What to look out for when buying my first Vespa?

Question

I want to buy a 125cc Vespa. I'm undecided between an actual 1960s model that's been professionally restored, for about £2500, or a 'PX'- a modern copy of the vintage design.

Either way, what things do I need to pay attention to in terms mileage, condition, any particular problems with Vespas in general?

Cheers!

Answer 1

Rover, if you want to spend all day working on this scoot, buy the 1960 restored item. Remember, ONE SCRATCH or dent and the value becomes  1960 fair trade. Myself I would rather ride than tinker and would buy the new one. Vespa is a quality vehicle and has improved over the years. Buy new and ride. Financing is doubtlessly better on the new one. Wear a helmet. Long shall England live !

Answer 2

Look for a motorcycle instead.

Answer 3

Just make sure everything looks tight an well maintained if your looking at a used one... make sure nothing is loose, nothing really rattles, nothing is bent.  If anything at all is bent, it will more than likely indicate a wreck and the structure of the entire scooter would be under question.

Answer 4

make sure that the main boards are straight with no kinks in them. my husband has a 1982 px150, he has stripped it down and nut & bolt restored it, its fab! he is also in the process of restoring a 1957 152L2.  its a big job to do but my husband had never done it before and he managed it brilliantly.

Answer 5

look for dings and scratches so that they can take some $$$ off the price

Answer 6

PX's are bullet proof.  for £2500 you can get a nearly new in fact i don't think they are much more new.  as a first bike stay well away from a vintage.  by a 60's one maybe a year down the road when its ok not to have indicators,  keys, auto lube, suspension, and of course breaks.  I only joke but they are something you really have to have experience to drive.

with that kind of money it should look like brand new with very little mileage.  scooter shops will be more expensive of course but you will have a guarantee etc.  all i ould look out for is that it is a vespa.  the lml is a very close copy and although very good still not quite the quality of a vespa and parts can be hard top get but are getting better.

good luck

Answer 7

a scooter shop

Answer 8

Why not in Italy? ciaociao