'Wheels Up' | Vespa Restoration - Episode Five 

Very entertaining series of videos. I loved the story about the VW engine rebuild. I rebuilt a Kawasaki 900 motor in my bedroom, but at least it was small enough to fit through the door!

Love it! Particularly the anecdote about the VW Beetle rebuild as a sixteen year old! You must have had the most tolerant parents in the U.K!

Can wire up a variable power supply to emulate the motor running. As far as painting went, we here in Australia have a product at the local Hardware store called penetrol. Used it on bare metal, and came up a treat as a clear coat on projects of mine. I would have suggested to use that to lock in the patina of the paint whilst providing adequate protection without resorting to having to paint a specific colour. Rub the original paint back to a necessary point to remove rust, and presto. Save rubbing it, you could also have used oxalic acid to restore the original steel, THEN penetrol i guess. And you would have yourself a well preserved time capsule

My son has exactly the same scooter. As a bonus it has been ridden by major motorbikist Jeremy McWilliams. Loved the vids.

Very nice job Dom. Really like that you save most of the old, original paint and did not repaint it. Just don't forget the safety clips on your new brakes...if you haven't it already done.

Looking forward to seeing you riding the vespa.

Oh bless you I don’t envy you with all that confusing wiring! Good luck Dom 🥰

Bravo!! Its looking GREAT! I too, rebuilt a VW Beetle engine in my teens. (twice) THAT's a fun build (and slightly similar, I can imagine. Although on a smaller scale.)

Looking good Dom... HIT IT made me chuckle 👍

Brilliant Dom, well done and good luck with the wiring which is difficult enough if the diagram agrees with the loom and colours but if it doesn’t..... I guess it’s a circuit tester! Kind regards, Richard.

What a great job you are doing. I also love restoration. I just got a hugh grinder older than than dirt. Has babbot bearings.

Fantastic, nicely done

You've certainly got your work cut out with this one Dom !!!! One massive task ahead - good luck 👌

Ooh! That’s coming along really nicely 👍😀

Really starting to come together, looking good. 👍

Making good progress Dom. As to the electrics you CAN actually hook up a 12V battery to the system to test it all out (I've done it several times on my builds to test it before I mount the harness to the frame). All you have to do is connect your harness ground to the frame and make sure to connect your battery after the regulator/rectifier to the rest of the system. Should work a treat. Looking forward to your first fire of the engine.

Wiring .the devils work .vespas looking great

Well done on what you've done so far, just wish you had repainted it. Tyres and suspension look awesome!

Looking good Dom, right decision on the paintwork 😉 Dan, Dan hit it😂

you are using an idm ignition. don't forget to measure your ignition timing at the right rpm. it's not static it adjusts around 7degree. 25°-18° before tdc is a good start.

Aww looks awesome Dom! Your enthusiasm is infectious, great to see the Vespa up on its wheels! Laughing at your 'make do and hope I don't have to mend' stool bench. Great job. Good Luck with the wiring challenge.

You’re doing a fantastic job on the super. I’ve had 43 scooters over the years, 3 being supers. Love the fact you’re not repainting it as it would lose all character. The headset is awesome. The super is such a smooth ride as well. Rode mine from Bristol to Margate one year. Can’t wait to see yours running. 👍

Wow, that is quite the milestone, so exciting! It is looking amazing. Good luck with the wiring( “ Hit it Dan!)🛵❤️

Argh! Wiring. I'm with you, it's not my favourite thing either but I suspect you'll crack it piece by piece.

Looking forward to seeing you finish this...how about another episode please 😁

get yourself a USB charged 12v jumper..Moerun do one that basically gives you a portable 12v power supply that you can test components with...and it fits in your workshop trouser pockets...as long as they're big 😁

You have done so well...will keep fingers crossed and send positive vibes to you.

im trying to rewire a px 125 disc have a load of wiring diagrams but not the right one with right coloured wires on it , doh, getting my head round it slowly but would help if can find the right one, fitted stand today, bit of wet colour sanding to bring back paint, and then t cut with cordless drill, mainly ive been trying to fit a set of after market floor runners, surposedly for px, but has taken all day to fit them, drilling and bending and measuring, within a spit of riveting them on tomorrow, dont need to run just need to work on getting spark first, dunno if u still have points and condenser, or gone with electronic ignition best wishes, springs are easy with vice grips!

I'm loving the videos Dom, I've had a similar problem wiring diagrams and looms on my Cortina. I found scanning it and colouring the wires on paint and then braking it down to lighting, indicators etc helped Good luck Jim

Come on Dan he said hit it not tickle 🤣😂

Looks superb! Loving it.... Best of luck with that wiring but so looking forward to seeing it come together.

looking great Don looking forward to the next video Dave

Smart as a carrot Dom! Shame you can't temporarily bypass the magneto with a 12 volt battery hookup. Have to be honest I too fear the dreaded wire beast. Cheers Simon

Hit it Dad! Classic 😂

good luck dom for all that wiring another great episode :) can't wait to see that wheelie you promised :)

Electrics are the devil's own design. I have poor colour vision and constantly ask my wife to "look and see what colour is that?" You'll get there I'm sure, from what I've seen of you on the repair shop you don't quit, so it WILL work. Great video.

Cool!

Good progress Dom, well done! Don't envy you the wiring. Might pay to buy or make an engine hoist to save damaging your back? Regards Keith

🧚🏻‍♂️✨ wishing you good luck ☺️

So I was wondering at the balance between looks like new (the engine, rear wheel etc.) and the tatty front end. Personally I would have liked a respray!

Looking great...love that feeling when a scooter sits on two wheels for the first time....one thing Dom...did you grease the engine bolt, as they are a nightmare for seizing?

Great series, 356 next? Can’t wait

Hey Dom, found you via Instagram, you might just be the inspiration I need to get my stalled small frame Vespa restoration project going again!! Fortunately I still have dads old B&D Workmate, which balances the old girl 😁 perfectly. Perhaps for your next Vespa a great idea! Love you have gone down the rustoration route, which I probably should have done and it would probably be done by now, looking forward to seeing your progress 😁

I must be strange as wiring scooter is one of my favourite parts of the job especially strange as I’m colour blind ! Did you get the loom from beed speed by any chance ? Only pointer I’d give when putting main engine bolt in single handed put a thinner bar through first which helps line up . Also tend bit of Copper grease on main bolt and brake pivots . Great job !

I use a battery as a temporary supply for the power

Do wiring diagrams ever match up with the reality of what's in front of you? 😂

i wouldnt ride that with those tyres