Introduction There’s a reason why drum brakes are uncommon to see on current production vehicles these days, hydraulic disk brakes are simply better by every measure other than cost. Here in the United States Vespa only imported a large frame with a disk brake for one year, in 2005. Companies like Grimeca offer “semi-hydraulic” conversion … [Read more…]
At every camping scooter rally there is at least one guy ripping around on a knobby tire clad old Vespa. He slays the gymkhana and has way more fun than anyone riding a nice looking restored scooter does. Maybe because my two wheeled background is firmly planted in dirtbikes, or it could be the fond … [Read more…]
I have been spoiled in the past using Handy brand pneumatic motorcycle lifts while working at motorcycle shops. Not having to lie on a cold concrete floor during the winter months, or the dirty floor anytime of the year, and having a workspace where it is most convenient is easy to get used to. Quite … [Read more…]
1979 Vespa P125X – Knocked Out After the saga of the finding and rebirth of my 1979 Vespa P125X, I feel like I need to add another chapter. Unlike the earlier posts, this chapter will not end well. As predictable as it may be all things considered, that nagging worry in the back of my … [Read more…]
I started planning the cosmetic side of this project before it was even my project. After the first email to buy it the gears in my head started to turn. In the Craigslist pictures it looked to be gray rather than the minty blue it really was. The scooter had been repainted in the late … [Read more…]
New Addition: 1979 Vespa P125X Like most great stories this is a bit of a long one, grab a beer and here we go… I wasn’t looking for a scooter to add to my garage, I was just bored surfing Craigslist. Times like this I normally search “Vespa,” “KTM,” and a few variations of “Husqvarna.” … [Read more…]
1979 Vespa P200E – Engine Rebuild I have made a point to call this an engine rebuild, rather than a scooter rebuilt. As I mentioned in the last post, this engine is going to find a home in my 1976 Vespa Sprint Veloce. It has been a few months since an update, and honestly much … [Read more…]
State of the Garage Address – 1 January 2017 Today is January 1st 2017, the first day of a new year. I have always found the start of a year to be a good time to pause and take stock on the operational state of my fleet. Last year started with the smallest fleet in … [Read more…]
RAM Mounting of Devices on a Vintage Vespa As silly as it sounds, even on vintage machines there is a desire to have modern technology readily on-hand. Personally I like the option to run a GPS, I have grown accustom to having a proper, dedicated navigation tool on a motorcycle or in my truck. A … [Read more…]
1979 Vespa P200E – Engine Teardown You might have noticed the title has changed, this is an engine rebuild, that will turn into an engine transplant. The 1979 Vespa P200E chassis will be fully evaluated at some point, maybe this engine will return to it’s original home at some point. The engine was always the reason … [Read more…]