Vespa 152 L2 owned from new.

[borehafren]

Hello ! I've just discovered this forum and would like people to know that I am the original owner from new of a Vespa 152 L2 bought in 1959 and I'm still using it ! If I'm not mistaken that's 48 years and it's still going strong if a bit under-powered going up hills. I do have a spare brand new cylinder and piston set but I'm delaying any replacement for as long as possible. Due to years of under-use it's only done 34000 miles but I'm using it much more now.

I wonder if anyone else has had one machine for so long.

[Lan]

wow thats great i cant beleve uve managed to hang on for it for so long i only assume you have all the manuals and service books from when you bought it, if so you could make a lot of money some day, if you decide to sell it that is, have you got any pictures of it youd like to share?

[borehafren]

Sorry no picture yet because I haven't got a digital camera. No, it will never be sold and I have already made arrangements for it for when I am no longer around.
Servicing? What's that? I did pump the tyres up once - no, I'm joking! It's had very little done to it ever - new clutch cable, new front damper, new brake shoes (I think) and silencer,but I think that's all.
Will post a picture when (a) I can get someone to take one and (b) when I can work out how to do it.
Thanks for your interest.
P.S. My age as shown is wrong though I am sure I entered the correct data. How do I alter it?

[Lan]

if you click on your own user name and then click on modify profile you can change your birthdate there, and i meant the manuals and service books that piaggio provide when you buy a new scooter from them

[Spence]

When you do get a digital photograph, don't worry about posting it here on the forum, just email it to us at either [e-mail] or [e-mail] and we will display it on the Readers' Scooters page of the main site.

As you are such a venerable rider, it would be great if you could include a little bit about yourself and your Vespa in your email so we could do a little article on the homepage (that's if you don't mind of course).

This was my 800th post incidentally. Hoorah.

[bryno]

Blimey, hope I manage to hang on to a scooter for that long ;D

Welcome to the forum!

[borehafren]

Thanks, Spence. Yes, I'll do that. I will revamp a short article I did for a local Vespa club some time ago about this Vespa and e-mail it to you.
I should be able to get a digital photo of it this weekend.

[Devo McDuff]

Aye, I'd be defo interested in reading that.

Like Bryno says, I'd love to think I'll still have my PX in 30 years.

[borehafren]

I have e-mailed Spence an article and a photo taken a couple (or 3 or 4) years ago, so look out for them. I went out on this Vespa today and it's still going like a pampered sewing machine !

[borehafren]

Lan, I've got the original manual (with the green cover, but it's falling to bits) but I haven't got and don't even remember any service manuals I was given.

[Lan]

wow thats really great, i hope my px is still going in 30 years time

[Lucia]

Hello (bit late!) - welcome to the forum! You'll be glad to see we've posted your story and pic on the main www.vespa.org.uk page, and also in the Readers Scoots page. www.vespa.org.uk/Readers%20scooters.html

I hope I'm still going in 30 years, never mind my scoot...

[borehafren]

Absolutely brilliant !! I am so glad that I have let people know about this scooter. I'm off to a rally at Bourton-on-the-Water tomorrow (Sunday, 22nd. April) so it will get a good run.
Thank you so much for publishing the photo and my little article. It has given me great pleasure to share the experience.

[borehafren]

Spence, you say that you have just posted your 800th. post. By co-incidence, yesterday I saw the Severn Bore for the 800th. time (I have kept a log of it over the years) and I am determined to get to 1000 in a few year's time, some on the Vespa, though modern traffic conditions tend to inhibit this as it is too dangerous in rush-hour conditions.(Unfortunately, the arrival of the incoming tide at Gloucester co-incides with the morning rush hour.)

[dunworking]

:)Hi borehafen, I'm seriously impressed and just a little envious at you owning the L2 for 48 years. So often I have wished that I kept my first moped or my first motorbike especially as I kept them for a good number of years before moving them on anyway.

I hope I get the chance to meet you at a rally this year and have a chat about your experiences. It must have been great to be able to ride around in the late fifties early sixties.

Look after yourself and that L2

[borehafren]

Thanks, Dunworking. Yes, I must admit I felt pretty proud today. I went to Bourton-on-the-Water (about 20 miles each way) and parked on the Motor Museum forecourt together with several other Vespas, Lambrettas and motorbikes. There was a lot of interest in my 152 L2 and people were amazed that I had had it for 48 years. Come to think of it, so am I. I just didn't realise until recently that I have done something quite unusual in keeping it for so long.