Have you ever wondered what is involved in the process of restoring an old vintage scooter? It’s a time-consuming and often expensive process but when you see what goes into a restoration project, you begin to understand why the cost and time elements are what they are. For those who adore these classic Vespas or Lambrettas, it’s a labour of love but always one best left in the hands of professional scooter restoration experts.
A scooter will be totally disassembled, right down to its nuts and bolts. All paint work is stripped from the body and frame with any underlying damage being repaired before repainting with modern paint. Any parts that require a powder coat for additional strength will receive it as this point.
All the metal parts will then be polished. Polishing is cheaper than using chrome and is considered a more traditional method in restoration projects. Every single knob, lever or switch gets a thorough polish to a highly reflective finish. Chroming is also an option for hubs and wheel trims for example.
After the engine is disassembled, any parts that are broken or worn will be replaced, as are worn parts from elsewhere on the scooter. This could include things like cables, tyres, switches, brakes and seat covers. Once this has been completed, all parts are put back together and highly polished or repainted. Vespa scooter 2-stroke engines are highly reliable; however, the ravages of time will mean that many of the components need replacing.
If you’re thinking of purchasing a classic scooter and having it restored to its former glory, then there are several important points to consider:
The Body – It’s important to carefully examine the body for accident damage. If there are odd bends or ripples where the floorboards meet the leg shield, this is indicative of a serious crash. Check underneath for rust and inside the fuel tank. You’ll also want to see if the frame by the tail light is cracked and if it still has all its original badges.
The Motor – Listen to whether the scooter idles smoothly or is it belching out a lot of smoke? Are there any obvious signs of leaks? Listen to the noise coming from different areas of the body. Are there any strange rattling or knocking sounds? Turning the throttle and seeing how it runs up to high speed and returns to idle will give you an indication if there are further problems that need investigating.
Take a Test Drive – Signs to look out for on a test drive include pulling to one side, jumping out of gear during sudden acceleration, a bouncy suspension and a backend wobble on turning. All these are problems that can be fixed but are likely to be costly.
These are just a few pointers on the important things to look for when selecting the right scooter for restoration. Many of the classic scooters on the market are at the very least 30 years old so the existing condition of your prospective purchase should be examined carefully.