Zep66
Member
Posts: 42
Registered: 16/7/2009
Location: Albert Park
Member Is Offline
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![[*]](./images/oxygen/default_icon.gif) posted on 28/7/2009 at 11:17 |
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Intro - James (Zep66)
Hi,
Thought I should post an intro so that you know who I am.
My name is James, I have been fooling about with my Vespa for about 18 months. I have had a fascination with these machine since I was a child where
I would see my Godfathers (yep, he's also Italian) two seater Vespa at his property in Broken Hill in the 70's.
I bought my VBC Vespa in Indonesia to ride while there on an extended holiday, it worked out cheaper than hiring a scooter for the time I needed it.
When it came time to come back to Oz, I just could not bring myself to leaving her behind.
That opened a can of worms, as mechanically these scoots have had a hard life. Its OK to ride them over there, if you have a problem a mechanic will
cost about $2 an hour and parts are dirt cheap, but this is not feasible here. Cut a long story short, I have replaced everything on her front to back
except the chassis. My 'Wrench to Ride' ratio is about even now, but it took a good 6 months to sort out and I have educated myself on all things
'Vespa and Zen' on the way.
If you want to see my build info or interested in some of the horror stories from Asian scoots here is a link (James from Melbourne) in this
Scootissmo blog:
http://scootissimo.blogspot.com/
Since then, I have replace the motor with a PX150, Sito Plus, Jetex 20/20 carb with an upjeted 102 main jet. Also a 8" to 10" conversion, which
ascetically I thing lessens the appeal, but definitely needed to deal with modern traffic and the PX gearing. I have done all the work myself, which
is difficult as I do not have a garage, but enjoy a challenge and love tooling about with mechanics or electrics. So I look forward to sharing others
experiences with there machines.
I joined Crusaders in May, I cam to realised that I have not spoken to another 'Human' about my Vespa's interest (BBS heaps, face to face - no!) - so
here I am.
If your wondering who the girl is in the Avatar, that's my daughter Mia, attached is another of her on my VBC in Bali.
The scoot runs fantastic now and its my daily ride. You will see here most work days parked down at the Docklands.
James.
1966 VBC, Motor: PX150, Mazzuchelli Race Crank, Pinasco 177 Niscal Kit, 24/24 SI carb, 140 Main Jet, 226 Vintage Hot Wing pipe.
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Zep66
Member
Posts: 42
Registered: 16/7/2009
Location: Albert Park
Member Is Offline
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| posted on 28/7/2009 at 11:20 |
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Attachement
Zep66 has attached this image:
1966 VBC, Motor: PX150, Mazzuchelli Race Crank, Pinasco 177 Niscal Kit, 24/24 SI carb, 140 Main Jet, 226 Vintage Hot Wing pipe.
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nightowlaus
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| posted on 28/7/2009 at 12:31 |
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Zep66
Hi,
Thought I should post an intro so that you know who I am.
My name is James, I have been fooling about with my Vespa for about 18 months. I have had a fascination with these machine since I was a child where
I would see my Godfathers (yep, he's also Italian) two seater Vespa at his property in Broken Hill in the 70's.
I bought my VBC Vespa in Indonesia to ride while there on an extended holiday, it worked out cheaper than hiring a scooter for the time I needed it.
When it came time to come back to Oz, I just could not bring myself to leaving her behind.
That opened a can of worms, as mechanically these scoots have had a hard life. Its OK to ride them over there, if you have a problem a mechanic will
cost about $2 an hour and parts are dirt cheap, but this is not feasible here. Cut a long story short, I have replaced everything on her front to back
except the chassis. My 'Wrench to Ride' ratio is about even now, but it took a good 6 months to sort out and I have educated myself on all things
'Vespa and Zen' on the way.
If you want to see my build info or interested in some of the horror stories from Asian scoots here is a link (James from Melbourne) in this
Scootissmo blog:
http://scootissimo.blogspot.com/
Since then, I have replace the motor with a PX150, Sito Plus, Jetex 20/20 carb with an upjeted 102 main jet. Also a 8" to 10" conversion, which
ascetically I thing lessens the appeal, but definitely needed to deal with modern traffic and the PX gearing. I have done all the work myself, which
is difficult as I do not have a garage, but enjoy a challenge and love tooling about with mechanics or electrics. So I look forward to sharing others
experiences with there machines.
I joined Crusaders in May, I cam to realised that I have not spoken to another 'Human' about my Vespa's interest (BBS heaps, face to face - no!) - so
here I am.
If your wondering who the girl is in the Avatar, that's my daughter Mia, attached is another of her on my VBC in Bali.
The scoot runs fantastic now and its my daily ride. You will see here most work days parked down at the Docklands.
James. |
Welcome to Club James,
A great intro post and as many of our members will vouch, yours is an all too familiar story regarding importing a scooter from Indonesia or Vitnam.
But hey a happy ending and the scoot is now your daily ride, so well done and allow me to offer you a warm welcome to our Club and we look forward to
seeing you and your scoot on a rideout soon.
Kind Regards
Snowy
Keep on keepin on......
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vella_308
Posting Freak
Posts: 267
Registered: 9/9/2007
Location: Altona North
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Mood: Always smiling : )
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| posted on 28/7/2009 at 18:12 |
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G'day James!
Big welcome to our forum mate hope to see more of you at the meetings & ride outs.
Love the photo of your classic Vespa & beautiful little Mia, but all that Tupperware! just has to go
Paul
~~~ What goes Around comes Around ~~~
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puckstoothbrush
Posting Freak
Posts: 727
Registered: 20/4/2007
Location: South Yarra
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Mood: "unyeildingly negative and contributing nothing of any value while telling everyone else what to do"
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| posted on 28/7/2009 at 19:34 |
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Hi James and Welcome,
Scary photos of the engine. I have been known to resort to JB Weld on the odd occasion, but epoxy
Good on you for doing the dirty work yourself
To quote Dr Von Frankenstein in Warhol's Flesh for Frakenstein
"to know life you have to fuck death in the gall bladder"
good to have another gease monkey on board.
Cheers
Richard
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welshchris
Senior Member
Posts: 121
Registered: 16/4/2009
Member Is Offline
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| posted on 29/7/2009 at 09:24 |
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Welcome James,
Scary photos indeed! Great lil scoot you got now. See you around at meetings and rides.
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mickjrichardson
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| posted on 29/7/2009 at 10:52 |
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Hi James
welcome to the crusaders club and enjoy your time with other like minded classic scooter luvers...your vespa looks great and will fit in well.
enjoyed reading your story and its a ditto from me to with my Lambretta journey....but alls well now and Im very happy to have my Lambretta...its a
bit like wearing a smart per of shoes that pinch when walking but hey they look good and you bare the pain.
hope to catch up one day,cheers Mike
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Gary
Senior Member
Posts: 105
Registered: 7/8/2007
Member Is Offline
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| posted on 30/7/2009 at 09:18 |
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Good work James and welcome.
I have an Indo VBB in a million bits at the moment preparing for a custom rebuild so if you ever feel the need to get your hands dirty your most
welcome to come along and have a tinker.
See ya at next weeks meeting, Gaza.
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Zep66
Member
Posts: 42
Registered: 16/7/2009
Location: Albert Park
Member Is Offline
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| posted on 31/7/2009 at 14:56 |
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Thanks to everyone for the very warm welcome.
Happy to be a Crusaders member - I wear my patch with pride!
Zep66 (James)
1966 VBC, Motor: PX150, Mazzuchelli Race Crank, Pinasco 177 Niscal Kit, 24/24 SI carb, 140 Main Jet, 226 Vintage Hot Wing pipe.
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