Modern Vespa

I'm looking to repaint a well used ET4 this winter and I've been thinking about how to update and change the appearance handling and ergonomics. I like that the lx now uses a round headlight again and fenders that have hard lines. Looks much more Vespa and less oval "90"s. I've done the first fittings to see what LX body parts can be added with out massive cutting / welding and so far looks good.

The scooter already has all the typical Performance parts "malossi 190, belt, clutch, variator, airbox modifications, exhaust.

Headset : Front and back pieces will mount. Metal tabs will need to be move in about 1/4 inch on the handle bars. They may be able to just be bent in and not welded. Wiring for switches will be same. Speedo Cable should be the same. Speedo wiring not sure yet should be very similar. Also I'd like to add an HID system mounting the igniter behind the glove box.






Front Fender : Should bolt right on. I'm going to use a Vespa S with chrome fender crest.

Front Hub : Since I don't have one currently not sure, but looks like it will bolt on. HAS ANY ONE TRIED THIS?


Floorboad : I would like to use an LX FB, but the pressing of the frame differs here and would require some work. After studying the floorboard some more I realized it may be able to fit and look ok by shaving about and about 4mm off the lip to help compensate for the frame not having the indention there.



LX Access panel is shorter that ET and will line up at that point.



Once the floor is mounted, LX Side panels would be able to be attached by drilling just one hole for the top screw in the metal, the other screw attaches to the floorboard with metal clip. End Panels (end caps covers) fit the same, Rear Fender fits the same. So 99% of the frame appears to be exactly the same. (Turn signal Lens holes are different of course).




Glovebox should work from a ET LX or S



Its nice to see Piaggio keeping with the idea of interchangeable parts like on the side mounted Vespas. (A 2007 Vespa PX150 engine can be retrofitted as far back as 1966)

So yes you could bring your oval 90's ET to sharp edged Mid 2000 Styling. I would guess that you could use "S" Parts as well or any combination of the Two. I be interested to see what the prototype for the next 150 will be. Same Frame?

I'm thinking I'll paint it all black or white with LX Burgundy Leather Seat. Use the Lambretta "Special" badge on legsheild and "190" on the glove box.

Last edited by mykclassic on Wed, 01 Oct 2008 17:55:11 +0000; edited 2 times

Continue on to Photos Below...

Last edited by mykclassic on Wed, 01 Oct 2008 17:57:03 +0000; edited 1 time

Here are some rough Photoshop Sketches to help decide which body panels for my custom ET I'm putting together this winter.

Stock Scooters For Reference
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Variations Using an ET Frame
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Speedometer Variations
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LX Headset Speedo on ET



I've alway disliked the modern asymmetrical Vespa Speedo so my idea for the finished product I would modify a LX Headset back piece to mount a LXV speedo system. That way it would still have the "code" and proper amount of system information while providing a more elegant symmetrical dash to look at. I figure fiberglass to fill the larger standard face hole then cut the shape into it. The speedo cable should be the same and electrical connections will be easy. Challenge will be to make the surface around it look smooth and have the instrument mounted securely.

You're forgetting one thing - THE CLOCK!! Only a damn fool would ride a scooter without a digital clock on it.

That looks nice!

I'm very curious how your transformation is going so far, because I'm also planning to do the same. The photoshop mods look great by the way.

Good luck

Wow, what a true FrankenVespa! It looks like quite a project.

I think I like the LX floorboard and side panels on it best, but maybe with the burgundy seat. My two cents.

i was looking to do something like this, can this be done with out to much modification??

here are my mockups i did last month (sorry for bad photoshop)

I am new to the site. Wow, you are up to a big project. I've been looking all over online for white floorboard and handle bars for my midnight blue LX, and no luck so far. Anyone knows where I can buy them from?

It might not be too hard to find someone parting out an LX of a different color, buy those bits, and have them painted the color you'd like. Aside from the Vespa S, which has a rectangular headlight (and so, won't work on your LX), there was only one white-ish LX color - Diamond White, I think available only in '06. It was essentially a pearlescent white metallic color, and as far as LXs go, they're pretty rare. That's not to say that it'll be impossible to find a Diamond White LX parts bike without damage to those 2 key pieces, but it'll be close to it.

BTW - welcome to MV! You should introduce yourself in the General Discussion area...

One Dread:

Great photoshop ! I'm thinking on doing this project. Need opinions and some photoshop. Planing on doing a vinyl wrap in matte black and carbon fiber. Witch parts in carbon fiber ?
All opinions welcome.


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Hi
Any update on fitting the LX headset? Did the handlebar tabs need moving and re-welding?
Thanks (Love the idea)
Jim.

Yes, please update.
I'm in the middle of getting an old ET fixed up and would love to know about changing out the headlamp and getting the LX headset to fit.
Cheers!

I'm very interested in the headset. Did you manage to do this? If so, what challenges did you face?

hello,

how is the project going?

I work on similar project and i am very interested in your progress.

Love the idea. Really curious to find out how the project is coming!

Hi, i did something similiar but i changed the front panel as well

Any chance of some more photos, front on and more?

Thanks

wow nice combination between LX and LXV speedo. Nice idea. I think that is better than the stock LX speedo.

Hi, greetings from Serbia

After I saw this topic, I decided to try and make my ET2 70 to be Frankenstein Vespa - Half Et2 and half LX.

As I saw here that everything is fit, I have ordered parts.




First I wanted to change fender, but holes are not on the same position, so I drilled two new holes.




After that I took to connecting the board. Wire colors match on ET and LS. The mileage cable is not the same!!!



I changed the steering wheel, worked a little hard to connect everything, added a mask and voila - Ultra modern ET2 is in front of you!

Interesting, but at least in the U.K, you would need to declare to your vehicle insurer any 'modifications' from standard OE. There would be absolutely no point in giving them a 'get out clause' should there be some reason for a claim on your or a third-parties behalf. When I see advertised for sale for example, many, many 125cc scooters 'modified' to a larger capacity I do wonder if the new buyer realises the possible implications.