Classic Scooters! Anyone Got One?

[Loz]

Thailand's number one rule is "NEW IS BEST" however there seems to be a small movement of locals that appreciate the classic style of the Honda CUB series of stepthrough scooters. I have, I confess been seduced by the charming elegance of these bikes myself and wondered if anyone else had fallen for their vintage charm.

I am having one made to my own spec from a 1970 C70 bike. It will be my chosen colour scheme and bodystyle with seating arangements shocks, rims and tyres etc... all very reasonably priced and come with paperwork etc.... Ready to ride away.

This is how it looked when I struck the deal. ..

finished product will be more like this...

with a little inspiration from others like this...

I am thrilled about it as it was loads of fun tracking down the source of these bikes and figuring out just what bits I want and don't want. There are regular meets in the North East for these owners and I am looking forward to meeting some more likeminded enthusiasts.

Since embarking on this bike hunt I have noticed there is a growing Classic Vespa Scene too. Are these alot more expensive? where you do find them? Anyone got any info on old bikes in the Issan region, I would love to hear from you!

So far all I have found online is www.thaiscooter.com. but its mostly in Thai and I can't read the bulk of it.

Edited November 19, 2006 by Loz

[SoloFlyer]

I got one like the cream one in the background, smaller model, up in CM. Its on its last legs though and I think to expensive to restore. I bought it 8 yrs ago for 9k, theyre selling for close to 50 now.

I'm now in the market for something like yours - nice job. Can i ask how much??

[Loz]

Oh, you have the Honda Moo? (Cow) as they call it. Funny thing is, that was my first attraction to the classic bikes. If you are not far from the Isaan then I would consider giving you what you paid for it. A tidy example here like the one in the picture goes for 20-28k bht fully restored and ride away with a months warranty. They might take it in part ex if you want one like mine. the Cub range go up to 50k bht depending on how many trick bits you want on it. white wall tyres, chromed engine casings, yoshimura exhausts etc... disc brake converstions, wave 125cc engines... the posibilities are endless.

Consider 20k a starting point and 50k a ceiling. Good luck and if you want an intro to the guys in Korat then let me know. Happy to meet another enthusiast.

[Loz]

Funny thing.... I've just realised... I've never even sat on one of these bikes... Mine will be the first I kick start and ride off on... quite exciting really!

[pianoman]

I too have been bitten by the "Old Bike" bug... Back in the States I owned and regularly drove either my '56 T-Bird or my '48 MG... I just like the look and feel or Older things, and my wife says the same thing when talking about me...

I live up in Kalasin and would like to find a shop within easy driving distance that might have a few to choose from.. Unlike yourself, I would prefer a regular bike rather than a "Step Thru", and really want one that has be totally restored / rebuilt... Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated..

Pianoman

[Loz]

If you are willing to come to Korat I will happily show you two or three such places that supply Honda Moo type bikes. The scooters are more popular though. I would love to know where all the old Vespas I have seen are coming from?

ANY INFO??

[chaiyapoon]

The girlfriends dad has a early C50 that he has had restored.It looks from the style of it to be from the mid 60's.He has obtained many period accessories for it.He also had a Yamaha A100 that he has given to me.It was in a reasonable state but the engine needed a lot of work.4000b saw it rebuilt locally.

Don't see many scooters here in Nakorn Pathom,but was impressed with the number of Vespas in Chiang Mai, have also seen many in parts of Bangkok.

I have been taken around many specialist old bike shops;one of which had about 40 early Suzuki's, Honda's and a few Yams awaiting restoration.Trouble is they are not cheap.

For old Vespas try Viet Nam there is a guy there sending containers of them back for the uk market.Many of them for sale on Uk ebay restored in Viet Nam.

[SoloFlyer]

Would enjoy doing this in Korat, but i think it would take a bit long to do???

[Loz]

Ah, guess the difference is, I've got nothing but time... Part of the reason for being here in the first place for me.

FYI my bike will require 14 solid days work so, can't take that long...

[Farma]

There's a Thai guy running a gift shop in Sisaket who owns a restored scooter along with a VW bug. He has them parked in front of his shop and lovingly polishes them daily.

[besth]

If you are willing to come to Korat I will happily show you two or three such places that supply Honda Moo type bikes. The scooters are more popular though. I would love to know where all the old Vespas I have seen are coming from?

ANY INFO??

No idea in your area.

If you ever go to Bangkok, in Rama IV, past the last traffic light before getting to Sukhumvit, there is a small shop that often has Vespas for sale. A beautiful wite primavera 125 completely restored made me stop there once when I saw it had a price tag of 25.000 baht, but that turned out to be the price of an older model (150cc I think, not sure) in worse condition than the ones you show in your pictures (nice final job by the way).

They seem to always have a couple of old ones for sale.

[pianoman]

No idea in your area.

If you ever go to Bangkok, in Rama IV, past the last traffic light before getting to Sukhumvit, there is a small shop that often has Vespas for sale. A beautiful wite primavera 125 completely restored made me stop there once when I saw it had a price tag of 25.000 baht, but that turned out to be the price of an older model (150cc I think, not sure) in worse condition than the ones you show in your pictures (nice final job by the way).

They seem to always have a couple of old ones for sale.

I will be in Bangkok for a couple of days next week and would love to find a shop / shops that might have older restored bikes as below...

Any suggestions / addresses / phone #'s would be greatly appreciated...

Pianoman

[Loz]

NICE bike Pianoman! details please. looks like a 125 honda lump but the frame I don't recognise. Looks like a hardtail though with a springer seat? is that a custom job?

[Thaicoon]

Nice bikes, it is great to see these bikes been restored back as new condition, especially the vespas, in buriram a thai guy runs a club, i think he gos by buriram vespa club, the guy owns buriram curtains, they ride vespas, old c50s etc, did have his card somewhere i will try and find it, last time us guys rode down to Pattaya for pattaya bike week, last feb, on big bikes, a gang off thai guys left the same time, on there vespas, small 50cc hondas and old small classics, they arrived in Pattaya next day, we all admired these guys, they are a pleasure to know and love there bikes, brilliant, love to see the finished bike.

Edited November 25, 2006 by Thaicoon

[pianoman]

NICE bike Pianoman! details please. looks like a 125 honda lump but the frame I don't recognise. Looks like a hardtail though with a springer seat? is that a custom job?

Sorry I can not tell you anything about the bike in the photo... It is from a website of someone in Chiang Mai who supposedly rebuilds old bikes, but they do not respond to e-mails... It is listed as an "Express" on their website...

Pianoman

[SoloFlyer]

lovely bike. got their phone number? I'll be up there this week and can give them a call.

RE Korat: Let me see what I find in CM, and we'll compare notes. I'll take a pic of my bike and post it. If you think its worth organising the logistics to get it to Korat, we can probably work something out - unless I get a good trade in deal.

[pnustedt]

I would love to know where all the old Vespas I have seen are coming from?

ANY INFO??

There's a workshop/garage in Sisaket that does up old scooters, in particular Vespas. There's usually half a dozen undergoing some sort of reconditioning. It's on the road from the Bus Station to Sun Hing Plaza, left hand side about half way up.

[Loz]

This is much closer to how mine should look when finished next month. I am just a little gutted that there is another one like it already...

[pistonpilot]

Any suggestions / addresses / phone #'s would be greatly appreciated...

Pianoman

Is that "fan" looking device at 12 O'Clock part of the propulsion?

[Loz]

only in reverse, methinks!