Modern Vespa

I got my first scooter. I don't know anything about scooters or Vespa's, but when I came across it, I knew it was something I had to have. It isn't perfect but I like it like that.

First dumb question. Is it a scooter or a moped?
question 2; when I look through the California DMV manual, I don't see what type of vehicle it is to study. Do you know?
question 3, does it have to have side mirrors for rear viewing to operate? question 4, when it doesn't start first kick, what does this mean?
question 5, will this be an expensive hobby?
question 6, will it ever be inspected for driving by anyone, such as CHP, Police, or do they not care, as long as the front and rear light works?
quesion 7, any other hints or responses of questions I didn't ask, feel free to respond.

thank you.

1. Scooter
2. You will need a motorcycle license.
3. Don't know CA laws. In Texas, if over 20 years old I believe the answer is no.
4. The eternal question. The answer: nothing and everything. 8) Seriously, that is far to general of a question to really take a stab at....
5. If you learn to wrench it can be moderately expensive, if you always use a shop it will be more costly.
6. Yes, they care and chances are you will get pulled over at some point. Best, to have your ducks in a row for if/when it happens
7. Good luck and welcome to MV.

Welcome to MV!

You will need a left mirror to be legal.

post pics dude

Sweet! What a find!

+1 on posting pix! And welcome!

+1 on the pix - Rover Eric would be my first choice for questions - he's a classic-scoot kind o guy.

I smell a potential bodge. You really should post some pictures for us. I'm not trying to be mean but if you're new to scooters and you just bought yourself a shiny "restored" VBA, you might have a dangerous scooter on your hands. I'm no expert, but there are a few on this forum who can help you identify what you got. I hope I'm just being overly cautious. Pictures would be great, though!

I never really really looked at the Vespa. I just saw it on Craigslist and had to have it. When I bought, they guy started it on first kick and then rode in circles, and then up some real steep hill in SF. So I took some photos today and noticed;
Well, I noticed that that the scooter is somewhat bent and cracked on the left side. Other than that it looks all there. Should I worry.
I was riding it too, and had someone take photos of me while I rode and I realized something, that I am way too big for this scoot. I need to get to the gym.

I take back what I said about it not starting on first kick. I learned today, that the choke needs to be out, and the fuel nob should be turned to the right. It rides good, but now, you got me worried that its going to fall apart. Its cool, about you thinking you were sounding mean, I need to know these things. I don't know anything really right now.

another thing too. The guy had it for 2 years, and lived in SF. Same laws that apply to Sacramento. Why didn't it come with a mirror?

the reason I put another photo, was because in the garage, it looked all dented it up, 'cause of the reflections, but really its pretty smooth except for that left side of the front.

very cool, man. Is that a seamless front fender? nice!

It likely didn't have a mirror because there aren't too many places to mount one on that bike. You either buy a legsheild clamp-on mirror, buy a front rack and bolt mirrors to that ....

and depending on your bike, there might be a spot under the headset with 3 screws in a line ...the middle one holds in your speedo, and the one on either side hold the plate inside the headset that holds the cable outers in place. They make a bracket that utilizes these two outer scews ( comes with elongated ones ) to create a mounting bracket to put a mirror where you would assume one would be ... like, where they are on the late 60's / 70's bikes.

Great looking machine. Ride it safely and in good health.

A&A

Sure mirrors are required by law, however I and quite a few others ride without them here. Cops typically have better things to do than pull someone over for not having a mirror.

Oh and if you ever have it back in the city I'd be happy to give it a once over, make sure you aren't going to lose a wheel at least

It's actually quite beautiful. Looks legit to me, so good on ya!