Modern Vespa

Hello,

I'm trying to find more info on this scooter. I'll upload pics if I am allowed. But it says V9A1 (but no t after it.)

Thank you.


ID Tag

Speedo

Rear2

Rear

nice clean original 1972 V90 3spd

cool bike.

Thanks, Any idea on what it might be valued at? I don't know if it runs. The guy I got it from said it ran when he parked it but that was 10 years ago.

hahaha, I knew this was the next question. I was going to respond with a valuation in my response, but there's wasn't a lot of info to go on.

anyway, it's a V90 3spd, which isn't very desirable. but it's wearing original paint and seems to be fairly unmolested which is very desirable.

I'd throw a number out like 800~1200. if the title is a problem, more toward the 8.

here's some comps:

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/mcy/d/oakland-1979-vespa-smallframe/7664590847.html

this is an ET3 which is very much a desirable model and this one has some hot rod parts on it. the paint is not optimal, but it's all there and it's tagged and titled up. I don't think that's a great price necessarily, but it's not absurdly high.

https://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/mpo/d/gilbert-1964-vespa-sprint-90cc/7656649074.html

the early 90 is more desirable to some people, but the motors can be problematic for parts. however, this one is running and titled-- albeit scruffy. in the same vein, I don't think that price is wonderful but it kind of gives you a broad picture of value.

as to that v90, it's going to be slow. figure 40 maybe 45 top speed.

you'll need easily $500 in parts right off the bat to get it running and road worthy. and that's just parts, not labor.

Does it actually kick over? Might have a standing seize if sat that long.

That paint - wow.

On value - title status and whether the engine is free will determine a lot.

OG paint, straight, tuna can tail light... even though it's a 3 speed 90 I would think 1200 to 1600 all day +150 if it has title

Thanks much. I might actually have the title for it. But I don't know if it turns over. I will have to see. Thanks for all the help.

yeah the drag on the value is if you want to make a proper engine you have to switch out a lot to get to the 4 speed setup. it can be done, but the costs escalate.

exactly this.

if you bought this at a reasonable price, did all the work to make it a nice, reliable, and quick enough to get out of its own way and be rideable in traffic you'd be well upside down on what you could sell it for.

even if you got it for a good deal and did just a fluff and fold with enough to make it a nice runner you'd still have enough dough on it to be well into the upper price range of similar bikes that are 125/4spd

scooters are a terrible investment.

Yes, all good advice. Thank you. I need to see if I an get it running as is and go from there.

all that said, we are suckers for citrus colors and if you try to sell it it will move, probably somebody on here will snatch it up

Nice original scooter there, are you wanting to keep and ride it or sell it on to somebody who loves Vespas and will pay you a fair price as is or running, if you are inclined see about that before you decide?

If you want to sell, just get it running if you want best money. First see if it turns over and has spark then report back.

If you want to keep & ride it, I think you could have a decent bike for less than $500 if you don't want to go all out. With only 489 miles, you may need seals unless it was stored indoors w/ no temperature extremes, but the bearings and transmission should be fine. The original 2 port 90cc is pretty pokey, but a stock 3 port 100 Sport topend will wake it up nicely. Or even better, a lowly $174 DR 130 kit will move it pretty well even w/ the 3 speed. Add a Malossi or Polini pipe and it would be quick but not super fast because you already have the sportier intermediate primary gears. What carb has it got?

Three speed transmission is NOT the end of the world, and it's pretty expensive to upgrade compared to the other stuff. Stock you can struggle on hills in 3rd, but a better top end fixes that. 4 speed is a luxury, not a necessity - ask yourself: will you spend most of your time drag racing or putting along in top gear where it doesn't matter if it's 3rd or 4th?

Where's mor_? He has same bike in green, but w/ a 100 Sport top end and 19 carb.

if you want, start a project/build thread here, that way you can keep all of your questions and information in one place.

the forum is a massive resource, use the search function and other people's build threads and you'll generally find what you're looking for. if not ask! we're always happy to help!

buy it and flip it as is , this sounds like your intention . V90s are painfully slow , about 3bhp, so if you want to use yourself then be prepared with kitting engine at least a grand. My 1976 v90 went about 40mph , I also at same time had a 1978 v100 with a fresco pipe which would go off the clock all day long , 50mph . I sold the v90 after a few months as it just couldn't cope with hills and traffic. The only thing in its favour is original paint and bodywork looks good first glance and the mileage looks very low . Not that this really helps as that's a complete engine tear down job after standing that long . Saying it worked ten years ago has no proof. I'd pay 1400 for that here as a slow burn project in the uk but I know realistically I'd end up at about 2500 having refurbed and made engine something with more cc's and power .

Such a unique color there - looks like it's a clean scooter in original paint.

Interesting to note the differences and similarities between years - mine is a 1974 and came with the "tractor" tail light. It also has the "large" engine door like yours.

The stock engine is pretty underwhelming (40 top speed and unable to keep up with 30mph traffic on an incline). We woke it up with a 19.19 carb, a sport 100 cylinder, and minor porting work. Now has consistent power up to 55mph. Some don't like the three speed but it's kinda nice to shift a bit less.

I can't remember if there is room for a third port in the engine case. But you should be able to fit the bigger cylinders.

honestly, if you're thinking about buying it as flip I wouldn't do a damn thing to it.

give it a good wash, make sure the engine kicks over and feels like it maybe has compression, see how much rust is in the tank, make sure the battery tray hasn't rotted out under the LH panel.


anything you do in the course of trying to make it run can diminish the sale price. clean, OG paint and unmolested with a motor that turns over is worth way more coin that something that got junked up trying to make it run.

nobody is buying this to restore. the motor is a great building block but needs all the bits. the OG paint is the meat and potatoes here.

PS You could sell that 'tuna can' tail light assembly and get most of the dough for a new top end and a lovely Euro tail light IF rare original is not a big deal to you.

.
older style


I sold the same light from my Super125 and installed this newer smallframe light on it



newer style

I gotta agree here, if you have no idea what you are doing, you can do more harm than good. But I do hope you want to get it going, ride and keep it!

I believe you have to have the cases bored to fit a bigger cylinder on these motors. Nice little flat road run-abouts.

Nope, not on the later 90s. DR130 bolts right in w/studs. From Mercado's website: I put a stock Primavera top end in a 90 case no problem, so that's another cheap option even better than 100 Sport. Ppl who have upgraded their 125 bikes often have the old setup just gathering dust.

Last edited by V oodoo on Fri, 15 Sep 2023 22:12:09 +0000; edited 1 time

Wow great paint and color never seen it maybe on a Super but not on a smallie. Would be great with a 135 and 4 speed!

ok ok OK! We all know you can spend money to go fast...

Dear OP,
Fast, cheap or reliable - pick TWO.

(BTW, who knows what is the cheapest solution w/ proper quality parts to go from three speed up to four? I do really like four gears ...)

This really is a hopping community, I'll give that. Most of the time I post for things it takes a week to get a response. So you have a great forum here. If I keep it, I'll do as you suggested, start a build thread.

hell yeah!

we all look forward to giving suggestions for spending your money!

If there is any paperwork (title, old registration card...) that has the VIN and License plate number on it save it and make copies (before any DMV visit).

You can use that info to get the blue plate assigned back to the vehicle even if it's no longer in the database.

Keeping the plate, and paper trail together with the bike also adds value even if it leaves California, as it keeps the door open if it comes back.

My thoughts entirely, I've started a 1957 LD 150 mk3 which had sat for 25 years in a barn . It had a standing seize . reassembled barrel and piston and carb and it started 2nd kick . Lights came on, horn worked , gears all meshed. Body work was surface rusted and tatty and I just flipped it straight away as best way to profit and let the next guy mould it how he wanted it .

[quote="Matt621"]
This really is a hopping community, I'll give that. Most of the time I post for things it takes a week to get a response. So you have a great forum here. If I keep it, I'll do as you suggested, start a build thread. ]
So how much is it going for ? If you pay a grand have another grand at least for all the engine parts you will need plus tyres , bearings , shocks , pads , electrics , etc etc if that was a nice little peppy 130 with appropriate matched crank gears etc with original paint it would easily get 2400 pounds in uk .

I'm in the US but thanks for the input. I have half a dozen projects going, I just wanted to know if this one is worth the time and money and it looks like it is. Thanks all.