish before the end of February.

Installed a protection plate for the rear bumper of our "new" Renault. Brushed inox, made in Germany...

Working on a big valve solution for an LX. Dynagrego had teased that he had one and I'm bent on finding and documenting one.

So far, it been a bit of a challenge to find a candidate with the right stem diameter (5mm) and length (80mm intake, 79mm exhaust).

I have the intake as of today and the exhaust will be here early next week. Went for Kibblewhite White Diamond stainless valves. They will need about 3mm taken off the top of the stem and the faces will need to be re-ground to suit. We'll how it pans out.

Oh, and recommended fitment for these valves? GSX1300R.

I drove from Oregon to Central-Cali to finalize a deal that has been in the works for a full year. Hands were shook, scooter-geekery was talked, scooters were admired; and a deal was made. I drove away with a 1979 Vespa P200E in tow.

Full disclosure, I didn't only drive to get the Vespa, as I already had a business trip planned that brought me South; and the timing worked out well. There is more to the story, stay tuned mydudes

Fastest color!

Congrats amigo. Looking forward to more of the story.

Also, what vehicle is that P crammed into?

Is that original paint? Thing looks to be in amazing condition. Nice score, GL!

I see a side draft carb on there, too. Someone put some go-fast parts in that thing

I'm replacing all the front end ball joints, tie rods, and power steering rack on my 2000 Honda CRV. It's a fucking dreadful operation. I'm regretting taking it on myself, but it's too late now as all the bits are disassembled and all over the floor of my garage. It's interesting how a simple radiator replacement turns into a slew of other things once you poke your head under the car with a flash light.

A bit more of the story is that I may have squeezed another Wasp into the nest on this trip

You buried the lead!!!!!
More details please!

Was it crashed? I see some headlight damage?

See the thing is….thats still not the lead

You're killing me Smalls!

White Ps for sale all over the place! Friend of a friend just hooked up a local kid. Paying on installments for a nearly Road worthy P. Had homeboy and his brothers over to learn about scoots. It was missing a few pieces but I had/borrowed what it needed. Just trying to get some young blood in the scooter scene or just possibly take them down the path of darkness!

I know I know!! I'll lay out the story tonight when I can sit down at the tippy tappy letter machine. I just couldn't contain my excitement

Right on Malcolm - helping keep the scene alive.

And yes GL, I know of part of the story, but definitely want to hear the rest!

Alrighty, finally I have a chance to sit down; as I've been traveling. Apologies as I wasn't trying to lead ya'll on. I'll try to get to the point before next week.

So, a decade ago .... Here is were it gets (just a little) real on the internet. why not. I went thru a period of time where it was rough financially. I found myself unemployed for 10 months. We turned out better than ever in the end, so dont worry. I also had to make some tough calls during that time, such as selling all my vintage vehicles. Scooters, cars, projects. Etc. NOT the tools though!! NO REGERTs. Ever. I alway say, We'll figure it out. (as a family, not like the royal we lol) And somehow we alway do. always.

So I sold the thing I promised I never would. My first Vespa that I bought when I was 18. But yeah, I never regretted selling it; because that enabled us to move forward. I always said if I could get it back I would. Lost contact with buyer, wasp lost to the wilderness for eons....

then one day, in the background of a random group ride picture posted on another site... is that... could it be.... I know it is... I know it from miles away. There is my baby. I'm happy to see her again. Just to know she's ok. I reach out, and as it turns out.. We share a mutual friend. Connection was made. Friendship was formed. A deal was agreed upon. Now the work begins, because the deal involves; building a custom scooter in trade.

So, although I know I have been fairly abscetia around these parts; I have been busy building. As busy as I could be anyway. I spent the past year building this 1971 Rally 1800 with a P200E engine. This was built for my (new) friend in trade for the P200. I did not want to reveal it online until after we had finalized our plans, and I'm happy to show you all now. It is Stock Rally180 body frame and all metal parts original. Painted matte orange. I got the scooter in pieces already painted. Then I build the way I wanted, and to spec based on input. The engine is stock, AC stock ignition. Tubeless wheels. mostly stock Really fun mild custom daily rider!

I loaded up ole orange, to roll south toward the orange crush; with a Central Cal pitstop to make a trade and live that scooterist life for real. A few hours later with a big ole grin on everyones face, I continued South to sunny SoCal, with my baby safely in tow.

My 1979 P200E was purchased by me in 1998 @ the ScooterShop in Orange. Eric Larson let me as a kid put down a tiny deposit and make a few payments. Still so thankful for that act to this day. There were so many awesome scooters in there, and I had been many many times to look and window shop. And I just really loved that P200. No car, just that Vespa for a good while. A year later I took it down to bare metal and did a full respray in the offwhite you see now. Still pretty good for 25 year old spray job! Same time I went full hog on the engine with a Malossi 210, reed intake 30 mm carb, pipe, etc... same engine is in today, although it Know it was rebuilt atleast once. Test ride was FUN! Just like old times. Good to be back behind that headset again.

I also picked up an 1965 SS180 that I bought a few months ago. A friend helped me get transportation from Boston to LA, and by chance it arrived the same day I did. So now I have 2 Vespa's in the back of my Van for the trip back to Oregon. Who wants to bet I can squeeze in a 3rd?

The Rally I bult

in progress

The 65 SS180 I picked up. It made its way from Arizona to Boston, to LA; then its North to Oregon!! I will start a detailed thread when the time comes. This SS180 is in very sold shape, even if a bit rough around the edges. No cancer or rot, only surface rust as it loved in dry AZ most its life. It will need a fair amount of panel beating to get straight. I plan to preserve as much as possible the way it is. ruSSty.

bonus shot. Orange Crush '99, waiting after the toll booth to roll up and over the Vincent St. Thomas Bridge into San Pedro; to the Korean friendship bell overlooking the Ocean. Good times and positive vibes for all.