Modern Vespa

And by "modding", I mean "modifying your scooter", rather than "poncing about in a parka" - I do plenty of the latter already!

I had the idea (fantasy?) of buying a tatty P200E and turning it into a sleeper, starting with bolting in a VMC Ranger 213. Then I went down the rabbit hole of rules for modifying vehicles in California.

It seems to more or less boil down to:

* Pre-1975 vehicle, e.g. early Rally 200: go nuts, do what you like.

* 1975 or later vehicle, e.g. P200E: new components that affect emissions (pretty much everything in the flow of fuel/air/exhaust) must have CARB stickers, if you replace the engine it cannot be older than the vehicle, etc, etc, etc.

Have I got that more or less correct?

Separate questions from "What is allowed?" are "What do scooter restorers/modifiers actually do?", and "Does anyone in authority ever check?"

I'm guessing that, to most observers, one scooter looks much the same as another and, unless your exhaust is obviously too loud or you're behaving obnoxiously, no one is getting down on their hands and knees to inspect the engine.

Does anyone have any experience, or "friends' experiences", they could share?

I cant speak to emissions checks in Cali for inspection purposes... but most states do not do emissions checks on bikes... yet. Nor do the inspectors have a clue about OG vs Replacement engines. So yeah generally, go nuts.

For practical purposes: The only thing to avoid is some of the 2 port engines (early super, sprints, vnb, vbb). And of course some of the rarified stuff SS180, Rally 180.

YMMV

Yeah - no emissions checks on motorcycles in CA.

All the items you mention would be an enforcement issue. I've never had any issues with law enforcement (inspection and or modification wise 🤣). That would only come up if the officer really had a hard on for you for pissing him or her off. I've swapped engines on newer bikes without changing vins on the title as well. Non CARB parts usually won't be shipped to CA for motorcycles but all the scooter stuff doesn't seem to apply.

Only issue would be an insanely loud pipe which you won't be installing with the 213. All systems go, start wrenching!

If you want a sleeper, you're going to need a better top end than the 213. 244 at a minimum.

Or, if you want to get a SERIOUS sleeper, get a Smallie and an M200S. Of course, it's only a sleeper until you fire it up, and then everyone will no there's something happening there.

One more thing, easiest to start with a CA titled scoot. If you buy something out of the system you'll have to get the vins of the frame and engine checked by CHP before they will issue a title.

This one? That does look interesting…

For sure - I've been reading about all that, too.

I bought my ET3 (its page is still up - it's a long story, but I paid much less than their asking price!) at the end of January; it was an import, restored in Italy, in beautiful shape.

Bello Moto printed off the temporary tag and submitted the registration to the DMV. I haven't received my permanent plate yet, and I have to admit, I'm getting a little nervous, though, with so many import bikes on sale, I have to hope Bello know what they're doing.

Yup. That's the one. Needs a 127mm conn rod crank, but the early dyno's on it are looking pretty sweet. It's a beast of a touring cylinder, so less peak power and more broad power band.

Nobody at the CA DMV or CHP care what you have in your scooter. They dont know the specifics of each scooter, they dont care about the specifics of each scooter and they dont care that your import scooter cost money. Seriously! I did a whole DMV write up about them. The only thing they care about is if your scooter doesnt match the minimum requirements or if you make their life difficult.

Out on the road, a loud pipe and a bruised ego might raise an officers suspicions, but as long as theres been scooters in California, people have been modding them and making successful businesses out of modding ie. Alex @ Scooterwest, Hot Rod Al, Barry @ SF Scooter Center etc.

I had a 4t Bajaj back in the day. I put a HRA pipe on it. It was loud!

I came out of the grocery store and there were two motorcycle cops parked next to me.

Crap...

Hey guys, what's up?
We're diggin your scooter, and have seen you buzzing around town! Very nice!

I thanked them and were hoping they'd move on, but no, they were waiting for me.

I kick it over and they both got big grins on their faces and said it sounds nice!



And something else - I'm usually a pretty friendly guy and do my best to acknowledge folks, especially the local fuzz ...

This only pertains to automotive (cars and trucks). That's why clean title 1974 and earlier vehicles are worth a bit more money in both Cali and Oregon. It's because you can legally swap in any year, any sort of engine between the frame rails and not worry about c.a.r.b. or DMV backlash.