My beloved GS...

Is officially for sale! I will be sad to see it go, but f'ck that, it is time for a new project!

Just to give you an impression of what has been done: added a P200 engine with a lasercut subframe, the P200 engine has had a complete overhaul (all bearings/seals replaced, nos crankcase, nos piston/barrel, new engine mounts etcetera etcetera), frame has had an 'owatrol-treatment' to prevent it from rusting. Scooter has been build up with new cables, wiringloom, headbearings etc. The GS comes with all the original parts including the original engine. Frame has not been cut!

Translating this for the layman: this Vespa GS from 1960 is now very reliable and very quick! It has a pretty modern engine, this engine actually has been produced till about 2005! I can guarantee you: you can drive it round the world. This engine also has modern performance: you'll be faster than the car next to you at a traffic light... The conversion has been done in such a way you can always build it back to the original condition without complications.

If you are interested, it is for sale at Maskes Vespaklassiekers at Gilze, Holland.

A little teaser

Le Riche's Rusty GS 200

Well, still need to steel the Canon EOS from my brother but I couldn't resist making some photo's with my phone to share it with you. I have done about 500kms yet so I can now really gas it;) It runs and rides very smooth!

GS almost finished!

And it is running and driving just fine! Electrics was quite a challenge but I have managed to get it working with the original wireloom! This week will finish the last details, than I have got to get it tested by the "RDW" to get my license plate... Curious what they are going to say about this engine...

I will probably drive it to Antwerp at the 28th of March and will make different trips this year, so stay tuned!





















And yes, I will make beter photos...

GS project update

Yesterday I worked some hours on my GS, finally received a bearing which I still needed for the engine. Now I could put the engine back together again. I am also modifying the flywheel-cover so it looks more original.

Long term project.

Last year me and a friend of mine bought us a KR1-s. It has 7000km on the speedo and looks stunning. The only problem is that it didn't run. The engine should have been revised but I have my doubts regarding the skills of the previous owner... The barrels are worn so we sent them to a barrel-revise-company. Unfortunately some mistakes by this stupid company were made, so it took quite a while before we were able to go further with the project. This week the barrels will arrive so we can finally build up the engine...

For people who don't know the KR1-s
The KR1-s replaced the earlier KR1, it was the direct competitor of the Suzuki RGV250. Because of the stunning specifications of this bike, 55BHP at 11.000rpm, 130kg's dry weight, a topspeed of 210km/h and good brakes. It was perfect for racing..! People say it was the nearest you could get to a race bike for the road. The only minor disadvantage was, because of its racy performances, maintenance and handling with care was very important. Bad maintenance and no good warming up meant braking down quite easily...

The KR1-s hasn't been sold a lot and if sold, it was most times raced at the circuit, because of these factors, few KR1-s are left, especially in Holland it's very hard to find a good one. Also good spareparts are hard to find...





Ow and I forgot to mention, in times of "global warming", two stroke road bikes will become very rare in the future...

Project: a little research

A while ago I posted a picture of the front mudguard of my vespa. At the mudguard is an old dealer sticker. It says: Mantova-Legnago, first I thought it was the dealers' name but I did a little research, and it seems to be two places near each other in Verona, Italy. And what a coincidence, the old license plate is also from Verona! So my Vespa has probably been sold, or at least been driven in the province Verona.

I am thinking of driving with my Vespa to the place where it once has been driven, perhaps most time of its life. Maybe I will get to know something more about the history of my vespa. Meeting the man who raced it first. Driving in its old environment, looks like a great idea to me!

GS150 tiny update

Yesterday I worked at my GS150, at the moment I am waiting for a bearing to put the engine together, than I can connect the cables and wiring and do all the other minor chores. After that I will be able to ride it again..! Hope to ride it to the Antwerp Custom Show...

About my project

Though I truly like a perfectly restored classic vehicle I might even like it more if not restored but kept in its original condition. Thus, you can almost read the history of ones vehicle. Details like a dealersticker, a driving-in inscription, an oil-mixture sticker, can really take you back in time.


My goal with this GS is to make it my dailydriver for quite a while. Because of this the scooter has got to be reliable. But then there is a problem, the original engine of a GS isn't reliable... And so, this might be seen as swearing, I will put a more modern engine in... I actually won't harm the frame and will build it in a way so I can always make it completely original again. So no problems if you ask me...


I started with preparing the frame, first I gave it an anti-rust treatment with owatrol, than putted the cables and wiring loom in, and I mounted the floor strips. I also placed a little sticker of Aral at the front.




How about a really nice sparewheel bracket?!

New project...

About one year ago I bought this Vespa GS 150 VS5, it is from 1959 and is original Italian. After having build up a GL-a 150 I wanted something more special. That time I started doing some minor chores for Maskes Vespaklassiekers and I soon found this GS. It's got original paint (well, for what it's worth) and it is in a very good condition...






























Love the speedometer with piaggio logo. 120km/h right...

It's got a dealer sticker at the mudguard a part of the sticker says: "Mantova Legnago" I suppose it's the dealer's name... The blue thing was the place to put your insurance papers in, it's got a picture of a sanctus at the back!