"Customized" Italia

iamryan2 · Post by **iamryan2** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 5:53 pm

These are the mods I've been able to accomplish in my first two weeks (and 200 miles) of owning my Italia. A big thanks to those of you that I've borrowed ideas from!

Please post pics of your buddys, I'm more curious about what kind of creative customizing everyone is doing, it doesn't have to be an Italia.

Mods so far:
Disconnected DOT signals, connected OEM signals with DOT bulbs to keep signal and a normal rate.
Added front and rear chrome racks.
Mounted my "pseudo alligator skin" top case (with new metal hardware)
Removed all decals.
Removed front fork reflectors.
Added round chrome valve stem caps
Added custom "Italia" decals on each side.
Removed "mud flap" plastic on rear fender.
Added chrome trim to front and rear fenders and front body panels.
Added green LEDs as "underglow"
Added '07 Cuppini short windshield.
Painted passenger footrests with textured black spray paint for plastic
Painted floor mat with textured black spray paint for plastic
Prima exhaust
Rejet Carb

Tbone · Post by **Tbone** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 5:24 pm

I LOVE your top case!!!

It's even better than the Prima bag!

un_designer · Post by **un_designer** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 6:44 pm

sweet looking topcase! i thought about getting a topcase for my italia too, but in the end i opted for a wire basket instead. as the buddy is my main motorized form of self-transportation i needed versatility and room more. the other day i went to home depot and dragged home a watering can, a bunch of planting pots, and a big bag of potting soil. i love that you can stuff a bunch of stuff in/on the buddy.

cowgirl helmet · Post by **cowgirl helmet** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 9:24 pm

This may be a stupid question, but . . . what's a ziptie?

un_designer · Post by **un_designer** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 9:55 pm

why, only the best thing since duck tape of course

they're those plastic things that you wrap around and pull to lock and tie it to whatever you want. i like the removable kind, as shown in the picture above. pressing down on the little plastic tab in the middle allows you to remove the zip tie.

i have a metal wire basket attached to the rear chrome rack using those. mr peabody has a picture of it somewhere of the basket. mine's exactly the same, w/o the pretty flowers.

cowgirl helmet · Post by **cowgirl helmet** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 10:09 pm

Oh, those are much more solid than what I was envisioning. Thanks for the pic!

ScooterNewbie · Post by **ScooterNewbie** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 10:19 pm

I don't have a camera handy, but I have an SI as well. I wish I had that alligator case though! I guess the prima case will have to do till i find a gem at the thrft store or flea market.

rsenal9 · Post by **rsenal9** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 11:54 pm

I added a matching top case to my Series Italia, but would like to add the cowl, front fender and leg shields in the future. Maybe even a short windshield. Does Geniune make any retro matching helmets for their Buddy scooters? Is there any touch up paint for the Series Italia. As soon as I get my digital working I'll post a pic of Dolcegita.

iamryan2 · Post by **iamryan2** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 7:12 am

Thanks for the feedback. I found the "pseudo-alligator skin" suitcase at a grocery store about six years ago and never knew what to do with it until now. I've got some new ideas brewing, I'll post as they're installed.

ThisDude · Post by **ThisDude** » Fri Jul 06, 2007 2:14 pm

Nice top case. What kind of rc car is that? And yep zip ties are the number 2 accessories for rc cars first is shoe goo.

iamryan2 · Post by **iamryan2** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 5:50 am

iamryan2 · Post by **iamryan2** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 5:52 am

rsenal9 wrote:I added a matching top case to my Series Italia, but would like to add the cowl, front fender and leg shields in the future. Maybe even a short windshield. Does Geniune make any retro matching helmets for their Buddy scooters? Is there any touch up paint for the Series Italia. As soon as I get my digital working I'll post a pic of Dolcegita.

I had a hard time trying to fit the prima bag onto my rear rack, could you post a pic of it? Did you utilize all 4 straps or did you have to settle for 3 of the 4? I think the prima top case is awesome I just can't get them to fit, how did yours turn out?

Also...

Their is a helmet that matches the italias, im not sure what helmets are available for the other colors, here is the link...

http://www.scooterwest.com/item_detail/ ... _info/yes/

(Motor Scooter Performance Parts - Corsa Vintage Helmet ITALIAN SERIES)

bicyclerider · Post by **bicyclerider** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 2:59 pm

how about some detailed pics (even daylight) of those LED's you were braggin about?
where did you put them?
how did you wire them in?

castleton · Post by **castleton** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 12:43 am

Where can I buy some of that supercool chrome trim???

iamryan2 · Post by **iamryan2** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 12:53 am

castleton wrote:Where can I buy some of that supercool chrome trim???

Your local autoparts store (ie: schucks, napa, etc...) should carry it. Look for "Truck Door Edging." It's press on but edging the front body panels can be a pain, the fenders go on relatively easily. I got 10 feet for ~$14, which should be enough to have fun with. It's also available in black, I havn't seen gold yet but if I find some I might convert.

Hope this helps

castleton · Post by **castleton** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 1:19 am

Awesome, thanks!!

I'm in the middle of what seems to be a year-long process of mod'ing my orange buddy.

Here's what I have so far:
* rear brake modulator
* rear & front chrome racks
* connected the front signals
* added chrome latch hook
* short windscreen

In progress:
* 1/2 way thru adding rear silver topcase w/ LED signal & brake lights (which I added to the topcase)
* silver scorpion decals

Would like to add:
* chrome cowl
* chrome handles
* 12v charger (under seat)

I know this is a thread about mods to your Italia, but I got so much '07 envy from scoping out your beautiful pix, so I had to console myself with this humble list...

Very nice job, btw!

iamryan2 · Post by **iamryan2** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 5:47 am

castleton wrote:Awesome, thanks!!

I'm in the middle of what seems to be a year-long process of mod'ing my orange buddy.

Here's what I have so far:
* rear brake modulator
* rear & front chrome racks
* connected the front signals
* added chrome latch hook
* short windscreen

In progress:
* 1/2 way thru adding rear silver topcase w/ LED signal & brake lights (which I added to the topcase)
* silver scorpion decals

Would like to add:
* chrome cowl
* chrome handles
* 12v charger (under seat)

I know this is a thread about mods to your Italia, but I got so much '07 envy from scoping out your beautiful pix, so I had to console myself with this humble list...

Very nice job, btw!

How/What do you like about the short windshield? I really want the new 07 cuppini windscreen. Please post some pics I love the orange buddys almost as much as the italias...

iamryan2 · Post by **iamryan2** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 5:57 am

bicyclerider wrote:how about some detailed pics (even daylight) of those LED's you were braggin about?
where did you put them?
how did you wire them in?

I've posted a pic of my LEDs. It was taken on my phone camera (they all are actually) so it's not the best quality but it should give you an idea.

I picked up a package of 8 led lights that were already connect to ~8 feet of wiring. I also needed an on/off switch for the power cord (that I ran straight from the "fuse box" connected to the battery.) It was hard finding an unpainted surface for the "ground" wire (these things are 99.9% rust proof.)

I superglued the LEDs onto the body panels, and taped the excess cords along the inside of the body panels. It was a lazy job but it was the easiest way I could find to do this, and they still look good