OP
UTC

Member
ET4
Joined: UTC
Posts: 7
Location: San Francisco
 
Member
ET4
Joined: UTC
Posts: 7
Location: San Francisco
UTC quote
Hello! New member, first post. I've recently "inherited" a 2002 ET4. It was actually left behind by the previous owners when we bought our house over the summer. From what I can gather it was last registered, and likely last ridden, in 2005. I believe it's been covered in a garage since. Appears to be in great shape, only 192 miles on it, has the keys and original manuals, some oxidation on the chrome parts, but otherwise no scratches or dents.

I've made an appointment for a local scooter shop here in SF to come pick it up in a couple of weeks. I chatted with the owner and without seeing it he said that in tip top shape it could go for as much as $4K. He estimated I'd need to sink $1K-$2K into it but could easily turn around and get that much or more out of it. I don't want to sell it, I'm super pumped about the idea of riding it around the city, I've always wanted a Vespa. He also told me that I'll have to jump through some hoops for a title and registration, but the previous owners are willing to sign off on it though they lost the title long ago.

Thoughts? Is it worth my time to restore and go through the registration process? I'd be bummed if not but want to be realistic.
Forum member supplied image with no explanatory text
⚠️ Last edited by aaronharbaugh on UTC; edited 2 times
@dvh1150 avatar
UTC

Hooked
2024 300 GTS "Classico" + 2001 ET2 50
Joined: UTC
Posts: 461
Location: Desert Hot Springs, CA
 
Hooked
@dvh1150 avatar
2024 300 GTS "Classico" + 2001 ET2 50
Joined: UTC
Posts: 461
Location: Desert Hot Springs, CA
UTC quote
aaronharbaugh -- good on ya' for saving that good looking scoot! And welcome to MV...great folks, great advice. Heck, you've already latched on to our collective "foto fixation!"

As for getting her registered and back on the road legally, it CAN be done! If you are a Triple A member in Cali, they'll help you get through the process. A decade or so ago, I bought a Kawi Vulcan 2000 from a co-worker who was the widow of the owner. It was registered in NC in his name only and she couldn't just sign over the title. If memory serves, it only took 1 letter from my atty. (at only a hundred bucks) to do it.

Seems like the previous owners should be able to get a copy of the original title from Cali DMV and sign it over to you. Again, AAA.

I recently re-purchased an '01 ET2 I had owned before I bought the Kawi. When I sold "Lily," she ran like a top. When I reached out and brought her back home, she was a rolling basket case. Sad. But after a rather lengthy visit to an extremely talented mechanic, she's running like a top once again...and for a mere $1800.00. By now I think I've paid more for her than she sold for originally! But I love her...

Hang in and keep us posted. And get to riding that "gawjus" scoot that fell outta the Pontadera heavens into your heart!

Victor
@abner_bjorn avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
2007 GT200, 2008 Yamaha C3, 2009 BV250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1210
Location: Denver
 
Molto Verboso
@abner_bjorn avatar
2007 GT200, 2008 Yamaha C3, 2009 BV250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1210
Location: Denver
UTC quote
Tread with caution if you can't work on this yourself. At $4k, you're approaching low mileage large frame money. I've seen catch up maintenance on a 4 year old 50cc Vespa hit $1,800 in a heart beat at the large Vespa dealership in Denver. Is the fellow giving you the cupcake in the sky sale price the same shop that's charging you to get it up to snuff? It is likely to cost more to rehab, and sell for less once done. Then you have the whole issue of the missing title.
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
Joined: UTC
Posts: 7362
Location: Tega Cay, SC
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
Joined: UTC
Posts: 7362
Location: Tega Cay, SC
UTC quote
My 2 cents: get the title in your hand before putting any coin into it. When you get the title, make sure you drop back by here FIRST for advice on moving forward.
OP
UTC

Member
ET4
Joined: UTC
Posts: 7
Location: San Francisco
 
Member
ET4
Joined: UTC
Posts: 7
Location: San Francisco
UTC quote
Abner_Bjorn wrote:
Tread with caution if you can't work on this yourself. At $4k, you're approaching low mileage large frame money. I've seen catch up maintenance on a 4 year old 50cc Vespa hit $1,800 in a heart beat at the large Vespa dealership in Denver. Is the fellow giving you the cupcake in the sky sale price the same shop that's charging you to get it up to snuff? It is likely to cost more to rehab, and sell for less once done. Then you have the whole issue of the missing title.
Thanks! To be clear, he didn't say I'd get $4K for it, he said that was top dollar. He said realistically if it was up and running it should be easy to get $2.5K. My goal is to ride it though and not re-sell, just don't want to get in too deep where I could just ditch this thing and get something equal/better at the same cost.

He also quoted me about $1K to tow it and get it up to snuff, worst case scenario would be like $1.7K if it's gonna be more work, with a new carb and new tires. Totally hear you though, and the missing title throws a whole other wrench into the mix.
OP
UTC

Member
ET4
Joined: UTC
Posts: 7
Location: San Francisco
 
Member
ET4
Joined: UTC
Posts: 7
Location: San Francisco
UTC quote
Tierney wrote:
My 2 cents: get the title in your hand before putting any coin into it. When you get the title, make sure you drop back by here FIRST for advice on moving forward.
That's what I'd like to do and what I'm struggling with. As I understand it, the DMV will need an inspection and getting it anywhere not in running order would be difficult.
@abner_bjorn avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
2007 GT200, 2008 Yamaha C3, 2009 BV250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1210
Location: Denver
 
Molto Verboso
@abner_bjorn avatar
2007 GT200, 2008 Yamaha C3, 2009 BV250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1210
Location: Denver
UTC quote
If you have the previous owner's cooperation, check into a replacement title. If it was registered under their name, and they have a state ID, most states will issue a replacement title.
OP
UTC

Member
ET4
Joined: UTC
Posts: 7
Location: San Francisco
 
Member
ET4
Joined: UTC
Posts: 7
Location: San Francisco
UTC quote
Abner_Bjorn wrote:
If you have the previous owner's cooperation, check into a replacement title. If it was registered under their name, and they have a state ID, most states will issue a replacement title.
Thanks. It's a little complicated as it was last registered in Washington DC and the previous owner is elderly and now in assisted living. The son is willing to help and has power of attorney but not sure how easy the replacement title route would be.
@dvh1150 avatar
UTC

Hooked
2024 300 GTS "Classico" + 2001 ET2 50
Joined: UTC
Posts: 461
Location: Desert Hot Springs, CA
 
Hooked
@dvh1150 avatar
2024 300 GTS "Classico" + 2001 ET2 50
Joined: UTC
Posts: 461
Location: Desert Hot Springs, CA
UTC quote
aaronharbaugh wrote:
The son is willing to help and has power of attorney but not sure how easy the replacement title route would be.
If I can pull it off from Cali on a Kawi that was registered in NC, I feel pretty sure you can do it, too. See my previous post...

Victor
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
Joined: UTC
Posts: 7362
Location: Tega Cay, SC
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
Joined: UTC
Posts: 7362
Location: Tega Cay, SC
UTC quote
aaronharbaugh wrote:
That's what I'd like to do and what I'm struggling with. As I understand it, the DMV will need an inspection and getting it anywhere not in running order would be difficult.
There really isn't a struggle here. Ever state is a little different on what they want from you to obtain title. California has their rules, sort them out, make a list and work on it a bit at a time. As it's an out of state, it won't happen overnight. Meanwhile, the scoot is not going anywhere.
OP
UTC

Member
ET4
Joined: UTC
Posts: 7
Location: San Francisco
 
Member
ET4
Joined: UTC
Posts: 7
Location: San Francisco
UTC quote
Thanks for all the help! I went to AAA and unfortunately they said it was outside of their scope but recommended contacting the DMV. I was able to chat with someone online and since it's been stored so long, it's no longer in the system. I just need to take a Bill of Sale with the Statement of Facts stating that it was a gift without title, to the DMV and they can do an inspection to make sure the VIN matches and I can apply for a new title/registration.

So yes, some work but can be done! I like the idea of just knocking it out bit by bit.

If I can take care of the registration and the repairs needed to a minimum I'll be pretty stoked!
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
Joined: UTC
Posts: 7362
Location: Tega Cay, SC
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
Joined: UTC
Posts: 7362
Location: Tega Cay, SC
UTC quote
Good for you - just keep chipping away at it! On the repair side - it is going to be the fluids and rubber bits that will need changing as both have aged out. If you want to get involved with it mechanically, this is an excellent opportunity to learn. Coupled with all the advice and info on here, it can all be done in a weekend.
OP
UTC

Member
ET4
Joined: UTC
Posts: 7
Location: San Francisco
 
Member
ET4
Joined: UTC
Posts: 7
Location: San Francisco
UTC quote
Thanks! I've already poked around here a bit and found some links to service manuals. I'm not much of a gear head and will definitely need to invest in some tools but I hope to be to tinker a bit. I'm not sure I'm up to starting from scratch but I'd like to get it up and running and then learn the basic upkeep.
⬆️    About 1 month elapsed    ⬇️
OP
UTC

Member
ET4
Joined: UTC
Posts: 7
Location: San Francisco
 
Member
ET4
Joined: UTC
Posts: 7
Location: San Francisco
UTC quote
So after a few weeks, I've finally got my ET4 on the road and legal. I ended up having it towed to a shop and they did a bit of work to get it running, new carb and new tires, among other things. All the stress and research on trying to get it titled and registered, all I did was walk into the DMV and told them I had this scooter that has been sitting in my garage for years and I wanted to register it. They had me fill out a registration form and that was it, I was out the door with my registration and new plate. They don't even bother to do an inspection or check the VIN. I'm sure I lucked out with a very casual DMV clerk but it was a breeze.

So now I've put a few miles on it with some easy rides around the city but looking forward to more! It's a lot of fun.

Thanks for all of your advice and help!
@dvh1150 avatar
UTC

Hooked
2024 300 GTS "Classico" + 2001 ET2 50
Joined: UTC
Posts: 461
Location: Desert Hot Springs, CA
 
Hooked
@dvh1150 avatar
2024 300 GTS "Classico" + 2001 ET2 50
Joined: UTC
Posts: 461
Location: Desert Hot Springs, CA
UTC quote
Good on ya', aaronharbaugh! And thank goodness for a casual DMV clerk...a rare breed! Continue to enjoy your rides, and enjoy exploring. That's half the fun! 😉
DoubleGood Design banner

Modern Vespa is the premier site for modern Vespa and Piaggio scooters. Vespa GTS300, GTS250, GTV, GT200, LX150, LXS, ET4, ET2, MP3, Fuoco, Elettrica and more.

Buy Me A Coffee
 

Shop on Amazon with Modern Vespa

Modern Vespa is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com


All Content Copyright 2005-2024 by Modern Vespa.
All Rights Reserved.


[ Time: 0.0103s ][ Queries: 4 (0.0022s) ][ live ][ 318 ][ ThingOne ]