Classic Vespas ...

[Devo McDuff]

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?

[bryno]

VBB and VBC in the UK £1000 - £2000 max IMO

Super (VBC) is considered by many (no offence anyone) to be the classic runt, having none of the curvatious charms of the VBB range, yet still running on (unique) 8" wheels.

From personal experience the 8" Vespas are not a great daily/long ride prospect, 45 - 50 mph max, hard to get more out of them unless you convert to 10" (limitation is the gearbox, yes you can convert to 3 port barrell, upgear etc, but it's a load of cost and effort for little gain).

More twitchy handling (but very nimble!), easier to lock up the brakes, every pot hole will feel bigger! and front ends are very soft and bouncy on all the vintage models compared to PX.

[Devo McDuff]

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.

[bryno]

Yeh, that would be better, one of our club lives in Sydney, he's had same trouble finding a scoot and the crazy prices, sure he said PX's were around??

Tough paying much more than you would in the UK, but bear in mind resale will reflect same when you sell it in a years time.

[Devo McDuff]

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!

[Devo McDuff]

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

[bryno]

^ LOL, keeps coming back to haunt me Devo!

[Devo McDuff]

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:IT

Over-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.