Modern Vespa

Headset finished

Fuel tank and back side of cowl door done

I'm getting faster, about 1hr 45 minutes

Looks great. Nice and clean. I find that I'm getting faster too with things that drove me nuts like installing the fuel tank.

I had the same rude boy sticker on the legshield of my scooter back in the late 80's. Brings back fond memories…

It's only my 2nd fork swap so I'm pretty happy it went that easy

166 honed, some minor witness marks remain but I think it will work

Cowl door ready

first mercato order in a while in and shipping today:
-malossi gasket kit (do I want to use the head gasket?)
-stoffi spring for my pogo allstate fork
-bearings upper lower for the allstate fork
-conversion switch for vbb electrical and conversion brake switch
-headset bolt/nut
-cowl hardware for attaching left vbb cowl
-door hardware for vbb cowl door
-cable set for vbb

looks like the malossi kit is up next. had some interest on FB marketplace today with a guy that sounds serious enough but has to move a motorcycle first. enjoyable chat even if nothing comes of it.

Light day at the office, left cowl now painted, this is 1 hour later. So weird how the paint will flatten more and more…

what is the deal with this fuel tank - why only 2 mounting holes? Have I painted a tank that won't work? I have to think it will work, it was painted the white of that SEA scooter that I am using so many parts from, I think it came from there. It's premium inside. I think I'm gonna run a bench, so I just want it to fit and stay in place . Actually, I vaguely remember that I tried it in the hole at one point, I think it will be ok, but what is it?

It's held down by the seat bracket in the front.

Like this!

Yep.
And a bench seat bracket will do the same.

Got a chance to scope some early bikes on a ride today.

First cowl has thoroughly dried and is ready to take home. 2nd cowl shot today. In the dirt area again for shade, it's a compromise but I seem to have mostly gotten away with it the first time.

Nice work there, engine side is like a mirror!

It's drying nicely

do you think qascooter's trio of polishes would cut the orange peel if i wanted to try?

https://modernvespa.com/forum/post2398031#2398031

too many ways to break through with wet sanding, i'm scared. also I think it should dry for a good amount of time before i try anything.

even if i don't try, i wanted to link the magic recipe in my thread so I could find it again later.

plus, tbh, if i fix the orange peel, the not very good paint job on the frame will look even more out of place...

but then again, maybe the trio of polishes can work wonders on what is there on the frame

Trying to recall details, is this a bike you're keeping or getting ready to flip?



I don't think this would stop me from buying a nice bike at a nice price.

you know, once I sell the px, my plan is to rock this vbb for quite a while. and I think you are right - it's pretty decent, I should probably not f-#@ with success.

Honestly, polishing almost never improves orange peel. It just makes it shinier.
The only way to remove it is to level it by sanding, then polish.

A lot depends on how many coats you have on there. Gently wet sand using a rubber block and a fine grit (2500), then polish out the dullness left by the sanding.

Or just leave it as is.

Cool. Here's the engine side after a day. it's 3 coats paint and 2 coats clear.

one thing my 4th of July ride did do for me is remind me that most of the ones that actually are out riding in events, etc. are way less perfect than my mind makes them out to be. perspective is good.

Most clear coats and two stage paint can't be color sanded, so the discussion is kindve academic.

Check the data sheet and see what it says before you go at it.

Further proof my price is not crazy but the market is weird right now:

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/682811320352966/

$2900 p125 that us worse off than mine.

I think your price is right. It would probably sell better in an area where Vespas are less numerous.

Your paint looks great. Gloss black is really unforgiving, especially in bright sunlight…and that's rattlecan. You could give it a polish, if you like. I would try it first by hand, if at all. It will look sharp when all together.

I was curious too whether you were building it for yourself. Anyway, great work.

At 2250 that px is a steal. There's nothing on the market in SD, OC, or LA that comes close on value for dollar. I'm gonna put the 166 on this weekend or next.

I think it's a bit of market correction, and have to see where things are headed.

Most of my hits are from people who've never done vintage Vespa. It's weird.

That's because it looks TOO good!

Put it in a barn with a coat of dust on it , take pics and have your wife sell it. She can claim she doesn't really know much about it but she knows they are quite valuable if they are the old geared ones in good condition and she knows if she's patient she'd get 5K or more, but she had an expert go thru it at great expense to make sure everything runs right and is now afraid to ride it and just wants it gone cheap? Not really untrue exactly, I suppose...

F^%# it

Blood sacrifice and cylinder head mating cleanup

Set it in the sun to dry and later stepped on my planing surface. Will have to go back to Salvation Army for a new one

Wow what a day. The piston doesn't fit in the bore- looks like it got tweaked…

Dremel it smooth and move on.

Ring gaps 0.014" = ok

That piston is just not round….

Order made to scooterwest, $110 plus shipping onto the tab. Ugh.

Ouch! That sucks...

Did you order the same lettered piston??