Other pokers in the fire ....

[motormike]

Lessons learned.... started on my restoration for the 82' Special early last spring... basic top end, carbs went through... etc etc ..powder coat.. new paint... got it assembled ..almost.. and fired.. Then Ma Nature handed the keys to O'Man Winter and his crony Jack Frost.... No rip around the block until the grass turns green.... Took my 1929 Motobecane...( it's here on the forum...) down to the frame... address frame issues.... it's slowly coming back together... no fancy powder coat.... brush on stove black paint... engine is back in the frame.....
... Started on a recent purchase... 80' Vespa P200E... don't like the color... going with blue.... hated the stock taillight ... got two mid 60's Beetle taillights... right and a left.... sliced in half... much welding... trimming to fit the scooter body... this required lowering the lic plate.... on the back and bottom of the scooter is a wraparound plastic piece... I tossed that.... made one out of 12 gauge steel.... added 8 studs.... this allows it to lay flat against the scooter body.... no gaps from the bolt heads.... the plate is secured in the four stock locations... license plate ... mud flap.... luggage support brackets.... pennant poles and ... curb feelers ( of course ! ) all mount to the plate... adding old school Moon pedals to the floor brake and kick starter..... got a 1950's English car hood trim winging across the pond from Jolly O'England... going on the front fender... Working with my graphics guy on Italian colored trim with a custom logo.... The wife wants to do Sturgis this year... she's never done the event... so this will be our ride....( hauled in the truck )... I told her it's a well-known tradition the first-time females have to flash the boobs downtown.... ( I got other family and friends on board to say it's true ).... she's getting 2nd thoughts...

 

[WideAWAKE]

The ‘79 came stock blue - just finished sorting this one for a buddy.

Decided to take it off road to give it a final shake down.

 

[motormike]

The blue I picked out is close.... years ago while visiting my brother in California I stopped and talked to a fellow who was working on his Vespas... he had several in his driveway.... he's the one who told me California emissions caused the maker of Vespas to stop making them... he also said it's difficult to register one... I had the same taillight on mine.... it's used on many Italian motorcycles since it's American DOT approved....

 

[WideAWAKE]

They imported the px200 until about 2006 and then still imported the Stella until about 2010. Ca emissions was probably the nail in the coffin.

I’ve registered over 30 vespas/lambrettas here in ca. everything from having a title, to bill of sale on a sheet of notebook paper. Take a little time, but it is straight forward. Never had one not go through.

We always referred to the tail light on the bike I posted as a “tractor” style. I think it has its ugly charm and prefer them.

What was on yours as a euro.

 

[motormike]

Mine has the same t-light as yours.... If it had the bread box square Euro t-light I'd chuck it also.... A long time ago my father snagged 2 Vespa's at an auction in northern California.... in Air Force markings. ! blue, .. used on the flight line at Beale Air force base.... home to the Sr71.... He went through them.... new black paint... myself and my brother were stoked .... Around 2009 we bought a new Stella.... fun scooter... had it for a few years.... I can't tell but looks like you're missing the bottom body trim.. plastic... mine was cracked.... they're on ebay.... I tossed mine .. built the metal version.... I got a line on another set of rear side covers.... might make a extra set with re pop 37' Chevy turn signals....

 

[motormike]

well.... at long last got back to my 82'..... finished the Vespa... worked on the 29' Motobecane.. then I learned more than I wanted about lumbar.. L4.. L5... MRI's... X rays... pain pills that do not work... pain so intense I wanted to cry.. couldn't walk.....couldn't stand... couldn't sleep...... 3 weeks... then got the steroid injection... YES ! Got the Quick Silver loosely mounted.... got a Mike's Xs master that I can't bled out... good squirt at the top... fluid at caliper... even cracked the banjo on the master.. still a weak brake... ^%$#)* ... then I noted my brake light wasn't working at the bar switch.... it wasn't set in all the way.. if I pushed it in,.... brake light worked with the ever... I pulled it out.. the tab-clip was missing... ^%%$%^... ok, I'll use the old switch off the old master cylinder... Nope... different diameter. won't insert.... do I drill and use a metal self tapper screw .... ? I don't have much faith in questionable plastic... I got my spiffy Harbor Fright heat shirk kit..... found one that slid on very tight.. cut it just in front of the switch housing.... inserted.. twisting back and forth...... bottomed out... Ta DA ! ... works.... should stay in place... Off to the VJMC Meet In the Middle this week... back to the 82' next week....