Post by 150gl on Nov 12, 2008 0:12:10 GMT
Yes it's finished, the 1963 Vespa 150GL is complete and taken to 'original' condition.
Back to it's original colour, using as many of the original parts from the bike, including the VLA1M engine to match the VLA1T frame.
It was sound enough mechanically and looked reasonably straight, it was someone's daily commuter when I picked it up from ebay back in August:
What probably makes this job a bit unusual is that the entire project took place in the garden shed. No professional welders. No sprayers or custom painting booths. No part of the bike went away while the rest was managed at home.
I took this approach simply due to the costs involved, and the fact that my father has already done such a project and his machine ('58 VBA) looks superb having been tackled in exactly the same way.
So it's a cellulose colour instead of two-pack and all the specialist equipment required for it, just a standard gun and compressor and some very gentle application of the welder for some very light metalwork.
After the strip down:
Preparing the frame:
Primer applied (note the crude dust sheets!!):
GL side panels are so rare, we had to resort to fashioning some tin metal and welding the vents that had broken off the original panel, then trying to shape them to match the existing ones:
First layers of cellulose paint applied. It's as close to the original Max Meyer 'Golden Ivory' as I could match (thanks to BSB Group in Strood):
The first completed and newly painted part:
Engine was untouched as it runs very nicely, just a quick check through and new spark plug. Now back inside the frame:
Battery now fitted, previously went without. Now I have lights etc. without the engine on:
Engine covers painted in the original colours also:
Original speedo, just a new bezel and chrome rim:
Finished, shots taken within 3 months of the purchase of the bike:
Alongside the 1958 VBA 150 it shares the shed with (note the floor mat is missing, this was taken before the last few little bits arrived):
All done in 3 months by a couple of amateurs in our shed!! I admit it may not be concours but as a first project for me, a mechanical and bodywork numpty prior to the start I feel quite proud of the way it's turned out.
Please say if there's any part or detail that should or shouldn't be there, I'm always keen to find out more about the machine and can always put it right when I have the time.
Cheers ;D
Back to it's original colour, using as many of the original parts from the bike, including the VLA1M engine to match the VLA1T frame.
It was sound enough mechanically and looked reasonably straight, it was someone's daily commuter when I picked it up from ebay back in August:
What probably makes this job a bit unusual is that the entire project took place in the garden shed. No professional welders. No sprayers or custom painting booths. No part of the bike went away while the rest was managed at home.
I took this approach simply due to the costs involved, and the fact that my father has already done such a project and his machine ('58 VBA) looks superb having been tackled in exactly the same way.
So it's a cellulose colour instead of two-pack and all the specialist equipment required for it, just a standard gun and compressor and some very gentle application of the welder for some very light metalwork.
After the strip down:
Preparing the frame:
Primer applied (note the crude dust sheets!!):
GL side panels are so rare, we had to resort to fashioning some tin metal and welding the vents that had broken off the original panel, then trying to shape them to match the existing ones:
First layers of cellulose paint applied. It's as close to the original Max Meyer 'Golden Ivory' as I could match (thanks to BSB Group in Strood):
The first completed and newly painted part:
Engine was untouched as it runs very nicely, just a quick check through and new spark plug. Now back inside the frame:
Battery now fitted, previously went without. Now I have lights etc. without the engine on:
Engine covers painted in the original colours also:
Original speedo, just a new bezel and chrome rim:
Finished, shots taken within 3 months of the purchase of the bike:
Alongside the 1958 VBA 150 it shares the shed with (note the floor mat is missing, this was taken before the last few little bits arrived):
All done in 3 months by a couple of amateurs in our shed!! I admit it may not be concours but as a first project for me, a mechanical and bodywork numpty prior to the start I feel quite proud of the way it's turned out.
Please say if there's any part or detail that should or shouldn't be there, I'm always keen to find out more about the machine and can always put it right when I have the time.
Cheers ;D
