Modern Vespa

Hi all

I moved to a new house this year that doesn't have a garage so need to build one. I am going to use it as my dedicated Vespa workshop and storage for around 4 bikes. There isn't enough room for a full car sized garage as we have limited space. The foot print will be about 4.5 meters by 2.9 meters.

I have a question on what minimum height I would need. I will get a motor cycle lift and am unsure what clearance I need to the roof.

Any of the lifts I see on the market lift to about 800mm.

Thanks in advance



Paul

You're not planning on a standard 8 foot ceiling? The popular Harbor Freight lift reaches 29.5 inches off the ground. Are you planning on standing up in your shop? I built one a while back. I wish I would have made it a little bigger.

Yea definitely want to stand up so at least 2m.

The house ceilings are 10+ foot, 3.2 metres in metric. The workshop will be joined to the house and I am trying to work out if we can build the roof at or below the sloping roof of the house or if we need to go a bit higher and do a more complicated roof. Sounds like 3 metres or more internal roof clearance is needed.

how high do you need to be able to swing a long handled hammer with a fully out stretch arm over your head without hitting the light fitting?

Also it needs to be large enough that when you fling tools across the room in anger there's no risk of getting hit by ricochet.

My ceiling height is a flat 2.4 meters. To be honest, I could probably lose 10 inches of that and still be fine. I'm 5'-11" and have plenty off room. Draw out a quick side view with dimensions going for the best aesthetics with existing building. See where you end up, and start tweaking from there.

My ceiling is 10' (3m) and then steps down to 8' (2.4m). Honestly, I wish the entire ceiling was 14' (4.3m). I work on scooters, motorcycles, and cars. If I had a taller ceiling, I could have a lift for working on the cars. The ceilings I have are fine for working on the PTWs. My lift table will raise up to 30" (0.76m). Plenty of headroom for any PTW I've worked on.

All that said, my philosophy when building new is to go a big as you can. You'll always find a use for the space.

I have plenty of room on the back portion of the yard.

I ordered this 10w x 12

Is there any regulations In your area, that requires something? Does it need construction permit?

I think, that if you stand in that motorcycle lift while it's lifted up, you should stand straight up without your head is touching the roof.

Consider a ceiling fan to cool the heat soaked engine while the pet carrier is out . So ceiling height should be a bit more.

Don't forget the modestly sized refrigerator that you really only need for cooling the heat soaked pet carrier and I can't think of any other reason why anyone would for any other reason imaginable think of any reason that one would possibly want or need a refrigerator in the workshop.

I TOLD YOU ITS ONLY FOR THE PET CARRIER.

Ha keeping the pet carrier cooler happy is imperative!

Yes will insulate the walls to keep the pet carrier cooler happy.

I don't have a cat I need to swing and this workshop will be my home workshop for Vespas. It's not going to be big enough for a car so have to get a storage unit for other vehicles I own.

I think we have worked out the heights now.

Missing the classic logo

You offering to paint it?

My art is in 1s and 0s

She's a 1010

I like 5318008 as the number.

Hmm, where should i place my digits 🤔

Down under?!

Ooh this post went off track didn't it. Kind of like one of your rides Steelbytes.

You still have that Harley?

Both dirty

Oh yeah. I've been around that bike since I was 14 y/o. I'll have it until I die. The motor is in several hundred pieces right now. I cooked the roller bearings in the bottom end. Parts are on back order. Hope to start reassembly soon.