Any Vespa lovers out there ?

[Swifter]

Spotter this at Retrofest. Not sure if it’s a Vespa ?

 

[Swifter]

Clearly it is a Vespa

 

[Mikey RV]

What ever you decide if/ when you get it just enjoy it for what it is…ride it and smile.

 

[Gaston aires]

It screams 2 words at me. "Nammer" and "Shitter" is the scootering parlance :-(

FIrst picture is enough without even having to look further, none of the "chrome" parts are original piaggio parts, the rear seats never came with a chrome trim, the brake pedal were never chrome, the front wheel star is very aftermarket vietnamese.
The stitched black mat, also vietnamese

2nd picture shows the typical rear light lens from a viet rebuild too, also the chrome tin number plate surround is typical, pretty sure that the bottom 2 bolts are M6 hex heads too, definitely non original. Moving to the handlebars those grips are also not original.

Picture 3 shows more confirmation of the typical nammer trick of making your front brake and speedo cable look like a shower hose

Picture 5 shows a copy speedo also typical

Picture 6 confirms the hex heads on the number place surround

Picture 8 of the engine side on, oh dear.
More nammer shiny tinware, a painted flywheel and paint on the nuts / studs and kickstart shaft are a worrying sign too. But that gear selectors had a hard life already and the bump stop too

Picture 9 makes the typical shiney chrome tank flap obviously nammer.

As I say, these are fairly well known to many in the scootering community, they are the very definition of:

You can't polish a turd but you can roll it in glitter.

Thanks for taking the time to evaluate the scooter. It will interesting to see a Vespa technicians report on this one.
For now though this “turd rolled in glitter” looks really nice.
Phil

 

[wfdTamar]

I had a Vespa P200E in London in 1989 for commuting. Rode in down through France camping to Barcelona and back. Back home have a PX200E. It was my only transport for quite a few years. Still have it in the shed, but got a Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 in February.

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[Dunslow]

Thanks for taking the time to evaluate the scooter. It will interesting to see a Vespa technicians report on this one.
For now though this “turd rolled in glitter” looks really nice.
Phil

Unfortunately Phil, I would agree 100% with PaulC70. And much more. I have been working on Vespas and Lambrettas for over 40 years now, and has been the basis of my income for the last 21 years. These imports can be death traps, so enjoy visually and do get it checked out. Ive seen one scooter made from four frames before now. It is even worth putting a borescope inside the frames, crap welding combined with lots of filler. The list of non-original parts is a lot longer than already stated. (date code on the rear tyre is 4406). Simon.

 

[Michael Rennison]

Ooo as a modern Vespa owner that does look rather nice.

 

[IvorandLouLou]

Wow that is glorious! Makes me miss my little Vespa

 

[Centurian]

What a find. I could be interested if any of the others were coming this way?

 

[Swifter]

I am confused by this thread . So is it a rare find or a scam ? Is this just made to look like an original but really it’s just a fake ?

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[The Wino]

I am confused by this thread . So is it a rare find or a scam ? Is this just made to look like an original but really it’s just a fake ?

I think the replies from those in the know is it's almost certainly a scam unless someone uncrated it put on a new tyre and some bling and recrated it in 2006/7

 

[Swifter]

I think the replies from those in the know is it's almost certainly a scam unless someone uncrated it put on a new tyre and some bling and recrated it in 2006/7

Thank you . Last few replies seem to be very positive so guessing those commenting haven’t read the entire thread

 

[The Wino]

Thank you . Last few replies seem to be very positive so guessing those commenting haven’t read the entire thread

I think it sounds like some other things in Vietnam you might find things (or people) aren't what they appear!!!!. The question is if it is a scam who is in the know and promoting them as unused new ones?
The original one was said to be from an old lady who had it from new but then there are a few others. Sounds strange that she would have bought several or happen to know a few others who bought some. If it was new old stock from a dealer or importer it would be a bit more believable but still strange for them to suddenly turn up. That being said a few years ago there were a load of crated unassembled Rover SD1spares that turned up in India and I wouldn't be surprised if the forces have loads of landrover spares stacked up somewhere with no idea they're there

 

[Dunslow]

The people in the know are the Vietnamese "restorers" that did the work. The Vietnamese Seller is the guy who gets them junk, says "Make it look like it's 'NOS' and worth $2000 so I can sell it to any country that thinks it's worth $3000".
Importer MUST know, as you DO NOT get a still crated NOS 1959 Vespa for $1-2-3000.
Gaston aires / Phil, I think your son's good friend has probably been duped as much as your son. VERY unlikely to find the Importer.
If purchased through a dealer, ask for an independent report and proceed from there but time is probably against him. If private, then no hope really of any recompense. I would still get thoroughly inspected, and personally would not take on a highway even after frame / chassis inspection before stripping and checking/ rebuilding engine (again if $ viable). Truly, there are real liability horrors out there that look as good as yours. Oh the horrors I've seen. "Best" being the worst I have come across was an immaculate Vietnamese Lambretta with a three part frame (including Vietnamese newspaper inside frame, lol), welded in frame number, multi-piece bodywork, fabulous filler work! No top bearings on the forks. bent forks. engine made with pre model parts, shims in gearbox from baked bean tins, welded teeth on gears, chain link pitch .25 over spec, etc. etc. etc. Original purchase price approx. £3800 (12 ish years ago), engine only brought to me originally, £2000 spent on complete new replacement engine, then frame brought in to fit engine and identified as cut/shut. Not straight and twisted at the join. Financially committed at that stage (read; didn't want to tell the wife), final expenditure exceeded £8000. It was as good looking as the day he bought it ;-) And still only worth on open market at £3500 (?). Sold this year for £3500!
Sorry for long post but trying to warn you to check under it's facade to gauge condition, safety and viability. Simon.

 

[Swifter]

The things you learn about on this forum are amazing . I would never have known this

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[Dunslow]

I think it sounds like some other things in Vietnam you might find things (or people) aren't what they appear!!!!.

Or even that combination of things on people that shouldn't be, as they appear Another version of cut and shut?

 

[AlandSue]

Had Vesper and Lambretta in my teens, thanks for bringing back some great memories.
Thats a beauty I think in England it was called the Sportique .

 

[PaulC70]

Had Vesper and Lambretta in my teens, thanks for bringing back some great memories.
Thats a beauty I think in England it was called the Sportique .

ummmm no it wasn't? Sportique is similar to the VBA VBB with an 8 inch wheel for a start.

 

[Swifter]

ummmm no it wasn't? Sportique is similar to the VBA VBB with an 8 inch wheel for a start.

To be fair this thread is a prime example of how you should be careful of what you read on the internet . Even though you have given your experience of the specific dangers of this kind of purchase and warned people , you will notice many funsters have read the first post and looked at the pictures and truly have been “ sucked in “ by this scam .

 

[jongood]

This is now getting to be funny. As fast as people who obviously know its a crock of sh*t are outlining its many issues, 3 or 4 others are saying how great it looks.

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[georgio]

Good morning,

 

[daveclare]

There are some great looking vehicles in garages, museums and even living rooms which are not fit for the road.

But are great 'on the eye'.

There are probably more than a few posts on fun which detail thousands of faults with motorhomes of all makes. They probably all look great. But suffer with dealer/owner botches, inside and outside.

On the face of it, just looking at a photo, many would say Megan Markle looks great. But inside..........dear oh dear!

 

[TheBig1]

There are some great looking vehicles in garages, museums and even living rooms which are not fit for the road.

But are great 'on the eye'.

There are probably more than a few posts on fun which detail thousands of faults with motorhomes of all makes. They probably all look great. But suffer with dealer/owner botches, inside and outside.

On the face of it, just looking at a photo, many would say Megan Markle looks great. But inside..........dear oh dear!

well let's face it, one's a clapped out wreck, the other an old banger

 

[SteveRallye]

Was a Mod with a 1962 LambrettaLI150. Bought a doer uppa in 1968 for £16 (my uncle bargained him down from £25) Sold it 18months later for £30. Bought a 1964 TV175 for £50 sold it 2 years later for £75. I have seen what they go for now, if only!

 

[stevewagner]

As far as I remember Vespa’s of that era never had the glove box.

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[bobnick]

If i could find someone locally that would look after (paid) my classic bike i would buy one tomorrow. From late fifties to early 60s.
There is noway i have the ability to look after such a bike.
New bikes are boring..........but reliable.

 

[daveclare]

well let's face it, one's a clapped out wreck, the other an old banger

Which two are you referring to?

 

[jongood]

If i could find someone locally that would look after (paid) my classic bike i would buy one tomorrow. From late fifties to early 60s.
There is noway i have the ability to look after such a bike.
New bikes are boring..........but reliable.

70's japs aren't too bad reliability wise and some interesting choices, I'm loving my kettle.

When it comes to new bikes, yes there are a lot of 600 racer clones out there, but you can also find some wonderfully different bikes, in a variety of styles. The Guzzi, Ducati, Triumph ranges being a case in point.

Have you been to any of the Stafford bike shows? Well worth a visit imv

 

[Coastal Cruiser.]

70's japs aren't too bad reliability wise and some interesting choices, I'm loving my kettle.

When it comes to new bikes, yes there are a lot of 600 racer clones out there, but you can also find some wonderfully different bikes, in a variety of styles. The Guzzi, Ducati, Triumph ranges being a case in point.

Have you been to any of the Stafford bike shows? Well worth a visit imv

My RD is still on the same engine rebuild after 21 years, don’t use it much and have restored it twice in that time.

 

[Minxy]

When and if it arrives I’ll get Vespa experts to look it over. When I looked it over I was amazed how well it was made.
Phil

Might be better off getting it checked out over there as there's no point in shipping it over (with all the associated expense) if it's not genuine.

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