"Simon Wilson" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> On 18/05/2011 07:25, Dr Zoidberg wrote:
>>
>> "Simon Wilson" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>>> Is this http://www.leboncoin.fr/motos/201653364.htm a good deal?
>>>
>> I'd be more than a little suspicious of that one.
>> Exposed handlebar Vespas were discontinued in 1957 and that one says
>> it's either a 55 or 60, and it looks very clean and shiny.
>> That's usually a sign of a vietnamese restoration where they have bodged
>> a newer scooter to look like a classic. The engine serial number won't
>> be correct for that year and there's a good chance it's about to self
>> destruct, plus the bodywork is likely to be full of filler.
>> If it was a genuine original example or a quality european restoration
>> it would be a lot more expensive than it is.
>>
>> http://www.scooterlounge.com/Vespa/H...andlebar.shtml
>>
>> http://www.rovers-usa.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1938
>
> Ah, thank you. I shall investigate further. I may ask him for the engine
> number.
>
No probs. Ask for engine and chassis number (the cowlings can be swapped to
make it look older than it is too) and also what size wheels are on there.
Original machines would have 8" rather than 10".
http://www.scooterhelp.com/scooters/ACMA.125.55.html
In the US they are very much "Don't touch anything restored overseas", with
stories of doom and gloom about how engines have parts made from coke cans
and frames held together with filler.
I'm sure there are quite a few that are that bad, but I don't think it's
always that black and white as there are other restorations that can still
be worth a look as long as you are careful. This doesn't look to have all
the hallmarks of a really bad bodge (two tone paint, lots of chrome etc) but
you should ask questions about it's history. If he can prove that it's a
european original then at that price it's well worth buying.
If it is an import, a very good look at the bodywork should give you an idea
of how much metal is left under there, and if the engine has been replaced
that's not necessarily the end of the world if you are looking for a bit of
fun transport rather than a show winner. The 50s engines are mind numbingly
slow, so a later 70s or 80s powered machine should be much quicker with
parts (or an entire new engine) easily sourced.
--
Alex