Modern Vespa

The ebay auction:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1983-PIAGGIO-VESPA-50-WHITE_W0QQitemZ200383552292QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Motorcycles?hash=item2ea7ca5b24&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

I went and viewed the scooter in person, the guy started it up 2nd kick, said it started up no issues as he used it up to about 2 weeks ago regularly.

It is a Motovespa (Spanish built Vespa), i've done a HPI check on it through eBay, everything comes back ok (i.e. not stolen, no finance etc). It's a 1983 model, first registered in the UK Sept. 2005. Current owner has had it since June 2006. The engine number begins VMX5M, and he says the engine is derestricted and does up to approx 50mph.

In terms of condition, there is some rust on it, most of it is surface rust, although the ends of the floorboard, close to the cowls as a little rotten (maybe could patch it up with filler or something?). It's had several paint jobs, having seen it in person, there are drip marks and a few brush strokes, so hand-done paint job I imagine. I looked underneath, had a look inside the cowl, the cowls need prying open with a screwdriver unfortunately, maybe the lock is seized up?, the underneath has a rusty (but working i imagine) exhaust pipe, the spare wheel holder inside the cowl had some surface rust, the spare wheel is present. The rubber trim around the legshield has rotted away so there is some rust along the edge of the legshield and floorboard, i think its surface rust. Except the end of the floorboards, as mentioned.

Road tax and MOT (for those who don't live in the UK, this is a roadworthiness check they do annually to vehicles over 3 years old, e.g. emissions, straight frame, tyre depth is over 1mm, nothing worn etc.) are in order, which is good. He has the V5 registration document. Mechanically it appears fine (I did not ride it, even though he offered, because I have never ridden a geared Vespa so didn't want to crash it or anything!), it just doesn't look great.



How much would you pay for it?

He has set the reserve to £450, he said when i met up with him that if i offered him £620 there and then he'd sell it to me... and he said he was looking for £650. I said to him, to be honest, I don't think it's worth that much.

I am starting to think even the reserve price is high, but the advantage is that: 1) it is working mechanically, so no seized engines to ressurect, 2) its got tax+MOT, 3) its in my town, so means I don't need to travel far. Even though my gut feeling tells me that the reserve is high, the fact that it is working (unlike half the PK's I've seen on eBay) travelling within my own town would save me a lot of hassle. I am the current high bidder.

What do you think?

Mate, It's a great wee scooter and worth 500 pounds or so. They handle great, great brakes, but a wee tad slow.

Great wee scooter to have, though you will out grow it and what something bigger down the road.

That's my 2 pence mate, go get it 8)

Cheers

Thanks for the reply jimh, glad to know you're up to date with what its worth this side of the pond.

I'm thinking of upgrading the engine with a Malossi or Polini kit at some point in the future.

I'm going from a BMW motorbike (650cc) to a Honda learner's set of wheels (125cc) and now this... frankly I'm sick of the BMW, the Honda is great fun though, I know this will be lots of fun, I remember the week after passing my motorbike licence test, going back to my ET2 moped and enjoying it... a lot.

When I get bored with it (say, if i buy this one) i will upgrade it. Lots of scope for improvement with these kinds of vespas.

also, you say the brakes are great - is that why the PK forks are a common modification for those with more Vintage vespas e.g. from the 60's?

will keep an eye on it then, next few days.

p.s. congrats on 2000 posts 8)

The stock PK brake is suppose to be great even as a stock drum brake. However, with that little 50cc motor, you can stop that thing with your feet.

Good starter scoot...but eventually you will want more power.

How easy is it to put a Malossi or Polini cylinder kit on it? I am prepared to take the engine out of the scooter in a few months time or whenever I am ready to improve it a little. I mean... am I right in thinking, although I could have just the kit and that alone would give me some improvements.. and maybe getting a new exhaust help as well? i imagine i have to adjust what is known as the "jets" which are little screws which control the amount of petrol vs. air or something in the carburettor or something?

Why do some people say they need a different crankshaft, e.g. a mazzuchelli (spelling?) one.

Hope I am not talking Gibberish/Rubbish here!

I'd recommend a stock PK brake (fork conversion) any day over someone putting a Grimeca fully hydraulic into a resto project.

Seriously the PK front drum is one of the best braking systems out there. I wish I had one in my P racer instead of the hydraulic disk.

Really, the only hard part to that conversion is trying to make your front fender fit straight on that fork. They should come out with some adapter kit to make the process easier.

True - that's why all old photos of the VBB racer I did this mod on show it without a front fender

Eric,
You are right, there should be an adapter plate or something for the conversion. There's not that much info out there on doing it.

But, with patience and a little fabrication and thinking, the pk fork and grimeca disc assembly can be accomplished with the stock fender. No bending, no holes and no rubbing, yet.

http://gallery.me.com/portergieske#100364&bgcolor=ltgrey&view=grid