Modern Vespa

heres my barn find





Last edited by kyle.salter on Sat Jul 11, 2009 4:45 pm; edited 1 time in total

headset and fork

cowl with box

the allstate motor which i am throwing in it

Looking forward to seeing it finished.

Manny

you have any pics of your cushman?

A bit of info :

The "cushman" line of bikes were the GS150, VNB and VBB. They were italian import bikes, identical to the non-cushman versions, and just with the additional badge applied so they could be sold at cushman dealerships.

This partnership only took place in the year 1961, according to my research... your bike may have been manufactured shortly before this, but my guess is that it's actually a 1961 VNB.

What leads you to believe it's a '59 ?

VBB judging from the speedo. EDIT: add the "Vespa 150" badge

Last edited by oopsclunkthud on Mon Feb 09, 2009 8:11 am; edited 1 time in total

Heh ..i didn't even notice that. I just saw the title of the thread and the cushman badge and just started typing

Yeah ..clearly a Cushman VBB.

heres the serial VBA1T 86164.......

this is VBA headset

the headset is right but the fork goes with a handlebar vespa I have

just cleaned it up and looks like for dirt than rust. also she is nopt a 59 but 61. i guess she is my next project

another pic of front legshield

I wouldn't paint it just put it together and enjoy. Why kill its originality and hide its history.

im not painting it. just everything else. cant decide between vbb , sprint, lml, or 200 engine in it? thoughts?

put the 200 in it.

just picked up hubs, wiring harness, tailight, two cowls, lots of original trim, headlight parts, back luggage rack, and misc for vbb. the parts are coming together.......

picked up a vnb4m 2 port engine for 30 bucks at the swap meet. going to rebuild this for now. cheap and will get it on the road.

looks like a fun project!!

well I picked up another 61 vbb engine for 40 bucks for more parts. also have a source for a newly rebuilt scooterworks P200 engine that would work also.

The question is about forks? I want to run 10" rims.what fork should I run? PK, sprint (which sounds best) or nerwer p.

do all have the same length from end to end. I also looks like the bearings are the same though.......

I suggest you to change fork from Sprint, GL, or GS150 that look like with VBB fork... also with spring attached. or you can find Bajaj fork for cheaper price

if you have the money, get a complete PK fork that's already been modified to drop in a VBB frame. Motorsport had them ( though i think they were around 400 bucks ) still - it's THE BEST fork and front drum brake you can put on there.

i dont think I can afford 400 versuses 190 for a sprint 10" assembly. i know its better but i dont know twice as much

will a vlb sprint fork swap in a vbb for a 10" conversion?

Kyle,

1) I've never seen a vespa engine at a swap meet
2) what kind of sick planet do you visit to get engines for the low prices of $30 and $40?

the other country dallas tx

work on gettiing the 3 port head to match up with the two port case, rebuilt the carb, new shifting cross, gears, and removed the throttle tube from the stuck headset

throttlw tube

i finally figure what year is actually is

*cough* told ya *cough*

http://www.modernvespa.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=635632#560912

If you tried various methods for removing a stuck throttle tube, which one worked best? Are you going to try and sand down and shave the tube a little to make it refit easily, or replace the tube or headset?

I've tried heat guns, oils/lubricants, pipe wrenches, hammers/mallets, using a thin wedge inside the headlight opening to try and bash the tube out, but the throttle tube only budged 2 inches and refuses to move any more.

after a god soaking of pb blaster it loosened up and then cleaned it up with a wire wheel. after that it seams fine.

eric your right and i should of listened to you the first time. its a vbb

just bustin' your chops.

used the wire wheel in the center stand, fort bearing races, and couple misc pieces. picked up another body and lots of pieces to help out with the build

i put together about half the engine tonight. couple pieces i need to pick up but it coming together.

got the flywheel nut on and has good compression

keep up the good work

installed wiring harness into frame, removed brake pedal, installed clutch and housing onto engine. engine is ready to installed.

installed wiring harness into frame, removed brake pedal, installed clutch and housing onto engine. engine is ready to installed.