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Post by Devo McDuff on Aug 13, 2010 10:02:09 GMT
Going to look at this on Sunday, gagging to get one now and pickings have been a bit slim lately. cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320574264291&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:ITOver-priced by UK standards but looks to be the going rate here. Couple of questions, does the fame number look right and is it an Italian frame? I'm guessing it's an LML engine been put in which doesn't really bother me as I'm not arsed about an original engine as long as the frame is original. Plus it will pull a lot better and be more reliable. Then there's the 10 inch wheels.
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Post by Devo McDuff on Jul 22, 2010 23:46:35 GMT
You can't beat a big f*ck off chain and bumper lock going through the front forks. I used to use a disc lock as well as the chain, the problem is though a disc lock isn't going to stop 2 scrotes picking it up and putting it in a back of a van.
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Post by Devo McDuff on Jul 22, 2010 23:25:01 GMT
Yes Pontedera. It's very easy to get to on the train from Florence, less than an hour and it's about half way between there and Pisa so you can do both in the same day. I think you'll probably struggle to find somewhere to hire a Lammy, I managed to find somewhere to hire a PX in Rome though. Great country
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Post by Devo McDuff on Jul 20, 2010 0:36:32 GMT
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Post by Devo McDuff on Jul 15, 2010 1:58:33 GMT
That sounds excellent to me for a 125, my PX didn't get near that ... pre kit anyway
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Post by Devo McDuff on Jul 8, 2010 10:07:10 GMT
Get yourself down the Manchester Lyons at the Dog and Partridge in Parrswood on a Monday night fella, plenty will be willing to help you out there.
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Post by Devo McDuff on Jun 10, 2010 12:49:18 GMT
Do us a favour Spence, whack that beauty in the post over to Oz for me will ya. There's a good chap
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Post by Devo McDuff on Jun 8, 2010 0:37:09 GMT
Ahh don't Rob, it's been haunting me that I let it go and the colour is high on the reason list.
Looked at a nice little Primavera the other day that a guy visiting the scoot shop at the same time was flogging. Was red though, never gonna happen!
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Post by Devo McDuff on Jun 7, 2010 13:23:43 GMT
Ah well, it's gone now anyway ... it seems he did have another buyer after all Doh. Not that it matters, I wouldn't have gone over $4000. Though I checked with the shop that restored it and he paid $7000 a year ago. Blimey. If it wasn't for the mudguard damage I might not have been able to stop myself trying to outbid the other guy but I know I'd end up getting that fixed at some point and scooter shop labour is none too cheap out here so probably for the best. Next!
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Post by Devo McDuff on Jun 7, 2010 0:02:22 GMT
I went to see this sydney.gumtree.com.au/c-Cars-Vehicles-Motorbikes-Parts-motorbikes-motorcycles-scooters-Vintage-Vespa-Completely-restored-WARRANTY-REGO-TILL-MAY-2010-W0QQAdIdZ208186200 last night. It's an original VBB frame but has been restored by www.gasoline.com.au and had a 150 Stella engine put in. What are people's thoughts on these? Does it increase or reduce value? It pulled well when I was test-riding it, better than a standard PX 125. It should also be reliable. But then technically the scooter isn't really a Vespa anymore is it? The frame is gorgeous, I love the shape and the original details like the speedometer. Great paint job and seat too. On the negative side the front mudguard is a bit dented (said someone bumped it when it was parked) , though it's not overly noticable. There's also a bit of rust on the centre stand, headlight trim, flywheel cover and mudguard itself - to be expected with him living next to the sea. I reckon it could be tidied up pretty well though. Front brake had a lot of play in it (though maybe it's supposed to be like that? He said he was told by Gasoline that the front brake is only responsible for 10% of the braking) and rear brake was strong but a little bit jerky. The French bloke selling has it listed at $4600 but said he has had an offer yesterday for $4000 that he has delayed accepting until he had seen me, yes sure. I didn't bite and said just let me know if it falls through. He said that if I could let him know by today if I'm interested, why would he need me to do that if he already has a buyer? I think I might offer him $3000 and see what he says. That includes a cover, chain, helmet (decent Momo one) and a years registration.
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Post by Devo McDuff on Jun 2, 2010 11:45:21 GMT
I'm going to go and have a look at this over the weekend sydney.gumtree.com.au/c-Cars-Vehicles-Motorbikes-Parts-motorbikes-motorcycles-scooters-Vintage-Vespa-Completely-restored-WARRANTY-REGO-TILL-MAY-2010-W0QQAdIdZ208186200. Even if I don't end up making an offere I get my 2-stroke fix, jobs a good 'n. What do you reckon? It's supposed to be a VBB I think but there's quite a few differences. It's had a 10" wheel conversion (a plus for me), it has an electric (which I'm not bothered about either way but what else does that indicate is different?) and there is the glovebox under the steering column which I didn't think any of the early models had. From the information provided, does it look like the original engine has been rebuilt/modified or completely replaced? Should there be a rear badge on this model? Also, isn't that number he has listed as the engine number actually a frame number? The company who have supposed to have done the restore seem reputable enough www.gasoline.com.au/It's still a bit pricey listed at about the equivalent of £2600 but if I like it and there's no problems I'd have a go at knocking him down to between $3000 and $3500, especially as he wants a quick sale. PS Bryno, you pop up bleedin' everywhere ;D scooterlounge.com/blog/2010/05/from-the-archives-we-are-the-mods.html
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Post by Devo McDuff on May 29, 2010 10:34:33 GMT
I took a look at the scoot and liked it but won't be making an offer. Although it had quite a bit of rust I think it would have tidied up fine with a little bit of work, the brakes seemed okay and no major body damage or problems with bearings or anything. The problem was that when I was taking it for a test spin after about 15 minutes when I opened it up and got it to high revs in 3rd it chugged and then just died completely. It started up okay again with the choke but I'm staying clear. The guy seemed pretty sound and genuine and said it doesn't normally do that but I'm not taking any risks. Also, I posted on a few Aussie scooter forums and they all thought the price was about right. So it looks like I am going to have to pay considerably over the odds but I suppose that also means I'm likely to get it back when I come to sell next year. Back to the drawing board then eh. Still, I had a nice ferry trip and can now add the Sprint Veloce to the list of Vespas I've ridden PX, PK and T5 being the others.
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Post by Devo McDuff on May 28, 2010 7:23:31 GMT
Nice surprise this morning , Mod Mania CD dropped through the letter box off Vespa org competition. ;D Thanks Just as well, other wise we could have had a full BBC style scandal on our hands
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Post by Devo McDuff on May 27, 2010 2:22:48 GMT
Legal yes, but not much fun on a half windy day when you get a HGV over-taking you. I avoid it unless really necessary.
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Post by Devo McDuff on May 25, 2010 3:49:03 GMT
There's not much point in me picking up something that needs restoring Rudi as I only want it to get my scootering fix while I'm here in the sun (though it's actually been pishing it down for about a week now!) down under for the next 8 or 9 months. I'll give it a thorough going over (as much as I'm capable of at least) and take it for a spin to check the gears and that are moving smoothly and then if he will come down significantly on the price maybe somet will happen. I know what a scoot with filler in looks and feels like as my PX has plenty of it (thanks to bleedin' Rusholme drivers), not that I ever plan to part with the old girl anyway I'm going to have to accept that I am going to have a to pay a bit over the odds though as for one they are over-priced here and two I can't wait 6 months to find the perfect compromise of quality and price. Will let you know how I get on.
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Post by Devo McDuff on May 24, 2010 13:56:17 GMT
Thanks Spence, that's very handy info mate. Did you across this page www.scooterlounge.com/Vespa/Sprint/Sprint.shtml ? Some of the info there makes me think it might be an American Sprint Veloce, like the grey handle-grips and the circular headlight. I'm not sure why it doesn't have a badge above the rear light ... could that indicate it's a re-badged Bajaj maybe? Yes, I clocked the dent on the side panel hatch as well, minor stuff like that won't bother me too much though as I'm only going to be a temporary owner plus as you mention, it could prove useful in trying to knock the price down! Prices do seem to be a bit daft here, I think I was being conservative when I said the premium was about a third. I think I will go and take a look though anyway as unless you want to pay really daft money there doesn't seem to be much knocking about at the moment. I need to get over to Manly (where the scoot is) for a butchers at the area anyway I've also been in contact briefly with the guy and he seems pretty genuine on the surface but I get the feeling he doesn't know that much about Vespas. He says it registered for a year (over here you have to register it every year and that includes tax and basic insurance), that he has had it 2 years and bought it from an old Italian guy (though that sounds a little bit suss). I found this page too. www.scooterlounge.com/Vespa/Gen/Gen.shtml. Some great tips for what to look for when inspecting potential scoots to buy.
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Post by Devo McDuff on May 23, 2010 14:35:07 GMT
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Post by Devo McDuff on May 23, 2010 14:33:01 GMT
HB from me 'n all
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Post by Devo McDuff on May 19, 2010 10:27:30 GMT
Yes, exactly .... as long as I get the majority of the dosh back when I come to sell it myself, I can live with it. I guess I need to make sure I don't total it then!
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Post by Devo McDuff on May 18, 2010 3:45:15 GMT
Cheers Bryno, very useful.
Even though the Vespas on that site have recently been rebuilt and are in very good nick, that's still considerably more expensive than the UK going rate. That together with the 8" wheels means I'll give them a miss I think.
I'll see if I can maybe find a Rally or even a smallframe.
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Post by Devo McDuff on May 17, 2010 4:27:22 GMT
Bit (actually a lot) of advice needed chaps. I'm currently working in Sydney and am in the market for a scoot, I thought about shipping my PX over but I'm only here for a year so it wouldn't make much sense. Plus I'd like to try somet different. So I'm going to buy and look to sell at not too much of a loss (have to really as I'll be using that money to explore Asia) before I leave. There is definitely a premium on the prices out here, maybe around a third more expensive than in Blighty I'd say at a guess. I'm looking on Gumtree and eBay but would rather buy from a shop for more peace of mind, will just see. There's a good scoot shop that I went to have a look in a while back and he has some beauts www.scooterengineering.com/shop.htm. Pricey beauts though ... although I know he'd take less for them than what they are advertised at. I know the '63 VBB and the '65 VBC are still available. What would you expect those to go for in the UK? $6000 is certainly more than I intended to pay (about $4000) but I'd consider it if I thought I'd get most of it back on a resale. I've never ridden a classic ... how different is it with 8 inch wheels and no disc brake? What sort of speeds (cruising and top end) can you expect out of old 150s? I'd be commuting every day with a round-trip of about 30 miles and there could be a few long trips at some point, like Sydney to Melbourne. Bad idea? Any tips for what I should be looking for when inspecting scoots?
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Post by Devo McDuff on Mar 25, 2010 11:37:20 GMT
Lovely mate.
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Post by Devo McDuff on Mar 19, 2010 9:46:30 GMT
;D The roos aren't doing it for me ... they fight back too much.
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Post by Devo McDuff on Mar 18, 2010 8:35:54 GMT
Don't worry Joey always wears high heels! It's great fun watching him try to kickstart his PX ;D
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Post by Devo McDuff on Mar 9, 2010 23:32:34 GMT
Great pics mate. Wet my appetite for our family holiday in Florence later in Summer. I'll be on the lookout for Vespa's (and Jack Daniels in a can)! Enjoy mate
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Post by Devo McDuff on Feb 11, 2010 15:11:12 GMT
Don't older Vespas have a reserve point for the fuel tap to be switched to? So on mine it's just the same except you don't have to do it manually. That would make sense.
I have actually been meaning to do that Dave, only I seem to have misplaced my fuel can!
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Post by Devo McDuff on Feb 10, 2010 18:43:53 GMT
I think a modern PX tank holds 8 litres and the fuel warning light kicks in with an intermittent flash when the needle is on a quarter tank and then goes solid when the needle is practically on empty. The thing is if I fill up when the needle is at empty there isn't room for much over 6 litres, so is my gauge telling fibs and I've still another 2 litres left or am I wrong in thinking that it should hold 8 litres?
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Post by Devo McDuff on Feb 5, 2010 1:01:25 GMT
and i may add that its a good thing to keep two fingers on the clutch when speeding pressing the clutch will disengage the engine and free the rear wheel Having read that on here ages ago possibly avoided having bits of me splattered all over the M60. Phew.
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Post by Devo McDuff on Feb 1, 2010 17:35:02 GMT
Cheers for that! Much appreciated.
I enjoyed the day I got on a PK last year.
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Post by Devo McDuff on Jan 26, 2010 23:41:29 GMT
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