Modern Vespa

I don't know why everone thinks the Allstate is so rare...having a cutdown Smallframe that's aready to accept a largeframe engine, now that's rare! You would probably see 10 GS160's before you ever see a Smallframe with a very large lump of a motor hanging out the right side of the scoot!

No, Allstates are not rare at all. But I guess the handlebar, widebody and GS kinda was, like I said, I have seen any of these in person and so many in one place at the same time.

Ooo, that would be great! I've been looking for a reasonably priced project bike for a while now and they're tough to find. I assumed it was an estate sale or something like that, good to hear the guy is still around.

The auction charged 15% I think on top of the sale price, so that would have actually been $920.

I have a Allstate as well. They are cool scoots. I was trying to make light about your butchered up smallframe. Since it's frowned upon to do something like that, it would make it a very rare scooter.

[quote="whodatschrome"] Hey man, it's all good , I know what you were saying.🤣 i am passing it on to local scooter dude I have known for awhile. But I think you were right all along, in that it would be better to install a large frame motor. Definitely would be easier. And now I know a guy that might be willing to part with one.

some pics from the auction pick up area:

more

wow ur lucky Brother T, all those scooter is so nice i wish i can grab them all

And I wish I could find a way to send you a few. What you do to with your scooters are amazing! You're one of of my heroes on here that keep me going.

So I finally got a chance to work on the scoot a little. I started by trying to remove some of the dodgy paint. I thought it would come off easy and reward me with some of the original silver paint intact. Well, kinda. Acetone did not work, nor did Goo-gone, so then I went onto full paint stripper. It's working ok, but not great, and there is more rust under it than I thought there would be. After an hour of that, I decided to check on the engine somewhat. It is not seized, thankfully, but there is not much resistance either. The engine cowl pin was stuck, so decided to pull the tank to free it up from the inside. Holy cow, some critter built a nest and moved a cubic foot of grass in the cavity. Cleaned it out, tapped the back of the pin, took off cover. Kicked it over again. Hmm, the engine is not turning, maybe a wonky clutch. So I then turn the flywheel by hand, hardly any resistance with the plug installed. I guess I got my work cut out for me.

That's a great story. It seems every scooter I've acquired has a story too.

Thanks. It kinda threw me for a loop when one of the guys showed me it was in the auction and was sold. I did not know what to think and was feeling pretty sour about the whole event. But again, when the owner told me he let the bidder back out of the deal they had, things got better. In all honesty, the owner told me he bought it well over 10 years ago and probably did not pay that much for it as it was not running then. So it's a true barn find and I have a lot of work to do on it. I'm hoping I can save enough of the original paint.

I put this in Voodoo's thread, but it bares repeating. Removing paint is a b*tch, and this paint in particular, is a real b*tch. Nothing was working until I found some older bad remover in a pile of stuff in my garage. I'm still hoping to save the original paint. But I am reminded of something Socal said awhile back in that most people don't paint these scoot just for a color change. Rather it is because the paint has worn out, scraped up too much, etc... Maybe I'll get lucky. But I had a lot of good luck getting this scoot, so the bad has to come around eventually.

forgot the pics:

This project is going to keep you busy , you're going to have forearms like Popeye ( ask Voodoo ).

I finally got some time to check out the Sprint. I mentioned before that the engine is not turning with the kick starter, which I suppose is clutch related. But even turning it by the flywheel, there did not seem to be much compression. I removed the head, and it shows signs of leakage, but nothing big. Then I checked the piston and cylinder walls, these look fine too, no scratches or gouges. While I was in a tear down mood, the carb and box came off. The rotary pad side of the flywheel looks fine and a peak inside, looks and smells like old oil and gas. So tomorrow I'll remove the engine and get it on the bench. I'm not getting any spark to the plug, which may be why it was parked and ignored. I'm also curious about the clutch. I'm also thinking a soft rebuild at the least will be warranted and hopefully pick up a 20/20 carb on the cheap that someone ditched to upgrade to a 24/24. I've already decided to abandon the idea of trying to save the original paint, it is just in too bad of shape where it hasn't pealed off. The wiring, cables, rubber bits, etc... are in lousy shape too, but this scoot is ten years younger than me, so I sorta expected this. It's going to be a fun winter project and should keep me out of trouble for a while. As always, any advice is welcome and appreciated. Thanks for reading.

seeing the piston isnt stuck i think its just minor thing like fuel line, clean the carb and change the ignition inisde the flywheel.. i sens it gonna be alive soon

good luck andf cheer Brother T

Thanks Ebeth for the encouragement. There is a problem as the kick starter does not turn the engine, and I guess it's with the clutch. So the engine is coming out and get sorted. Some of the wires were chewed up as well. I hope to get back to it soon.

With whatever you have to put into it you're still way ahead of many of the other finds others have came across , that is for what you have invested innitially.

Yeah I can understand that Lynnb. What is in short supply in time to do it properly. This scoot sat for a looong period and there is not one part that does not need going thru. I'm going to remove the engine to get an idea what needs doing to that before I move forward on anything else.

I finally got some time to work on the Sprint, so I pulled the engine out yesterday so I can get it on the bench to sort out some problems and get a plan to move forward. The 20/17 carb is totally locked up and may be a waste of time to free up so will be shelved for now as I would really like to install a 20/20 when I refresh the engine. The exhaust is questionably, and I may replace that as well. Meanwhile, the engine needs a good cleaning. There is not that many miles on the scoot, but the oil, clay and road grime is quite thick. Should be a lot of fun to clean up. Tootles.

Careful with that taillight!

oh the coveted mickey mouse tail light maybe I did not notice that before but wow wow wow. If it were me the carb and exhaust would be placed into a box not sure for what new better ones for sure. Scooter will be one of the best ones.

These photos are amazing. It's the ultimate barn find.

Well, I finally got the engine somewhat cleaned up - at least good enough to get on the bench. This was easily the filthiest engine I have ever come across. I was coated with red clay in some places over a quarter inch thick - then I hit the oily mess underneath. But that's ok as it helped to keep it from deteriorating into a crusty, rusty lump. Now the fun begins. The bore and piston look good, but I know the clutch is fubar for sure. A scoot to restore and a heated garage = Happy Days. 8)

Be interesting to see what you find in the engine.

Such a cool story and find!

Can't wait to see how it turns out.

Got off work an hour early so I started in at the engine - specifically the clutch. I removed the three screws holding the cover on, gave it a tap or two with the soft faced hammer and it exploded out. it looks to me like the circlip came loose. So, I really do not now what happened here, but everything - the corks, steel, bushing, brass washer and plunger, appears to be in great shape. I guess I got lucky. I still plan on doing a soft rebuild - all rubber bits, seals, etc... unless the great hive mind here thinks different.

pics .....

In the last pic, do you guys think this is the correct spacer?

I'm voting for full rebuild, no time like the present to know your seals are good.

I think this might be the parts manual for that engine..
http://scooterhelp.com/manuals/VNB.parts.manual/VNB.manual.r.pdf

If so, then that part is #48834
https://sip-scootershop.com/en/products/washer+clutch+32x158x155+mm+_48334000

Can't entirely tell from your photo but it looks like it has the same bevel on the inner diameter, so I would say it is the correct washer.

Swiss, I just took a look at it and the dimensions are right, but it is flat and square, no bevel. Thanks for your reply

I'm thinking this:

https://sip-scootershop.com/en/products/washer+clutch+sip+337x152_11351960

Had a little time to work on the engine. I mentioned before that this was the filthiest engine I ever came across. Good thing is the inside isn't the mess the outside is. The rotary pad is almost primo, the bearings look and feel pretty good, gears and bore, the same. The piston, however is a bit wonky as there is a divot near the piston ring stop, so I'm guessing it's a goner. I'll check the cush drive and cruciform when I get back to it, but as it stands, I may just get away with a soft rebuild and a piston. If I can scrape the coin together, I may look for a bigger bore kit like a Pinasco 177, a 20/20 carb and a newer type exhaust. We'll see. Happy holidays everyone!

A short update. Everything was stripped down off the frame,dents straightened with a hammer and dolly and it was dropped off at my trusty media blaster guy. He is even going to do a little welding for me while it's there. Meanwhile I received a box of goodies from Scooter Mercato - bearings, seals, gaskets, etc...Work finally slowed down some so I took off an extra day on the weekend to do a soft rebuild. The trick I learned from SFVer really came in handy, that is, heating up the case halves to 200 degrees in the oven. The seals and bearings dropped right in, easy peasy. After work today a few wires were replaced in the stater as well as the points and condenser. We have had a mild winter so far and it sure has been pleasant working in the garage on this. Happy days

Looks nice all clean and shiny. I really hope when you get the frame back from the blaster/welder that you will be doing your own body work .

Wow! Just now seeing this. What a fantastic story!

This is a great thread. I am new to the Vespa, but not to working and restoring vehicles in general. I do enjoy seeing the points and what I assume is the stator on the same wheel. My 1982 Iron Head Sportster has digital points and the stator is on the other side of the engine. I find it easy to get to my "points" under a quick cover. Is it easy to get to the points with this set up and adjust it? Sorry, last time I had points on a vehicle is was on a 1950 MG TD and prior on a 1966 MkX Jag and I had to adjust the points almost every oil change.

Prof, the points are adjusted thru a window in the flywheel. It's a little finicky, but doable. There are electronic ignitions out there for these models,which have many advantages, but I will most likely stay with the points/condenser set up.