RESTORATION

All our Vespa undergo 100% point nut and bolt restorations. We start with original Piaggio - Italian unmodified matching number Vespas.

The Vespa are stripped right down to their component parts prior to a full 1st Class restoration. Below is a brief run through of the restoration process.

We always start with un-restored Vespa which is still in good condition.

Due to the climate in south Vietnam rust is not such an issue as it is on bikes that have spent the last 40+ years in Europe. To start the Vespa are taken apart carefully and all items removed from the body. The body is then stripped to bare metal and replacement metal welded in if necessary.

As a matter of course we replace the floor plans on all our vespas with a thicker grade of steel, these floor pans are imported from India and come off the original Piaggio presses. Once all traces of rust have been removed, Any dents or imperfections are beaten out this often as long as 2 days! Unlike other restoration companies we avoid using excessive body filler! The next stage is to put the scooter on a jig to check for 100% trueness.

Next the steel of the bodywork is polished to a High finish, to remove any tarnish or oxidization. Immediately all panels are acid etch primed . Acid etch primer firstly etches into the metalwork sealing the bare metal and acting as a bonding agent between metal and zinc primer. The zinc primer is an anti rust treatment- very tough and durable. This is followed by 2k ICI high build primer, and finished with 2k ICI acrylic color. Depending on paint used (either solid or metallic) we finish off with 2k ICI Clearcoat. Quite a process- both in terms of cost and labor. The end result it a perfect finish that lasts for many years. Infact ICI research quotes a 30 year life expectancy. Quite different form the average of 2 years for a typical restoration in Vietnam.
 

We are the only scooter restoration shop in Vietnam using this system, we are also the only company using a heated spray booth. Which is itself the only ICI spraybooth in all of Vietnam! The booth belongs to ICI international for whom I personally have trained Vietnamese body shops in modern painting techniques. We spend on average 19 times the amount on body restoration materials than other local Vietnamese scooter restorers. Are bikes are painted to last!
 

Once this is done and all metal work is sealed the bikes go through the usual process of painting. However unlike any other company restoring Vespa in Vietnam all our paint products are tough, durable long lasting 2 pack acrylic. The final painting process is done with high quality Baked Enamel paint. This is a multi layer painting process then it is cured in a clean booth at 140 � C for 3 hours. This hardens the paint and allows a more rapid curing process.

ALL our materials for the body renovation are imported ICI products.

Trim and bright-work

All crash guards, footwell protectors and fairing trims are hand made stainless steel items. Although an expensive and time consuming process. It is essential for the longevity of the restoration. The original chrome items were water traps which rusted badly and caused rust to spread through to the bodywork. All our trim is fitted individually to each bike prior to painting- this is to insure a perfect fit and a decent seal against the bodywork. All chrome-work such as headlight surround, horn grille, petrol cap, rear light housing suspension parts are replaced with new original items. We import these ourselves. Some smaller parts and less readily available parts are replaced locally such as lower engine cowling. Upon receiving the bikes from our body-shop as a bare painted body, the first job is for our fitters to refit the stainless trim.

Build up

Upon receiving the bike from the stainless trim fitters, Our team of mechanics start with fitting a new wiring loom followed by new control cables, new locks, new speedometer, new suspension, new brakes, wheels, tires, lights, switches, levers etc. Our restorations are a TRUE nut and bolt restoration. Every nut bolt and washer is replaced with stainless steel items. Every seal, wire, cable, bearing, spring and gear are also replaced by new original items. The seats are all resprung, rechromed and trimmed. The bike is built up to completion minus engine gearbox and exhaust.
 

Engine & Gearbox

While all the above is going on, the engine and gearbox are subject to a total rebuild. All our bikes receive all new bearings, gears (where worn), dyno, piston and rings, barrel, cylinder, carburetor, clutch, exhaust etc, etc… New seals and gaskets are used throughout. If we come across a stripped thread we do not simply cut a larger thread in like most people seem to… We repair and rethread to the original size.

The casings are thoroughly checked, gently bead blasted and once given the thumbs up they are highly polished. This is a total engine and box rebuild. Requiring the bikes to be run in.

Final adjustment & Road testing


We want your scooter experience to be an easy and enjoyable one. So All our Vespa are road tested thoroughly (100miles+) to highlight any adjustments or fine tuning required. With a total restoration like this- adjustments are inevitable, cables stretch to their natural length, clutches and brakes bed in. Before shipping we adjust everything- check everything. Recheck everything. Only when we are completely satisfied with the above, the bikes have had their final wax, We then take them to the port to be crated individually and exported to their new homes!

Each of our bikes has an average of 1,870 man hours spent on them by a team of 38 enthusiasts. Highly trained, each with many years – if not decades of experience in restoration, most of our staff are proud Vespa owners and club members too!