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 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…]
1979 Vespa P200E – Engine Harvesting After a busy month at work I took last weekend to just sleep, even though I had planned on starting to dig into the P200E I dragged it home a few days before. On Labor Day I found the time to dive in. With parts already ordered from ScooterWest.com … [Read more…]
Even with my best efforts to refrain from bring more broken strays home, this 1979 Vespa P200E slipped into my garage. I think I would call this a barn find, even though it was in a garage with lots of nice, restored stuff (an early Ford Mustang, some other scooters, a sweet 1960’s outboard motor). … [Read more…]