OP
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Hooked
1952 Allstate, 1955 VL1, 1953 VM1, GL 150
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Hooked
1952 Allstate, 1955 VL1, 1953 VM1, GL 150
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Posts: 187
UTC quote
If you were going to restore a scooter as close to the original condition, besides the obvious engine rebuild, body paint, etc., what else gets done?

What parts get powdercoated?

What gets chromed?

What gets polished?

What gets painted?

Just planning for the future and trying to get my resources together.

Thanks,
JK
@adastra avatar
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'74 Rally, '66 SS180, '64 GSmk2, & a mess of smallies.
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@adastra avatar
'74 Rally, '66 SS180, '64 GSmk2, & a mess of smallies.
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Location: lawrence, ks
UTC quote
What bike are you talking about, that would help a great deal.

But in a more general sense:

Nothing gets powdercoated. Headlights and taillights get chromed/polished as well as metal switch covers, horns and so on. Some bikes have painted hubs, rims and forks. This is extremely general though. If you really wanna go anorak you're going to need to do a lot of research.

The Vespa Technica books are an extremely good resource if you want to acheive a true restoration, and not a rebuild. There is also lots of this sort of detail, at least on Sport models and rarish bikes in the archives of the Scooterist BBS, and if it is a piston ported, the Yahoo group on that subject is extremely useful, those guys are very detail oriented.
OP
UTC

Hooked
1952 Allstate, 1955 VL1, 1953 VM1, GL 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 187
 
Hooked
1952 Allstate, 1955 VL1, 1953 VM1, GL 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 187
UTC quote
I'm working on a GS 150 V5.

Been trying to organize the parts into groups, so when it comes time to finish those parts I can drop off all of them at once.

I am assuming that this is the book that you were recommending:

http://www.scooterworks.com/Book-Vespa-Tecnica-Vol-2-P1914.aspx

Thanks for the heads up on the yahoo group. Wish the navigation was a bit better.

Thanks,
JK
@killo avatar
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I have a few scooters....
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@killo avatar
I have a few scooters....
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Location: San Antonio, TX
UTC quote
The only items that can really benefit from powder coating are the rims and hubs. They'll survive without rusting longer. Everything else is painted with few exceptions. Mirrors and racks tend to be chromed. So unless you're into the the Mod scene, less is more.
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'74 Rally, '66 SS180, '64 GSmk2, & a mess of smallies.
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UTC quote
Yeah, to clarify, I'm a fan of powdercoating. i like rims, hubs, centerstands and forks, BUT if you're going for restoration, not rebuild, then nothing will get p/c'd.
@bar_italia_classics avatar
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Molto Verboso
1974 Rally 200, 1977 Rally 200, 1958 LD125 Mk III, 1965 S.S. 180 and on and on
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Molto Verboso
@bar_italia_classics avatar
1974 Rally 200, 1977 Rally 200, 1958 LD125 Mk III, 1965 S.S. 180 and on and on
Joined: UTC
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Location: Van Nuys, CA
UTC quote
Killo wrote:
The only items that can really benefit from powder coating are the rims and hubs. They'll survive without rusting longer. Everything else is painted with few exceptions. Mirrors and racks tend to be chromed. So unless you're into the the Mod scene, less is more.
As stated earlier, nothing is powdercoated on an original condition vintage scooter.

And it's extremely general to say that everything else is painted. Levers are painted? Floor rails are painted? And (as seen in another thread) selector box covers and kickstart levers are painted?

Get the Tecnica book that corresponds with your scooter. Not everything is exactly correct in those books, but it's closer than you're gonna get asking in a forum such as this.

We love doing stock restorations, and it's for this reason that we're such sticklers about doing them right. Just do a little homework, get your ducks in order and you can have a sweet stock GS on your hands.
@killo avatar
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I have a few scooters....
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Location: San Antonio, TX
 
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@killo avatar
I have a few scooters....
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Posts: 2229
Location: San Antonio, TX
UTC quote
Bar Italia Classics wrote:
Killo wrote:
The only items that can really benefit from powder coating are the rims and hubs. They'll survive without rusting longer. Everything else is painted with few exceptions. Mirrors and racks tend to be chromed. So unless you're into the the Mod scene, less is more.
As stated earlier, nothing is powdercoated on an original condition vintage scooter.

And it's extremely general to say that everything else is painted. Levers are painted? Floor rails are painted? And (as seen in another thread) selector box covers and kickstart levers are painted?

Get the Tecnica book that corresponds with your scooter. Not everything is exactly correct in those books, but it's closer than you're gonna get asking in a forum such as this.

We love doing stock restorations, and it's for this reason that we're such sticklers about doing them right. Just do a little homework, get your ducks in order and you can have a sweet stock GS on your hands.
OK. I'm assuming a LITTLE bit of scoot knowlege here. There are pics all over this board for reference. But yeah, what he said.
OP
UTC

Hooked
1952 Allstate, 1955 VL1, 1953 VM1, GL 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 187
 
Hooked
1952 Allstate, 1955 VL1, 1953 VM1, GL 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 187
UTC quote
Sorry I guess I was a vague. The only reason that I am asking is that I have been gathering the info, but it is scattered all over the place. So was hoping to get a cohesive list together. Maybe others could benefit also.

I'll check out that text, but for $100 I was a bit reluctant.

From what I gather the aluminum parts that can be polished are:
Clutch/Brake levers
Floor rails/end caps
Cowl Latch
Helmet/Bag Hook
Steering Lock
Horn/light switch (aluminum on GS I believe)
Hub Cap
Brake Light
Rear Brake Pedal/&Switch
Kickstart

Chromed:
Head light bezel
Horn
Fender Trim
Speedo Bezel

Stainless Polish:
legshield trim
Rims
Hub Cap Nut Cover

I am unclear as to what people do with the hub, steering column/fork, damper&spring, flywheel cover, and kickstand.

Please correct me if I am wrong about any of this and thanks.

JK
OP
UTC

Hooked
1952 Allstate, 1955 VL1, 1953 VM1, GL 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 187
 
Hooked
1952 Allstate, 1955 VL1, 1953 VM1, GL 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 187
UTC quote
Forgot to add swing arm to this list.

"I am unclear as to what people do with the hub, steering column/fork, damper&spring, flywheel cover, and kickstand."

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