Modern Vespa

So I've been asking quite a few times about different bikes let me ask about this one.

Found on CL:

This is a Vintage Vespa ripe for Restoration. Most, if not all the parts are readily available.

It it hard to read the VIN number, but it looks like I read that it is a VBA1T or a VBA1M.


that was their post (with an email and a link to scooterhelp's page about the vba1t engine....

Pics are of an rust bucket.

Would I be insane for offering like $200 if its non-running/not complete (its been sitting on CL for about a month and the email address is for a vespa dealership)

I'm willing to work up from the 200 but 1100 seems STEEP for a rust bucket that I'm assuming is not running or complete.

any thoughts on how to start talking with them?

no mileage given yet. But should I just go in extremly low ball and see what they say?

If its not running not complete fully rusted - what would be a good price (as in MY MAX for THIS scoot)?

$1,100?



personally, my max price would be "pass."

would this be your first vintage scooter?

I would def. pass on the 1100...

but how could I start to talk to these people...they don't even know what they have.

Tell them what I would have to do to it, how much it would cost to make it worth 1100 and say since I'm doing all that work...I'll buy it for scrap price?

I want to get a cheap scooter that I can then get to my style.

I wish I never sold my old blue badge but I did and I'm looking for a project...but I don't want to pay the price they are looking for.

If its not topical rust can it NOT be salvaged as far as I'm concerned?

Sounds like I'd probably pass on this.

Unless you were using this for a parts scoot... it's not worth it to get deep into a rough restoration project, unless it's something really rare/valuable. Especially since the value/image of the VBAs, VBBs & VBCs has taken a hit from the influx of scoots from Vietnam.

That being said, if you LOVE the styling of the VBAs, and have a good amount of money to sink into the project... go for it. I just wouldn't bank on being able to get your money back out of it when it comes time to sell.

Just my 2 cents. Good luck!

NO.

I had a 66 allstate small frame (blue badge)

it would be my first TOTAL restoration. But I did alot of mechanical work on that thing - just no paint electircal stuff

(like rebuilt carb, took apart the cylinder all that jazz)

this would be my first "shit scoot" that I'm trying to make beautiful.

I think it sounds like a PASS even at 200, but it's hard to tell without pics. I mean, surface rust doesn't scare me. But holes... yucky

Def nowhere even in the ballpark of 1100

pass

I'm by all means not looking to make money off of the scoot.
I'm looking for a fixer-uper that I then ride till I'm sick of.

I don't have TON of money to shell out into this thus I would want to not pay 1100.


Perhaps I'll offer minmal money and not have a very high max.

pics are here

I know its a cl site so it will expire but I can't post pics otherwise (kinda dumb right now)

http://albany.craigslist.org/mcy/1871555901.html

For posterity's sake... Here's the content of the post: IMHO, if it's been posted for a while - and now that I'm reading the posting it says that the "dealer" that's offering it... they wouldn't sell it to you for a really lowball offer. Even so, if they did, you'd be getting yourself into a pretty big project.

I emailed them with some questions (running or not)

got an email "call me at XXXXXXXXXX"

called...left a message...we'll see.

I'm not emotionlly tied into this.

If its "kinda running" I might say I'd venture out that way to view it and 200 would be my MAX unless its in better shape than it looks

if its not running(siezed), has holes, or missing things other than fabric/cowls walk away

I know a couple people that would be able too hook me up with left over seats/cowls, grips, etc for basically the cost of a beer so that stuff doesn't scare me.

And if the body looks ok (not rusted through I would probaly leave it as such and name it "Tetanus"

Thanks for your help guys Its getting frustrated, seems as though everyone in New England an NY think their barn finds are gold!

He says its been sitting so not running.

He said the vin is pretty much worn out (not sure what is suppopsed to mean) and can not figure out vin

Engine moves freely with no seizing...

ignored all my questions about negotiations on a price....did offer to crate it up for me and ship it to me for a small fee after they've received payment....

I'll keep hounding and not get too sad if it doesn't happen....if I get it for cheap (starting bid will be 50 bucks with "this is pretty much scrap") and see what comes back and I'll just be ready to walk away.

Really think you're pursuing this one too hard. There are better bikes out there and I think there is no way they will go from 1100 down to 200. Not if they've diligently kept it up so long at that price and not if they ignored your hints at negotiation.

Keep looking for a smaller project being sold my someone who isn't delusional is my 4 p

probably true...

sad...but true.



I've sent an email saying "I can do this much" and I'll leave it at that...walk if he's not biting.

If the winter comes he might be more interested in getting rid of it - and If I didn't find anything yet to work on in the cold nights I'll email and say "did it sell...my offer still stands"


other than that. I'm considering it a dead cause.

Thanks for your fair warnings!

Wait till the end of the month when his bills are due to get the best price as desperation sets in LOL

yeah I have a couple bikes that are looking like that tactic might work.

This particular bike has been sitting...obviously. It was going to be a restoration project for him (he's a vintage collector/restorer who also is set up now to be a vespa dealer to "sell the new bikes to make money for the vintage ones" He budged down to 900 and said its as low as he'll go. I really don't think he'll budge as he said "the first bike I bought was for 600 and that didn't have any tires or a speedo or cables. my response was the tires that this are coming from are rotted so it basically doesn't have tires either...you can't prove the speedo is working...and based off of the masive rust I'm betting for sure the cables will have to be replaced - this is jut to get it on the road can you budge a couple hundred?...he wouldn't even budge to 600 knowing he's giving me the same kind of bike. He might budge when the winter hits and NO ONE is buying scoots and he's stuck with inventory but at the same time he might just sit on it and restore it himself.


One was a 1981 50special. Asking 1500+ he is firm at the 1500 since he bought the bike for 1100 and put 400 into the bike and said 'its vintage I shouln't loose money on the bike I need to get my money back' aka he doesn't know what he has and just because its old it must be worth lots of money - he posted that he's selling due to an injury and "its going to go fast" I talked to him a couple weeks ago and he's reposting every day with nicer an nicer pics...but the pics only show more and more rust...The photos are better quality not the scoot.

I think once winter comes he def. won't want to sit on it...who knows.

I think come October if its they aren't sold I'll give them another offer and if he doesn't take it wait till Just around thanksgiving and give him the same offer. By ythanksgiving they will be ready for cash esp the 50 as he thought it would sell instantly

I agree, I would be patient. Guess it couldn't hurt to keep an eye on those but they are both too high (and it seems like they are pretty firm anyway). Heck there have been Primaveras popping up for around 2K which are at better starting places than that 50. I even got my SS project for less than that VBA. Have patience.

EDIT: check this out for example:
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/mcy/1917479352.html

Primavera for $1000. Say you get it shipped for $500. Still a better deal than that 50 I'd venture.