Looking for a vintage moped

"Slant6" (slant-6)
11/09/2019 at 21:30 • Filed to: None

After 22 years I finally have my own place, which means I can finally buy a moped. Looking for an old one, the new ones just don’t do it for me. Kinda getting this a project, also to get into motorcycles. Not quite ready to take that plunge though.

Here’s what I’ve found so far on Facebook marketplace and some thoughts on them. I’m not crazy about any of them but might be if they’re willing to deal. I might be low balling with these offers, but I know I am. They’re only worth what I’d pay for them, for me at least.

#1: 1985 Yamaha Jog

Honestly seems pretty reasonable at $300. I got really excited when this one popped up today. However that puddle of something underneath is concerning. I don’t think it’s a coincidence, that the seller would consciously park it right there with fluid under it. Although I like the scooter styling I’m more drawn to mopeds with pedals, kinetic mopeds? Less likely someone would say something if I wheeled something that looks more like a bike into my apartment .

#2: 1974 Vespa Caio

Missing an engine cover and asking $500. I like the look of this one, seems a little rough for the price though. Would be more comfortable paying $250 to $300, and other listings too far away back me up on that, as well as some forums . Vespa is a good name, although it seems like it’s an example of badge engineering. This listing really got me back into my search.

#3 1980 Garelli Gran Sport

Seems to be missing a chain/engi ne cover. At $250 it seems like a fun project. I work in a furniture factory so I could easily redo the seat in the upholstery shop/ get a new engine cover made. Only thing is guy hasn’t responded to my messages yet.

I’m in no rush to get one of these. I think I’m willing to spend up to $500 which I don’t think is too unrealistic. Think it will be a fun little project, although for about the same money I could probably build a pretty good ebike (already have some good batteries lying around).

DISCUSSION (14)

Chuckles > Slant6
11/09/2019 at 21:51

Good luck! Shopteacher is a good resource here on Oppo. I've been bugging him about scooters for months, and on Sunday I should be picking up a 1987 Yamaha Riva 125Z.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Slant6
11/09/2019 at 21:55

Buy which ever one is easiest to buy parts for.

I had a Honda aero 80 and the biggest problem was that they only sold that model for 2 years so parts were harder to find. I had to buy used parts of eBay and they weren’t cheap.

Slant6 > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
11/09/2019 at 22:04

I’d guess the Yamaha would be best in that regard, made them for a good while and it’s not Italian like the other two.

I am pretty handy though, I’m comfortable fabricating new parts. I have access to a mill, a small CNC machine, and I know how to make the drawings for any part I need to get someone else to make. Granted there are limits to what I can do. This is kinda why I want a project like this, just something to keep me on my engineering toes.

What kinda parts did you find yourself needing?

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Slant6
11/09/2019 at 22:09

The only thing I had to replace was the speedo cable. But I needed a carb rebuild too. I never got around to it.

I could have replaced the carb with one from the 80cc dirt bike Honda made with the same engine but getting a direct replacement or re-build kit was almost impossible

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Chuckles
11/09/2019 at 22:10

Was that you with the sick black and gold scooter?

Chuckles > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
11/09/2019 at 22:19

Yes. I was supposed to get it earlier this week but we rescheduled due to bad weather. Tomorrow afternoon it should be mine.

jminer > Slant6
11/09/2019 at 22:24

Stay away from the Vespa and other European mopeds for your first. There is a reason that Japanese brands nearly destroyed them all.

I’d recommend a Honda Elite 50 as a first bike. Parts are readily available and there’s a fair bit of after market and mods for them. They made a ton for quite a while and it’s a Honda so most parts are still available.

I f you want a pedaled moped look at a Honda express for the same reasons as the elite.

Slant6 > jminer
11/09/2019 at 22:33

The Yamaha is starting to seeming nicer. There area few older Honda mopeds on my radar but they’re just so expensive. If I did spring for a nice one it would be a Honda though. Might go look at the Jog.

jminer > Slant6
11/09/2019 at 22:44

If you’re in the mood for a cheap Honda scooter look at the Spree. It’s small and slow but I had one and loved it. It was built when the 30 mph rule was strictly enforced so it doesn’t go over 30 on flat ground without extensive mods. With my giant ass on it it would do 25 but got 90 mpg.

Yamaha also makes excellent scooters. If you have the budget for a newer one (mid 00s) get a Zuma. They're excellent scooters. Parts for the old Yamaha scooters aren't as good as Honda but what you need should be available.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Slant6
11/09/2019 at 22:59

Get a Honda C ub and then we can be Cub buddies

shop-teacher > Slant6
11/09/2019 at 23:02

So, I don't know much about those older moped style bikes, but I learned something recently from a small engines buddy who has been messing with them lately. He has found the ones that require premix to be virtually impossible to keep the carbs from getting gummed up with modern gas and the ethanol that comes with it. Do you live in an area with ethanol free "recreational" gas? If so, use that. Otherwise, try to find one with oil injection.

Slant6 > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
11/09/2019 at 23:06

Cubs are honestly the goal aesthetic. Would totally get into one if I found one. I even looked into the new Cub recently. Just can’t justify buying a new vehicle like that you know.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Slant6
11/09/2019 at 23:08

Just do what I did and stumble across one that had been abused and then neglected for the better part of a decade and proceed to spend more money and time than is reasonable kludging it back together into something that looks nice from a minimum of 50 feet away.

Slant6 > shop-teacher
11/09/2019 at 23:11

Interestingly enough the closest gas station to me has ethanol free but doesn’t have diesel, the fuel my car needs. From what I understand ethanol free is cool for highway use, not just recreational like offroad diesel.