Modern Vespa

Thought to share my front brake upgrade (nearly finished) on my P221. I went a bit over the top but the final result is really eye pleasing (will also be very functional)...

Caliper carrier is from AF Parts (kytronik). It can be used with the original speedo (cable) or use a sensor for the SIP speedo. Caliper is a 4 pot radial from Adelin (BGM is now selling the same one as their own). Centre hub is the Grimeca Classic NT. Original disc. I also upgraded my suspension. YSS - E series for the back and SIP Performance 2.0 for the front. Clauss Studios bushings all around. Handle bar is handmade from a drum brake model. I am now waiting for the parts to be painted and will finish the brake line (will use braided line, inside the steering column)...

Photo bombing following...

wow

Sexy.

First class job SaFis.

For those who've never attempted fabrication work like this, what SaFis has done in just the first 10 photos represents hours of meticulous labor. The final product is a testament to his skill.

I thank you Sir, for your kind words. I was lucky enough to be born and raised in the beautiful world of 2 wheels. My father owns a bike shop since 1978. For the past 25 years, we were an authorized Piaggio service point (not anymore, due to arguments with Piaggio). Although I am not in the profession anymore (9 years and counting) I still spend my weekends and spare time in the shop and I still love everything about it. My father is near retirement but we will keep servicing our loyal customers...

About the upgrade, I chose to fabricate whatever was possible, instead of buying everything from the self. For example, the handle bar costed me only 10 euros (aluminum piece and welding)...

Will keep the thread updated as soon as I finish with the upgrade...

Nice job! I subed out the welding work but went full hydraulic on a 67 GT.

Expensive, a lot of work and the riding results are amazing!

SIP tubeless rims?

Lovely stuff!

Really eye-pleasing

Incredible!
Thanks for sharing your ideas/skills 8)

After two rainy weeks and the wait for the painted parts, I finally managed to continue with the upgrade. Took out the fork to change the front fender (damaged last year on a small crash) and have the braided line pressed fitted. Tomorrow will bleed the brake line and finish up...

Some progress photos...

Nicely Done! *Drool*

Nearly there. Few more details tomorrow and we are finished...

That freaking rocks!

Whaaa??!
Is this one of those Crazy Monkey thingy's??

https://www.facebook.com/crazymonkeydevelopment/photos/a.1621104164783832.1073741828.1621051684789080/1997936450433933/?type=3&theater

If you mean the Malossi emblem, it's from "The Scooter Republic"...

They have a lot of custom badges - emblems...

Finally finished. Had to fabricate a horn bracket cause the T5 cover doesn't have one. Opened up the speedo and painted the needle. Also, run wires from the pump switch, to the foot brake switch. Tight fit with the right mirror but everything's OK. Stopping power is amazing...

Fuel canister ready on rack, for tomorrow's trip with friends from various closeby clubs (360Km total)...

Photo bombing...

That is a beautiful job, such a nice bike!

Top notch, SaFis, love your attention to detail.

well done especially like the Malossi horn grille

Well? How does it work?!

"Stopping power is amazing..." is what I read

I would think that the capability of the brakes will exceed that of the tyres by a good margin... looks fantastic Safis!

Thanks guys. As I already mentioned the stopping power is amazing and comparable to that of a bike. I know I really need better tires than the S83. I was searching for the ML50 which are the best for our roads, but unfortunately Bridgestone has stopped the production and whatever I found were old productions, before 2015. Tires are the next upgrade on my list...

I've been using the Sava MC18's and they're excellent.



http://www.sip-scootershop.com/en/products/tyre+sava++mitas+mc18+_79541000

Absolutely fantastic work! I've also performed the welding in a front brake mount perch. What very few people realize is if you weld in your own brake mount perch is, that you can adjust how far you like your brake master cylinder rotated (forward and down). It makes it for better better ergonomics...it sure beats buying the SIP one for $180.
Also, i just saw that SIP now makes a weld in "brake pump holder" http://www.sip-scootershop.com/en/products/brake+pump+holder+serie+pro+_56377800 . It would probably save a person lot of time for only $17. I dunno if i would trust the SIP cast aluminum piece compared to some good old 6061 aluminum alloy though.
Keep up the great work, and thank you for sharing! The forum can get a bit boring to look at without people like your sharing pics!

That was the main reason I chose to fabricate my own handlebar. My pump seats downwards and a bit closer to the throttle tube. It is easily reachable without stressing my fingers. I previously had tried a friend's PX and the pump placement is really weird. I think this is the reason why the disc brake on the PX has a "wooden" feel...

Resurrecting this thread for some updates. I finally managed to gather all the parts of the Dan Motors unique square headset. Also learnt a bit of vespa history on the way. Piaggio run a limited production of these headsets and sold them as an accessory "kit" for the European market. The parts I gathered were found in Europe. I found them in the UK (top cover), in Italy (headlight) and who would expect it, in Greece (handlebar). I also found a second top cover in Greece, so I bought it for a spare. Also, a guy from Cyprus has two complete sets with a speedo included but he was asking too much...

Today I cut off the brake lever bracket and I am preparing the handlebar for a brake master cylinder retrofit...













Updates to come...

Looking good! If you ever decided to take it to the next level, there's a very talented welder in Oregon who makes drop bars for various Vespa models.

If he can't find a welder a little closer to home, there's something wrong...

Really is impressive work SaFiS Well done.

True dat. It's pretty far from home.
Every town has it's fair share of talented welders, but there's only so many welders in the world who have figured out the technique, and have built the jigs for successfully dropping Vespa headsets, and have them still look symmetrical and have the shifter pulley still function as smoothly as OEM.

Looks like you either can do or already know who can. I can confirm there many talented aluminum welders w/ top notch TIG gear in Greece. There is a lot more DIY welding done here period as most construction is concrete & steel so most guys use a welder more than a hammer and nails.

So the new headset is going on your blue bike or your next project? It is completely gorgeous!

Thanks guys!!! A friend suggested converting it to a dropbar, but not for now. Maybe I'll buy a second set and do that.

The guy we do our "special" weldings is really great. He knows from just looking at the material if it's doable or not. His shop was passed on from grandfather to father and now he's the 3rd generation welder in the family.

Monday or Thursday will have the handlebar welded and then profile it by hand...

Terry, it's going on the blue...

Soooo, forget next week. My father needed some urgent spare parts for a customer's scooter so he went to Thessaloniki to get them. Our machinist / welder squeezed us in and had the handlebars welded. Tomorrow is rasp / profiling time...









As it turns out, this is going to be quick...

Wow.. amazing work. Brilliant!

Lovely work!! No, that's a fair point. I guess it's not just about welding.

Ready. Monday morning, going to my friend's paint shop...

Hopefully, it will be on the bike by the end of the week...





A little JB weld to close some pores left inside the casting (damn you Piaggio)

Is that some sort of optical illusion that I'm looking at in the last pic?

Why is that??

Just to the right of the welded on brake perch, to me it looks like a HUGE abstract hole. I know it's not one, so it's got to be some optical illusion from point of view.