Anyone here into Vespas? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

DieselPaul · #1 10-26-2010, 11:16 AM

Just like the title says. My girlfriend just bought a 1965 Sears Allstate, which from what I gather is in effect a Vespa VBB. As hers has the "optional" speedometer its basically up to spec of a VBB a couple year older. It supposedly has a 150cc 4speed swap out of a later bike. I know for a fact it has a 4th gear, I just can't confirm the engine size, it seems pretty quick for a '65.

On the compression tester it made 120psi. Sounds good to me for a 2 stroke scooter. Thoughts?

Does anyone know the 2 cycle oil ratio for vespas? The owners manual is far gone. The PO said something about 10%. For this 1 gallon tank of fuel I erred on the richer side of the oil mixture until I got a legitamate number.

Anyone know of a good forum?

KarTek · #2 10-26-2010, 10:48 PM

Hi, one of my upcoming projects is a FLCL Vespa scooter. The Allstate is a neat little bike! Kind of rare.

For forums, I'm on "2 stroke smoke" on Yahoo! groups.

jcyuhn · #3 10-27-2010, 10:47 AM

My spouse has a newer twist-and-go Vespa. Can't really say I'm into them, but I seem to be a Vespa mechanic these days (along with Mercedes, Honda, Yamaha, and bicycles...). Hers is a 4 stroke, so can't help with premix ratios. There is a good forum at modernvespa.com. I wouldn't expect much relevant content for your scoot, but they may be able to point you toward good sources of information.

DieselPaul · #4 10-27-2010, 04:14 PM

Thanks for the replies guys.

We are talking colors now, long before the bodywork has even begun lol.

I found the idle adjustment screw last night, my god it runs better lol.

kerry · #5 10-27-2010, 04:20 PM

If my recollection of models is correct, I was riding pillion on one across wet grass in the late 1960's. Scooter slid and we went down. Brake handles did not have balls on the end and the handle went fully into the driver's leg. Pretty ugly scene when I picked up the scooter not realizing my friend was screaming because he had four inches of aluminum inside his leg.

The Clk Man · #6 10-27-2010, 06:23 PM

These guys are, enjoy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrOek4z32Vg

DieselPaul · #7 10-30-2010, 03:41 PM

We've been using paint stripper to get though the paint. All Allstates of this vintage were red, they were sold by sears basically as farming implements. So it was popular for people to repaint them. This bike was repainted well in a dark grey color, but as it weathered, someone painted in SUPER heavy in a white, it almost looks like house paint it was so thick. So we've been using chemical stripper to get down to bare metal so we can start the body work. I'll post some pictures, but shes still pretty ugly.

What kind of primer do I want to use on the bike? The bike will ultimately be painted its final color by a professional but I don't want to pay him to go back down to bare metal. Is there a rattle can primer that will adhere well and act as a good solid base?

ashedd · #8 10-30-2010, 03:45 PM

There is like a Vespa gang around here. You see them all motoring around this side of town. There might be 15 of them. One guy has a side car on his Vespa

TheDon · #9 10-30-2010, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DieselPaul

We've been using paint stripper to get though the paint. All Allstates of this vintage were red, they were sold by sears basically as farming implements. So it was popular for people to repaint them. This bike was repainted well in a dark grey color, but as it weathered, someone painted in SUPER heavy in a white, it almost looks like house paint it was so thick. So we've been using chemical stripper to get down to bare metal so we can start the body work. I'll post some pictures, but shes still pretty ugly.

What kind of primer do I want to use on the bike? The bike will ultimately be painted its final color by a professional but I don't want to pay him to go back down to bare metal. Is there a rattle can primer that will adhere well and act as a good solid base?

The best primer to use, in my opinion is ,Durabuild.

http://www.evercoat.com/productdetail.aspx?pid=261