Project Pandemic: Our Terrific T5 Arrives
It’s 75 years since the first Vespa rolled off the production line and what better way for Stan to celebrate than by breathing life back into one of their most iconic machines?
With a winter of lockdown restrictions on the horizon I’d never been keener to source a project and when this T5 Mk1 reared its headset on eBay I knew I’d found the ideal candidate. A few weeks earlier Dan and I had been throwing about ideas as to how we could celebrate Vespa’s significant birthday. A project bike wasn’t mentioned but how could we ignore a T5 that was British registered from new, but had never seen a welder or paint gun. Discovering that it had its original engine and some history sealed the deal. After all, how often does the chance to buy a unicorn occur?
Anarchy in the UK?
You may never have owned one and you may still not like its styling but it’s hard to think of another machine that sums that up the 80s Scooterboy attitude better than the T5. Its angular lines upset traditionalists, while its five-port engine provided learner-legal performance that matched and often exceeded that of most contemporary 125cc motorcycles. The Mk1 T5 pushed its nose right up to the line of what was acceptable and then raised two fingers at non-believers.
Its distinctive lines never really suited chrome and mirrors but they did inspire a number of race-themed customs. As the T5 aged and slipped into decline more than one frame found itself covered in rattle can matt black but now the tides are turning. This symbol of Scooterboy rebellion now finds itself with an air of respectability more associated with classics such as the 180SS.
When I mentioned this project to friends their responses were overwhelmingly positive, but no one shared my vision of trying to preserve it as a survivor. Everyone shared the same opinion, a smart singe colour or a race scheme were the ways to go. Surprisingly not one person thought that retaining the five-transfer port barrel was a good idea. Let that sink in for a moment. There were no votes at all for retaining the one component that defines a T5. Sometimes I despair.
My Way
Off the record I can see their point, the Mk1 does suit a clean scheme and ours is undeniably rough. However its paint came from a spray gun in Pontedera, and there’s only one significant piece of rot. In the same vein it looks like the engine has barely been touched and although it runs erratically, it only takes one prod of the kick-start to spark the original barrel into life. Incredibly all the original electrics, including the rev counter, work. Even the indicator buzzer’s all present and correct. In my opinion it’s a true survivor and that should be respected.
My plan is to forget that it’s a T5 and treat it as if it was a barn-find Sportique. That means conserving, not restoring. There’ll be a full mechanical overhaul but if what remains of the paint can be saved, it will be saved. As for the T5 lump, unless there are unseen horrors lurking inside it’ll be a case of new seals and gaskets.
Every project needs a timescale and (Covid permitting) there’s a Veteran Vespa Club rally scheduled close to home this summer. I’d like to see our T5 there but more realistically the Isle of Wight rally seems as good a target as any. Riding an example of this iconic design to the world’s largest scooter rally seems as good a way to celebrate Vespa’s anniversary year as any.
Let the tear-down commence. Regrets? I may well have a few…