What's your view on a scooter restoration

[Donnie]

But, my opinion.

Keep it original as you can, there's nothing like keeping an original machine on the road and tweeking it to your own personal wants.

Restorations are that, factory type specs that look like they came out of the factory, except thats near impossible as even paint techniques and makeup are different.

Keeping it original? That's keeping it running with probably some modern bits, ie modern cables and say a casa kit or mugello or gt etc and treating it as a road going scooter.

Lairy paint job? Well that's a custom and could be anything but is very very personal and is one of them that could be technically very proficient but the theme can be awful to one and yet beautiful to another.

Rustoration? funny one this as many seem to think it means to brillo pad it down or actually give it a paint job with faux rust paint. Worse that that, some think it's take whats in front of you and get it going so it can pass an mot that keep up with your mates.
I don't agree on that personally, what a lot call a rustoration is in fact just a Keep it original but let it rot to a natural point where it can still be used, ie a rat or commonly called a shitter.

Or maybe thats another class and Im in the minority ?

[Meds]

Maybe we should have another category
Preservation, keeping it in its current condition without letting it get any worse.
which is what I think I have done to the 125 special body

[Donnie]

keeping it in its current condition without letting it get any worse

Still doesn't meet mine to be fair

Need to replace "without" with "and"

[rainbowrunner]

I could call my golden special 50/50. on the outside its as it left the factory in 1963, on the inside its tarted up with 175 top end, new chain with new teflon top guide, new mazachelli crank (is that how you spell it) nylon lined cables, MB front fork springs, 25mm carb running through air box , and i bought some sip tubeless wheels just for the euro lambretta in austria (taken off now and the gold painted wheel rims back on) so yes you can have a just as it left the factory look and still use it without fear of breaking down,

[eden]

If your going to ride it then you have to be sensible IMO. Performance engine to cope with modern day traffic and riding with mates, up graded electrics, nylon lined cables etc all within an original looking scooter. If it's not going to be ridden far and it's just a project then restore it to its former glory unless it's well preserved and then a rustoration is the way forward.

Spot on

[bristolmod]

I work on the basis that anything is allowable- as long as you can't see it from the outside.

Chris

[alcoholic maniacs sc]

My experience only
return foray into scootering was a 64 LIs restoration factory spec (except the electrics )
Recovered nearly all the parts including screws and rubbers.
My second foray LI125s still in what's left of the factory paint, covered it in ACF 50 changed the shock, put a pair of rusty LI panels on it & recycled the engine into a Rapido 225.
The LI150s looks great but it's dire to ride, slow, ponderous and you are just an obsticle for car drivers, the Rapido is so much fun to ride and I don't worry about it getting scratched, chipped etc.
If I had to do it again I would preserve the 150s and blow the budget on the engine/brakes etc
It's a bit of what you fancy
Sofia Loren strolling down the Beach at Caen looking fantastic
Or big Ju leaving you with a grin so wide it hurts
You choose

ive read several times people saying "standard restored 125's and 150's wont hack it in modern trafic..." TOSH!!! ive got a factory spec Puch maxi sport that has 1.5 horsepower and will do 29 on the flat and 39 down a cliff. ive used it as a daily, thrashed it to death,rode everyroundabout like im being chased by the coppers, all at less than 30mph in a city with 200,000 cars and 1.2 million conjested , frustrated angry people. i chose to keep it factory spec , 3 inch drum brakes and all and not add a gear and alloy barrel up grade. i love the way Puch engineered it and as for it being dangerous, well after 2 years and 10,000 miles there isnt a scratch on it or me.make your own mind up about "upgraded" restorations. oh and its got six volt lights and no f****n brake switch!!. oooo thats not good for commuting in busy traffic....snore....a restoration is just that or paint it like a bad DTC replica and fit a hydraulic homo disc and be done with it.