Modern Vespa

There’s always possibility that he doesn’t know what he’s talking about.

I'm guessing he's just shortened the Grand Luxe to "GL".

There were 3 special edition Sportiques from 61, the Supreme painted silver, the Grand Luxe painted gold, and just before the end of Douglas production in 65 the Grand Tourer, painted metallic maroon. Not many of any of them about.

Very good point. Let's assume that it's a Sportique Grand Luxe, so potentially a nice scooter, and one that probably does not belong in this thread

So, what would you say the "bodge" era is? 1956-1969? It seems like 90% of them are described as 63, 64, 65.

I mean, if it's a 1971, can you assume that you are "in the clear"? What about for example, an '83, when they were no longer imported into the US?

Thanks in advance.

Now I'm no expert on the delights that can be found on the US shores, but I have read all of this thread with interest. I would say it's more specific models than age. 1956 is back to wideframes, so not that far back. Sure you see people advertising VBB's with open handlebars, and low lights as mid 50's models for lots of money. But if your going to spend the money without a bit of research, well, so be it.

The US bodges mostly seem to be VBB, Sprint, Super, the odd GL. Usually early to late 60's. Mostly from SEA, though not all. All the tell tale signs are well documented here by the good to inform the the wary buyer.

I'm sure my learnt peers will correct me. if I've made any error.

Here in the UK we don't get many SEA imports, a few bogus companies have cropped up over the years offering restored Vespa's, and have vanished after making a few quid.

What we do get is early 70's Bajaj's pretending to be Italian Supers, Sprints, and Sprint Veloces.

So there may very well be Bodges well after 1971, if any of these thing have started to come your way.

In the US, it's interesting.

The import bikes apparently have a big market. They are most of what you see for sale here.

And they'll be for sale for a fortune, because the buyer was convinced they were rare and valuable. Or they are falling apart after sitting for a couple of years (with 100 miles on a new speedo), and still a fortune.

The US never had a ton of Vespas, but they almost all had a similar life. Someone bought one on impulse and rode it for a summer or two, or dropped it once, and let it sit for decades. It's rare to find one with more than 10,000 miles.

So big difference with American market bikes and ones from SE Asia, which had much more active lives.

Friend texted me a picture of a scooter she spotted in an antique store in Red Lodge, MT. Said it made her think of me.


Told her I was horribly insulted.

Price was $4999

Yes, I can just barely see that on the price tag.

I don't think people really appreciate how much it costs too add a legshield glovebox to a scooter that wasn't designed for one.

not to mention 10 lbs of bondo adds up if you use it on each bike

I don't even know what to make of this one. What is it?

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/155239489932718/

Vintage Vespa for sale. Been kept in a shed for 25 years and owner passed away. I don't know much about it.

I believe to be from the 60s maybe early 70s. Has no title or keys. Comes with a spare tire. Chrome in good condition and all parts there.

I can provide a bill of sale. I am asking $1500 OBO

(pics from Facebook don't seem to work)

It’s not a Sprint… looks like some 50s something that somebody modded. If it was nearby I’d take a look at it.

Another sidecar. And another '65:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/174880832938

Sure it is

https://www.ebay.com/itm/324742228855

I don't know whether or not this is real, but I can just smell the fresh silver spray paint on those wheels.

Plus, I love all the shit in the yard.

That's a pretty straight PX150E by the looks of it. Sure it's overpriced but not a bodge, at least not one from SEA

It looks like a freshly rattle canned P to me.

I want his PX speedo for my bike

SC has brought some "repops" but from the photos they look terrible. Unfortunately, they're "unobtainium" nowadays. Found me a NOS one last year in Sweden. The only Italian part between hundreds of Japanese motorcycle parts. And I got it for 45€ (including shipping)...

https://www.scooter-center.com/en/speedometer-premium-vespa-oe-105mm-px-lusso-t5-classic-my-2001-2011-120km/h-black-also-suitable-for-vespa-pk50/80-s-lusso-pk-xl-pk125-ets-3334070?number=3334070

Mine looks worse, but speedo king says he can renew it, he has a few for parts, they are rare over here.

I'll be braking apart my "Ratty" black PX for another project. I can send you the speedo, it just needs a new "glass" and bezel. It's in great shape inside. The "glass" is now worse than in the photo. It has turned yellow from the sun...





Last edited by SaFiS on Wed Aug 11, 2021 1:04 pm; edited 1 time in total

wow cool!!!!!!! I will PM you my address and you can figure out some shipping cost, which may not be cheap but is sure to be worth it

Possible new candidate....



https://cosprings.craigslist.org/mpo/d/colorado-springs-1969-vespa-sprint-150/7368586047.html

Who are we to argue with a $0.75 sticker?

You don't know that sticker wasn't made in Italy!

It's not written in ITALICS an obvious fake.

1963 Vespa 150
classic vintage motor scooter in original blue color




What is this? LML motor looks like.



263 or 239 miles, which is it and Indo headset?

EBay here: https://www.ebay.com/itm/154617740640

Tunnel looks a bit fishy???

Don't think that's a proper bodge honestly. It was definitely in an accident and the frame is bent though

An interesting article from scootering magazine about "Nammers"...

https://www.scootering.com/what-went-wrong-in-saigon/

(Possibly except the bit on Saigon Scooter Shop)

Here's a creative one

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/196157165922293/

I want some yellow boots.

Wow, thanks!
A lot like Cuba, with their keep these rides running attitude.
Big point about Vespas coming from SEA:
They weren't designed to ride in that climate. That's the deal break issue with those bikes, not the cheap thingys they put on 'em.
Corrosion

That thing goes right past bodge and into parody.

We bought a bunch from [redacted] a few years ago and put them on all f our club bikes as a gag. Remarkably enough, those suckers are durable. I've had a pair on one of my bikes for gotta be 6 years now. Used and abused, no less.

That's funny. I was thinking along those same lines.

Saw this today at my mechanic's place. That thing could snap in half, with what little must be left underneath all that fluff.

1965 VESPA 150 SCOOTER, DELUXE AND COMPLETELY RESTORED
Condition:Used
Time left:Time left:4d 07h | Friday, 9:00PM
Current bid:
US $1,525.00 [ 9 bids ]
Reserve not met



Better hurry! Bidders are bidding!

LINKY