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Hooked
1980 Bajaj
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1980 Bajaj
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Hey folks,

I've been searching for a good forum about vespas and this seems to be it.

A friend of mine sold me his 1980 Bajaj which hasn't run since 2008. It was put away during divorce proceedings (or something) and it's been sitting ever since. That's 15 years! My friend rode it, or attempted to, one time and since it had "gears" he have up on it.

Anyway, I'd appreciate some input here before I fire it up and ride it!

Pictures are coming soon
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Not So Moderator
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Right on! Welcome.

I have a friend in tomfoolery that just pulled a 79 chetak out of a barn in TX. Great spare tire rack, great patina, and a roundtail... what's not to like!?!
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Hello npn! Well done on your purchase, although many will no doubt advise against it. I had a late '90s Bajaj Chetak (as previously mentioned on here) similar to yours some twenty years ago, which I owned for a couple of years, mainly as a fun and economical commuter. I did take it for an occasional run to Whitby (120 miles round-trip) mostly close to full-throttle across the North Yorkshire Moors. It was a complete hoot!
In two years of daily use in all weathers it never missed a beat and started easily despite having simple electrics without a battery. I had one puncture which I easily fixed at the road-side with the spare wheel that was included and I renewed a kinked gear or clutch cable at some point. I never needed any spares (which might be an issue) other than the cable which I bought from my local Vespa dealers. Sure, it was a bit rough around the edges and had the same rust issues as any Italian-built Vespa, but nothing that regular care and cleaning could not resolve. When I finally sold it on, I actually got the same price as I had originally paid for it!
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Hooked
1980 Bajaj
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1980 Bajaj
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Here are some pics.

I learned something about this forum - if you right click on the image and select "Open Image in a New Tab" you can see the full size and more details.
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⚠️ Last edited by npn on UTC; edited 1 time
OP
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Hooked
1980 Bajaj
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This is what I know about it:

- last time it ran was in 2008.
- the temporary tag says 2006
- it was in storage for about 15 years but it was pulled outside in the last "couple of years" - I picked it up from under a tree surrounded by bushes, grass, bricks and old tires

This what I plan to do:

- hose it down
- remove the seat and condition it
- then remove all easy to uninstall parts/panels etc and go from there.

So the speedometer says 484 miles. Is that good or bad or normal?

My guess, it's good. Also another good thing - I have the Title!
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Johnny Two Tone
'15 GTS300, '86 PX125EFL, '66 VBB, '01 ET4
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fantastic find, I'd rock that any day of the week.
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Ossessionato
79 P200E (Ruby), 62 Allstate (B-62)
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Ossessionato
@qascooter avatar
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You scored! - I'd love to have a BajaJJJJ with the cavernous glove box!

EDIT: Welcome to MV - lot's of things to do. I don't have the time at the moment to list them, but cruise around this site - tons of threads pertaining to "what do I need to do to bring this back to life".

It has all the blinkers which is awesome!
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Molto Verboso
Vespa
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Molto Verboso
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WOW another one. Cool
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Johnny Two Tone
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i can't get enough of the huge glovebox
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Hooked
1980 Bajaj
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Well, my enthusiasm got curbed once I removed the right panel. Something is clearly missing.

Flywheel?

TBH I fiddle with bicycles, older ones, first generation mountain bikes, and have done some small parts replacements on my 2003 Harley Davidson and fixed a few oil leaks etc but this is definitely new to me and a nice challenge!

This is the second time in my life I got a "good" deal on a machinery from a friend that turned out a different story....

Anyway, thoughts on what you see here?
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Johnny Two Tone
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you probably still have a good deal, though you didn't say what it cost you. You don't have to, but if you tell us we can give you a better idea.

yes flywheel is missing. looks like your coil is busted. crank taper is rusted but may clean up. probably you will need seals for the engine and if you're going that far i'd do bearings as well.

does the engine turn, using the kickstart? you can pull the head or just the spark plug to see the piston motion.
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Hooked
1980 Bajaj
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I paid $500 and I'm in Chicagoland.

I am hesitant to attempt to turn the engine - if the cylinder has rust or dirt it may get scratched by the piston ring.
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Molto Verboso
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I have a flywheel but if that were mine I'd take the engine completely apart and rebuild it. The engine seals if not already will be shot in short order. I would also rebuild with updated improved components like electronic ignition.
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Johnny Two Tone
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npn wrote:
I paid $500 and I'm in Chicagoland.

I am hesitant to attempt to turn the engine - if the cylinder has rust or dirt it may get scratched by the piston ring.
pop the head off and look at what you've got. you can always shoot some oil at the rings before you try to turn it over.

you got a steal. $500 for a body in that condition would be a decent deal even if the motor were missing.
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Molto Verboso
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sdjohn wrote:
$500 for a body in that condition would be a decent deal even if the motor were missing.
Absolutely this this this!

I've got a 5-port LML lump I would positively LOVE to stuff into one of these Bajaj sprint frames 🥰
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Hooked
1980 Bajaj
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hibbert wrote:
I have a flywheel but if that were mine I'd take the engine completely apart and rebuild it. The engine seals if not already will be shot in short order. I would also rebuild with updated improved components like electronic ignition.
Yep, that's what I'm thinking. I'll get the title transferred but won't register it yet. Maybe next year

Besides the flywheel, it looks like the cover over is missing too, right?
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Well if thats been standing under a tree for all those years, its in great condition bodywise.
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Hooked
1980 Bajaj
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ferriswolf wrote:
Well if thats been standing under a tree for all those years, its in great condition bodywise.
I was taken out of storage a "couple years ago" and put under this three. I should've take a pic of where it was... it just felt disheartening to see it there so it didn't occur to me. But, here's the magic of Google maps:
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Hooked
1980 Bajaj
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Regarding keys:

- the one on the glovebox was bent so it broke after I barely touched it. there's a piece in there stuck. How do I deal with this?

- the one on the left side compartment - none of the other 2 keys fits - maybe it was the same as the glovebox that broke?

- the one on the steering column - what is the purpose of it? It only turns a quarter turn forward and it comes back on it's own

Thank you!
⚠️ Last edited by npn on UTC; edited 1 time
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Hooked
Vespa Primavera 1974
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npn wrote:
Regarding keys:
There will be better answers but if I was in your position, I would:

- try to get the bit of key out with needle nose pliers or even tweezers or similar thin, strong, pointy thing, possibly using some WD-40 or something to make that easier.

-then try to match that key bit to a blank and use a file to see if I could get a close enough cut to open the door.

If that doesn't work, I think you can drill out all the locks, and replace but I have no knowledge of Bajaj parts, so like I said, others will have better answers.
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Johnny Two Tone
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spacecat wrote:
There will be better answers but if I was in your position, I would:

- try to get the bit of key out with needle nose pliers or even tweezers or similar thin, strong, pointy thing, possibly using some WD-40 or something to make that easier.

-then try to match that key bit to a blank and use a file to see if I could get a close enough cut to open the door.

If that doesn't work, I think you can drill out all the locks, and replace but I have no knowledge of Bajaj parts, so like I said, others will have better answers.
get that bit out and take it to a locksmith, they will make it work for you
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Hooked
1980 Bajaj
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Was able to turn the glove box lock with the broken piece inside and tada! Goodies:
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@sdjohn avatar
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Johnny Two Tone
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well that's a score
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Ossessionato
79 P200E (Ruby), 62 Allstate (B-62)
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Ossessionato
@qascooter avatar
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UTC quote
What'd I tell ya - that glove box is Cavernous! Razz emoticon

That's all your missing engine pieces. If it was mine, I'd be looking at splitting the cases and inspect. Having it sit in the weather with the stator off tells me something was wrong with the engine, so it was partially disassembled and parked.

That means an engine rebuild. Whether you do it yourself or send it off to Matt at ScooterMercato, it's gonna need to be rebuilt. But for five bills? Totally worth it. I love the look, the blue color (the paint will clean up great), and the glovebox and blinkers. And I like the funky speedo. Maybe I'm weird, but that is more appealing to me than many other sought after Vespas....

Great find!
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Hooked
1980 Bajaj
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Hooked
1980 Bajaj
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qascooter wrote:
What'd I tell ya - that glove box is Cavernous! Razz emoticon

...Having it sit in the weather with the stator off tells me something was wrong with the engine, so it was partially disassembled and parked.

That means an engine rebuild.
Not sure I understand you - the stator was not off - only the flywheel, fan and cover.

Either way, I'm considering an engine rebuild.
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Even if the bike ran, you would be into it for splitting the engine cases unless you only wanted to putter down the street for ice cream.
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Johnny Two Tone
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qascooter wrote:
I love the look, the blue color (the paint will clean up great), and the glovebox and blinkers. And I like the funky speedo. Maybe I'm weird, but that is more appealing to me than many other sought after Vespas....
yes, agreed 100%, I have a weird thing for these as well. it's as interesting to me as a Rally for some odd reason.
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79 P200E (Ruby), 62 Allstate (B-62)
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npn wrote:
Not sure I understand you - the stator was not off - only the flywheel, fan and cover.

Either way, I'm considering an engine rebuild.
My bad. I just saw surface rust on the crank and my mind blanked out Razz emoticon
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bodgemaster
63 GL, 76 Super (x2), 74 Primavera (x2), 79 P200, 06 Fly 150
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Throw all the parts on and see if you can get it to fire up. What have you got to lose?
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SoCalGuy wrote:
Throw all the parts on and see if you can get it to fire up. What have you got to lose?
I think the consensus here is to rebuild the engine.

I'm not sure what that entails at this point, but my plan is to dismount it and start taking it apart until I feel comfortable. Besides, the tank is bone dry with some rust in so that would have to be addressed too anyway
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bodgemaster
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Do whatever makes you feel comfortable. I'd definitely try to get it running before splitting the engine. Cleaning the tank isn't a major issue.
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Johnny Two Tone
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Socalguy is saying to fire it up so you know more for when you tear it down.

You can learn more about how well it shifts, etc. You might find an issue that is easy to fix during teardown that you might miss otherwise, resulting in a 2nd teardown.
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Hooked
1980 Bajaj
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I removed the gas tank, disconnected the fuel line and filled it with vinegar. With the lever in the closed position, when I shook it, vinegar dripped from the little spigot and from the round seal.

That doesn't seem right...
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Johnny Two Tone
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new taps are cheap and readily available. don't forget the tap wrench in your order - you will need one.

alternative - temp fuel tank = soda bottle with barb fitting, seen it done many times
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If ya'll dont want those blinkers, I'm in search of a full good set.
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Hooked
1980 Bajaj
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Location: Chicago
 
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1980 Bajaj
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UTC quote
sdjohn wrote:
don't forget the tap wrench in your order - you will need one.
Tap wrench - I think that's all I might need as the whole tap seems loose. Question -- anyway I can tighten the tap without the wrench? On ebay they all ship from India and it takes 3-4 weeks... I guess I'm a bit impatient
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@sdjohn avatar
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Johnny Two Tone
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Johnny Two Tone
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why would you buy from India? waste of time

https://www.scootermercato.com/Scooter-Parts/Factory-Tools/T-32973
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Ossessionato
79 P200E (Ruby), 62 Allstate (B-62)
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Ossessionato
@qascooter avatar
79 P200E (Ruby), 62 Allstate (B-62)
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UTC quote
sdjohn wrote:
why would you buy from India? waste of time

https://www.scootermercato.com/Scooter-Parts/Factory-Tools/T-32973
You beat me to it!
OP
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Hooked
1980 Bajaj
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1980 Bajaj
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UTC quote
panchoboots wrote:
If ya'll dont want those blinkers, I'm in search of a full good set.
No man, I'm keeping them.

Maybe you can answer a silly question - the right panel that covers the engine has attached blinker to it but no cables that go anywhere. I mean, the whole panel detaches. How is the blinker connected then?
@happy_wanderer avatar
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Hooked
LML 125 4t & LML 200 4t
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Location: Durham, England, U.K
 
Hooked
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LML 125 4t & LML 200 4t
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UTC quote
This free PDF workshop manual should help!

https://www.repair-manuals.eu/bajaj-chetak-user-manual/
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