Black Betty: Rally Mistress Vespa

In all of its various incarnations the Vespa P-range scooter has been a favoured steed with rally-going scooterists since it was launched. This is the SG230cc version of that classic…

Referred to by some as the workhorse of Europe, P-range Vespas have a reputation for reliability that few other classic scooter models, or marques, can match. Dependable, trustworthy and steadfast are other equally applicable adjectives for Piaggio’s flagship two-wheeler, which was in production for more than four decades. Gavin Chamberlain, who is renowned as a respected Vespa P-range guru, concurs. He’s treated his faithful Mk1 P-range to a needed makeover, after a decade of regular use, as well as a bit of occasional abuse.

Affectionately called Black Betty, his Vespa has served him well as his first choice ride for rallies, both nationally and regionally, to destinations across the UK. It was a relatively straightforward process carried out over a very reasonable four-month period. Bodywork panels along with fixtures and fittings went off for refurbishment plus a new, bright, shiny coat of black paint while the engine was dispatched to SG Engineering to be transformed into a long-stroke 230 power unit – the end result combining into something of a street sleeper scooter.

She's so rock steady… Bam-ba-lam…

And she's always ready!

Black Betty is a (very) late Mk1 P-range model, known by aficionados as a Mk1 crossover, with locking side panels and 20mm forks being the main differences from an earlier first incarnation. When Gavin bought this scooter for £650 back in 2011, it came with an LML rear light and seat, and a PX150 engine. It took a few forays to scooter parts fairs to acquire and replace both the former with their correct Mk1 counterparts.