quackshot
Posted a lot
...friggin' cars...
Posts: 1,354
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Oct 13, 2014 10:47:17 GMT
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So... Since being a member I've never done this and never really been inclined to. A complete virgin! ...anyway despite having a garage with some #smugface pretty awesome cars in, I'm still living in Vietnam whilst my cars sit waiting in the UK #selftrollface so have not had the opportunity to have a decent build thread. Meanwhile I'm going to share with you one of my daily hacks from here in Hanoi.  Its an early 60s vespa vbb standard. This was the cheaper, less popular version of the chrome donning vespa super. However I like standard stuff and I'm not a fan of chrome so I was pretty excited by this find.  I won't go into the ins and outs of bikes here in 'nam but some quick info. Firstly everyone rides new bikes, people don't really want old stuff. Secondly stuff like this doesn't really come up for sale, especially to us expats. It tends to sell through word of mouth to collectors and enthusiasts. Thirdly and most importantly, the old stuff NEVER has any paperwork... This did!!! I was offered this in part payment as a non runner for fixing up a customers vespa super. It worked out costing about $600. Happy times   However, I ended up having to replace the clutch, completely rebuild the engine as all the bearings were toast, piston and flywheel where shot, and replace a few tyres. For those not in the know its a 150cc 2-stroke engine with a 4 speed gearbox. 6v electrics of course but the lamp is about as effective as firefly. The good news is that 2-stroke smells great and is pretty rapid. More to come |
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Last Edit: Oct 13, 2014 11:57:26 GMT by quackshot
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Oct 13, 2014 11:15:08 GMT
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Looking forward to seeing photos. Is it a wide body or narrow? My first 'ride' was a fully restored 1957 vespa 125 but sadly i was completely out my depth as i had zero mechanical knowledge at the time and more importantly complete fear of ruining it so I didn't even try to keep it running and when I refused to start just left it standing in the garage for a few years before selling it on.  |
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quackshot
Posted a lot
...friggin' cars...
Posts: 1,354
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Oct 13, 2014 12:10:00 GMT
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Like you dude, I had a few in the UK before but was not as "2 wheel" mechanically minded... blinded by the fear of the unknown and 2-stroke wizardry! They're actually pretty simple... shame they are so expensive back home. I'm toying with bringing her back to the UK with me. Anyway some more blabbering now. Since rebuilding the engine it's been lunging when pulling away as if it had a paddle clutch and often stalling when this happens so I took it to a professional today.  The old boy that runs this joint has been working purely with Vespas and Lambrettas for 40 years and still works using traditional methods (panel beating etc). 7 quid to take the clutch apart, shim it, clean it up, and reassemble. The price included a few beers and an iced coffee too! I felt a little bad so splashed out another 7 quid for him to fit a new back tyre Couldn't be bothered to clean it so just added some blur effect. Looks great. Job done.  Next job on the list is to make a new seat as I'm not a fan of the twin seats... and the solo seat is too far forward even for a shortarse like me! |
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quackshot
Posted a lot
...friggin' cars...
Posts: 1,354
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Well... Still suffering from clutch grab again today. Seems to come when the engine is cold.
Any ideas? Cork plates were soaked in the correct oil, friction plates are true. But really lunges from a cold pullaway :/
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quackshot
Posted a lot
...friggin' cars...
Posts: 1,354
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Oct 16, 2014 14:30:42 GMT
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Started making the new seat today... Cardboard template...  Cut some steel...  Cut some foam, stuck it on and sketched how I'll upholster it...  ...sewing machine time now... |
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Oct 16, 2014 16:42:38 GMT
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Clutch sounds like it needs a new cruciform  |
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quackshot
Posted a lot
...friggin' cars...
Posts: 1,354
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Oct 16, 2014 23:35:06 GMT
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Clutch sounds like it needs a new cruciform Isn't the cruciform purely for selection? |
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I'm not sure as my mechanical knowledge is pants, but I know when vespa T5's had problems with clutch lurch the cruciform was usually to blame
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quackshot
Posted a lot
...friggin' cars...
Posts: 1,354
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A worn cruciform would result in difficulty selecting gears and jumping out of gears.
My problem is purely in 1st gear when cold. The initial pull away, the clutch grabs.
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mylittletony
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,337
Club RR Member Number: 84
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Oct 17, 2014 15:40:54 GMT
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Nice scoot, I loved my pk50 (secret 125) for bombing around London...
Just out of curiosity what are doing in 'nam?
Also, as another aside, I have a Honda replica similar to the one in your cardboard template photo, what' submits availability like??
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Oct 17, 2014 19:40:17 GMT
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Ginetta G15 BMW K1100 conversion Sold
Mk1 Mx5 on ITB'S Sold
TVR Chimaera 400 supercharged
MR2 Red Roadster 2ZZ
Bee*R 324 Skyline
95 Cherokee Jeep
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quackshot
Posted a lot
...friggin' cars...
Posts: 1,354
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Oct 24, 2014 13:36:25 GMT
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Nice scoot, I loved my pk50 (secret 125) for bombing around London... Just out of curiosity what are doing in 'nam? Also, as another aside, I have a Honda replica similar to the one in your cardboard template photo, what' submits availability like?? I'm living here dude and have been for the past 4 years ish. Hoping to move back in December once I got the kids passports and the wifes visa sorted. Shame really as we have a great life here and earn loads more money than I did in the UK, however it's just not the place I want to raise my kids. Any Honda parts you need, shoot me a list. All of that stuff is available new cheaply. So, the clutch issue has been resolved. Removed it again, replaced the friction plates again, hit it with a hammer a few times and put it back in and seems to be all good now... enjoy some more pictures  Tools of the trade   All homes, shops, business have a shrine, even a tiny one  Shop was once his home... notice the cooking pot on the far right? He still cooks and eats here every lunchtime... fridge next to it with local beer "Bia Hanoi".  Bonus picture if you've read this far... this is just one part of the insane things you see people carrying on bikes everyday all over the country!  |
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Nice pics. I love these little back street shops. If you run anything pre-electronic you can get everything done in those places.
At the barber's shop I use, which is probably the size of a medium bathroom, they have a curtain across the middle and behind that live two brothers, one wife, one mother, three kids and 2 fighting cocks! Next door is a wooden building the size of a portaloo and that's a bicycle repair shop. All with, as you say, shrines, the only difference here is that they are all to Virgin Mary!
Sort of understand your viewpoint on the bringing up the kids, but it's diametrically opposite to mine. The UK is the last place I'd want my girls growing up! Maybe that's just a Philippine v Vietnam thing though?
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