Modern Vespa

I picked up this 1963 Allstate for practically nothing but it looks like it was in an accident and stored in a barn for many years. The engine is in great shape and still has lots of compression. The odometer only shows 3500 miles which may or may not be accurate.

Obviously, my concern is the frame. I can source replacement rear panels, but how difficult are they to weld on? I would probably outsource since my welding skills are very basic. The other option is find a new frame, but those are very hard to locate.

Rear panels.. you mean cowls? they just attach via screws on the battery side and a pin and clip on the engine side.

But... that back end... ouch. I mean... some legendary dolly and hammer work would be required to fix that. And even still, I would have serious questions about the frame being straight.
If you are talking about welding 2 frames together for the back end? That is generally considered bodgery. And best avoided. The beauty and stability of the monocoque frame would be suspect. Plus the cost of finding another frame is probably best spent on just that... another entire frame.

Be patient and you can find a frame for all the good bits (Fork, engine, headset) of that bike.

2 cents.

you might be able to find a mid-60's Sears Allstate chassis out there that does not break the bank and makes financial sense.

however, if this is your first scooter, maybe just get it running and drive it. the experience would be worth it.

I , myself, would look for a complete Sears Allstate.

If this was an early Sears Allstate 100 or 101, i might consider working on that chassis. but being that it is a mid 60's, then the juice is not worth the squeeze. frankly, you do not have a rare bike and it's much like a Ford Model-T, there are tons of them out there and they are generally inexpensive.

Did they park the tractor on top of the scooter? Holy cow that rear end looks wild.

It was definitely in an accident. Everything looks original on it like the Allstate spark plug. Also, it looks like the tires are also the original ones from Italy. I guess at this point I will just box up the engine and try to find a VBA or VBB frame somewhere. Fortunately, I have another running vintage scooter, and this was purely a project.

I appreciate the artwork in the very first pic.

Oh, and there's a bent scooter as well. I didn't see it at first. Anything is fixable, but unless you have expertise in sheetmetal and body restoration (and i mean actual high end restoration, not youtube restoration), i wouldn't even attempt it. Note the crumped area in the tunnel. If you attempt to repair it, ideally you would have a second scooter that isn't bent so that you could pull all your measurements from. Then start building a frame jig off of the straight scooter first, then mount the bend frame into the jig. Keep in mind that replacement panels won't be the same measurements at the originals, so that will add to the complexity. Pretty much listen Jon Gick's advice.

Is that a Vespa or an accordion?

I might just get the engine running and drive that as it is. Just for the hell of it and to confuse other folks on the road.

Best course of action might be to find a straight replacement allstate frame and migrate over all of the usable bits.

cool time capsule. too bad about the frame, if it were all rear of the tunnel it might be one thing but with the tunnel compromised it's really frame replacement territory. document it all well with photos if you do move it over to a new frame.

Thanks to David at Scooter Mercato I have a replacement frame for the Allstate. Now, just waiting on some parts for the rebuild.

Thats fantastic!!!

This is going to kick ass, keep on posting!!

The biggest mistake I've made in recent years was selling my small vapor blaster when I thought I was done restoring vintage motorcycles but then I got the Vespa obsession. Fun to ride and parts are available and relatively cheap.

The '63 Allstate project continues. Pleased to find a very well conditioned gearbox. Looks like the original owner drained most of the oil so nothing too bad to clean. As for the outside, it's been a lot of elbow grease with cleaner, wire brush and scotchbrite pads.

Special thanks to Jonathan Gick for convincing me to stay with the original engine and not drop something like an LML in it and also a post I saw (can't remember the member) who recommended Klean Strip Concrete and Metal Prep. I've used several different rust products like Evaporust but the Klean stuff is incredible and can be diluted 4 to 1 with water. It really makes the old stuff look new again.

Looking forward to more parts coming in soon.

If you don't mind me sharing, where are you in NC?

What are your motor build by plans? I'm working on my 64, so I'm interested in what you are planning 😉

Tierney - Greensboro

14goingon40 - currently debating between the Pinasco or Parmakit cylinders. Not a lot of options for the smaller 2-porr case. My Veloce offered many more and really like the BGM i installed in it.

Pinasco is the 177 and the Parmakit is 150? Are you planning on upgrading ignition? Standard crank?

There is a 177 Parmakit through SIP. Yes, I plan to install a SIP Vape static ignition. The original electronics are toast. I'm undecided on the crank but will probably replace too while I'm at it. It's not much more.