Modern Vespa

I think the american definition of a bodge is completely different to the British definition...

Here's the column, I changed the upper and lower bearings yesterday actually, there was a play on the lower bearing before changing it, thought I might see something strange when looking at it closely but it's all good. So far all is good. I'll keep updating as I work on it. Using it daily, nothing really abnormal happened, yet, for a 55-year-old ride.

Milwaukee bodge? $5,000...



https://milwaukee.craigslist.org/mcy/d/milwaukee-vespa/7135389431.html

Going to look at this one, central Portugal, supposedly restored. I'm new to Vespa, What can you pro's glean from this one based on these pics? Thanks!

From the photos looks like a nice 66 or later square badge smallframe. Appears to have had the speedo replaced and had had the two piece chrome legshield trim installed.
I suggest you take a magnet with you to check for excessive filler on the chassis.
Also be sure to check the underside and open the saddle to check inside of tank with a flashlight.
Pull the plastic tool box that is under the seat and check that area with flashlight.
Open the engine side door and check under the frame for rust.
Be sure the motor is cold and see how it starts.
Overall it looks nice and smallies are a delight to ride as long as you understand a 3 speed 90 which this looks like are not speed demons. But they can be made to go much quicker depending on your budget.

Lambretta bodge?
https://madison.craigslist.org/mcy/d/windsor-1957-lambretta-125-ld-scooter/7180910800.html

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2383886941917643

I sent him a message.

oooh. That one looks treacherous.

Giraffe, Special Edition...

https://www.ebay-kleinanzeigen.de/s-anzeige/vespa-150-kultroller-klassiker/1491565348-305-9095

Ach du Lieber! Was ist mit der Halse los?

Die Bulletlichten gefällt mir aber sehr...

https://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/mcy/d/tacoma-1966-vespa-super150/7175650635.html No title?
$5,000?
No thanks

1966 Vespa restored?

I know that bike ain't 'right'... but the floor and tunnel seem so damn straight. Can see perfect seams in the right places. Also... no tool box or glovebox lid rubbers. And a Corsa Mark III seat (with weird studs).

Wish I'd seen the actual ad and other photos.

If this is actually a SEA bodge then the only thing giving it away is the style. Take the bling off this one and you really couldn't tell.

Like how is the floor and tunnel so straight? How hard would it be to get it this straight with filler? I mean most of them - they hide it under mats or you can tell by the frame tunnel. Looking back through the thread... I do see there is the odd example of bodges with very perfect looking floors and tunnels. The silver vbb with brown seats that wbdvt posted for example. I mean it is so damn straight looking under the whack bling.

I can only assume these basically just left the crates they arrived in...

Like how are they getting them looking that clean? Imagine if they went for an original restoration look with this level of finishing skill. Make it so hard to tell.

Hi all, just looking for some advice please guys. Could you tell me if either of these two scooters are bodge jobs or if they look legit. Looking to relive my youth but after doing some research I'm terrified of buying a heap of crap. Thanks in advance for your help.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/vespa-vbb-spares-or-repairs/324316530704?hash=item4b82c58810:g:lrQAAOSwf2hfdj7L

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1961-Vespa-Vbb-150-italian/303705966467?hash=item46b6494783:g:XWcAAOSwIQBfb2f~

Hi.

Regarding the first one (all red), the pictures are terrible. So out of focus and lo-res it's hard to make a good assessment. That said, here's my take:

It has a number of pieces that are wrong for this scooter, but they could just be shoddy repairs, or what's-available parts tacked on at various points in its history. Examples, the center mat, the rear brake pedal, the speedo, the horn casing, the bolts for the center stand, the legshield trim. The tail light is unusual in that it's chromed, but it's the right configuration, though the IT version had a red brake light lens. Overall, I don't think it's a bodge, but my guess is that it'll need a lot of time and potentially money to get in good shape. (No idea about the motor, shocks, front end, etc. - a lot could be lurking in there.)

Regarding the second one (red and white), the fender is not correct for a '61 VBB. I can't completely tell, but it's possible the headset isn't either. A '61 VBB headset is very curvy and bulbous. The motor's been modified, but can't tell to what extent. I don't think it's a bodge, either, but like the first one it's had some questionable modifications/parts tacked on.

The next test is to actually inspect them in person, and if you can, go for a short ride. If the body on either is straight and clean, the motor runs well, and you don't mind sorting out the mods, either might be a good project.

Thanks for the reply. With the red and white one, should the fender be one piece? Looks like that one has a seam down the middle. I'm thinking it might be more straight forward than the red one.

Biggest issue is test runs not really an option. Both are 9hrs drive away.

Short answer, yes. No seam, and curvier, among other things. It's from a different model scooter.

9 hrs is tough. If you're really dying to get back on a scooter, acknowledge the risks and such, and can afford to take the $ loss (pretend that's a pound)... Again, I don't think either are bodges, just some dodginess but not getting to ride will leave the frame, motor, handling a mystery until it shows up at your door.

They are both a bit suss imo. First one has what is probably a Bajaj headset with some kind of odd chrome bit around it. The wings emblem could be a sign of it's former life or a genuine accessory.

Second one... run away. It has a number of the classic signs, but none more clear that the ignition key just near the bag hook. Not only should it not be there, the Viet "restorers" are the only ones who do this.

I find that one way of asking for a scooter's history is to innocently ask "do you have the import papers?".

Thank you guys. I think I might just give these two a body swerve and bide my time until something else comes up.

Thanks for your help.

It gets said again and again, but joining a club is a good way to find scooters for sale. Also plenty of facebook groups where legitimate scooters are sold and never make it to ebay etc. Good luck.

Pretty much agree with SEA.

That first one is so weird. Wtf is with that speedo??? And so much random trim extras. They say imported from India so might explain the styling? The fact it's not ridden would worry me. Could be something ok hiding under it all - but not likely and high risk.

The second one is odd too. Original VBBs don't have batteries that I know of The mudguard trim top but looks PX so lying there too. The headset looks ok to me.

Both have had some weird stuff done to them. Don't look Viet/Indo tho. Might have some Asian aftermarket parts - like the racks and seats. Just so hard to tell.

The percentage of wack bodge weirdness keeps going up and there are more de-bodged ones now. Add to that some people seem to like the look and may be adding wack to legit scooters. The game gets harder all the time.

Are there many bodges in the UK and Europe? We know the US, Aus and NZ are crawling with them... but I'm under the impression that UK and Europe seem to have better ratios.

Totally agree with Ginch - best to buy from someone you can trust if possible. Tricky times.

Yes, a lot in the UK, with many unsuspected owners and they are still being sold by some companies...

A few examples here...

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/

I'm not actually too bothered about a bit of customising with bits of trim, crash bars etc, I think that's just personal choice, I'm more concerned about buying something unsafe and bodged together that will look terrible in 6 months time.

Any thoughts on this one?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/193673093368

👍or👎

Perfect example of a bodge. All kinds of wrongs on it...

That one was a Grade A Bodge.

I get where you're coming from. I was in your same position not that long ago, but seriously, the best way to get a vintage scooter is to get to know others in your area who ride them. Make connections, and then you'll need to be patient. People do sell from time to time for a variety of reasons, and then you'll get a scooter from someone you know, and you can have confidence that it's a good buy. Took me two years.

Thanks for all your replies and advice, I promise I'll stop bothering you soon! Just one more to look at then I promise that's it......until I find another one😂

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/164420216579

Cheers.

On the hunt for a local club, fingers crossed. Not sure I have the patience to wait 2 years though!!

Welcome to the forum JKR - You won't have to wait for two years. That smallie looks nice, but is that what you want? Different design - check out the cowls. So the first thing is check out all the different types of Vespas out there, and which one looks appealing (maintenance, speed, etc), then start the hunt.

Good luck - I KNOW you'll end up with a scooter that is just perfect for you!

Thanks for the reality check qascooter👍. I'm just a sucker for a good looking Vespa. They all appeal in their own way but I definitely prefer the curvier models.

Looks genuine. You are far less likely to find a smallframe bodge from SEA as there were not many sold there. And a Primavera is an excellent path back in to scooters.

Hi all, really appreciate everyone's input. I've been sent this link after contacting some scooter clubs over here. What's your thoughts? It needs some tlc but that's what I'm after if it's a good scooter. I know I have to be careful with Indian scooters but it came through a similar forum.....just looking for a second opinion. This ones not too far away but don't want a wasted journey if it's clear from the pics it's a non starter.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2560498967611623/

It's definitely not a 1970 model. That body style is early 1960s, and Douglas stopped producing Vespas in the mid-60s. Here's a link on the history of those scooters:

https://www.veteranvespaclub.com/piaggio-history/2018/12/18/new-forest-hampshire-riding-event

Is there someone in the UK forum who could spare some time to go with you to check it out? If so, let the buyer know you're really interested and arrange a time.

The Primavera is SOOO much better value than the Indian VBB that looks pretty rough.

+1 for the Primmy. They were being uncrated/assembled by dealers in the UK by 1977. Douglas was just the concessionaire/importer back then. I found a gorgeous 1978 example hiding in a garage in High Wycombe back in the late '80s, and it was a fun little scoot. They are a tuner's paradise. That two-tone burgundy scoot could well be a 1970, as Indian companies are well known for producing previous generation Vespas and Lambrettas long after production stopped in Italy.

This is almost certainly NOT an SEA bodge, but does anyone else smell a bit of a rat, given the provenance claimed? Check out the rear view photo. Those white stickers look to be applied incorrectly (and retrospectively). Could Piaggio get it this badly wrong in the factory? Nice looking scoot, but if it's had a restoration, or even just a panel repaint, it's not original and certainly not worth such strong money:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vespa-Rally-200-Scooter/324320594852?hash=item4b83038ba4:g:aHYAAOSwkydfetz1

I had to look again, I see what you mean about the stripes being lower on the right by what 25mm or so?

Even if it is a collectible right now, there's no oil in that sight glass, so unless he's pre-mixing, it won't be a collectible for long.

It's definitely not original. That looks like very new two-stage paint.

They did a pretty good job with it, but a few things that aren't original. They polished the brake pedal and floor rail caps. Used some chrome hardware, and the fender crest is this gloss black. The original ones would be a matte dark gray. There's a dent in the cowl that was painted over. The front fender looks like it has some body filler and the ricambi R in the vespa badge looks like it's missing (hard to tell, but looks that way). That's not the horn the US bikes had (but maybe bc they had a battery).

The selector box cover and flywheel have the patina the whole bike probably had. The

This is advertised through "Car and "Classic" in the Uk. Described as presentable which is ideal.
https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1275039

Bodge? Price seems favourable.