Modern Vespa

File Under: Possible New Project

So, here's a fairly good lookin' 1969 Rally 180:


Yeah, the black legshield trim is tatty, but it looks OK overall,

Starts and idles well. Engine looks clean. Electrics all work. Serial #s match up well.

But when ya get closer... it starts looking pretty shaky.







Lots of floorboard rust that was just painted over. Underneath on the bottom it looks like it was painted over with a thick black layer of some kind of industrial paint:


There is one small weld on the rear right floor board. But I didn't spot any other welds. Ran a magnet and didn't run into any obvious bondo spots.

So, knowing this thing could have some serious body work ahead, but that it seems to have a solid engine, what would you offer, or would you just walk away not knowing how bad the frame rust might be?

i want to say, that for a 180 that is almost as old as i am, that stuff looks ok

just seems to be some surface paint ontop of a lousy prep job

how much?

This image looks scary to me:



Looks like a possible two-frame weld up job to me.

Personally, I would steer clear regardless. It isn't that hard to find a non-asian bike to resore, why bother with one of dubious origins unless you like to gamble.

the likely hood of this bike being two pieced is rare, no?

it just looks like sh--ty work, yes?

don't ya love the yes no selection

I'd have to agree. I'd steer clear if possible. The frame is questionable, so it's hard to know it's real value without blasting it back down to bare metal. Ditto the motor...when someone will do that kind of body work, it's not logical to think they would do meticulous engine work or electrical work, so you are really left completely guessing whether the bike has any value.

There are some really good deals right now on vintage bikes, unfortunately due to economic hardship. If you are looking for a Rally, I'd look for the most original bike you can find, in the best shape, and spend just a little more. It will be worth far more both in value and peace of mind down the road.

Having done a few rebuilds, I can tell you that if you add the price you would spend to buy this bike, and add what it will cost to repair it, you will spend more than if you had bought a bike in good, original, solid condition.

Good luck!

well, between you and jake saying stay away, i'd have to say skip it

my et3 floorboard is similar to that one

i describe as being like tin foil

That looks much more like a bad bondo job than a paint bubble to me.

I'd look under the floor and see what kind of shape it's in too. Do the supports under the floor show pinholes that have been painted over?

You can fix anything, it's just a matter of money. If you can do your own body work, it would be less an issue of money and more an issue of time. You can buy new floors for scooters and weld them on if needed.

Take a look at this thread to see just how much you can do with the body:

Saving an Allstate from the Clutches of Hades

That's one of my all-time favorite threads on MV.

I started to post up trying to rationalize the bad paint etc., but after reading your replies I stopped.... thanks.

I'd love to find a new resto-project, but it looks like this one isn't it.

Thanks for talking me down amigo's.

Great thread. And that kinda frame work is way too much for me...

that rubber floor matte should have been the first flag.

stay away.

In order to fix or determine exactly what is wrong with that bike you need to get the frame sandblasted and brought down to bare metal to fully access it.
Then and only then will you be able to determine if it is worth the time, and $ to fix. It's amazing what you can find when the frame is stripped bare.


Because it's a Rally 180 it will probably be worth it to fix.

I used to have the same bike. It was also a 1969 original 180 Rally but it was a true European model without oil injection. I sold it this summer for $3200.00

Rallys are hardly ever bodge jobs. What did the seller say about the funny bits? They've gotta have an explanation.

Agreed, that's why I overlooked the rubber floor mat and drove out to look at it. Seller claims it was restored/painted here in the US by a popular scooter parts company that also does restorations (I'm being intentionally vague because I can't confirm the info, and I don't wanna disparage anyone based on hearsay).

looks like one of a batch of bikes that came over from Italy a while back, they were all badly painted silver or gray and were pretty high mileage. I've known several people who bought them and they seemed to work out ok but I'd expect to see rust under the paint

AGREED.


rallys are never bodge jobs, i would pick it up if the price is right.
and im in tx too....

Well, never say never, it doesn't have to be from Vietnam or Indo or India to be a bodge job. Plenty of homegrown and Italian jobs out there, too. I seriously question a bike any time I see one where someone has painted over grommets and cables. That is just so rediculously lazy (and cheap) that it throws everything else into question.

exactly --

if someone didn't go the extra mile for the PAINT!!!?

what else didn't they do up to snuff?

people-

it's a buyers market!!

don't spend money on something that needs to be sand blasted, when you can get a solid scooter with a reputable work history form a trusted enthusiast.....