Modern Vespa

I wanted to get a Vespa tattoo as I just love Vespa and the iconic style. I looked on Instagram for ideas of what to get and didn't see anything that I really liked but saw the ads for the Vespa pins on this site and thought that it was a cool design combining a scooter and a wasp. I wanted something custom that would be my own scooter (2016 GTV300) so I sketched up a design and gave it to my tattoo artist. He cleaned it up and then i got it done this past Sunday.

Anyone else here get a Vespa tattoo?

And what if you change scooters?

That's well done! Now you can never own a Burgman.
No big loss.

...but you will have to check the engine oil often ...

I figure if I change scooters I'd just get another tattoo above it!

nice - i like the color choices for it

Ironfoot would be proud.

Chris from CLE

Could be worse . . . could be his girlfriend's name.

In that case you will have to buy a bigger scooter. Oh yes! Very true! She should saw off her arm.

[quote="Attila"]
In that case you will have to buy a bigger scooter.

One day when the successor to the HPE comes out! I'll get another one flying in the opposite direction and it'll look awesome.

Piaggio MP3 400 HPE.

Nice! I know someone who has an Ironfoot inspired tattoo on his bicep.

I am asking my daughter to re-work this for my Piaggio. Very nice. She does her own tats using the old method, so I may be able to have her do one for me over her Winter break this year.

Well, that's nice and all, but if you're truely devoted to the cause then get your local inker to put this on your hide...

Is Ironfoot the original creator of those Vespa pins?

I believe so, yes. The doublegood site and webstore is his too.

Link is on almost every MV page.

Chris from CLE

Also check out the thread titles let's draw scooters. Ironfoot is an amazing artist.

Chris from CLE

Love it. My buddy has a helmet tattooed on his back. I think it's because riding is behind him ever since he got married and had kids lol

That's really cool, I had no idea!

Oh please god no.

I love the classic Italian style of Vespa, I wouldn't buy any other scooter. It's 100% an emotional purchase, there are definitely bigger, more powerful or practical scooters on the market.

Ah! Is that a god?

No. Definitely not.

In our little world, Jess comes close.

(and Attila did use a small "g")

Awesome!

Took me a full minute to stop laughing. I think you won the internets today. You'll be hearing from his lawyers any time now....

I pretended to have misunderstood, the small g generalized and winked at the double meaning.
I hope Jess wasn't offended but it was too easy for make the joke.
I don't know him at all but he gives me the idea of a witty gentleman.

Congrats on your new ink! ChrisFromCLE has got you up to speed with the origin of the design, I'll just fill in some background.

Although there are many images that riff on the Vespa/Wasp theme, this particular graphic design - with the scooter viewed from above and behind, with the pinched waist and the hourglass figure, with the wings laid out like in an insect collection - this format originated with me and was first posted here on Modern Vespa and on my DoubleGood website around 2011.

The main version of the emblem that appears on most of the merch is based on the shape of the old Vespa GS. I made other variations of the design to represent the eras of the Vespa, with different body shapes, headsets, seats, tail-lights, etc. Over the years there have been t-shirts, pins, stickers and scarves available via DoubleGood. There was an art print available for a while too.

I thought about you when I saw the design. Excellent work and nice to hear that you're working together.

That's so cool, thanks for the background. I've seen your design for years since joining MV and always thought it was a cool play on the origin of the Vespa name.

I've been looking at Ironfoot's distinctive image for several years, not too carefully, and always felt there was something quirky or distorted about it - besides, obviously, the addition of the wings. Honestly it didn't really resonate with me. I guess I assumed it was shown "from above" like the MV logo.

Only just now after reading his description of the perspective as "from above, from behind" did I appreciate what it actually shows, the benefit of using it as the waspiest angle possible, and the whimsy of where the wings are attached. Very clever and novel.

It goes without saying, but I'm saying it anyway, that the cool tattoo is more than just "inspired by" Ironfoot's original creation.