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Hi there,

I'm actually a member of the LCGB and am a Lambretta owner. However, I have a mate who's in the market for a restored VBB sportique and i'm trying to make sure he doesn't get his fingers burnt with a dodgy resto. Can anyone advise (from experience) of any reputable dealers of restored Vespas. He would be willing to pay a bit more than the going rate if it meant getting the right bike.

Thanks for any help you can offer.

Marty (Aberdeen)

Take a look at Vivo Vespa in Edinburgh, pal of mine bought a Sprint from them, nice scoot, though as with any dealer you will hear a mix of good and bad..

Depends what he wants though, most of the restored VBB's he will see are Viet/Indian restorations then sold on by UK dealers (which come with the same health warning you get with a far easten Lambrella resto). They also usually come with 10" wheel conversion, PX engine etc which is not really my bag, prefer something more true to the original scoot...


Retrospective in London also do a nice job..

Retrospective Scooters Nothing to worry about with them.

scOOTRS are very good from what l've heard
http://scootrs.com/scooters_intro.cfm

Marty,do not,repeat do not go anywhere near Vivo.As suggested try Retrospective.A couple of lads locally have used them and they're really good.Kenny from Westhill got a GL150 with a P2 motor and Scott from Peterhead got a GS160 with a P2 motor.

I agree my sprint is from retrospective in london the bloke is irish his name is nial and he does a good job he built my bike 6 years ago with a rally 200 lump fitted and its still going strong done 5000 miles since, it cost £2200 all sprayed up rebuilt engine new tyres, fittings, cables , seat, fuel tank the lot oh yeah all his scooters are italian not indian

Thanks for the feedback folks.

Unfortunately everyone that i've heard from have pretty much contradicted each other.

I've had a few IM's talking in detail about a few of the suppliers and pretty much telling me to avoiv the ones that others have told me to use. Prety much back to square one. Seems like the best option would be not to use any of them !!

My mate is now trying Armando's. Anyone used them before. I know they have a sterling reputation for Lamby's.

Thanks again to all for the feedback. Most appreciated.

Marty (Aberdeen)

Marty,I know it's not what he's looking for but I'm thinkng of selling my Sportique.She's stripped and in need of a full resto but she's been an Aberdeenshire bike all of her 45+ years.

Thanks for that but he's already got an LI in need of resto in his garage. Due to ill health he's been unable to get onto that project but still intends to complete it come time. He's looking for something to ride while he tries to get the Lambretta on the road.

MartyTough wrote:Thanks for the feedback folks.

Unfortunately everyone that i've heard from have pretty much contradicted each other.

I've had a few IM's talking in detail about a few of the suppliers and pretty much telling me to avoiv the ones that others have told me to use. Prety much back to square one. Seems like the best option would be not to use any of them !!



Marty (Aberdeen)

Yep, same with buying anything ! why go to a dealer anyway? plenty of private sales out there..

BrynO wrote:why go to a dealer anyway? plenty of private sales out there..

Yeah, will definately keep an eye out on the for sale section on here and will keep an eye on scooter trader as well.

I've got a 1962 VBB that needs a resto, if he is feeling a bit practical and brave!

I got one from scooter4u in Vietnam via ebay - it's been great so far and has been given the thumbs up by a couple of local vespa experts