[Mpower]

Nice to see them side by side.

The '60 carries the dual-tone paint scheme a lot better than the LX125.

Please remove the mud flap and switch to split seats.

[Pedaltothefloor]

Gorgeous! I had a Vespa Black NV Select in college. I somehow feel the ones out now are much smaller.

[thoma]

I liked the old one better

The side profile of the new one is fine but not the front and back. May be the original colors was better. But these are individual choices. Please do write some short review on the ride and customization process. This is a new product in the market and we would like to know more.

I was wondering why people are more concerned of death (re-sale) and after life (vintage value) even before the birth (buying)! May be that too is an individual choice

[Rex RAP]

Thanks for your comments and inputs. It is red on white. I agree in hindsight that the rear would have looked better in black. Yes, whitewall effect will enhance the looks, I have already requested Hillram to share the source of his whitewalls. As regards matching the paint colors of the old and new Vespas, I was not ready right now to spend more money -- having spent an amount on the new one something that would have got a car some years back. As regards the other views and comments, I would like to share my views for what they are worth. I do not have large collections or have as much automotive design experience like many of our friends on this forum. I sometimes mistake a scooter in an ostensible collection of Vespas to be a Lambretta, just because it does not have an articulated front fender or mudguard. I do not have the privilege of having worked in premier automotive design shops, so that extent my views may be relatively naive (what say @Powertwin??) I have no quarrels with the school of thought that advocates preserving the originality what the manufacturer shipped out of the plant. However, I personally believe that this is more applicable to rare / classic / vintage pieces. This purity should extend to what is under the hood too: which means not just cosmetic facelifts, but NOS parts. I wonder how many of us have access to this type of resources. For vehicles that are currently rolling off assembly lines, I think that one can decide to stay with what the manufacturer suppliers, make a few touches here and there, or take the modification to the level that one wants. It is a matter of personal taste, and perhaps I have none. All that I believe in is that I didn't want this scooter to be a museum piece. It had to give us "Freude am Fahren"-- the joy of driving. And I believe we have the satisfaction of having achieved that. Not just us, but people on the road stopping to look at it, giving us broad smiles -- it counts. And in the final reckoning, to each his own. Someone likes something, somebody else does not. Nothing right or wrong about it. Otherwise, Brabus /AMG would have never been heard about.
As regards warranty. Just my perspective. There is a warranty on paint finish, and a warranty on mechanicals. Not as separated as that, but in principle. Are we saying that if my unmodified Vespa gets scratched , and i get touch up done not by the service station but elsewhere, my entire warranty gets void? The one on painting perhaps, but definitely not on engine, suspension, electricals, etc?!. Removing and fitting body panels do not void any warranty. And if someone wants to check the original factory paint quality of the Vespa, stick 6" lengths of masking tape in a couple of places and peel them off. You may be just surprised.

[powertwin]

Originally Posted by Rex RAP

Thanks for your comments and inputs. It is red on white. As regards matching the paint colors of the old and new Vespas, I was not ready right now to spend more money -- having spent an amount on the new one something that would have got a car some years back.
. I sometimes mistake a scooter in an ostensible collection of Vespas to be a Lambretta, just because it does not have an articulated front fender or mudguard. I do not have the privilege of having worked in premier automotive design shops, so that extent my views may be relatively naive (what say @Powertwin??) I have no quarrels with the school of thought that advocates preserving the originality what the manufacturer shipped out of the plant. However, I personally believe that this is more applicable to rare / classic / vintage pieces. This purity should extend to what is under the hood too:
paint quality of the Vespa, stick 6" lengths of masking tape in a couple of places and peel them off. You may be just surprised.

..& Me guess the idea of this thread is all about Custom painting a NEW 2012 VESPA
Before going into "customizing" ...Rexrap has dropped a bomb by telling> You must be surprised , after peeling a 6" masking tape on the Factory paint!!
* Ah!! now you must say , whether it is a pleasant Surprise or the Shocking surprise !!
** Any bonding issues with paint & the Body??
On my first sight @ 2012 Auto expo, I got carried away , to be honest this is the first step through machine, I liked so much, even never bothered about TECH Specs, Figures & stuff.( which used to be my primary concern)

If we firmly believe or not......, "Beauty lies on the beholder's Eyes"
The question is >>>Is this custom paint job looks nice or not??"
Defiantly..YES!!!
I do agree with, Preserving Originality for vintage & rare Machines....if that concept is applied here.... we are bound to lose our ORIGINALITY of innovative thinking....which is to be the very identity of a human.
* This is cited for STOCK & ORIGINALITY issues..
In that same EXHIBITION HALL @ AutoExpo, saw this>>>
A vintage Honda ( intentionally avoiding the model name & its configuration, just not to hijack the thread)

Now a close up>>

See this particular Honda Bike of early 50's belongs to " HONDA MUSEUM", so it would have been restored by the best guys in business , and for sure can't expect a financial crunch & all that...
Guess many of you would have seen this particular machine @ Expo>
1) PU paint was not order of 1950s ( it never existed)----->this is painted in PU base paint.
2)Only Hand pin stripping was the order of all '50's machine----> Can notice, those pin(???)Stripes are Spray painted, by stencil method
Can point out more points...last but least, This particular HONDA Power train outer Alloy covers & housing was coated by " argenising", but I can see the covers Ultra sound cleaned & tumbled to give that matt finish.
All these points were POINTED , not just to expose my findings, as if I knew more than HONDA Museum Engineers
Than Why????
(1)^ Though PU paint was not the order of that period, they choose to have the best & long lasting paint to this rare machine ( can note,the gloss has been minimized to match the N.C paint of that period.....)
On my perspective there lies the Originality!!
(2)^^This Pin Stripping, have always been an head ache for Production Machines ( this includes Cars also)....
due to lack of consistency ..., but wish these guys would have tried....guess, as the twisted profile & body line would have made them go for stencil & spray !!
So this is what, all about.....O & S !!
No offense meant..but i regret to say that many of our ( vintage machines loving fraternity guys), claiming themselves to be "Stock Bike specialists"
Just for sake of few puny things like, Nuts, bolts, Meters....hold their projects for years together & finally end up in disaster....
I can even post some pics & details of some machines ( mostly cars), in a separate thread.
Any way Congrats for " Her acquisition"!!
BTW, the RED & WHITE Vespa of yours is VBB & guess your 1960, 99% Stock Vespa is at your native place I guess .
I also knew a VESPA GS is in your cards!!
Even you have few Li150 & Vijay supers in your garage, but don't forget to pick that RUNABOUT, which I pointed to you.
Hope your 1961 Lambro's resto is in progress.
Cheers!!
KMK

[creative420]

Even I got my partner a red coloured Vespa. Wish I had thought about this dual shade. Will show it to her and then see if she wants to get it done. PM me where did you get this done from? Please.

[Rex RAP]

Creative420, once the customers of our dealer saw our scooter, they wanted only that type. So now the dealer have started doing it themselves, and following their trend, dealers all over Bangalore offer customization. Let me know if you need any references.

[unk9ja]

Originally Posted by Rex RAP

Creative420, once the customers of our dealer saw our scooter, they wanted only that type. So now the dealer have started doing it themselves, and following their trend, dealers all over Bangalore offer customization. Let me know if you need any references.

Yes I have seen a Red and White, Black and white and so on in the Vespa showroom on the ORR in BSK 3rd Stage. While the Red and White looks classic in looks, the black and white look is slightly overdone. Nice to see the dealers themselves offering these custom painted bikes

[Parthasarathig]

wow!!! Thats one gorgeous looking LX125. Rex Rap, I'm no expert in scooters either, but I love paintjobs and customisations - and I must say, your customisation gives that special touch to what was missing in this model.

Customising your ride is what makes it special from the 1000s of others on the street - whether the customisation is adding scuff plates, white wall tyre stickers, projector headlights or a paintjob - to each his own. At the end of the day you are the one who is going to ride it.

[Viju]

@ REX RAP : Beautiful scoot you have there mate! Love the dual-tone paint job. Anyone else's opinion should hardly matter. Customisation means changing something to one's own tastes. Not sure where the question of originality comes there! Enjoy your ride, and keep updating the thread with future mods!

[Skwirly]

Originally Posted by hillram

@Rex Rap,Vespa LX 125 does nt anywhere come in dual tone.The customisations that can be done on LX 125 are quite different.Im afraid you have spoilt the looks as well as the originality of the scooter.LX 125 is known for its Italian design and curves.They are gone on your LX 125 !!!! Being a Vespa aficianado for more than 30 years and after owning nearly 10 classic Vespas,honestly Im not impressed with your LX 125's customisation.

I'm afraid I have to interject, although the LX series Vespas do not come in a two-tone paint scheme, the S series Vespas, which use the same chassis but a different horncast and headset, were offered for sale in North America in a two-tone red-on-white or blue-on-white paint scheme. The body was white with a red seat with white piping, a red legshield glovebox, and trim. Having said this, I did not find it attractive.