Any experience with the Italian VESPA scooter - Vintage 1960's.?

Question

What is your opinion / experience with this Italian import?
What of the late 1960 models?
Any places in the Dallas/Ft.Worth area that sells vintage Vespas?

121407 2:45

Answer 1

I own a 64's Vespa 125cc large frame. My Opinion/experience? Its a great conversation piece and its fun to ride; and at the same time, its been a headache trying to get this and fix that. Do i have any regrets about not getting something brand spanky new? Not at all! The small stuff i manage to fix on my own and most times i know what problem is. Excellent learning experience. I know couple a girls at some of the meets that fix their own Vespa's.

As per the late model 60's model and off the top of my head.
They start to produce 10inch tires models. They say the 10in. is more stable than 8in in a turn lean. Also, Start of the small frame series. Person size maybe?
Keep in mind if you get a classic. You will have to deal with the Idiosyncrasies of 40 year old vehicle.

You could check with "Garner's Classic Scooters" in Cleburne, Texas In the Dallas//FT Worth Metroplex. Phone:[phone]
Don't know if they have any 60's Classics. But, they should steer you in the right direction.

PS: When i first sign on to "Yahoo! Answers", I told this girl that the Classics are manual shifting, not automatic. If you don't know how to ride one and know someone who do. Good idea to get them to teach you.

Answer 2

I see you have a lot of good advice here! Me, I don't mind "tweaking", but I had a 1963 Vespa, and it could be a hand full at times. I loved the bike more than I thought, and I sold it years ago, and regretted it!

I found a new bike with the old feel though, and I now own a 2006 Bajaj Chetak. It is every bit as nice as the 60's Vespa, but with added reliability. It has a 4 stroke motor, and I hear some people have 40,000 miles on them with no problems. Me, I can only confirm 3600 worry free miles so far.

I took mine on a 700 mile trip through the Smoky Mountains, and it performed flawlessly, despite 12% grades, and being overloaded by about 50 pounds. I took it on the Dragon, and I dropped jaws when they found out I didn't "trailer" it in!

These bikes are still readily available, if you want to check one out, there is a Bajaj Yahoo! group.

Answer 3

I drive by a Vespa dealer on University Dr and Lancaster Ave. Early Vespa's will be very hard to purchase parts for. A fully restored Vespa upkeep and time off the road waiting for parts. I would reccomend looking at new Vespa scooters. For me however I plan to purchase a commuter Bicycle Schwinn Contenital (due out this feb)With electric motor to level out the hills riding home from work. Difference being I can use the bike path and Gasoline motorized Vespa has to fight off the cars.

Answer 4

Please if you find a site for Vespa sale,s could you E-Mail it to me I want on in the worst kind of way. PLEASE?