Modern Vespa

Thanks to bernietime, a P200E is now in my care! It runs strong, but is definitely a project. I'll be posting here with questions, etc. during the process.

The title has it an a 1980, but the dates on the data stickers show it was mfg in 1979. What parts can I look at to know which version I'm dealing with? Ignition switch? Carb?

Also, is there an ideal order of operations when restoring? I do want to get it fully re-painted, does it make sense to do that first? Any ideas on where to start would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance for all your help! Looking forward to this journey!

Right on! 👍🥳👍

Congrats!! P2's are great first scoots!!

I would advise to get it running reliably and ride it for 1 year atleast. Tires, brakes, spark plug, maybe clutch plates,
maybe battery, maybe carb clean and rebuild. All done in a weekend, then enjoy!

Enjoy it on the road while the weather is good. Before doing any major work like paint, which is a very long involved process. Break it down in winter if you want

If the factory sticker says 79, its a 79. Typical to have a dmv registration a year or so after mfc date.

Thank you for the advice! Any other items to look at on a P200E that should be looked at when you don't have a clear picture of the service history?

do not, I repeat, do not take it apart to restore it, or paint it.

do minor repairs and just make work and be safe and reliable and ride it thru the summer and into fall. in winter when the weather gets crappy undertake some of the bigger projects it may need, say an engine rebuild or refresh or maybe a wiring harness or something. but a project that can be completed in a few months.

then ride it all next spring and summer and thru the fall. then when the weather gets junk again, that's when you decide if you want to pull it all apart and paint it.

I always advise to ride something for at least a year before restoring or a paint job. otherwise it seems as though every body falls into the vortex of it taking way longer, being way more expensive and/or difficult, losing motivation because they never really rode and enjoyed the bike and then either the project gets back burnered or abandoned all together.

never go full exploded view from the jump. unless you already have another bike to ride while that one is in pieces!

This all is such sage advice!

And each thing that GeekLion mentioned can be a project unto itself, if the bike is running.

A little bit at a time, while keeping it on the road, and bit by bit, you'll dial it in, know your scooter, and go 10k miles before you know it

Ride that effer. They are infinitely more fun to ride than take apart and put back together. I did not heed this advice, I wish I had.

All really good advice, thank you!

Is there anything I should/can do to clean up what is left of the paint for the time being? Also, anything to do about the surface rust?

Really?! I mean, how long could it take to restore a little scooter? 🤔😝

This is actually really good advice. Getting running and reliable. Give everything a good cleaning.

[quote="orwell84"]
Really?! I mean, how long could it take to restore a little scooter? 🤔😝

What?! It's ONLY been 16 years. GS should be done soon. 🤣🤣🤪

I have to admit that I have mostly enjoyed doing a nut and bolt scooter restoration. But it would be really awful if it was your only scooter and you are itching to ride. I have seen some really stunning revivals of old paint on this forum. It's the last thing to worry about.

I just went over my scruffy AllState that has mostly original paint and I tried a new technique I picked up on YouTube from that nutty guy on Vice Grip Garage. I used fine steel wool all over and Ospho on the surface rust before applying the linseed oil.

Another thing I might try is spraying matte clearcoat on the shiny chrome cowls & horncast, but that's just me...Who knows, you may come to like it as is? I do like the shark detail regardless.

Thanks, I'm going to give this a shot! Working on removing the stickers and will tackle this hopefully this weekend. Will post here with pics afterwards.

Just curious but why did you want to paint your scoot? Do you want it a different color and if so, what color were you thinking? The other reason being did you want a super shiny new paint job or to have a smooth body and no rust? I will say that restoring a scoot with a new paint job is time consuming to say the least! Either way I'm glad you got a scoot!

I'd rock all those stickers on there, I wanted to buy it just for the shark mouth, but the bee with a bomb - superb.

ride imo. Sound info about enjoying it the way it is: That ´patina` is priceless.
Just keep it in good running order.

That nice rear light btw was very soon after replaced by a massive red thing hugging the rear.

I'm not looking to paint the scooter now, it will happen eventually. I've never been in to the rat rod look so much, but the paint/restoration is de-prioritized for the next few years. I do want to clean it up and get the patina shining as much as I can as well as prevent any further rust development and damage from happening.

I get it, but it's not my style. I'll add some different stickers and such after I get it cleaned up so it has some personality!

That sounds like a good plan. You would be surprised how good you could get the paint with cleaning, buffing and touching up. A lot of surface rust on paint can also be removed.

Update: I just saw this video while closing the other link, and the graphic in lower left corner made me look. This guy has found something similar but BETTER he claims than linseed oil which he has used in the past. Take a look and decide for yourself, but you can watch him clean, sand & wipe forever OR I skipped ahead to the end when he finally reveals this superior majik sauce (available at Lowes & Home Depot). I'm gonna try this stuff!

and another one showing at the end how it looks 72 days later and after washing:

Thanks! Picked up the SOS pads, ospho and linseed oil the other day. Will take a look at these new vids and pick some of the new stuff as well. Hoping to start the clean up process next weekend!

I feel like this original paint would look great with just a clean, buff, and a few coats of good wax. Maybe skip the oil and other coatings

Good score! That bike was on DOTD end of April being sold by another member. It has some history here and I think was pretty well maintained. If you want to pm the original seller then he might give you some insider info as to what's under the hood.

Thanks for the heads up on this, I'll look up the post and reach out!

So, starting in on the projects. When I got the scooter home, the horn, tail light and turn signals weren't working at all. Checked the battery and it was dead.

I replaced the battery, along with the fuse holder (it was corroded internally), the voltage regulator and the flasher that both looked like they had seen better days. The horn, tail/brake light and the front signals started working. The rear signals still weren't working. Took it for a spin around the block and when I parked it again I found the new fuse had blown…

Any hints on where to look first for the short/ground problem?

Thank you in advance!

I'd put a new fuse in,
turn on the key,
and turn the handlebars to the stops,
listening around the collar or neck of the scoot.

A lot of times wires will get chewed up while turning and start shorting out at that point..

And go to scooter help.com and download a schematic so you know what's what

You'll find it!

Try cleaning the pins and sockets on the cowls. They carry electricity from the frame tunnel. The tabs that hold the cowls are the grounds. There is also a ground wire from each indicator to the cowl. They often get rusty.