The rusty old scooter is about to get some love. My younger son asked if we could fix it up, so I dont want to miss the moment.
But first some history. I've mentioned and shown the scooter here on occasion, but figure I should start the thread with the full story. I've owned this thing for 20 plus years. It was for sale at a house by work. I stopped and looked. I only knew this - it was too cool not to buy. I knew nothing of scooters, scooter marques, or that this thing in front of me was a pretty rare bird. I think I paid $150 for it. It was originally purchased by the sellers father as tranportation when he was in the Virgin Islands, then it was sent to the states where it evidently sat for ages.
I lived with my parents at the time so it ended up there. I quickly and surprisingly easily got it running and would cruise the neighborhood on it. For some reason it next ended up at my bothers place, and then in an old milk shed at his next place. It made the moves unused and undamaged and sat until he needed it out of the shed. This was about 5-6 years ago. It came home.
One evening my older son was looking at it and asked if it runs. I replied that its sat for years, so probably not, but we can try. I dumped some weedwacker premix in and kicked about 30 times. Nothing. I then noted that the fuel line was empty so I took a cue from dad when his snowmobile wouldn't start and blew in the gas tank.... aaah the taste of fuel vapor..... the line filled up. I tickled the carb again put the choke back on and kicked some more. It started and ran. It then became a small obsession.
Since then it has been used occasionally despite no legal papers, 50 year old horribly cracked tires, and a wheelbarrow tube replacing the original in the back tire.
People who know my ramblings here know my love for real deal patina, and this scoot has it for miles, with most of its original or remnants of its badging / decals intact.
The plan is to go thru it mechanically, clean and paint the frame, wheels, replace the tires, if money allows, get the seat redone, and give it a good cleaning. If pressed enough by the family, I could be talked into paiting it, but currently plan to leave the body alone.
Current state pics later on.
But first some history. I've mentioned and shown the scooter here on occasion, but figure I should start the thread with the full story. I've owned this thing for 20 plus years. It was for sale at a house by work. I stopped and looked. I only knew this - it was too cool not to buy. I knew nothing of scooters, scooter marques, or that this thing in front of me was a pretty rare bird. I think I paid $150 for it. It was originally purchased by the sellers father as tranportation when he was in the Virgin Islands, then it was sent to the states where it evidently sat for ages.
I lived with my parents at the time so it ended up there. I quickly and surprisingly easily got it running and would cruise the neighborhood on it. For some reason it next ended up at my bothers place, and then in an old milk shed at his next place. It made the moves unused and undamaged and sat until he needed it out of the shed. This was about 5-6 years ago. It came home.
One evening my older son was looking at it and asked if it runs. I replied that its sat for years, so probably not, but we can try. I dumped some weedwacker premix in and kicked about 30 times. Nothing. I then noted that the fuel line was empty so I took a cue from dad when his snowmobile wouldn't start and blew in the gas tank.... aaah the taste of fuel vapor..... the line filled up. I tickled the carb again put the choke back on and kicked some more. It started and ran. It then became a small obsession.
Since then it has been used occasionally despite no legal papers, 50 year old horribly cracked tires, and a wheelbarrow tube replacing the original in the back tire.
People who know my ramblings here know my love for real deal patina, and this scoot has it for miles, with most of its original or remnants of its badging / decals intact.
The plan is to go thru it mechanically, clean and paint the frame, wheels, replace the tires, if money allows, get the seat redone, and give it a good cleaning. If pressed enough by the family, I could be talked into paiting it, but currently plan to leave the body alone.
Current state pics later on.
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