Modern Buddy

Scooterworks has long done vintage restorations, upgrading the electrics and adding an LML 5-port engine to Vespa Supers and other 150s. They're now going to be offering these with warranties. Soup to nuts rebuilds, with new paint, tranny, the whole kit and kaboodle.

So: new bike in an old frame. Seems to be what many people want.

I don't know if they'll be distributing to dealers, but that could be very interesting. Buddy, Blur, Rattler, Stella, plus (possibly) the LML PK-based automatic smallframe with this as the capstone of the "new vintage" scooter could be a very cool lineup!

The story linked below touts this as a green(er) solution, which is kind of interesting. In some ways, they have a point. Manufacturing new instead of repurposing old is not very green. But a 2-stroke?

Well, if the 2-stroke passes CA emissions (as the story implies), then it's a pretty damn clean 2T. It's possible it can be sold here via some loophole, but it's surely cleaner than a vintage 2T engine.

Pricing around $4495, tiered based on year/model of base scooter. This is clearly targeted to the person who wants vintage style but not vintage hassles and has the money to pay for it. The vintage enthusiasts may scoff, but millennial Vespa PXs often sell in that range and have no warranty, (arguably) less style, and dirtier engines.

http://gas2.org/2011/11/28/recycled-haw ... spa-redux/

Some of you may recognize Scooterworks USA's Jim Kolbe at the handlebars:


[EDIT: Finally I can edit and put the smaller pic in!]

I saw that. Cool concept. I'll bet they are getting past the emissions laws because the "bike" is titled as a 1966, or whatever. So its vintage.

The fact that they come with a warranty will make it apealing to some. For the folks that want vintage with less hassle? I think he can sell some. Especially if having them "built" for you as you specify catches on.

Excellent. Add another scooter or two to my wish list...

and they're frikkin gorgeous!

After restoring a couple of Vespas myownself, you couldn't do a better job for less than the asking price for these (in MY case, couldn't do a better job)

I'm not sure these will register here in Cali. though...just my opinion.

wait are these 150 engines? What sort of black magic are they using to get 90mph out of a lml 150 2t?

MPG, not MPH, but the question still remains.

Of course, maybe 'recycled 2T' really means a new LML 4T motor in a frame orinally built as 2T.....

PeteH wrote:Of course, maybe 'recycled 2T' really means a new LML 4T motor in a frame orinally built as 2T.....

Won't fit. The 4T Stella frame is substantially altered from the classic Vespa monocoque body.

Haha yeah PeteH, MPG is what I meant

Haha, great video. Riding with no helmet, in the cemetery. Now there's planning ahead!

I had wondered exactly why they picked a cemetery to shoot in!! I mean... IMO, it really doesn't make for pretty scenery!!!

Maybe it was just the convenience of a closed-course location, where the premises was willing to block itself off for a 'donation'.

Or because none of the "residents" would complainn about the noise or the two stroke smoke!

Jeez, wish I could quote. Stupid bug. Working on it.

Anyways… 

They say 50-state, so I'm guessing 50 state.

Lots of 2Ts can get high MPGs. The 2011 Vespa PX 125 claims 85-90. Don't know how this one's tuned. Don't even know if it's the same 2T 150 they currently see or that was in Stellas.

I had wondered exactly why they picked a cemetery to shoot in!! I mean... IMO, it really doesn't make for pretty scenery!!!

Maybe it was just the convenience of a closed-course location, where the premises was willing to block itself off for a 'donation'

No helmet or gear, doesn't have far to go for the funeral.

They (the sales guy) was less than clear or commital about that when I was oogling them a couple weeks back.

They aren't "remanufactured" titles, nor did I see any with over 7500 mi. on the clock..

Re the advertising picture at the top of this thread ;Isn't that rider the scooting-minister late for someone's funeral?

With a 2T manual scooter the most important thing regarding mpg is riding style.

Yes. properly tuned and with careful attention to rpms and shifting you can get that kinda mpg. But once you find out how much fun it is to wind it out thoughts of mpgs will be the first thing to leave your brain!

As far as I know registration date is based on the frame VIN (at least it is for several states that I know about). Vespa frame and motor numbers never matched even from the factory.

They aren't "remanufactured" titles, nor did I see any with over 7500 mi. on the clock..

There are (legal) ways around this in CA! The model is over three MYs old and predates emission laws.

A lot of individuals have trouble registering scoots that dealers can often get registered because they know the ins and outs and aren't relying on one person at the DMV knowing what they're doing.

There's a huge cemetery a block from Scooterworks Chicago, so I'm sure that had something to do with the logistics of the shoot, ha.

Video!
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/f-imKaADAZI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

The rider does look like he's dressed for a funeral.