Modern Vespa

OK....

I've been scouring CL and what not for a project bike.

My last couple finds I've been told to stay away based off of price vs condition.

What would be acceptable price range for a complete bike?

I know certain years/models are more valuable than others...but why would 500 for a bike that rusted but mostly complete (non running) still be TOO much? yet all the sellers in the New England area are asking 1000+?

Any thoughts/help/suggestions?

I would love a small frame if anyone has one or any leads but at this point I just want to get working on anything vintage.

Depending on condition $500 could be too much because you could find a better bike and not do too much work or have to replace (or obtain) as many parts. If a bike has not been running for a while it will cost you $3-500 regardless to get it into safe operating conidition. (tires, tubes, cables, lights). Keep that in mind.

Decide on the bike you like and then do your research. Best price indicator in my mind in Ebay completed items listings. Once you get a feel for what htings go for you should be ready to pull the trigger.

The problem is I know what I want...but I can't seem to find it very often (a 125 small frame in my area)

So I've decided to just find a bike and if people say "go for it" I'll go for it.

I do like the p200e's and hear great things and like the extra umph with that motor and could pop on the highway around here (not expressway) but again I seem to only find them fully restored and yadda yadda yadda "I want 2k minimum" I want a bike that is mine...that I rescued...not someone else.

I had posted "barn find-worthwhile" go look at those pics...bike was not that color origionlly an is pretty much fully rusted. Complete but rusted and just waiting for someone to get tetanus. He wanted 1100 and he could barely make out the model no paperwork what so ever. everyone said stay away and so I decided to unless its a couple months from now and he's willing to accept $200 for it - which I know he won't.

Then I found this one in Jersey...a basket case!

this is the CL posting

"two scooters one mid 70's Allstate small frame.
one mid 50's Vespa 125. complete but bad condition. front end is off a large frame. has gas tank. battery box and bottom of center frame rotted out.
650 or BO no titles
More work than I wanted to put into it. Owned 10 years but never took out of storage.
Was going to use the Allstate front end on the Vespa.

If you respond via email. I check it infrequently best bet is to call
please put scooter in the email heading. "


I'm thinking scrap the rusted out one (sell it to a junk yard use what I can on the small frame which appeared to have minimal rust but nothing more than a frame and headset/front end. Offer him $200 and see what comes of it.

here are pics

no small frames in that deal, that's a widemount and an Allstate VBB largeframe

Seriously, unless you have boatloads of money and time, avoid scooters like those, as there are few usefull parts left. There is very little part interchangeability between widemounts, largeframes and smallframes.

Do a bunch more research on the bike you want to build. If you don't know much about the bikes, you are much better off finding a complete, running bike.

If you want to have the experience of restoring a scoot, just do it. Just understand going in that you're most likely not going to make money by fixing up and selling it. If you're OK with that, then do it. The only way to break even is to find one of the more desirable models. But you pay more for them so it's a gamble. The one's I've restored were done because I wanted to keep them and have a nice, reliable scoot when I was done. If I decided to sell, I know I'd lose money on it. And I'm OK with it.

I agree with Mike. Find a complete running project. There are scots out there that look like ____, and could use a little work here. This might be a better starting point. If money or time is no obstacle...go for a basket case.

Agree with the above guys- find an ugly P200E and play with it enough to get it running then start fixing the obvious needs before you strip it down for a full restore.

I'm still in that process with mine, and the great part is I have a running scoot that is completely usable if not somewhat unattractive. The good news is that an ugly P200 seems to get it's share of approving nods as well.

Find something that won't break the bank and have a blast.

Agreed. That's been my experience. You might have to pay a little more up front for a good running model but it's worth it in the long run. Once you have a decent daily rider that is dependable, then you can go for a "fixer upper" project bike, because after all, it's not just about restoration but riding.

Also, I would like to suggest you read the Bodge thread hear on the Board. In RI. there are a great deal of unsafe scoots.. I don't know if Java speed is still in Biz. but they are a good resource in Providence.

Java speed is no more - sadly.

I do have a daily rider. and I did work on a running fix-er-upper. For some reason EVERYONE is trying to make money off scooters - EXCEPT for me!

I really don't care if I buy and when its fixed up it cost me 3k total and then I can only get 1k for it... I'm not looking to sell my scoots, I'm looking to ride them and enjoy them.

But when I'm finding basket cases that are running for about 200 bucks LESS than a running scooter (same model) whats the deal?!""

For instance I found an early 80s model P200e (restored for around 2k) I found a completly torn apart early 80s P200e (in another state) and they were asking 1600 and the engine needed a full rebuild due to a seize!

I am looking for a bike that I put together/fix up and make it my own.

I am NOT looking to find a bike to sell and try to make money off of...so why does everyone want the same amount of money for a bike thats in pieces!

Some people have an unrealistic idea of what their stuff is worth. Did you see this one?

http://scoot.net/classifieds/forsale.html?id=23167

I thought about this one myself.

There you go heres a nice deal...that didn't take long.. see if he has any paperwork..

I did see it...and have tired to contact a couple times...but never got back to me....

FWIW, if you hang in there and research heavily, you'll find what you want. It just takes patience. I've got projects that I love and make sense financially, and I've got others that were just a result of Vespa fever and I wish I could go back in time and not mess with.

I understand that you don't care if you get your money out of it, and thats great, I wish everybody had that attitude as its the only realistic one. However, some projects, even when they're only $400 or something, are still not worth it because they are missing impossible to find parts or the frame is too far gone or whatever.

For me its about narrowing down to a couple models I want and having a price range and sticking to it. Everytime I've broken that rule and bought something b/c it seemed to good to pass up, I've regretted it. A project is great, but a garage full of half-vespas that won't ever get finished is a pain.

Good luck!