Modern Vespa

Just want to share with you all another Vespa that came into my small workshop. Hope you will enjoy photos.

Near six month ago one guy ask me to help him to buy classic Vespa. He really want one very much but don't know anything about them.
The main problem is the absolutely lack of any classic Vespas here in Ukraine
But who really wants - that gets. Week ago he got this red smallie.
It turns out 1981 50 Special(V5B3T) chassis with 1977 Primavera VMA2M engine and handlebar.
And P horn cover. BTW my Special had same horn cover and my friend's Special too.

Short visit to look what he's get and I said that it need some good attention.


Two days later. Nice van to carry such a nice Vespa.















Motoclub Como 1903 sticker





Manual say 8.2. Not bad.


Interesting but lights, horn and kill switch worked

what is the key for on the rear license plate area?

It's in good hands he might not know it yet but it will be better than before. Nice bus.

Agreed. Looking forward to seeing you work your magic Roland!

I like the horncast!

That key though?

Key for quick release license plate?

More secure than velcro.

I was right about you will like that key for license plate)) And It even work.

Engine is out.


And more surprises is out.
Broken bush and small carb clamp.








Cleaned it a bit.

And this is the most annoying damage.

It can't be fixed because the owner refused to completely rebuild the engine because the Vespa started perfectly with fresh gasoline.
I don't think he will drive it often, most of the time it will sit next to his other retro cars. Seems like nice looking scooter is more important for him than nice rideable scooter.

So I will do as he want.

Man that was some serious crust on that engine!

What's underneath the crazy P-series horncast?

Is that a 90ss pipe?

I don't know. But after your question I done some search and found that pipes on 90 SS was marked 30925S and 4311S. On this one it have 4311S. So this is 90 SS pipe? Nothing special

Engine is on the table and I move on. Parts looks old but without hard wearing. So maybe 33952 km on the clock is real.

It was absolutely hard to take flywheel off. Circlip was missed and I had no spare. But it seems it will be no luck even if it was there.





With fresh wires.


HT coil bracket was made from other FEMSA bracket.




Oops


3rd oversize piston




All was cleaned, sanded, lapped and went back.



















Marked for 19º and will check later with strobe.

Wow a lot accomplished in 24hrs much more than the time to accrue the mud cake. Looking good it is satisfying to you and to me.

It all took near week, every evening after main job working for 3-5 hours. Just had no time to post it all earlier.

Nice work Roland!


Did we find out the purpose of the key?

Yes Ginch. It seems for quick plate removing. I haven't Italian number plate to test.

Oh why?


Thread rivet and new seat pin


Aquila seat.


Worn hole.


Found a little artifact.







Cleaned hub and arm

Nice scooter! And nice bus, btw.

Scooter fits nicely in there. A P series won't fit like that. Almost, but not quite. Haven't tried the VBB yet.

Some updates here.

Destroyed oil plug thread fixed with helicoil.


And plug with magnet.


Parts arrived.




New rubber mounts.

Stainless steel hardware.


Soldered holes on exhaust.



New steering column lock.


Spent few hours cleaning the floor. And seems that here is original paint.







Some parts.

Wow clean looks good a little elbow grease makes good. I like the artifact more than the horn cover. What are the plans?

Just overall service. Engine left as is at least for the first time. It starts ok and rides good how I can feel it with slipping clutch and destroyed cables.

Changed rocker arm shaft and painted with spray can.


All new rubbers.


New SIP brake shoes(absolutely can't recommend it), hub bearings and seal.


Carburettor time. There was 80 main jet while the manual shows 74. I put 75 in.



Nice, clean & on its place.

More parts arrived today.


Assembled wheels with SIP rims and tubes and Vietnamese SRC SV-525 tires(which looks same as Kenda K303 and SIP Classic, but much more cheaper and locally available).
Old and new.






Added all clips for horn cover and dry fit it to see how it is. All ok.

Looks good better horn cover. What about the stand boots do you have a few half pair available?

Roland, how do you like the quality of the SIP wheels compared to the Piaggio wheels? That horncast looks much better.

There is new stand with boots. Good enough with my discount on SIP. Chrome is far from perfect. And black also not HQ paint. Seems like white and silver is better. Also them not tough enough for our bad roads(IMHO). I never had new or used in good shape Piaggio ones. Can't compare. On my two Vespas is SIP tubeless and I very pleased with them.

And bit progress again:
- cleaned horn
- mounted horn cover
- mudguard crest(polished a bit)
- leg shield plastic beading(absolutely mad shit)
- new Vespa badge
- brake cable and lever(polished a bit)
- speedo cable outer
- new centre stand
- mirror bracket
- new hex stainless bolts for glove box
- removed awful gray paint from mudguard.(this is my first experience in it and I really like the result)

Finally I got back gear tube from the welder. Today assembled all cables. Thanks Birdsnest for suggestion about clutch cable mounting in the tube. All works as it should.










Not perfect look but good enough.



Finally on new wheels.

Rad looking Prima! Nice work with the shifter

Happy to share first ride out on Primmy! Still have some questions about jetting, but feels close.
When I got it there was a 80 main jet. I checked manual and it say 74. I have no 74 so threw in 75. Riding terrible but I couldn't understand is it lean or rich. Tried 73 and all turns worse. Then went back to 80 and all turns better. Not perfect. Will ride more to understand.

Still needs some adjusting but I already love this little red. I never ride Primavera before. Yes it is stock and slow but it very smooth and it is special fun. I even don't want give it back to customer.
Later I will make more detailed photos.

Still needs some adjusting but I already love this little red. I never ride Primavera before. Yes it is stock and slow but it very smooth and it is special fun. I even don't want give it back to customer.
Later I will make more detailed photos.

Another great job Roland! Wish you could keep that one.

Thanks Rob! Impossible to keep this one because I'm not own it.

I created small video about it.