Modern Vespa

Just picked up this P200 from a local friend who wanted to thin his herd. In good original condition and will be my Wisconsin winter project.
First non smallframe for me so lots to learn.
Following gascooter Bianca project as a guide.

Nice! That's a good looking scooter

That looks great ExMayor - congratulations!

I've been through a few P200's now, Ruby, a maroon 79, Feebs, a white 81, and Flo, grey multicolored.

Ruby and Feebs are the main ones though. Ruby's thread is here: P200e - this time for real!

I'll be following along and also I'll try to make sure I update Bianca's progress as I do stuff.

Congrats again - that's a sweet looking P. I did notice the rust on the rear of the floorboard by the tunnel. I wonder if it goes into the tunnel?

The rust is just surface rust. It has been cleaned off by the PO.
The rust isn't deep and the tunnel is completely sound. PO thinks there was a rubber mat on floorboards that trapped some moisture.

You'll find the P200 motor super-easy to work on and fairly bulletproof. Likewise, lots of other aspects of the P's have similar Quality of Life improvements for maintaining or repairing them compared to earlier vintage bikes.

What are you planning on doing to it? Just maintenance and cosmetics, or adding some extra go-fast?

You'll have a fun winter project and a solid rider come spring in any case.

Just go over it really well. Pull motor, replace seals, cruciform and clutch disks. After barrel inspection bore first over if needed with new piston. If ok hone and replace rings. Disassemble front end check bearings replace seals, re grease or replace steering bearings, shocks and tires. Polish up touch up bare spots and that's it. Both the smallies have tuned motors so am attempting not to go there.

You'll probably find that the squish is excessive, like 3mm when it should be one. That's a tricky thing to fix, but well worth the effort if you can get the cylinder milled down a little. Other than that, nothing wrong with not going crazy tuning the motor (so long as it's not MY motor ).

Had some time to dig in to the project a little.
Found the expected deteriorated green wire and a surprise with the CDI high tension plug wire. Will need the stator rewired and I have decided to just go ahead and rewire and change out the obvious CDI the regulator and indicator flasher.
I removed the Pinasco right side pipe and am going to use a Polini box. If you can use the Pinasco it's yours for shipping (US only)
Also changing out tractor taillight for euro style. It's also up for grabs for shipping.
Haven't found anything I didn't expect on a 44 year old scooter.

Would love the Taillight, please!

And I have a euro lens.
Can send in return.

I'd love to get my hands on the pipe since I'm still experimenting with my own P200 and would like to see how it stacks up against a box.

Motor is out looks to have a few years of grunge on it.
Off to the carwash later.


About what I expected.

Areas I could get to with engine cleaner and the garden hose cleaned up ok.

Motor all cleaned up now to remove the front end and old wiring and get the underside of the body degreased.🛵🔧🔧

Cleaned up nice!!!

Big fan of a shiny engine. While the carb is blocked off, did you do a pressure test?

Jack
Didn't do leak down test. For my piece of mind it needs to be opened up and inspected. Has 15K plus mi on speedo and had sat for at least 2 years.
Rings were stuck Kriol oil thru plug hole and it freed up. Wouldn't stay in neutral when motor was in scooter. Now it's out and cleaned up seems to have multiple neutrals.

You can never have too many neutrals. Just ask the Swiss.

Removed headset, fork, all wiring and cabling. Off to the carwash for degreasing.
Now I can set it aside until winter comes and begin collecting parts.


Before

After

Very nice! So, was it red and painted white?

Tire size question. I have been looking at tires and it seems many brands only offer metric sizing. What is the closest size to a 3.50x10 a 90/90-10 or a 100/90-10.
Thanks

Can't say I've had trouble finding 3.5x10s - most sites let you filter by a specific size rather than brand. If you want grippy daily rider tires I recommend Michelin S1 and Continental Zippy 1s. Much better performers than "classic treads" I've used and still affordable

Correct 1:1 size would be 90/100-10 but there's no such tire. Most of my friends run 100/90-10. I'm running 3.50-10 Pirelli Angels since they make them. Best tires (at least for our roads) I have ever tried…

The stickiest tires I've ever had are the Heidenau K66S, which is technically their snow tire, but it is GRIPPY, on dry pavement in the rain, and, yes, in the snow. They were what I rode on commuting in Chicago winters and other than hitting glare ice a couple times (and nothing but armor and indifference to your scooter getting scraped and dented will save you from that), never let me down.

I run Heidenau K61's as my default tire. They're both speed-rated and sticky. I've run both S1's and Zippy's in the past and they're also fine tires, too. Just go with something that has a modern tread (it's modern for a reason) and you'll be fine.

These are my favorite tyre. 93 mph rated. And grip pretty well too.
https://www.sip-scootershop.com/en/product/tyre-dunlop-scootsmart-350-10-51p-tl-tt-m-c_DU3010

Steve at SpeedoKing sent some photos of finished speedo.
He really does great work.


Before

After

Old on the outside, new on the inside.

Wheels back from powder coated and Heidenau K58s mounted.
The Zippy 3s were 15 years old and hard as rock.
The rims were in good condition so cleaned up and coated nicely


Old Zippys

New K58s

Before coating

All together. Still need to spray new hub satin black

Lookin' good!

You planning on going for some year-round riding with those K58's?

Actually going to be riding on some gravel and dirt roads

I like this project and your fussy approach, this is gonna be a good bike. Makes a lot of sense to have a big one and a small one if you have only two. Graffiti smallie was nice, but now Red Lady is more really you and this one will be as well. Looks like, what are your plans? The white doesn't look bad from here 98%. Maybe just some touchup where needs must like that Aussie guy?

It's only original respray once you know

How do you like the Polini Box? I am tempted to get one, I read a lot of great reviews. Where did you ordered yours from? any feedback on the exhaust yet? Thanks!

V oodoo
Going to sand spot prime and paint the areas that have been treated with rust converter (floorboards and tunnel) the areas where it is rubbed thru but there is no raw metal will just be left as is. Then the regular rub and polish to get it as good as it can be. It's a good honest solid chassis so most of the attention goes to the running gear.

scooterist
Got the Polini box from Jonathan at Gickspeed.
He has things ceramic coated which I really like.
Did quite a bit so looking and seems the midrange on this pipe is good.
Since the motor is a non runner no thoughts right now on performance.
Sent motor off to Scooter Mercato for mat to rebuild. Nothing trick. 1st over bore on stock barrel, Grand Sport piston 57mm Mazz crank, port matching and replace all wear items.
Should be a slightly improved really solid rider.

The fellow I bought her from needs a pair of early external latch cowls.
He would prefer red but black or white would work.
If you have a pair you will let go of please PM me.
Thanks
Rick

might be remnants of a mouse colony that lived inside....


def looks like a crime scene!

Got a start on cleaning up the areas that the PO had addressed with rust converter.
Used a flapper wheel on the Dremel followed by scrubbing with Eastwood fast etch and a green Scotchbrite pad.
Will need a little more work but just some pitying and no rust thru.
Then prime and touch up.
The respray is s in generally good condition.


These made short work of the clean up

So happy to not find any rust thru. No problems inside tunnel

Surface rust tries to hide under rear bumper

Since the bottom was so solid and just had really thin paint went after with sand paper and fast etch then primed and two coats of paint.
Sanded fast etched primed and painted the inside of tool box. All the area under the rubber seal had surface rust. Flapper wheel, rust converter, fasts etch and primer now that inside is done can top coat the rest.
New NISA seat from Christiaan Foppen at PLC Corse gives it the look I'm after.
Motor is down at Scooter Mercato for Matt to rebuild. Nothing radical. 57mm Mazz crank first over Grand Sport piston matched to bored original barrel. A little intake work Polini venturi and Polini box pipe.
Should be a good all day ride.

Very nice - very nice indeed!

Just had a read through.
Really nice work and great restoration of this scoot to one that will surely be a favorite.
Gonna be terrific when complete.

While the motor is down with Matt at Scooter Mercato some more parts arrived so was able to get the front end assembled.
New bearings and seal in the brake baseplate, Newfren shoes, FA Italia front drum, YSS shock. Fitted new spacer, o ring and circlip to the baseplate.
All fit together nicely.
Set the NISA seat, MRP rear and tunnel racks on.

The fork looks great!

I'm a sucker for a blacked out fork and hub, and that's a good looking one

Sweet P! I've been watching this thread and loving your progress, Ex! Congrats on a solid acquisition. All of your careful work is looking great. Especially love the new seat, fresh speedo, and beautifully painted rims. But, I love the nautical moniker the most. Gives me Moby Dick vibes...

Thanks Kimono.
Its a totally new experience after the 2 smallframe builds. It is certainly easier to work on with a removable horncast and side cowls.
Winter is beginning to settle in here in Madison so things will begin to progress.
I'm fortunate to have both Gt6MK3 and qascooter both working on similar projects and both further along. As usual the members here are a tremendous resource.
I've enjoyed following your ownership journey with Blue

Last edited by exmayor on Sun Dec 12, 2021 1:53 pm; edited 1 time in total