My Husband Has Gone To The Vespa Side!

[scura283]

About a year or so ago I was looking for a Vespa, and one popped up on Craigslist for about $1000 dollars below local market value.
The guy selling it had some medical problems and needed to sell it. Had about 400 miles on it and was like new.
2014 300 GTS Super in matt black, goes well with the Scura.

[JJ]

Have driven many scooters, but never owned one.  Several of my motorcycle buddies have threatened to make me an "outcast" if I ever bought one!!!  Might just have to get one someday!!
I especially like the vingage Vespa's!

[rider33]

I have a Vespa GT (the origional large frame modern Vespa).  Typically I keep a bike for 2-3 years but that one I've had for about 10 now and have no intention of parting with it. It is the 200cc/carb'd version of what you just picked up.  You really wouldn't think it's that engaging, I mean it tops out at something like 75MPH, has itty bitty wheels and you know, it's a scooter.  But in the city it rules: park it anywhere, get away with things that would get a larger bike impounded, it even has a little hook to carry that grocery bag home.  It's not fast by motorcycle standards but 0-50 it out accelerates most cars, 50-70 something, not so much. I like having a proper roadster for carving back country roads, the duty now assigned to the V7/50, but for bopping around in the city, nothing beats a Vespa for grins-per-gallon. And, while my Bonneville and the Vespa had all sorts of language issues, the Guzzi and the Vespa seem to have become fast friends in no time.  People who don't like scooters generally have not spent any time on one or at least a good one.  A large frame Vespa (in any of its flavors) is a really good scooter, 'enjoy.

[ramarren]

We have a new Italian in our stable!  My husband saw a '17 Titanium (matte grey) Vespa GTS 300 Super when we were visiting Santa Barbara recently and fell in love.  A few days surfing CL came up with a 2012 that was "spoken for" but he was allowed a test ride last Saturday.  The seller called him yesterday and said the deal fell through and was he still interested?  Of course he was, but he played it cool and requested a price break to bring it in line with others being offered on CL.  He got what he wanted and several extras to boot! ...

A nice looking scoot!

I've always wanted a Vespa (and even more, a Lambretta or a Moto Guzzi Galletto!) but all the motorcycles and bicycles have always gotten in the way of acquiring one. There's simply not enough room or time to enjoy them all!

Just acquired another bicycle myself ... well, it's on the way here now. A brand new 2017 Specialized Fatboy Carbon Comp just like this one:





About 26-29 lbs ... Can't wait for it to arrive!
Life is always better on two wheels... :

[JeffOlson]

My wife and I love our Vespas! She has a red one (a Sprint 150 with ABS and TC), and I have a blue one (a GTS Super 300 with ABS and TC). We love riding them together on country roads. Riding a Vespa always puts a smile on my face!

I also have a Norge. I ride the Norge when commuting 300 miles at 80 MPH in heavy traffic, with cyclonic wind blasts, or when my wife and I are riding two-up somewhere fun. I ride the Vespa when my wife and I are out for a happy jaunt and she is riding her scooter. (She much prefers her Vespa to the Triumph Bonneville motorcycle she had previously.)

When we lived in farm country a year or two ago, and my 20-mile commute could take 90 minutes each way because of the stand-still and stop-and-go Los Angeles, er, Portland, traffic, I often rode my Vespa. It is much easier to ride in that kind of traffic than my Norge.

[Toecutter]

One of my fondest memories is blasting around Greece on Vespas... roughly 20 years ago. There's something seriously fun about those things. The sheer ease of riding them, the get-on-and-go, the lack of "seriousness" in them. They're honest to goodness fun machines, and so well built. If I lived in a bigger urban centre, with an accommodating climate... I'd own one in a heartbeat.

[ohiorider]

All this conversation about Vespa scooters has me recalling riding to high school on the back of my good friend's Allstate.  I believe it was built by Piaggio, and was simply a re-badged Vespa.  It was a present from his brother-in-law, who was a Master Sergeant who ran a motor pool, and used the scooter to get around base.  Same brother in law who replaced a Pontiac straight-eight with a then-new Pontiac V8 in the family car, a 1954 Catalina two door hardtop.

All I remember is:

- foot brake for rear wheel located inside the fairing/floorboard.
- the very practical clutch/gearshift combination ... pull in clutch, twist handgrip for next gear.

We pulled the stock muffler and had Midas Muffler weld up a pipe that probably took away performance, but it gave us noise creds, at 15 and 16 years old.

My good buddy who owned the Allstate previously owned a Motobecane and later a Mustang scooter with wire wheels and a sprung swingarm, and wire wheels.

Sorry for the rant ....... just the thought of the Vespa got me to thinking about my times on two wheels almost 60 years ago, before the BSA Spitfire Scrambler showed up in my garage.

Bob

[JJ]

Real men ride VESPA's...or maybe not...

[Groover]

Yes, the Allstate scooters were rebadged Vespas, sold by Sears. Story has it that it needed to be the way for sales to happen in the US. Most Allstates were Red large frame 125cc with white rims, then there were that white smallframe models in 1966 nicknamed "bluebadge" 125cc that are now pretty highly sough after.

[JJ]

Yes, the Allstate scooters were rebadged Vespas, sold by Sears. Story has it that it needed to be the way for sales to happen in the US. Most Allstates were Red large frame 125cc with white rims, then there were that white smallframe models in 1966 nicknamed "bluebadge" 125cc that are now pretty highly sough after.

Remember these?!?  :1:

[Guzzi Gal]

I've always wanted a Vespa (and even more, a Lambretta or a Moto Guzzi Galletto!) but all the motorcycles and bicycles have always gotten in the way of acquiring one. There's simply not enough room or time to enjoy them all!

Life is always better on two wheels... :

On Friday we're off to look at another pour moi.





This little '68 Spint tiddler might come home too if she stays for sale much longer.

[Lannis]

Remember these?!?  :1:

Yep, much young lust associated with those, them were Puchs with an Allstate or Sears badge.

Nice riding gear too!

Lannis

[Stelvio Scott]

Bought my first scooter, a 2007 Piaggio X9 Evoluzione, last year.  Absolutely adore her.  She is a blast to run around on and at 500cc, she flies down the interstate too.

There is something to be said about the intoxicating influence of an Italian Motor Scooter.  They are delightful indeed!

[Mr Pootle]

Real men ride VESPA's...or maybe not...

Where did you find that picture? It’s the very model I had, and I’ve been looking for a photo for ages.
And no, I’m not getting into the accompanying narrative.

[Groover]

This little '68 Spint tiddler might come home too if she stays for sale much longer.

Do a little homework on that one to be sure you know its history. It has "Vietnam" written all over it. Some/most of those are a messy patchwork under that pretty paint, and the engine internals are also a mess. You may need to head over to Modernvespa.com in the Not-So-Modern section to get a little info on those/that one. There are a lot of them around. You'll have a really hard time reselling it if that is the case.

[Guzzi Gal]

Do a little homework on that one to be sure you know its history.

This is the accompanying text from the add:

1968 Vespa Sprint, 150 cc, manual on the grip, 2 stroke. Rebuilt approximately 5 years ago with new paint, hoses, cables, and rubber.781 km on speedo. Speedo went inop approximately 1 year ago, so perhaps 1000 km since rebuild. My daughter and I use it to go to Grammy's house 8 blocks away or to the Ice Cream store about a 1/2 mile away.
Only one other blemish on scooter is bubble in paint near gas filler.
New Continental wide whitewall tires mounted on 1 piece tubeless red rims. Buddy seat, storage on left and glove box in front. All brightwork in excellent condition. Lights all operational.
Extra parts - original 2 piece color matched rims with tubes and tires, Vespa spare tire cover, foot brake rubber and kickstand rubber ends, cable, custom footwell cover. Scooter cover included.
Scooter will cold start on 5th or 6th kick every time, and restart on first kick when warm.

If they have the rebuild service records it might be okay, but that last line makes me think twice.

[JukeboxGothic]

The twin seats is usually a pretty good sign its a nammer. Most export Sprints had a bench seat. When they started sending these over from Nam a mechanic friend got his hands on one and stripped the paint off it. Turned out it was two scooter halves welded together BADLY. It had to be trashed. There is also a very good chance its not a Vespa but an Indian Bajaj made under licence. This website has lists of engine and frame numbers you can check( https://www.scooterhelp.com/serial/ves.serial.numbers.html ) but really old Vespas are a minefield. Lambrettas not much better.  I wouldn't touch it.  Sorry

Have a look at this too  https://youtu.be/aMqhycFZ0xc       https://youtu.be/7Mq454bI8Ng

[jdgretz]

I too, enjoy scooters.  We have a Honda Helix (250cc) and the wife has a Piaggion BV350 for freeway and when we want to ride, but she wants to be on her own bike.  The Helix is a blast around town but those 10/12" tires are not confidence inspiring on the freeway.  The BV is freeway capable and with 14/16" tires feels much more stable.

One of the ladies I ride with when she is in California has been living on her Vespa 250 (Serenity) while traveling the country. (Find her at http://250superhero.blogspot.com/)

Congrats on the Vespa in the family.

jdg

[Aaron D.]

Guzzi Gal, join Modern Vespa (modernvespa.com) and go to the Not So Modern section. They will assist in the provenance.

[Zoom Zoom]

Been following this thread. GG, congrats to your hubby on the acquisition of the Vespa. I had an opportunity to ride a 300SS at the Guzzi National a couple years ago. It was an absolute BLAST! Been thinking about finding a scooter ever since. It was much fun on some twisties we were taken on for the demo ride.

John Henry

[JJ]

This shop...AF1 Racing in Austin, TX sure has some "colorful" VESPA inventory!!

[Sasquatch Jim]

  Yes I remember the Allstate Puke.  It had a 250cc twingle engine.  2 pistons of different diameters that fired in one combustion chamber.

[Guzzi Gal]

Been following this thread. GG, congrats to your hubby on the acquisition of the Vespa. I had an opportunity to ride a 300SS at the Guzzi National a couple years ago. It was an absolute BLAST! Been thinking about finding a scooter ever since. It was much fun on some twisties we were taken on for the demo ride.

John Henry

No time like the present!

Guzzi Gal, join Modern Vespa (modernvespa.com) and go to the Not So Modern section. They will assist in the provenance.

Thank you Aaron.  That sprint is just pretty but she won't be joining our stable.  If I do add an older scoot it would probably be a Vespa Rally 200 that belongs to the owner of Scooterwest in San Diego.  It would need some cosmetic work but mechanically it is very sound.

[wrbix]

Teresa has a Tenni green Vespa like this:



private image upload

.....and then saw a Tenni Griso and wants one of those....don’t we all!

[Groover]

If I do add an older scoot it would probably be a Vespa Rally 200 that belongs to the owner of Scooterwest in San Diego.  It would need some cosmetic work but mechanically it is very sound.

Yes, excellent decision. That one would a great investment, and you can make it perfect with time. All parts are available for those, and if you ever wanted to sell it, there would be a line of people wanting it. The Vespa Rally 200 is a very nice model to have.


The starting on the other... typical, but to me that sounds like a bad rotary intake valve seal, which means may need a new engine case and probably crankshaft and likely other stuff, though those older ones are a little tricky starting them up in general. They take some tweaking to get them right, and you'll also have to learn their personality    - either way, best to stay away from that one.

[MarkPell]

How about another sexy Italian scooter?  My "Mosquito". It's a guilty pleasure to ride it. I love it!!

[Lannis]

How about another sexy Italian scooter?  My "Mosquito". It's a guilty pleasure to ride it. I love it!!

I can tell it's a "guilty" pleasure - poor little thing isn't listed in your signature!   

Looks like a nice scooter.  The downside of being a Big Active Guy, however, is that I can't whip a <50cc scooter hard enough to get out of the bicycle lane - 90 to 125cc, however, does very well.

Thinking about replacing my old BSA M21, which has been my backroad bimbler for 10 years, with a neat little scooter ....

Lannis

[JJ]

I can tell it's a "guilty" pleasure - poor little thing isn't listed in your signature!   

Looks like a nice scooter.  The downside of being a Big Active Guy, however, is that I can't whip a <50cc scooter hard enough to get out of the bicycle lane - 90 to 125cc, however, does very well.

Thinking about replacing my old BSA M21, which has been my backroad bimbler for 10 years, with a neat little scooter ....

Lannis

This may be a good consideration...the Vespa Sprint 150.  Overall, it ticks all the right boxes for me...in RED or YELLOW! :1:

[Lannis]

This may be a good consideration...the Vespa Sprint 150.  Overall, it ticks all the right boxes for me...in RED or YELLOW! :1:

I had a new Vespa P200E (1979).   A 200cc motor with plenty of power to run 70 MPH, bolted into a pressed sheet-steel frame on 10" wheels designed for a 90cc bike riding in Milan or Turin at jogging speed.    Spine-tingling on a highway with trucks.

A new 150 with a stouter frame than the old ones would probably be about right, since I now have the good sense not to go on a highway with one.   But in 1979-1980, it was my only bike .... !

Lannis

[Beerman]

When I'm on my (bright yellow) Vespa, I sometimes get the standard acknowledgement from other bikers  - the tip of the head here in the UK - and sometimes...I don't. I think it may be because I'm not riding what they consider to be, well, a bike. I can see them wrestling with it: 'what's that? Blimey - it's a scoot - is that a bike? Not sure - leave it'. What really confuses them is if I acknowledge first: 'that guy on that thing just nodded at me...if I acknowledge him, someone might see me and then my credibility's shot!'

These are just some of the perils of going over to the Vespa side. On the other hand - free parking, 90mpg, cheap as chips road tax, light, manouvrable, fast, somehere to put your shopping...what's not to like?

Beerman