So, my other bike is a not so running 2005 Triumph 955 Daytona. Key words, not running, and no budget for parts let alone shop fees to have it fixed. It's ok, I bought it as a project and life got in the way.
Enter this kitsch, sort of cool, ego flattening, 1973 Vespa Ciao moped. Also not running but given for simply showing interest and a far sight cheaper to repair than a big Triumph. Why is it on Three Speed Tour? It's got pedals and it's not much faster than a bicycle. Is it dorky, yes. Is it capable of any tour a bicycle could do, also yes. Do people really do that, yes again.
Can it be pleasant to ride, clean, and aesthetically pleasing while sipping fuel and projecting a certain disarming Italian charm? Why yes, yes it can.
Thus far I've been cleaning it up and out, rodents nested in the air box, and sorting out how to not make it look like a low rent rat rod while avoiding a factory restoration on the other side of the coin. It's not in good enough shape to simply restore and I'm certain it'll look great with in a nice robins egg blue or teal livery with some Italian flag colored stripes and details. Yes, you can see it too. If I can knit it back together it'll be nice.
It's not a sexy early model Vespa scooter but it's fun. A quick look at Craigslist showed a number of running examples ranging from $150-$1000. Just remember fellas, it's not a motorcycle so don't try to make it one.
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