So I've had a Vespa for a few years, a 1967 SS180 that I recently restored and now I have gotten asked to bring it the The Quail: A Motorsports G ;Dathering. For people who know the Monterey August car week you will know this event well. I am so excited and I just wanted to share a little.
Heres some info and pics: [moto]
Our 1967 Vespa SS 'Corsa' custom was originally imported from Pontedera (located in the Tuscany region of Italy) for Disneyland in Anaheim for use by their security staff, it changed hands several times between then and now and has seen several layers of paint and many modifications.
The 10 months of restoration and customization by the Scooter shop in Orange, California included complete tear down of entire scooter which it was painstakingly rebuilt to vintage specifications. Nothing was overlooked in making the scooter perfect in every way; we redesigned the Vespa to an era-correct 'racer style.'
The goal was to create an one-off design that had the look and feel of a 'Dealer Special' or 'Cafe-Racer Vespa' of the late 1960's. We first had to take the scooter down to the bare bones in order to repair the frame which had been rusted, bent, and had many holes.
The original headlight and handlebar unit had been changed at some point for a newer Vespa head unit, this was replaced by the correct unit which really brought back the '60's style of the bike.
The original 180cc Super Sport motor has been changed for an upgraded and fully rebuilt and polished 200cc Rally Vespa motor with a custom side-by-side exhaust mounted beneath the floorboards.
Chrome on the scooter has all been replaced in favor of polished aluminum and satin finish silver paint. The front fender and seat have been replaced by more sleek looking parts from other members of the Vespa family.
The front wheel has been machined to match the new one in back (changed because of the upgraded motor) and the badging on the scooter is completely custom (with red replacing the blue) in order to stay with the theme colors of this "Vespa SS Corsa."
(http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee39/67vespa/teavespa022.jpg)
(http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee39/67vespa/teavespa030.jpg)
DUDE! Holy shit that's awesome....
More pics please?!? Got any with it doing a burn-out? Wheelie? Stoppie....oh, wait....scratch that.
Seriously nice and nicely done! [bow_down] [thumbsup] [moto]
Quote from: Duck-Stew on February 20, 2009, 08:57:45 PM
DUDE! Holy shit that's awesome....
More pics please?!? Got any with it doing a burn-out? Wheelie? Stoppie....oh, wait....scratch that.
Seriously nice and nicely done! [bow_down] [thumbsup] [moto]
Thanks, coming from you its a real compliment! I've always loved your work!
Burn-out or stoppie is a little difficult with the front break on the old Vespa, not the stopping power of a Duc for sure. ;D Wheelies are not a problem [moto] [thumbsup] [moto]
More pics ;D :
(http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee39/67vespa/teavespa024.jpg)
(http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee39/67vespa/teavespa046.jpg)
some restoration pics:
(http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee39/67vespa/GSglovebox033.jpg)
(http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee39/67vespa/GSglovebox150.jpg)
(http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee39/67vespa/IMG_2905.jpg)
(http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee39/67vespa/IMG_2058.jpg)
and a "before" pic:
(http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee39/67vespa/IMG_1792.jpg)
Awesome resto! Okay, I won't even show my 1958 Vespa Allstate (farmer's special). It was a very clean bike until a limo molested it. Now, it's crumpled and sitting in my garage collecting dust. I was told it may still be okay to fix. But after 2 failed attempts to get a new frame, I may just part it out and get some money out of it. I loved that bike and was a blast to ride. Glad to see you were able to restore yours. Well done! [thumbsup]
Fantastic! Looks like loads of fun.
Very nice!
Bello
Some day I will own one of those [thumbsup] [moto]
Beautiful!
[thumbsup]
want
I really like Vespas and that's a very nice one. [thumbsup]
My first wreck of any significance was aboard a beautiful new 1965 model.
I been thinking about a brand new red one to use around campus during the day for errands.
LA
man thats fantastic!
Beautiful. [beer] [clap] [moto]
P I M P !
Nice! [thumbsup] I had a '64 GS that I worked on a bunch years ago, but had to get rid of. Still miss that temperamental little thing