Gary From Blainfield

 

"My first vespa was bought about 12 years ago, a px125. First interested in scooters like everyone else watching Quadrophenia in 1979.

First project was a Sportique, couldn't afford a GS150. When I finished the project I sold it immediately as I wanted a GS150 and found one for sale 12 months later around 2004. This GS is one of the rare Messerschmidt models from Germany. I have only managed about 50 miles on this scooter as I have had electrical problems ever since I restored the scooter, a common fault in GS150s.

This led me to my next project, a GS150 with a PX engine and disc front end. This project took about a year from start to finish, money

 

 

and fabrication being the main time restraints. I had the original GS forks cut and welded to the PX 20mm front spindle, this job was carried out by Damian at Chequered Past. The headset is also fabricated using a GL light switch with a plate welded to it to allow the fitting of the hydraulic brake. Both of these conversions are optional as you can run the scooter with the original front end, but i wanted more stoping power. As with all PX conversions the GS frame has to be cut to allow the engine to fit the frame, bracket is also needed as the PX engine is smaller at the main bolt fitting at the frame.

Sometimes these changes to a GS150 are met with huge disapproval, due to the cutting of the main frame. This led me to my next project, the GS150 with the silver,red & gold paint job,the same conversion but without the butchering of the frame. To my knowledge this is a first. This was achieved using a Del'lorto PHBH carburettor and a lot of patience in the set up and carburettor cable route. There are also other modifications needed, these I would like to keep quite at the moment as I am looking into manufacturing the pieces needed. The modifications

 

 

are not done for power or speed just reliability.

I also wanted the scooter to look as good as I could afford so I have had the engine casings polished, nickel plated wheel rims, chromed hubs, shocks and all the other usual chromed parts on a PX engine. The engine itself has the DR180 kit, 28mm Carburettor lightened flywheel and JL stainless exhaust, this will need to be changed as it bottoms out on the rear of the frame even with the SIP race rear shock.

Like every conversion/ restoration they take a lot of time, money and patience and cost more than you wanted to spend. Buy the best you can afford and stay away from cheap after market parts from the usual part of the world.

Both GS150 were first registered in 1959 and are both registered with the Vespa Club of Great Britain through there frame numbers".

Gary