Modern Vespa

Hey guys i'm in the market for a vespa and a guy i work with knows a guy giving one away for a very very very low price. Problem is he doesn't have any keys for it at all. He has the paperwork though so I know its legit. I've ridden 50cc mopeds before and found hardwiring them pretty easy, but I'm totally new to Vespas. Would it be possible for me to rewire it myself or would it be absolutely necessary to take it to a dealer? Would i be able to take it to the dealer and get new keys or would i need paperwork? Also, how much would this cost as I am a starving student looking to spend little to no money. Is hardwiring an option because that would be practically free and instead of a key i could just make my own kill switch somehow. Thanks a lot guys these forums are very helpful and I just want to understand what options are available to me.

Could you tell us exactly what make, model & year the scooter is?

not even sure yet

but i was reading about these immobilizers where the entire cdi needs to be swapped out in order to have new keys made

isn't this the case for all vespas in the US?

It's not the case that all vespas in the U.S. have an imobilizer. You need to provide more specific information about model and year of manufacture.

-Craig

I'm not sure what the make or model is but its from around 2005. Supposedly its some top of the line model but i have no idea. I'm picking it up saturday for the low low price of FREE! So i guess i can let u guys know then.
Thanks anyway lol

If it's ~2005 timeframe it will likely have an imobilizer. I might be wrong, but I believe I heard the 50cc models didn't have one. But certainly a 150cc and larger from that timeframe will have an imobilizer. That means if you can't come up with keys, you'll need a new ignition switch lock barrel, new keys cut for the new lock barrel, and a new CDI. One of your new keys will be a red (or brown) key that is the master. It is used to program the CDI for all your other keys. It's an expensive proposition.

EDIT: And regarding your question about hardwiring... I don't believe it's really possible. My understanding is the imobilizer does it's job pretty well.

-Craig

thanks for the quick response

I saw the new cdi and ignition set on ebay for $250 and i am a mechanic so i think i can figure out how to put it in myself.

Damn that really sucks though o well i guess i can't complain. Hopefully the guy can come up with the keys


damn immobilizer

I'd put this topic under review to discuss with some other Mods but have opened it back up.

Basically, I just want to make sure that we don't provide any info that could potentially aid or encourage thieves looking for ways to run stolen scoots.

Thanks and apologies for the temporary disruption of the thread.

Yeah I'm all for that. I guess if anyone has any ideas about it they can let me know via email or private message. Riding with no key is an option for me since I'm not very worried about any type of crime or vandalism. If anyone knows about this problems or has any ideas please let me know.

Is this scoot a repo or something? I'm very curious as to how someone (your friend) loses all the keys to a scooter worth a few grand and why they would then just give it away for free.

I thought the same thing eric...was gonna flag it for that reason......

Nick-

Welcome to Modern Vespa. As you might have noticed, free Vespas without keys are not a common occurrence. At least to some folks here.

Best bet is to get it done properly. If you are competent, the dealer can provide parts only. If not, then you will have to pay the dealer. As to the dealer wanting "paperwork", wouldn't you feel better if it was difficult to thwart the modest security of your scooter once it is yours?

Coming up with a cludge job really makes no sense.

Al

I still have my doubts about this whole thing. Do you have the title to the scooter?

There's an easy way around this.

Nick, welcome to MV.

Although we are a helpful and friendly bunch, we do not provide tutorials or instructions on how to circumvent the anti-theft mechanisms on scooters.

Period.

edited for bad grammar