Activities Hobbies How to Restore a Vespa Share PINTEREST Email Print Hobbies Cars & Motorcycles Contests Couponing Freebies Frugal Living Fine Arts & Crafts Astrology Card Games & Gambling Playing Music Learn More By John Glimmerveen John Glimmerveen John Glimmerveen is a former competitive motorcycle racer. He later worked as a race technician for several international race teams. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on 02/25/19 Restoring a classic will involve many hours of disassembly, inspection and either repair or replacement of components. Produced in their millions, Vespa scooters are reliable, inexpensive vehicles that are becoming very popular with collectors and riders. Originally invented to fill a need for inexpensive transport, classic scooters can be found all over the world fulfilling that need again. 01 of 05 Vespa 1963 GS 150 Restoration AllVespa.com The restoration covered here is of a VBS Vespa, with GS specification modifications. Scooter restoration specialists AllVespa performed the restoration. The scooter started out as a 1963 VBC with a 150-cc engine. Although this restoration was performed by a professional company, it gives the private owner/restorer an insight into what is required to make the older Vespa's serviceable again. The Vespa was purchased and restored by AllVespa in Vietnam where the scooter has been a popular form of transport for many years. Although the Vespa's have proven to be reliable machines, the company disassembles every machine to check for damage or cracks on the chassis which may need welding. (Anyone restoring one of these classic scooters is well advised to follow this example). 02 of 05 Chassis Checks AllVespa.com Disassembly of a scooter ideally should be done on a lift to put the scooter at decent working height. This is particularly important with scooters as many of their mechanical components are located below the body/chassis panels (similar to a car). Although the pressed steel chassis has proven to be very robust, it is essential to have the paint removed by sand or grit blasting. This process will give the mechanic chance to fully inspect the chassis. In addition, cracked paint can give the appearance of a more serious crack in the steel below it. (Cracked paint is a good indication of movement and the mechanic should photograph any suspect areas so that a more detailed inspection can be made once the paint has been removed). The paint used on this restoration is made by I.C.I.(now owned by the Akzo Nobel Group). 03 of 05 Parts Replacement AllVespa.com As with most restorations, it is prudent to replace certain components. In this restoration the following components were replaced for safety and reliability reasons (and appearance in some cases): Rubber hoses Brake shoes Front and rear shocks Springs Tires and tubes Control cables Odometer Locks Electrical wiring Leg and fender shield trim Floor strips Rubber trim Exhaust system 04 of 05 Engine Rebuild AllVespa.com In addition, the 150-cc engine was fully rebuilt. Although the Vespa 2-stroke is a relatively reliable design, wear on certain components is inevitable. In particular, the 2-stroke lubrication system gives only a minimal amount of lubrications to pistons and crank bearings, but at the same time the burnt oil (after combustion) will slowly build up in the muffler and around the exhaust port, which will greatly reduce performance. During the rebuild of the engine the following components were replaced or reconditioned: Cases were cleaned and grit blastedCylinderNew piston and ringsCrankshaft assemblyCrank and gear bearingsCrank oil sealsComplete gasket set 05 of 05 Finished Product AllVespa.com The finished scooter is as good as new, or even better with the addition of an expansion chamber.