The only scooter I rode today was my friend Paul’s new 1964 Vespa GL. He recently acquired several boxes full of parts for around $600 which became the blue scooter you see here. Compared to my modern Vespa it is a strange contraption. Neat to ride around but would not want to take it on the long rides I like to undertake.
No battery in this Vespa, just a kick starter. The two stroke engine means mixing oil at every fill up and my driveway attests to the seal leaks in the transmission. No mirrors or turn signals, just an engine mounted to a frame. I suppose it could be an object lesson in simplicity. I know there are a lot of vintage aficionados out there but for my taste no thanks. Pretty, cool, but not utilitarian enough.
Paul also rides a Suzuki DM 450, a Harley Fatboy, 1964 Mercedes Sedan, and a 1976 Ferrari of sorts. He also had a Vespa ET4 until selling it to my father-in-law. Sometime soon I suspect the two of us will head out on the scooters to terrorize the local communities.
lol. That little vespa looks almost like an open-aire clown car. I think Paul needs about 6 more people to sit with him on that thing before it looks “right”.
Will he really ride that thing on the road? It doesn’t seem very safe to really be riding anywhere considering it doesn’t have mirrors and turn signals.
It definitely feels small and compact. Peppy engine though. Paul rides it on the road and thankfully wears a helmet. Hand signals instead of turn signals. I would not feel altogether safe on it. The old drum brakes are a nightmare compared to modern disc brakes. The good old days…..
I’m starting a Vespa gang! Were going to make some money and use it to buy vespas like that one and do them up. It’ll be fun