Dissasembly and Blasting

With the help of a Vespa Manual I picked up from the Technical Bookshop, I started to dismantle the Vespa. As I worked, I "bagged and tagged" the bolts and parts for each section of the bike and noted how the wiring was connected. 

 Most of the bike came apart fairly easy, which was probably due to the fact that this wasn't the first time the bike had been stripped. Specialised tools were required to remove the steering shaft and fuel tank assembly which Frank from Vespa House in Carlton kindly let me use.

The only trouble I had was with an engine mount bolt that had siezed up and refused to budge. I ended up taking the body (with engine attached) down to my mechanics where they finally removed it without having to resort to the oxy cutter.

With everything in pieces, I proceeded to clean all the parts and remove years of accumulated dirt and grease. I used a product called CLR diluted with water to clean up the bolts and screws. A toothbrush and degreaser was used for the engine and body, while Autosol was used for the chrome pieces. 

 So far the list of parts that need replacing include: assorted washers and nuts, steering shaft bearings, gear selector unit, brake and accelerator cables, speedo cable, speedo unit, speedo face, fuel tank gasket, fender rubber strips, handlebar grips and light bulbs.

Other jobs that need to be done include:
cutting a key for the steering and glovebox locks
redrill the sleeve for the engine bolt
replacing the face on the speedo 

 
Loading up the Prem with Vespa parts, I took the whole lot down to Thomastown Sandblasting to remove all the old gunky paint. For $220 I had the whole lot stripped and a light coat of etch primer appplied. The etch primer is essential to stop any rust from showing while waiting for body prep. Garnet beads were used which is less abusive on the thin Vespa metal. 

 

The finshed results were impressive and confirmed just how good the Vespa body was - there is no rust at all in any of the panels!!

Despite the overall good condition of the body there is a bit of straightening of panels required particularly the legshield and lip, as well as minor dents in the sidecovers.