Modern Vespa

One more PX is in queue for its final treatment. Owner is an old friend. This one started pre-COVID as a top end re-bore. He brought me his cylinder to take it to my machinist and the rest of the scooter was getting prepped by someone for a respray, without taking it apart (we call it a splodge respray here). Anyways, cylinder was ready and then he calls me and tells me that the engine looks like it's stuck. Brings me the scooter and the horror!!!

Apparently the guy that was prepping it, wasn't being careful while wet sanding it, resulting in the engine getting seized cause of water. So, he then decided to go for a proper restoration. Engine was overhauled (found him a good used crank) and is waiting on the shelf two years now, since his job got hit by COVID and he was trying to save money for the rest...

Finally, we're reaching the finish line. Frame and "peripherals" were done two weeks ago and everything's on my porch waiting in line...

Updates to come...

Engine...

Frame...

what's the upper and lower spec limit for the thickness of caked on dirt?

Lookin real good!

Maybe, max 20mm, min 10mm??

That's the dirtiest I have measured so far...

I don't know how you could possibly get that much water inside the motor like that! Looks like the carb cover and filter was off and he used a pressure washer!

Hope all that dirt wasn't keeping all the spiders in.

Super nice job on the paint. Props for the tidy seam sealing.

No, only the cylinder was out but I'm guessing a hose and TOO much water killed it…

EEEK!!! and PHEW!

Good to see that it's now getting the DeLuxe treatment! Lucky scooter...

Is it going back together as standard plus? Go faster red makes it look quicker.

The red and the black... maybe your friend could name it Stendahl? It has turned into a bit of a complicated psychological thriller at this point. The motor prep and build looks top notch.

Totally stock. Also, autolube was ditched cause the gears were worn and they're now super expensive to replace, only a SIP Road or Polini box in our future plans…

***Now that I looked at the pics again, I think I did a bit of flow work at the rotary, tub & carb. It's been two years…

Do they make dirt shims?

they do: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unified_Soil_Classification_System

What is that for a Red?
Really nice colour and looks fantastic on the PX…

If you mean the code, it's MB Jupiter Red, 589. He had seen the first CLA 200 sold in our town and fell in love with it. One stage but it's changing shades with light…

Even with stock, more than the inlet can be done. Check the cylinder ports line up with the piston windows.
Increase the base packer size and remove the corresponding amount from the head.
Increase the size of the main jet until it nearly splutters at WOT.
Probably a few more things, I'll edit if I think of them.

Started work on it. Refurbished the loom, new green "kill" wire, rear shock painted by me (we forgot about it). Legshield trim and one side of rails are done...

Enough for today...

So juicy colour!

I'm already can't wait when I get back my P from the painter and start to do the same.

POP RIVETS??? YOU USED ***POP RIVETS*** ON THE FLOOR RAILS???

That's it. You're now dead to me.

Lol… pop rivets.

But actually, didn't the PX have pop rivets on the first row, off the factory floor?

I see it all the time on PXs. Can't be a coincidence.

Actually, later PXs came with pop rivets and closed end caps from factory, so everything's correct for the period (it's a 1996 model)…

What is not correct is the graphite GTS Vespa badge but that's what the owner wanted…

Congratulations on a thorough job very well done! Great photographs too. I always find it quite fascinating to see a scooter taken down to its component parts then reassembled - rather like working in the Vespa factory!

Scooter Mercado has the replacement gear. Part number 221614. $156.00 kinda pricey.

nice work mate. i also dont like either pop rivets. cant wait to see it completed

Guys, like it or not, pop rivets are correct for the production year. And there's no other way to mount the closed end caps…

Also, it was a speedier and more efficient way down a production line…

I know, but I can't help myself. They just feel "wrong" to me on a shifty bike, even when they're correct.

Seems that all P and PX have pop rivets on the ends of the rails. Same as PK pre-XL models.

The early P (pre PX) had normal rivets through plastic end caps. I normally replace those with socket head screws.

I also see no shame in pop rivets, even in cases where it is not "correct".

My 1981 P150X have pop rivets. I can't be sure for 100% that it was original, but seems so.

Bit more progress...

Just plain ol outstanding work! Can't wait to see it done!

Looking fantastic and accept rivets over nuts and bolts any day all day, carry on.

Time for an update, lots done during the week. Main loom in, cables in, fork link assembled, new bearings everywhere, new original centre stand with dual spring setup, modified the side stand so it won't hit the floor anymore and today it's fully on its feet...

Lots of photos following...

Hellz yeah!! Lookin good!

That is some seriously beautiful work right there.

Nice. As always.

Surely better than it was new

Getting there. Lots of time spent in cleaning parts that are going to be reused and reconditioning looms, wires, etc. Hoping to finish it in the weekend. Engine's in, electrics done battery side. I always add an extra ground wire from battery to frame / regulator since Piaggio stupidly grounds the whole loom through the stator using the starter's ground wire bolted on the engine. If that breaks, nothing battery related works. Front indicators done (smoked lenses with amber bulbs), handlebar mounted with the new allen bolt that Piaggio now uses (OEM code: 655554), cowl levers in, helmet hook mounted and made me a rubber grommet for the fuel gauge wiring (story at the link below)...

Crap made by Grabor

Pics...

It's looking pretty darn sweet Safis! I'm SUPER impressed that you're replacing the fork link bearings after the painting! That definitely takes a high skill level!! Right now i'm contemplating on replacing my fork link bearings on my PK fork before or after painting. It would be really difficult to press everything together without scratching the paint.