Modern Vespa

Temps hit 60 yesterday and I figured it would be the last opportunity for a ride this season. When I got back, the engine door on my blue badge was gone! I retraced my steps three times, no joy. Looks like I am in the market for a new door.

A couple of questions for the hive:

(1) Does the blue badge use the same door as standard 125 Prima?

https://www.scooterwest.com/engine-side-door-vespa-small-frame-1310905.html

(2) There is likely zero probability of me matching the 20 year old Tennessee Orange paint, so I am thinking for the replacement: chrome, carbon fiber look or something else? I do have a paint match for the white, also. Thoughts?

https://www.scooter-center.com/en/engine-side-door-panel-rhs-cif-carbon-look-vespa-v50-v5a1t-92877-v50-s-v5sa1t-15325-v90-22234-ss50-ss90-pv125-et3-with-lever-3333017

https://www.sip-scootershop.com/en/product/side-panel-door_13111000?cr=e993ab67-6807-4109-bbed-f6374ebf9f9b&gclid=CjwKCAiAp7GcBhA0EiwA9U0mtpO1Liolkbf_haeqBKFLsF0ui5MgDNON8SQdqAMpQ1AJvK6rFmSR0hoCyNcQAvD_BwE

well, that sucks massive donkey dong.

a good paint shop might be able to match it, or darn close. I had the same issue where I needed some paint for a small repair matched to something that was older and I didn't know the history of. took it to the shop and they shot it with this little bat-ray looking thing and mixed up a pint for me and damn if it wasn't dead on balls accurate.

anyway, if you want a standard door I have two kicking around here somewhere. one is OE but good shape and the other is a good aftermarket repop with a lock

Great Mona Lisa Vito quote. How much do you want for one of the doors? Thanks!!!

Good man, Greasy, good man. This kind of thing seems to happen far too often. Is there anyway to safety wire it to keep it from falling off?

Stupid question, but how's it happening for most folks??

Mine is super tight at the handle/lock area at the top, I can't see it coming off loose.

Is it because of the hooks at the bottom slipping off?

My latch on top was loose-ish but I have new nylon hinge bushings and rubber dots. Until yesterday, it never seemed like it would let go, and even if it did, the hinges would hold it. I'm thinking a key lock might be a good failsafe.

Is there anything holding door partially open or does it pivot on hinge until it's hanging straight down? Looking at that would there be a benefit to adding a cable or something similar, to only allow door to partially open until it is removed?

No, unfortunately gravity sends it straight to the ground. Something like this is what I have in mind.

https://www.amazon.com/Rok-Hardware-Restraint-Restricts-Included/dp/B09RB9VV51/ref=asc_df_B09RB9VV51/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=598351579871&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=85052393767966657&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9052050&hvtargid=pla-1675747827359&psc=1

That's what I was thinking also.

I had the door come loose after I did the blue badge ( luckily, it never fell off) and came up with this spring. It's pretty light but it keeps the cam from vibrating around. I later shortened it for a bit more tension and anchored it with a small, cut-off screw bedded in a small blob of JBW.

Brilliant

Oh no! I've been worried about that on mine and considered safety wiring it to a spring coil or something like that. Fortunately, the latch cam has a heathy coat of grippy rust, so it stays in place pretty well, at least so far. I like that spring idea.

Yeah, I'm pretty pissed with myself. More than once I have mused, "Hmmm, that latch just isn't very sturdy......eh, what are you going to do?"

That sucks that you lost it. I'd go back 6-10 times to search for it. If that panel caught a thermal, no telling how far it went from the road. Go back and look AGAIN! Good luck!!!

That sucks. Was it original? Did the lever have the "longways" grooves? Those are rare.

Of course it was.

Well, at least it's bright orange. That should help a bit.