Modern Vespa

HA! I reached the max limit for subject title. Is there a badge for that?

I am curious though about the mirrors. What happened when I wasn't paying attention?

I wasn't a scooter person when it was on but the scooters looked cool to me with all the apparatus on full display. I have a small itch to look for some bar end mirrors but leave the stock ones in place on my LX. I didn't see any that I wanted to try on a quick search. Ideally they would need to look exactly like the OEMs but maybe smaller.

I would love to have a Modded out shifty!

yes, hello, I would like my scooter to handle like a bag full of rusty door knobs. sign me up.

F that.

looks cool standing still. other than that, dumpster fire.

Ah...yes there is that. Perhaps my reference photos were over the top. Adding two small bar end mirrors though; a nod, in my mind, to the scooters of this era...lame? One too many 9.5% IPA's and too close to a keyboard?

Let me continuum this...

Lame Idea <---------------------------------> Drunk Posting

Ehhh Still...I'll be on the lookout for a suitable mirror to try. But if it looks fugly...never happened!

You're supposed to ride them!?!

nah nah, you're fine with some bar ends.

I just self identified because that was a series 1 and... well, a series 1 is perfectly fine just as is with a single legshield mirror mounted down low. it needs nothing else. it's fine.

also the ghost of Bitza rose from the grave to have a go on this one. maybe I was channeling that.

-g

When you're not busy polishing all that extra chrome!

Roger that!

Today instead of mirrors there would be smartphones in "mirror" mode ...
Everything changes.
PS: greasy..you say that the one in the picture is a first series Lambretta? But the first with enclosed chain drive ...

Ummm... Chrome is kinda my thang.

Now i understand the reason for your nickname ...

Ah ha! Got it! Chrome, out here, isn't a thing I can do with the proximity to the ocean and the salt in the air. I weened off of it years ago. We actually lost our last chrome shop too. I don't think there is one left in the state!

But yours looks marvelous!

It was a style thing with all those mirrors. No practical reason involved. On the older scoots, there really was not much in the way to attach a mirror without some sort of accessory bracket. As far as chrome goes, again a style thing. I personal have no love for chrome at all and agree with the late, great Bitza that it belongs it the bathroom. No dig towards you, Guzzi Gal, that bike is cool. My bike has none.

We started with the Mets, then I bought the Guzzi, the Honda was my husband's birthday present, and the Vespas came a few months later.

I still see them about every so often. Not my jam but I admire their efforts. If you go down to Ace Cafe on a scooter day you will see loads.

Last I looked your Guzzi is a shifty...

TRUTH!

Simple. It was a Mod fashion accessory and died with the scene. OK there is still something of a Mod scene I believe with Northern Soul but everything evolves and changes over time.

Blessed be Bitza, may he ride the eternal twisties, but I HATE chrome in the bathroom.

An S1, I wanna see the scooter! Personally I like 2 Halcyon legshield mirrors.

I thought it came from the changes in the laws in the UK. "I have to have a mirror? I'll show you some effing mirrors! I need a battery so I can have a pilot light? I'll show you some effing lights!"

I could be wrong bit I would have gone along with that attitude

the tuna barge lives in the annals of time. there are photos of it... somewhere. it is currently in dry dock behind the workbench, underneath the pallet racks. she ain't pretty. she ain't fast. but damn reliable and damn bit of fun. and only one mirror, as required by law.

^^^^This

What I have to say is only anecdotal in nature. The mods actually started riding without any mirrors at all. Then they got in trouble with the law enforcement officers and the law. Some legislation was passed that required them to have at least one mirror. Their response was obviously what those multiple mirrors are for. It was an over reaction to the rockers too.

That style never caught on in the states...
Bar end mirrors do not count in any way shape or form towards the style. LOL

I can understand that point of view even though I may disagree. If they aren't absolutely required for function then to me they are a style element. Funny since I asked I have seen a couple scooters in here with double sets of mirrors. I can see that it "might" look "good" (relative) and be functional too.

The pod blinkers on my scooter are more teardrop shaped so the aesthetic of big round stock mirror, smaller bar end mirror and teardrop shape might not work in my mind. What would you say to a smaller round blinker pod? Anyone try that?

But the "tuna barge" is not reflected in the idioms I know ...

Was thinking that’s what my Stella needs, but geez-louise they want a fortune for them on eBay. I can buy mirrors for three bikes and have enough left over for a bottle of Jameson’s.

I had the shebang in the day. 24" stems, which are useless for actually seeing anything, and extra lights, that strained the poor stator and killed batteries( we knew jack about electrics). The only accessory I'd have again were the dual airhorns, switched with a relay to the horn button with an air compressor that was LAF. Saved me a couple of times.

I have a VBB with like 37 Falbo, Vigano, Ardor, Feridax, Ulma, & Cuppini mirrors on it. I drive it to the winery next to my house (about 1/2 mile away) several times a year. The motorcycle people all love it. The mirrors are probably worth X2 what the VBB is.

I have posted pics of it here before; it is a completely douched out hot mess of look at me ostentation.

Long. Low. Heavy. And a hot mess.

And I wouldn’t have it any other way.


Built for 55mph two lanes. Might hit 70 on a good downhill.

Never met a curve it didn’t like and loved to charge two up into the hills.

Next on the hit list after the PK and T5…

"it is a completely douched out hot mess of look at me ostentation"

The T5 is not a barge ... It runs more than a Rally 200.

The tuna barge is sandwiched between the T5 and the PK

So one or the other has to get done first!

This is right.
You are a very wise man.

Wait! Are you saying you don't like Jimmy, and one of the greatest Rock albums of all time!?

😜

Edit: A link for those wondering what I'm talking about.

Wasn’t this only a UK fad?? Example I found on the “interwebs”, 1983, there’s a 50 Special under all that. Legend says, top speed was 5mph

I love how he still manages to show the L plate

I was speaking of the "Mod Style" Not style in general. Bar end mirrors/signals can be quite stylish, just not "Mod Style"...

on the right machine chrome or polished alloy cannot be overdone... its some sort of rule:

That is an awesome photo!

I cut this out of an issue of New Musical Express in the early 80's, right around the peak of the Mod revival in England. Nice bike under all that.