The Scooter Blog The Scooter Linc - Part 5 Leave it stock or modify. This week Linc asks that old age question.
Linc Biggins
Vintage Scooters particularly Vespa's and Lambretta's tend to stir emotions when the subject of stock or modify comes up. Purists will argue that it must be as per the way it came out of the factory, whilst modifiers argue that melding the parts onto the model is the way to go.
As a lover of all things mechanical I can relate to both sides of the argument, I love an original concourse piece of vintage equipment but let’s admit it, if you actually want to ride it, upgrading 30-60 year old technology can not only make it more reliable and safe but just plain and simply more fun!
Having gone down both paths with previous restorations and rebuilds some things must be considered. If I was to stumble across a nice GP200 Lammy or a Vespa GS160 in a shed "complete" than I would have to try and stick to original. This decision would be based on a financial reason primarily (an original is always going to retain more value) but also a desire to preserve something the factory released at the time which was the best available.
A base model or mid range model however presents a different conundrum (particularly if it's not complete) and that's because as an enthusiast working on them is great, seeing something come together by your own doing is something which gives a great sense of satisfaction. I am first and foremost a “rider” and as such would tend to build it into something which aesthetically and mechanically is what I would want. The modern scooter revival is reminiscent of the “mods and Rockers” scene from the 60's and 70's, now I wasn’t there but I would suggest there would not have been a “stock” one amongst any of them, in fact that was what it was all about!
Put 20 mirrors and lights on it, make it a bit individual, make it what “you want”.....
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published 9/08/2011 |