I am thinking of getting a Vespa and would like to ask people what they think of the idea of owning one. Preferably if I could get some insight from people that already own a Vespa that would be great.
I am thinking about a PX 150 and getting it fully restored.
I would like insight into costs of rebuilding, how to maintain, changing gears, how often you drive it, and whatever else you think a new Vespa owner should know about.
Thanks
I have owned a few of them in Taiwan. Love them. Need to find a decent mechanic who has worked on them before. Almost all the old ones know them fairly well. Easy to work on yourself. I think a restored one (PX) goes from about 35 000 and up. There is a mechanic near Daken who used to be a Vespa tech. PM me if you need info. Very reliable. Gears are easy after a bit of practice. Used to drive them everyday in the UK and here.
First scooter/motorcycle I had in Taipei was a Vespa. I had it for a couple of years. It was fun to drive at first, but the novelty quickly wore off. Very finicky, and constantly needed repairs and tinkering. No thanks. Having to carry around oil with you to mix in with the gas is a royal pain in the ass too. Some of them billow quite a bit of exhaust also, and I won’t drive something that pollutes like that.
2nd hand info, but my brother had a PX150 in the UK. Also a Lambretta with a smaller engine (can’t remember the model).
He reckoned the Lambretta was no slower and had far superior handling, in fact IIRC he thought the Vespa was dangerous at high speed.
This is not much positive use to you, of course, because AFAIK there are no Lambrettas in Taiwan, but if performace is important to you maybe some caution is warranted.
DIY maintenance on both was relatively easy. There are a few manuals on the web, and there have been people selling cheap CD compilation manuals on Ebay.
A friend gave me one years ago that didn’t run. After I got it running I drove it around awhile, but hated it. Hahha. It was such a pain in the ass. Funny because I am a 2-stroke guy, so you think I would have liked it. I hated carrying the oil around with me too. It is definitely not a daily rider. You need to be patient with it, and find a mechanic that can help you. My mechanic had to come rescue me more than once on the side of the road. Good luck!
I rode Vespa 150s for years in Taiwan – first a second-hand one then, when I made it “big” 
, a brand-new one. Loved them. My only problem with them was the weight, if they had to be tipped over for some reason. It was difficult for me to right them sometimes.
The only things to be aware of would be to quickly develop that mental map of Vespa repair stations, and keep an eye on the wheel nuts. They tend to vibrate loose. You don’t want your wheel coming off at speed. Oh, and the clutch cables tend to snap every nine months or so. Learn to shift on RPMs so you can get to a repair shop when that happens, and you’re fine.
Some say they are finicky and a pain in the ass. I assume they are a literal “pain in the ass” as in not comfortable to ride?!?! How about the finicky part? What exactly does that mean? What’s finicky about them?
As for environmental concerns. I understand the concerns that some people may have regarding two strokes and the pollution they give off. But I think they environment will be around a lot longer than I will. So I am not too concerned about that. Additionally most scooters are way more fuel efficient that a lot of cars or trucks being driven nowadays.
More insight into Vespas would be much appreciated. Are there things I should avoid when buying one? Are there things I should look for when buying one? etc…
Cheers again
Vespas are the Harley’s of scooters,and I mean that in a bad way. A massive pain in the ass sought out by douche bags and those with douchey tendencies.
The Japanese have mastered the art of two wheels. Save yourself the fucking hassle of being ‘cool’ and go with the rice.
Remember, at the end of the day you are still on a scooter, and having a cool one is akin to being responsible for taking the least smelly dump, its all shit.
[quote=“Deuce Dropper”]Vespas are the Harley’s of scooters,and I mean that in a bad way. A massive pain in the ass sought out by douche bags and those with douchey tendencies.
The Japanese have mastered the art of two wheels. Save yourself the fucking hassle of being ‘cool’ and go with the rice.
Remember, at the end of the day you are still on a scooter, and having a cool one is akin to being responsible for taking the least smelly dump, its all shit.[/quote]
The truth comes out, haha! I love it! Nice post.
Back in the summer of 1977. I rode my friends 200cc (I think) Vespa now and then. LIKed it. Got it to lift off its front wheels after going about 80kph on the straight below the dam at Shihmen (and scared myself). Plus rode pillion from Fulung to Taipei thru what is now 106 I believe , back when it wasnt really a road yet and yet was the only “road” link to Fulung (then accessible only by Train).
Was fun. Heavy and hard to handle tho.
And not cheap.
my friend has a new one…which runs great, but is also very ‘fat’. Heavy etc…the older ones…awesome to look at but almost every single one I see smokes…and I think it may have the same issues than the Kawasaki B1. Needs repairing a lot, breaks down if you want to go on long rides, brakes not so good, very broad (difficult to park)
but they are pretty!!!
I have 2 of those Vespas & I love them . . . 
They are just for hobby & fun. - My daily ride is modern plastic scoot (Sym RV180), which is great, but don’t give the feeling what real 2-stroke geared Vespa can give. The plus side is also local active Vespa clubs aroud the island & gatherings, rallies & yearly Taiwan Vespa days. I got lots of new friends & nice hobby for myseld & my son. . . 
This year event in Dou Lio collected 600 Vespas (incl. some Lambrettas, Heinkels, Rabbits etc) & hobbyist together. - Great gyus & will help you to sort the problems you will face 
In Taichung is also very active Vespa club but I don’t have their contacts here. VCOT (Vespa Club Of Taiwan) & Mr. Christopher Yang (nuart@ms7.hinet.net) will surely help you to find local contacts, work shops, & hobbyist if you are interested.
Web site: vespa.com.tw/open.html
It’s true that modern scoot is better for daily use, but Vespa PX is definitely maintainable & useable for daily rides as well. - It needs more babying & maintenance, but well restored one (incl. frame, brakes, suspension & engine) are reliable & smooth rides. What you can expect from ~ 30 years old scooter if it’s not completely built again? Well restored will cost easily more than 50K but you can find good project 15-20 K (PX-PE). If you can not do anything DIY, for example, painting the scooter will cost ~ 20K (including stripping scoot on pieces & assembly back) The engine repair without crank & cylinder set will be ~ 7000 & cylinder sets (local) will cost ~ 4000, Italian ones 10-15K, new crank will be ~ 3500. You may also include new electronic ignition, bigger bore cylinder, bigger carb (even reed), expansion pipe, tubeless rims , disc brakes etc . . .
Generally speaking more older Vespa one more expensive.
Forgot to mention that DIY maintenance is anyway easy if you have done anything mechanic works before & Haynes’ service & repair manual is available & really good to have on hands when you are doing something first time. scooterhelp.com/ is also great source for more info . . . There are several other sites as well.
Amazingly lot of parts can be still purchaced locally in Taiwan & are made here . . . In fact they export lots of Vespa parts to overseas as well. I have ordered also expensive Italian , German, British parts via ebay & several online stores but the basic parts are all available in Taiwan. The only problem is to found local mechanic workshop which is specialized for those old timers & know how to source all parts. They are not in every corner like “normal” scoot shops, but still available & mainly supported by Vespa enthusiasts. Newer generation mechanics don’t know much about Vespas & only thing you might get there is new plug or new tire. . . So, the real Vespa mechanic can make sure that you can get your Vespa properly maintained & trouble free . . . or at least almost trouble free 
I restored 2 PX-PE’s during few years & spent ~ 100K /each (incl. bike) :loco: but they are in show condition & practically like new.
My first project, 1984 model, on Vespa days 2009 in Taipei
My second project, 1981 model
I have several front- rear racks, seats, flyscreens, original British spot lights, crash bars so the actual outlook may wary time to time . . .
Wellcome to happy group of Classic Vespa riders . . . You’ll never get bored & quarantee that these beasts will make you find your inner mechanic as well :roflmao: . . . .
More pictures: dotphoto.com/go.asp?l=juhalee
It’s a good thing that the no. 1 300cc scooter in Italy is the Honda SH300, and the no. 1 selling 150cc scooter in Italy is the Honda SH150, otherwise the entire nation of Vespaland might take offense.
those are BEAUUUTIFUL. I love the bike clubs here…the B1 club has THE COOLEST B1s I’ve seen…and the Magic125 one too. Love hobbies. I would buy a Vespa as a hobby and then have another one for daily use.
Of the older Vespa’s the PX’s and PE’s which do you think is more reliable?
If you are speaking only PX/PE’s I’ll go as young as I can find but is does’t actually matter if the Vespa if is already well restored. - Try to find bike’s history, pictures etc , (major repairs done) if avail. Some of them are just newly painted with loads of putty & engine cleaned & sold at high price. 
. . . Small magnet is you friend while checking just painted frame. It won’t stick on the areas with thick coating of putty.
Less driven (newer) most probably have crank shaft & bearings still OK candition. . . But if you are thinking old Vespa as a daily beater you might better have these checked & at least bearigs changed.
There were 2 manufactures ( “Vespa” & " Piaggio") in Taiwan which produced Vespas under licence. It looks like hobbyist perfer older ones under “Vespa” logo (written in Chinese in registration papers) . . . I do not see actually any differece between them. - My other one is “Vespa” & other one “Piaggio”. . . . Just to mention that Lambrettas were also manufactured in Taiwan under licence, even so it is not widely known. Vespas became more popular anycase due reliability & easy maintenance.
Mechanically & parts vice there are hardly no differecies between older & newer bikes… The year does’t actually mean a lot . . . It’s the actual condition. The most rare & expensive are Vespas before PX’s time & models. (The most wanted ones ore old & original Italian models) (That’s why I mentioned, the older, more expensive.)
There are still plentiful PX / PEs to choose & restore 
Any case if you find newer one there is possibility that the frame is in better condition & maybe the engine doesn’t need nothing much to do. . . . maybe cylinder set (if even that). Best is to find bike that you like, do some minor repairs & service & drive for a while with that. It gives you time to find out what you wish to do with it & how much $$$ you want to put on it . . . . The sky is the limit 
You can get some ideas of different Vespas (restored/modded/original ones) from my albums. Just have a look for example Vespa Days photos from last few years.
Thanks for your helpful insight juhalee.
Would you or anyone else ever consider buying a Vespa that is already fully restored. Originally I was thinking of doing this. As it would save me the time and effort of having to get a Vespa rebuilt, painted and in working order. But now that I have seen all the options available to restoring a Vespa I am not sure what to do.
If I wanted to get a fully restored Vespa where would I look?
Thanks again
I’ll look these first to have some view of the market:
class.ruten.com.tw/category/sub0 … 1900020002 (Ruten) and
tw.bid.yahoo.com/tw/2092081443-c … 1141950675
Often these prices are inflated (but not always) just to try luck if someone is interested. If contacts are available or price is something like 88888888 
, the price is based on final negotiations. Normally aways the best ones (best priced ones) are sold well before the auction is actually over.
One way (maybe the best one) is trying to contact local club there in Taichung or contact Mr. Yang from VCOT. - If I undestand right there are often (if not always?) Vespas to sell by VCOT.
Also those Vespa garages & mechanics are restoring & selling Vespas from different ages. . . . I’m sure that in Taichung must have several garages with old Vespas (PX/PE) to sell.