Modern Vespa

Game time!

The VMB1T build starts right meow!

Here's the story: Dimanond David Schnakenberg pulled this outta Italy back in the day. He found both a VMB dealer frame and a set of dealer cases still factory wrapped. Fast forward 10 years and we sat down in Georgia at the Scooter Mercato World Headquartes. We yammered over a dozen donuts and hot coffee and then Mark and I brought the scooter back to Texas.

I've collected all the Piaggio internals, except the clutch and have had the frame prepped and painted with our dear Colombian friend Armando.

As I am known to have the attention span of a meth addled gnat... and get distracted by other scooters, projects, and herniated discs... Greasy said it would be 2026 before this was done. *Ahem* I said I'd have it done by opening day 2024 (That's March 28th for you non-beisbol fans.)


Anyway... this is the official build thread. Hams bets open through Dec 1.
Proof of completion = Video of the bike running (forwards) by 11:59pm March 28th.

[Bookie EDIT - Those that hold paper can Pick Up there Hams through April 1st. Any Ham not retrieved by April 1st will be returned to the ham vaults and be considered property of the original owner.]

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page 1. All BS, Hambettary and Nikki Bluhm oogling. (Respectfully.)
Page 2. Leg Shield Trim - crimp, cry, repeat.
Page 2. Repop Emblems Suck, harness pulled , cases unwrapped.

Back from paint, but the engine is still not built?

I have a whole bunch of worn out cruciforms and used up Amazon gift cards burning a hole in my pocket right now, but if we're making a line, we need to know if this build is going to be with or without Poidog's involvement.

Oh fair point. Having Poidog on the scene is like having an ace up your sleeve!

Alas …he is in Dallas now not h-town… so he will certainly get calls and texts at some point with questions, but I doubt he'll have hands on the scoot like he did on the SS.

In that case, put me down for ten worn cruciforms at "not before Opening Day 2025."

shots fired!

There's more where those came from, too.

And in case anyone thinks I'm not serious, I might even bust into my stash of expired Chicago Motorcycle Parking Medallions!

Gunna be super d duper cool build! Can't wait to see the progress!

Love it.

Whatcha gonna do with engine-wise?

ET3 badge n stripes are important items. Shop wisely for good repops.

If you were building during Hurricane season, I would say no way and pay my ante up with any odds and ends of past scooter builds. But now - during the best time of the year to build (Winter), I'll just be on the side rooting you on.

although I've been taking L's on the home front: garbage disposal, fridge throwing a temper tantrum, the front of a race car falling off-- which is not typical, mind you--

....imma take the over. standard ham bet applies, with the promise not to hinder progress if parts are needed from kajiit house of wares and I'll see how many expired Bennigan's giftcards I have left in the secret stash.

Thx.
I've got quality stripes. The ET3 badge is a bit suspect though. 🫤

Engine is to be filled with as much stock OG piaggio bits as I can find.

Top end is one of the few non-Piaggio bits going into the build. Gonna slap a Polini 135 for a little extra go-go.

Gonna need to sweeten that pot with some Del Taco coupons.

*cuts eyes*

best I can do is several handfuls unused del inferno sauce packets with maybe some soy sauce mixed in and an errant plastic spork.

in my defense... the forecast was before the columbian connect and predicated on the yellow flash being next in line.

but you laid the terms and I scoffed, so deservedly I will eat crow when and if proven wrong. however, my record has thus far been fairly stellar... so there's that. *grins*

Throw in a hot mustard packet those extra pepper packets and we have a bet!

My white yellow whale. *sighs*
There's always a chance Gialla Texas will elbow her way to the front of the line.

so is the only way to do this to bet against you? what if I figure you're gonna make it, do I need a side bet with one of these holders of expired gift cards?

Ohhhhh….like a calcutta!

Dig that! It's getting serious up in here. Tony Two Knuckles may take some side action and prop bets:

"What draws first blood?"
"Number of Mercato orders needed to complete"
"What causes the first cussing and 'Scooters are stupid' comment"
"How many texts to poi dog will be needed to sort the electrical"
"How many bottles of gin needed to complete project"
"Number of Kajiit orders made"

Great color!

side bets are not only allowed but encouraged!

How about really evil side bets, like "Where will the paint get its first scratch?" (I'll go legshield during trim installation, if anyone wants a piece of that)

I want a bet on what page of this thread will he curse for lack of tiny hands to adjust the carb.

when I got the text with accompanying picture from the SS180 build it made want to fly to houston and pick up two bottles of gin from the duty free on the way out of the airport just for commiseration.

CM, the clutch is the lever on the left hand side.

Meh. clutches are almost as overrated as brakes.

clutch, brakes or horn. you only need two of the three to operate.

i'm not sure I've ever used my scooter horn while riding

But there are 2 brakes, so maybe a clutch is still optional?

I mean the horns are pretty useless in every instance….

They are unless you upgrade them. Then they can get you mistaken (audibly) for a car.

Do you want Opening Day 2025? Because this is how you get Opening Day 2025!

Can't say we weren't warned.


Seriously though, it is to get the garage cleared for the build and everything buttoned up on all the scoots that will have to go sit in storage. …Part of the cat herding required with a 1 car garage.

and thus the pendulum swings...

Wait… is that Dr the Mrs singing?!?

I think this is more apropos... and suitably lo-fi...

Look, if we are going Nicki Bluhm, it's gotta start here - and u might wanna pass through "Easy".


Just sayin

I'd never heard of her, but this seems more appropriate - take the ham and run.

Good god Jim Heath looks like a puppy in that vid! Wow.
God Save the Reverend (Horton Heat)!

Oh and if we are going for situational accuracy...we have to let the Good Reverend preach:

Oh Lordy, I have a hard crush on Nicki Bluhm. Nice pull CM2.

I was in school at UT Austin and dating a girl who was from the edge of Houston (Waller, which was a town of 1,000 people at the time, and which I guess is now just a suburb) when that album came out.

Well... if... you didn't end up in Waller then you made good life choices!
Thankfully I actually live in Houston proper. (Well, thankful until i get my property tax bill each year.)