Modern Vespa

Hi guys. I just bought a VBA as a project. I've been looking for a good Vespa for a while, and this one has lots of potential. I'm looking forward to asking lots of questions on here and learning all about this scooter.
It was used at the Port of Melbourne as a run around. It's covered in boat paint, but is otherwise pretty solid. My plans are to restore it as originally as possible, but build another motor for it so that it's a bit easier to use in traffic.

Nice one Tyson. I wonder if there are photos around of how it looked in its previous lifetime?

And welcome to the forum!

It looks like theres a lot of potential, I like what I see and look forward to whatever you decide as you move forward. If the motor isn't stuck, see about getting it running, go for a ride and then move forward with the restoration because once you ride it you'll be hooked.

Hi Guys. I picked it up today. It's in really solid shape. It only has a few minor dents, and one floorboard is a bit pitted. It shouldn't take too much to get it back to perfect.
I'd love to get it running and take it for a ride, but it has no wiring, brakes, or cylinder. I'm on the hunt for a better motor. I'm thinking PX200 maybe.

If you swap to a 200 motor you will have to think about altering the gearing because they are designed for 10" wheels. And on a VBA you don't want to be moving away from the 8's... it's definitely part of their charm.
Anyway that's if you can find a decent 200 at a reasonable price... a good one went recently for $1800!

Good point Ginch. I'm still wrapping my head around all this Vespa stuff.
I spoke to the guys at Mods and Rockers about engines, and they've recommended an LML with a 190 kit. How does that sound? I'm after usable street power, not too high in RPMs. Good low end torque. I'm mostly going to be using it on 60kmh roads, with a few 80k roads for a bit. I'll build the engine myself, but they can supply all the bits for me.

An LML case build would be pretty good, you talked about what this would cost with them? Defenitely not cheap to build up a whole motor from parts.

You're keeping it 8" right? There are only in the last year some new brake drums available for the closed style of wheel. A good friend of mine has them on his VB1 and reckons they're a huge improvement.

If you are keeping it 8 you'll need to talk to them about that because the gearing requirements will be different from 10 (by far the most common) as I mentioned before.
There are about a million different 177 kits available (187 with long stroke crank). M&R mostly deal in Pinasco, and there's a number of options by them as well. Not generally the fastest, but well set up it will make more power than a stock 200.

man, i'd keep that just as ratty tatty as it sits.

run some fresh cables, wiring, rubber, brakes, essential safety stuffs and slap some new tires and tubes on it. knock in a stock 3 port 125/150 motor-- LML or P/PX and just rock that thing around town. it'll be plenty fast for what it is.

after a year if you're still in love, blow it all apart and paint it and go full resto.

chances are you'll find some other, more desirable bike that you'd rather restore and then you can keep that one as your mule.

-g

I am keeping the 8". I love the look and see no point going to the effort to change them. Not for my intended use at least.
It's not cheap to build the motor from M&R, but I only want to do it once. I'm tempted to go for max HP, but my wiser and boring side says reliable and reasonable power is better for this project.
I think I'll sort a motor out, then get it going as is for a while. Once I know it's all working a can rip it apart for paint.

hi Tyson, I have a VBA project going as well (1959) - I'm in Sydney. I started project updates on here but have since just focused on my blog - you might get a few tips from it. https://1959vesparestoration.wordpress.com
Plenty of fun ahead!

Cheers