teach me: vintage scooters

I've been with out a motorized 2 wheeler in my life for way too long, and I won't be able to hold the itch back for much longer.

One of the things that pops up on my moto radar screen from time to time are the larger displacement vintage scooters. Particularly, Vespa, Lambretta, and to a lesser extent Cushman.

Now the thing is, I am a big guy. I'm 265 lbs & 6'1". Even if I lost 50 lbs (30 is more realistic) I would still be a fair bit heavier than the riders those things were built for, so thats why I'd only be interested in the larger engined models, I figure 150cc and up, preferably 2 cycle.

Would a 150cc Vespa be able to haul my big butt around and up hills fast enough to keep me from getting run off the road or falling asleep?

What is the ownership experience like with these buggers? Do people generally spend more time riding them than working on them, and are critical parts unobtanium? I know that millions of Vespas were built and distributed around the globe, and from what I can tell from a bit of googling is that most of the models had long production runs, and many parts are still available, but is common to run into problems with critical parts failing, or poor quality replacement parts?

For example, do the ignition points need constant attention, or do you generally set 'em and forget 'em (till they wear out) like most Jap bikes? Do they like to seize up for no good reason, or are they forgiving? Do the head lamps make enough light or are they useless? What is the darkside of vintage scooters? Will I become hopelessly addicted, and blissfully ignorant of all the people laughing at me, or will I wind up setting it on fire along the side of the road, and destroying all evidence that I ever owned it?

FWIW, I worked as a motorcycle mechanic many, many years ago. I've owned and repaired numerous 2 cycle bikes, but the only thing that I've ever done with an Italian scooter was to ride one around a parking lot after fixing a flat tire, and if memory servers correctly, it was an unimpressive small frame 50cc model. But I also vividly remember the dude with the modified Lambretta, that was quicker from stop light to stop light than my RD350.

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just a thought...

Genuine Stella...classic lines, 4 stroke. new w/ warrenty.....

I have spent a lot of time sitting and looking em over and they look solid..

In reply to CarKid1989: the Stella sure has the right look, but I'm more interested in 2 cycle power. If the Stella had a 250cc 4 cycle, and/or a manual gear shift I might be more inclined toward it. If I wanted a modern scooter riding experience I would prefer a Ruckus, Zuma, or one of their gy6 powered Chinese knock offs.

Ok, so I just checked out Genuine Scooters web site, and I owe an apology to carkid; the Stella 2 stroke is 150cc, and both the 2 & 4 cycle versions have manual shift gearboxes...that what I get for assuming

If I come across a Stella I will give it genuine consideration (punn intended)

In reply to HappyAndy:

The Stella has only been 4 stroke for a few years. I seem to recall before that it was a Vespa P200 clone, including the drivetrain. If you are looking for the vintage experience, without spending a ton, or having to do a lot of work, I'd suggest looking for a slightly older Stella.

I spent a year in Taiwan back in 1993 on a work assignment. While there I had the use of a 150cc Vespa for getting around town, and it would carry me and another big American guy (we were both about 200 pounds each) just fine at speeds up to 45 or 50. Riding by myself it was actually quite peppy.

I rode it a LOT that year and it was mainly trouble free, with one exception...over there, because there were so many two stroke scooters, the gas stations actually sold premix right at the pump. One day I accidentally filled up from the wrong pump, and made it about 15 miles before the engine siezed. Fortunately, it quit right in front of another gas station - I let it cool down for a while, walked over and bought a quart of oil and poured it in the gas tank, started it up and rode home. It ran fine for months after that, with no apparent aftereffects.

I ride my 1947 cushman regularly, I weigh in at 195 though so that's a bit different. It's fun but I live in the country and really fear dying. If I lived in town it would get a LOT more use!

HappyAndy wrote: Now the thing is, I am a big guy. I'm 265 lbs & 6'1". Even if I lost 50 lbs (30 is more realistic) I would still be a fair bit heavier than the riders those things were built for, so thats why I'd only be interested in the larger engined models, I figure 150cc and up, preferably 2 cycle. Would a 150cc Vespa be able to haul my big butt around and up hills fast enough to keep me from getting run off the road or falling asleep?

Yeah. I'm 200lb at good times, 225 at others. A 150cc 2T Vespa will haul you. Not crazy fast, but it will be fun. A 180 (as in SS or Rally) or 200 (Rally or P) will be much more enjoyable.

HappyAndy wrote: What is the ownership experience like with these buggers? Do people generally spend more time riding them than working on them, and are critical parts unobtanium? I know that millions of Vespas were built and distributed around the globe, and from what I can tell from a bit of googling is that most of the models had long production runs, and many parts are still available, but is common to run into problems with critical parts failing, or poor quality replacement parts?

It depends on the model. I'd stay away from the small frame models for size reasons, although they are fun. I'd also lean toward a 10" wheel, which cuts out the Super & VBB.

Rally, SS, GS, and similar sports models tend to have a few tough to find parts. The P series was in production for over 30 years. The 2 stroke Genuine Stella was an evolution of a license made version of the P series. It's probably 95% interchangeable with a Vespa P(X)150.

HappyAndy wrote: For example, do the ignition points need constant attention, or do you generally set 'em and forget 'em (till they wear out) like most Jap bikes? Do they like to seize up for no good reason, or are they forgiving? Do the head lamps make enough light or are they useless?

Reliability is generally as good as the owner, or previous owners.

Lighting is ok on the 12V models, and what you would expect on the 6V models.

HappyAndy wrote: What is the darkside of vintage scooters? Will I become hopelessly addicted, and blissfully ignorant of all the people laughing at me, or will I wind up setting it on fire along the side of the road, and destroying all evidence that I ever owned it?

Blissful ignorance of your hopeless addiction.

HappyAndy wrote: FWIW, I worked as a motorcycle mechanic many, many years ago. I've owned and repaired numerous 2 cycle bikes, but the only thing that I've ever done with an Italian scooter was to ride one around a parking lot after fixing a flat tire, and if memory servers correctly, it was an unimpressive small frame 50cc model. But I also vividly remember the dude with the modified Lambretta, that was quicker from stop light to stop light than my RD350.

You'll be just fine with old Vespas. You may appreciate some of their quirks too.

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Beware of Ebay vintage Vespas. Many of them come from Viet Nam, and are bodged together with tin cans, baling wire, and bubble gum, then slathered with Bondo and shiny paint.

http://modernvespa.com/forum/topic80947

Apparently vintage Vespa badges bolt right into the Stella holes. Almost as if it was designed that way.