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  1. JimVonBaden

    Vespa PX125 conversion

    Thanks guys! I started assembly today. First I needed to replace the broken headlight with a new LED. The LED fit perfectly in the housing of the old headlight, with a slight trim. I fixed them together with JB Weld. Then rewired the stock switches and installed the handlebars and speedo, plus...
  2. JimVonBaden

    Vespa PX125 conversion

    This is how the colors look together: I kinda wanted a more off white, but I like this.
  3. JimVonBaden

    Vespa PX125 conversion

    Pulled all the green parts into the workshop to make room for the white body paint. Pretty green in the sun. Put on four coats of white paint. It came out OK, but there are some spots I hope I can buff out. Painted the swingarm white too. The body has a nice shine. Got...
  4. JimVonBaden

    Vespa PX125 conversion

    Thanks, I like it. Should go good with the white.
  5. JimVonBaden

    Vespa PX125 conversion

    OK, got a lot of the fun stuff done today. First cleaned and tacked off the pieces getting primed. Then sanded all the parts going green, cleaned, cleaned again, tacked them, and returned them to the booth for paint. 4 coats of paint over the next 45 minutes and I was done. They...
  6. JimVonBaden

    Vespa PX125 conversion

    Set up, then cleaned, and cleaned, and cleaned. Then cleaned some more. Tomorrow, before I prime, I will clean again. Basically ready!
  7. JimVonBaden

    Vespa PX125 conversion

    More paint prep. I set up my $50 paint booth, and am working my way to paint on Friday and Saturday. At the advice of a Vespa pro, I checked to make sure my floor board strips will still fit. Took some tweaking to get them there. I also received my new shocks;
  8. JimVonBaden

    Vespa PX125 conversion

    Nothing like a classic that is better than the new! :)
  9. JimVonBaden

    Vespa PX125 conversion

    Sanded down everything that will be painted with 400 grit paper. Cleaned up, again, and sorted all the conversion parts to the back workbench. That is about $1900 in parts there. A couple small items missing.
  10. JimVonBaden

    Vespa PX125 conversion

    Thanks, I am hoping this weekend!
  11. JimVonBaden

    Vespa PX125 conversion

    Fixed a couple of issues. Shrink wrapped the valve stem. It isn't really tight on the hub, so this should be good. I also chopped off a bunch of the shock mount to make it less bulky, then boxed it in. Used rust reformer on the inside of the side cowls and front fender. Received and...
  12. JimVonBaden

    Vespa PX125 conversion

    Modded the handlebars to fit the rear brake lever and master cylinder, and the electronic throttle. The Vespa had a shifter that you activated by rotating the left bar to select a gear, while pulling the clutch at the same time. Kinda odd, but you get used to it. The throttle was a cable, and...
  13. JimVonBaden

    Vespa PX125 conversion

    At this point I would be better off paying a pro to build this to my spec. I have at least 15 hours in fab, and another 10 in design. Nonetheless, I am pretty happy with it, and learned a lot. My welding is steadily improving. It is STOUT! The addition of the shock mount was problematic. Angle...
  14. JimVonBaden

    Vespa PX125 conversion

    I added another internal crossbrace, drilled and plug welded, plus perimeter welded. Then I boxed in both ends. It weighs 28 pounds. If this isn't strong enough, nothing is.
  15. JimVonBaden

    Vespa PX125 conversion

    I took a few minutes to see if the brake kit would work well, and it appears it will: This guy struggles with it: Lastly, a question: The torque arms are very loose, moving 1/4" at the tip. You can see the slot has a significant gap: It is barely over half the thickness of my swingarm...
  16. JimVonBaden

    Vespa PX125 conversion

    Yeah! My motor and controller came in. Not bad at all. Boxes were heavy and protected the parts well. Useless, to me key switch. Nice quality, but I am using my stock switch. The throttle looks like it will work, despite the ding in one of them. Brakes came all in one piece, prebled. I...
  17. JimVonBaden

    Vespa PX125 conversion

    Typically you would, but it is a non-issue so long as the bondo has plenty of metal to adhere to.
  18. JimVonBaden

    Vespa PX125 conversion

    Sealed up the battery bracket and rust treated the inner fender. It will also get undercoating. Test fit the swingarm, fits perfectly. Started front end disassembly for cleaning, lubing and painting. New shocks on the way. I think I am going to fully box the swingarm, more to keep...
  19. JimVonBaden

    Vespa PX125 conversion

    Because my battery is VERY tight, I added two layers of shrink wrap to the battery for a bit of extra protection. The base will get a 1/8" sheet of nylon for abrasion protection.
  20. JimVonBaden

    Vespa PX125 conversion

    I couldn't take it anymore. I had to clean up to a minimum level. I couldn't find tools and I was tripping over everything. Now back to getting it dirty again! :D
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