Modern Vespa

Through the magic of scooter karma , random texts, and luck it looks like I will become the next caretaker of Oscillator's-----> Jess' 1966 SS180
I still need to pinch myself to believe it's true. I have been searching for my next project and this is well... I mean it doesn't get any better does it?

From what I understand the engine is pretty much sorted, so the project will be mostly a cosmetic deep dive. While a full concourse resto is way over my head, I do believe the SS180 warrants being true to the og cosmetics, so color will be hawthorne, red, or pavone blue. I welcome your thoughts, comments and spitballs here.

A huge bonus in all this was yammering with Jess again via text. Miss him around here for sure.

I don't recall who said it... Ginch? Socal? '...We don't own these really, we are just their caretakers for a time'. So very true.

Hat tip again to Jess.

More soon!

TABLE OF CONTENTS
_______________________

Added to make the thread more usable for others.

1. Page 1 - Lots of thanks and yucking it up with friends old and new
2. Page 1 Bottom - Minor cosmetics and gas tank discussion
3. Page 2 - Cleaning gas tank with electrolysis
4. Page 2 Bottom - Bent wheel rim
5. Page 3 - Leg shield crack and weld
6. Page 4- Finding more holes and some serious bondo
7. Page 4 Mid - Flywheel fin repair
8. Page 4 Bottom - Finding serious damage to nose and tail
9. Page 5 - Trying to save horncast braze and weld discussion
10. Page 5 Bottom - Fender work
11. Page 6- Rims
12. Page 7- Brazing horn
13. Page 7- Tail braze fuck up and weld
14. Page 7- Paint Discussion
15. Page 7 - Leg-shield dolly and hammer
16. Page 8 - Test fitting floor rails
17. Page 8 - Very important stapler discussion
18. Page 9 - Test fitting 044 leg-shield trim
19. Page 9 - Headlight bezel discussion
20. Page 9 - Flywheel removal cam and spacer broken
21. Page 9 Mid - SpeedoKing for the win (Speedometer resto)
22. Page 9 Bottom - NOS horncast received
23. Page 9 Bottom - grub screws for 044 discussed
24. Page 10 - Removing OG horncast and replacing with NOS
25. Page 11 - The undending wait for body/paint work
26. Page 11- Fucking Finally back from paint!!!
27. Page 12 -The Great Ham Bet of 2022 - and some stuff on steering races and a rails
28. Page 13 - Badges, races, chrome concerns, floor rails, ham
29. Page 14 - Chrome, tailight, trim, cables harness, hams
30. Page 15 - Blood sacrifice, 404 Grommet not found, body rubber, porcine
31. Page 16 - Lu dog supervises trimwork, Patrick solve electrical, ham defeat is eminent.
32. Page 17 - Electrical, Rear badge, 044, the tragedy of losing the great ham bet of 2022
33. Page 18 - Dayglow Abortions, Bentley appears, Mark lends a hand before neck surgery.
34. Page 19 - Headset Bolt and Capture Nut issues, make ready, first start, Ham!
35. Page 20 - No Ham. Kick start quad disasters...
36. Page 21 - Blown land on the circlip that hold the main bearing clutchside.
37. Page 22 - Repair details modifying cases to accommodate a bearing retainer
38. Page 22 - How to close cases on an SS 180
39. Page 22 - Piston OG, NOS, and aftermarket ...and Piston Rings on 62mm SS180
40. Page 23 - Back in black... and then the KS poops the bed again.





Last edited by Birdsnest on Sun, 30 Oct 2022 21:30:11 +0000; edited 19 times

Looks like karma credit has paid off with interest!!
Can't think of a better 'caretaker' for the task. Keep us all posted! Credit where credit is due... I believe MJRally is the originator of the quote,
"... You're the caretaker now, not the owner."

MJRally! That's right. Thanks.

Will appreciate your expertise and steady hand on this one Mark!
You temper my worst, bull-in-a-china-shop instincts every time we wrench together.

Fantastic! This'll be fun to watch. I know you'll care for it admirably!

Subscribed

Good stuff! Can't wait for pics.

this is awesome on every single level.

looking forward to the build out on this one, it's gonna be epic!

-g

Cool & congrats. Let's see some pics!

Even though I'm a tiny bit sad to let go of this bike -- my favorite Vespa model, by far -- I am also ecstatic that it is moving on to a good home.

Will be watching for a build thread.

This photo is about 10 years old, but the bike is nearly identical to this today.

Very nice, and you are the right guy, on hand.

(thanks a LOT Jess, looks like there goes any chance to dangle my fine none running, no papers and rattlecanned 62 VNB here? )

Full circle baby. Full circle.

A door closes and then a window opens.

You pay it forward and then reap in spades on the back end.

Another project will come trucking down the road that gets you fired up. Then, you'll know you made the right decision.

And yeah, it's good to see you back as well! Give us a thread and spill the beans on what ya been up to!

xo
-g

On my list of xmas viewing.

Oh wow , I don't k ow about karma but I sure will say luck came your way. I really like that seat.

Well a little luck, but overall due to a huge amount of kindness and generosity via Jess. Truly.

oh and thanks all for the interest and good tidings y'all .
First thing upon arrival will be inventory. Lots of spare parts and replacement ware items are coming with the SS. Then we will be cleaning the fuel system and carb, and doing some shake down riding.

I have to say looking at the parts diagrams I am happy to know that the engine rebuild was fairly recent! Double flyside seals and some tougher than normal bearings to manage?!? What an interesting engine design.

The 180SS (and all of her baggage), waiting for a ride to her new home.

So long, my friend. I will miss you.

That pic is giving me the vapors...

I spent the day preparing the new home. Garage is small but serviceable. (The sweet S.S. will definitely put me at max capacity.)

The truck just pulled out with the SuperSport onboard. On its way to you, Jeff!

Non-stop gratitude. *doffs cap*

Double check the headset bearings...

R

Hey, you were there when those headset bearings went in. If they're not right, I'm blaming you.

Sad to say but now I have the factory tool for that job.
Hope you are well sir...

R

Hahahaha!

Allow for the litigation of past discrepancies begin!!

Super rad thread already. Very very generous on behalf of Jess. I can't think of a better caretaker than the birbs.

I love it when a plan comes together.

-g

Xmas came a week or two early...

Denver James rolled up this morning and delivered all the goods. STOKED

Jess had mentioned a bunch of spare parts and some rare bit were included, but I was overwhelmed at just how complete this project is from the jump. All the hens teeth are present and accounted for. Excited is an understatement. Stay tuned, and again, thanks Jess!!!

Hello! What a beauty.
Looking forward to seeing this one back on the road. It's definitely in good hands.

Oh my. I'm a sucker for a trap headset

Oh, so relieved everything go there intact. I can officially relax now.

Have fun with it, I'll be vicariously following along.

Congrats to You on acquiring this lovely project! SS180 are my fave Vespa! I've got one on the shelf waiting for its day in the sun..... it been waiting a long long loooooooong time. You've inspired me already! Now get wrenching

Jess, seems like its in good hands and will be well taken care of. Seems like the whole MV community will be watching your baby reborn

Special thanks are due to Patrick, who (among many other things) sourced the correct tail light and new lens that I never managed to install. And while I am definitely feeling some guilt on that particular point, I suspect he will also be happy, as I am, to see it all come together.

the eagle has landed.

what an epic journey and an amazing story.

time to get to work!

-g

Day1

Went through the boxes and again... was gobsmacked to see so many bits and bobs were already sourced. The aforementioned Mickey Mouse taillight, quality repop cowls, front fender, trim, cables... Just a ridiculous foundation to start with.

Post inventory and sorting. We drained gas. Pulled the tank and soaked it in a bit of clean fuel. An OG tank was included and is being assessed for acid treatment. While the working tank was hanging around getting decarmelized, we grabbed the heat gun and started pulling the grip tape.

Still a bit tacky from the old glue... red underneath is pretty though...

Nice! That body is in great shape.

I just recently removed grip tape from my scoot and WD-40 with paper towels made short work of the left over adhesive.

Looking forward to seeing the progress.

Thanks! I tried dish soap And Krud Kutter.... limited success with the latter. Should have known by the intentionally misspelled name. Will give it a go later today.

psst. psst.

Hi test gasoline....

And a good rag.

But deep breaths. And a few beers.

-g

Olive oil also works wonders on tape residue.

I've used WD-40 for cleaning for years with great success. Spray it on, let it soak for 10 and wipe it off.

Greasy's Hi test gasoline comment brings back some not so fond memories. We didn't have disposable gloves growing up so naphtha, gas, diesel or whatever else was close was soaked on a rag for cleaning with your bare hands. It was also the best way to clean grease off your hands.

Ok
We're back. Slight delay with fussy Lambretta switch repair (took 4 hands and the patience of a saint ... saint named Mark in this case) and throttle cable nonsense had me side tracked. More on that in the Li switch repair thread I started.

On the SS, I yanked the rest of the grip tape and removed the adhesive with Wd40 and some acetone.

Next, I went about assessing the tanks.

Both have rust. The og tank actually looks like less work to get going so will get after that today weather permitting.

This is the original tank Not bad.

err... we will get after it when I fashion and/or buy a fuel tap wrench that works on the SS.

I forgot how far back the tap was on these tanks!