ScooterWorks!!!

So its ironic that I have to move halfway around the country to find out about the most amazing scootershop in the US right in my own backyard. Scooterworks on North Damen, thank goodness, also does a fantastic internet parts business. I got the first of what I'm sure are to be many packages from these wonderful gentleman, quickly and at a reasonable price! Got a set of engine block gaskets and some rubber grommets and other various odds and ends. And as a treat they threw in some cherry heads, talk about great service!

Yankin the gas tank and finding a friend

So I am a little stuck with the engine rebuild as there is a stripped screw holding down the carb box to the engine block. I changed gears and decided to do some more work on the body/fuel system and remove the gas tank. Wasnt that difficult, just remove the rubber grommet on the fuel tap lever and the two screws holding down the tank to the body. Then pull up and twist and the whole apparatus pulls out.  

Little did I know that a friend had decided to take up residence in the body. He had apparently been there for awhile as he was just as rusted and crusty as the rest of the dirty inside. No more squatters in my Vespa!!

The future saddle of my mighty steed

So she may not look pretty now, but thats not what's important. Theres a lot of character here to work with and hopefully with a little help from mom and the nice people at the leather goods store I'll have a great looking hand stitched saddle and passenger seat! This is what it looks like now:

I haven't decided yet how I am going to clean'er up but I've got some ideas. I have read about electrolysis and seems to be the most hardcore, but not necessarily the easiest. Then theres sandblasting and about a million different products you can buy from Autozone to spray off the rust. Will update when I've decided.

Gettin My Hands Dirty

So it's time to get my hands dirty. The first thing I have to do is remove the engine block and rear wheel which is actually one apparatus along with the transmission and clutch. First, remove the brake cable and clutch cable where they attach to the block underneath the bike. Then, remove the choke cable and the throttle cable from the carburetor and the junction box/wiring harness on top of the flywheel.

The next step was to remove the carburetor from the engine block. When I bought her the carb/air filter box was missing the top and the carb was filthy and full of leaves, dirt and grease. The air filter was missing as were various rubber stoppers, grommets. 

Getting Started

So, I'm a genuine newbie at restoration and more or less at mechanical repair as well, but I figured a Vespa can't be a bad place to start as it's much simpler than a car! Maybe in a couple weeks I'll be regretting those words but not yet! Here's what she looked like when I picked her up in Grand Gorge, NY from a real wackjob at an Army/Navy Surplus store complete with tanks and everything:

$650 bucks later and I'm the proud owner of a 1964 VBB! Probably paid too much for her, but she's mostly complete, and the engine isn't seized.