Modern Vespa

That little shop in El Monte has been selling cheap shit chinese bikes for a while, and apparently not doing so hot, only over the past couple weeks have I seen them importing anything older than brand new, so anything and everything they've got, I'm EXTREMELY skeptical.

They used to just be advertising "Vespa styling" on bikes with no warranty, or anything.

These days I dont even know what to trust, sO i bought a new Vespa instead.

Yeah, I know they were catching some heat for selling Vietnam bikes not too long ago. I know the owner of that shop, and don't understand why he is selling Vietnam bikes. He sells non-asian bikes too, though.....

Here is the type of bodge ad that pisses me off - when they say things like "original paint" to confuse buyers. It is obviously a bodge to the trained eye, but not so obvious to the casual observer. The seller knows of course, which is why they make a big stink about being Italian.

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/mcy/3611578727.html

http://annapolis.craigslist.org/mcy/3603946521.html

"Shifting is done by rotating the left grip, clutch is right grip lever. "

REALLY???

"Electric starter doesn't work but kick start works great. "

Ohhhhh TOO BAD!!!

$4700!??!!

Ciao Ciao baby!

WOW

5k for that beaut....................what a steal.

So bodgey.

http://harrisburg.craigslist.org/mcy/3541881815.html

Yuck...

Bodgeriffic.

Awesome description too.

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/mcy/3615803563.html

Thats great! "Absolutely flawless, totally restored"

and the best one "I've been into scooters for 50 years, so this isn't being sold by some kid:

.... yeah, it's being sold by someone who is either a liar, or should know better.

ugh.

the kickstart lever is hanging down like a testicle. gross. f-ing heap.

Thats about as fresh from Vietnam as they get. Great deal at 4k only needs a title!

So, not having seen any of these in person I was kind of skeptical. How bad could it be?

I picked up an old engine for parts yesterday. When the guy dragged the box out of the shed he was saying it was an LML, but we got to looking and it said Piaggo all over and had a VBB serial number. Something about a bike from Viet Nam was muttered. The cylinder casting looked a little bit dicey and there were these incredibly thick, plasticy gaskets, but I just needed some parts out of it. I removed all the case studs and after prolonged persuasion of the incredibly sticky gasket split the cases.

OMFG!! Every mating surface appears to have been dressed with a wood rasp (thus necessitating the monster gaskets), it looks like it's been converted to a three-port engine through the use of a cold chisel, every tapped hole is either oversized or has been sleeved with one of three different metals, the valve surface on the crank appears to have been built up with weld and ground down, and the crank is twisted. (That's what seized and put it in a box in the shed.) The big end bearing appears to have some copper shims driven into it to eliminate play and the crank bearing is missing half of the cage to hold the balls. The retaining studs appear to have been cut down from larger motorcycle studs (so they fit the oversized holes in the case.)

I am horrified and amazed. It is a testament to both human ingenuity and shallowness.

At least I have a good source of materials for our rally trophies.

People should start importing 57' Chevys from Cuba as soon as Castro passes.

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/mcy/3622677922.html

Shined up turd, anyone?

hehe........."no trades or tatoos"

Any thoughts?

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/mcy/3611578727.html

.........................................No and no.

Yep, that's straight from Vietnam. AND, that paint and seat are not original, you can bet on it.

BTW - I've notice that whenever someone is selling a bodge, they make a big deal about saying it is Italian.

Yea. Words like Italian, all original, vintage....

and "EVERYTHING IS GRATE CONDITION!"

I did notice the grammar challenge.

Bodge or not?

http://santabarbara.craigslist.org/mcy/3619786891.html

The stand looks perfectly old and I like the 4 lug wheel. My screen is small so that's all I'll say.

I say not.

Trying to learn more about this, I see eight inch wheels and a rusty tank (gas spill ate the paint) so I figure it's not.

Other than the floor-mat, what has you worried?

It looks legit to me. Not a bad deal either...

looks good to me. only thing to worry about is if the floor mats could be to hide a rotten floor

Bodge?

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/mcy/3569837752.html

Hmmm...looking at chrome in all the wrong places,two-tone paint,only missing the yellow boots...

Yes. Stay away.

I think it's important to grab a photo or two. Folk may look at this thread and only see a bunch of expired listings.....

Don't buy this.

Cheers

Hey, isn't that an old country tune?

Bodge or not?

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/mcd/3636812899.html

looks ok from the pics, but those racks have to go! the seat is wrong too, but looks comfy.

and there is something about that front mud guard.

$2,200 is a decent price, but I would want a test drive and look at the engine and carb.

Thanks. I agree on those racks - wow, are they ... visible.

You could fit a small child in the space behind that front rack... maybe that's what it's designed for!

you're right G!

Ill just leave this here...



http://sandiego.craigslist.org/esd/mcy/3637493756.html

It's the line, close to museum quality that gets me.




Rob