Maranello House Vespa 50 Smallframe restoration

[Maranellohouse]

Ok its a scooter but it has 2 wheels.
I'll not post the whole thing but a little history. Years ago I mentioned at our club that I would love to find an old Italian scooter but there were tumbleweeds for an answer. Then one day about 3 years later a van appeared at the house, the doors opened, and a mate from the club shouted from inside, "do you still want a scooter", this was quickly followed by a silver scooter looking thing being pushed out of the van and landing in a heap on the drive! "There you go, good luck". At that he drove off without another word! I picked the thing up and man handled it up the drive. The front wheel wouldn't go round, the handlebars a funny shape and the back tire flat, and boy was it beat up.

I didn't even know what it was. And everything was painted silver.

So it was left in the corner and forgot about for another couple of years and would have been longer only my Dad was bored and wanted something to do. The thing was shipped off to him to be stripped, he had an unusual way to do this.

 

[Maranellohouse]

Stripped

Once stripped i sent it to my mates to be blasted. Oh dear !

Nothing at all was straight or un dented.

 

[Maranellohouse]

A lot of panel beating later and yes a little filler it was time for a guide coat.

And finally a coat of primer

And finally paint.

 

[Maranellohouse]

Frame finished.

Now at this point I'm sure your wondering about my choice of colour, well let me explain. I have a plan that involves my little Fiat 500, but I'm not giving it all away just yet.

 

[Maranellohouse]

On to the engine.

Couldn't tell you the last time it ran, in fact couldn't tell you anything about it at all! So too it apart.

Broke the 2 piston rings, put it all back together again, cleaned it, and painted it up. I'll confess at this point I don't intend too ride the thing so not going to get it running, that's something for the future.

That's pretty much 2 years squeezed in in ten minutes.

 

[Maranellohouse]

Up to date then. Seat next and it is a mess.

A chunk missing out of it, oh and the leather, well it is no more.

So I got a bit of sponge, cut it, and glued it in. When it dries I will use my mini grinder and sculpture it in.

I bought new leather as I'm going to attempt to make a new seat cover myself. I wanted it to match the seats in the 500. Its close enough to do.

 

[Maranellohouse]

Oh nearly forgot, I was going to replace the exhaust as its done but then decided since the bikes going to be a static display for now to save it. Yes that is filler lol

Wheels to do next.

 

[Maranellohouse]

Sorry heads away, I finally found out its a 1973 Vespa 50 smallframe

 

[fabiostar]

nice build,,,, get the thing going after all that hard work.

 

[andy9eleven]

Great work!! I love seeing all your projects, and bringing stuff back from the dead in your garage. I'm sure this will be a lovely wee thing when it's done.

 

[dub]

These threads are like catnip, love them! Great work again @Maranellohouse

 

[ilovequo]

Fantastic - you've a good pair of hands to bring that back from the grave!

 

[Maranellohouse]

Talking of the grave, the one part I didn't think I could save was the front mudguard. Amazing what nice new panel beating hammers and dollies can do!

 

[Maranellohouse]

I've got it this far now.

 

[EP3 James]

Awesome! Love it. Personally woulda went for a brighter colour but with you wanting to do something similar to the wee fiat I can see why you've chosen this colour. Keep up the work

 

[Maranellohouse]

Wheels painted

 

[Maranellohouse]

Well it's Christmas Eve and I managed a little goal, I really wanted to get th scooter on its wheels for Christmas and I actually managed it. I've to make the seat cover and get a headlight as you can see but I couldn't resist posting the photos.

Can't wait to see it out beside the 500

 

[Dave..]

Looks fantastic, well done.

 

[RoniN]

Nice work !!!
Photo's or a thread on the x1/9 sometime would be good

Cheers

 

[Maranellohouse]

Nice work !!!
Photo's or a thread on the x1/9 sometime would be good

Cheers

Thank you. Not sure if its going to be the X19 or the Lancia next.

 

[barachello]

Awesome Stu !

 

[hannakournikova]

Great job. Did you paint yourself?

 

[Maranellohouse]

Great job. Did you paint yourself?

Thank you, yes I did

 

[Bryan]

Very nice. Always fancied a wee Vespa myself. I think they look well in deep blue.

 

[Maranellohouse]

Sewing machine now set up for a bit of re-learning and practice before doing the seat cover as its been a looongg time since I last tried it.