Wednesday, May 23, 2012

1966 Vespa SS180 (VSC1T)



Many moons ago in the England there were two young mod boys. One of them arrived on a White SS180 at the others house, on the speedo it said 200cc Hurricane. When I had a go on it it scared me (I was only little). After we'd wrecked it a couple of weeks, maybe months later, I think I ended up giving the speedo to Neil Clark in Bracknell???
I've always missed that bike and considered the SS180 as a special Vespa, the old styling but fast and as modern as Vespa needed to go. OK the Rally had electronics and the big round headset improve the overall look.

Don't get me started on the P range!!! As the years have past I've warmed to P ranges most probably because of the Cosa.




The SS180 was the successor to the GS160, I read that the name was changed at the last moment the parts manual still lists it as a GS.

Anyway Vespa made the decision, so it effectively only has two stable mates, the SS50 and SS90 which of course are very rare.



Currently only frame has been prep'd for spray paint,

Frame Numbers


Looks like it was one of the three reds that Vespa used, I know they look good in the Blue but I've opted for the White which I'm lead to believe was possible with this frame number.


I've bought the following missing items, yes don't expect to pick these up for a fiver on ebay!..

Air box, Carb, Ignition switch, Light switch, Speedo, Rear light

Still need a set of forks, seat and a complete engine overhaul.

July - Forks acquired and tool box!

Lots of parts missing from the engine!

Tempted to fit a P2 until the engine is complete??? Slowly gathering everything needed, having started in September 2011 it's certainly taking a looooooooonnnnnnnnnggggggg time to get it sorted.

Also found a chip off the headset...













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One day turnaround!!!!!!





Paint !!!

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

1961 Vespa 150 GL (VGLA1T)


Been bumbling around with this one for a year with the help of Mr Udi...


Jobs to do include, removing the floor mat and replacing with floor rails, riveting the original Vespa 150 badge on the front.



You'll see I've had the panel rubbers changed to white and fitted a horn cover and single seat shortly.







Need to sort the white wall tyres out, fit the chrome tailpipe, restore the speedo...


Vespa 150 badge fitted and front suspension and brake renewed, slowly coming together...


Here's some details on the European Pre '63 150 GL (VLA) also known as Vespa Touring, note 10 inch rims and seamless front mudguard...



2002 Vespa Excel 150 (T5)

In Indonesia this is what you get for 500 quid.







I needed something reliable for whizzing around Jakarta, the traffic here is like, well, let me choose my words carefully... think M25 on a bank holiday and multiply it by infinity then add 8+ million mopeds and you'll be heading in the right direction.

To be on the safe side, double it again.




OK, Dan motors fits funny shape indicator housing in these bikes - that didn't stop me getting rid of 4 orange lamps during the first week.



Suffered with the battery not charging which I've given up on, it's easy to kick start. I think it's a mix of not using it regulary enough and a cheapo battery.


Recently has Dwi change the gear selector unit and then Udi adjusted the clutch. Runs nicely on my short runs around south Jakarta.




Plan is to fit the motor out of the Hong Kong P200M with the Scorpion exhaust at some point. Better looking seat too!

New seat...

Vespa PX200E Millenium (Hong Kong)

I few modifications would be required, let's start with an exhaust...
































One of life's great eBay finds, the old school twisty kickstart. Perfect for an electric start P2M  : )















Still missing something....























Ah, Yes, perhaps that will help??? I can't help thinking this could of been a result of my early life in Hong Kong - fitting large objects into much small objects mmm...


1965 SS90 (V9SS1T)

Possibly a replica when new projects are required!!!

196X GS160 Mk1 (VSB1T)

Currently just a dream!

1973 Vespa 150 Super (VBC1T)



Beaten up but running and only $300. I only checked the frame and engine numbers becuase it's been 'upgraded' to 10 inch rims. There's the lesson, I always look to see if the frame looks bent and I didn't - and it was a little out of shape!!!





I noticed the filling (bondo for my american freinds) where the front/rear frame section meets...


When we measured the top of the frame to the front of the seat it appears to have grow!!! OK you crash a Vespa and the measurement becomes smaller - right??? No this appears to have been stretched by beings from another planet!!!

Dwi will sort this one out in the original primer grey for me. Umam's going to be the test pilot on this baby. Taken the Polini 180 and can off the Silver Sprint to give it a bit more omph!

Also going to fit a local rally style headset and the matching original rear light.

1961 Vespa 150 Sportique (VBB1T)

The Sportique (as we call them in England)


Change panel rubbers, remove mudguard trim, stills needs an original speedo and 'Vespa 150' badge fitted...

1972 Vespa 150 Sprint (VLB1)

Thank you to Ronald in Bandung for this one.




It's run well since I got it. But before I used it regularly I fitted a Polini 180 kit and exhaust, mainly because I'm the big kid in my house.

It's a few different seats fitted...


And had spells with a GS/SS style spare wheel between the seat/headset.

I also switched the headset to a later style round one, this will need to be reversed in the future.

Also needs the rear light back off the other VLB1 before it's
moved on.




Hopefully I can find a good 65/66 Sprint to replace it with.