RUSTY HANGAR
When a tired old Vespa fell into the hands of Michael Zocher, it was destined to become something that’s both surprising and unique.
Scooter customisation comes in many forms and usually involves a no-expense-spared philosophy. A fully restored machine with lavish paintwork, not forgetting many extras like chrome, etc. So what happens when you decide to go against the grain and leave the scooter in question exactly how you found it? Tatty old factory paint and a tired old engine to use as the base may sound like a shortcut, but getting the look just right isn’t as easy as it seems.
Complete opposite
Michael Zocher has already had two of his custom Vespas featured in Scootering; The Joker and Batman, both stunning creations that involved full-blown muralled paintwork. As a result it would be reasonable to assume that his latest creation, Rusty Hangar, would follow a similar path, but you’d be wrong. In fact it’s the opposite of what we usually expect from his stable. In a sentence, the concept behind its creation is: ‘When rust meets the airbrush.’ But how to turn that vision into reality is the question.
The project started with Michael finding the desired machine, which turned out to be an ageing Vespa smallframe from the 1980s. Still in its original blue paint, the idea was to leave the base coat as found, but to add murals in key locations. At an early stage it was decided that a tuned engine and other extras would complement the paintwork. The aim was to produce a scooter that would look tatty and neglected from the outside, but upon closer inspection the fine detail would be revealed. Although the plan was created fairly quickly the build became a more drawn-out affair, taking four years to complete.
Rustoration
The artwork was entrusted to Michael Zinnen at Z-Design, which was hardly surprising, as he had painted both The Joker and Batman. However, before dropping the scooter off for paint, owner Michael prepared it himself by cleaning up some of the blue paint while ageing it in other areas. This was done by rubbing certain parts of the frame back to bare metal and allowing nature to do the rest. Undoubtedly the blue paint, brown rust and silver bodywork complement each other well.
With the rough and ragged part completed, it was handed over to Michael Zinnen, who was concerned that this wasn’t his usual style of base to work with. Even so, his renowned style of professionalism created a series of murals spaced around the frame. There are three main images, all executed in black and white, featuring angry-looking engine components mixed with skulls and snarling teeth. These murals suggest an abused engine that’s angry at the way it’s been treated and is venting its fury. Though limited in number, they convey the message and work perfectly to give the desired effect.
The wheels, which consist of matt black hubs and bright yellow fluorescent rims, add further to the mystery of the theme. They’re reminiscent of a shabby old vehicle that’s had odd wheels fitted to it sometime in its life and scream of a machine that’s endured a tough life. This aspect of the scooter’s build has sparked some controversy, with opinion being divided as to whether they should have been included. That’s fine by Michael’s thinking, as it gets people talking about the machine.
The murals suggest an abused engine that’s angry at the way it’s been treated and is venting its fury.
Biting back
Just as the murals suggest, the engine on this Vespa is rather angry and ready to bite back. Under the rusty panels is a Parmakit 130 SPO9, with its five-port layout producing good power even in standard trim. The addition of a 28mm Dell’Orto carburettor and Falk expansion pipe, together with some extra porting work, has increased its power further. Admittedly there are more powerful kits available for the smallframe Vespa, but this build is about more than raw power. This is no street racer, far from it, so there’s no need for a monster engine. Of course that may change in the future, anything is possible, but I feel Michael has made the right choice of engine here.
A Crimaz front disc set-up has been added to give it enough stopping power and the suspension has also been upgraded. Another addition is an SS90 headset which provides a better feel to the front end. It’s all right having the extra power, but the stability to cope with it is essential, and Michael has made sure of that with this modification.
Very little else
Usually, a write-up on a custom scooter requires an endless description of extras, which are the accepted standard, but Rusty Hangar is almost totally devoid of them. There’s a nicely shaped seat that blends into the top of the frame and a purpose-made badge with the machine’s name at the back of the frame. Elsewhere, a bit of clever fabrication allows the large expansion pipe to fit under the left side panel and there’s a neat mounting of the hydraulic unit for the front brake. If anything, the sparsity of these additions emphasise the skills deployed to create the machine’s subtle look.
For some reason the Vespa smallframe lends itself to the rustoration theme, indeed there are no shortage of successful examples. This example differs because it merges clever murals which have been executed to a high standard but that also blend in with the surrounding patina. From a distance, this looks like a tired smallframe Vespa but up close, the tremendous amount of work and thinking that has gone into the design becomes obvious. Michael is pleased with the finished look and says he wouldn’t change anything about it, and rightly so because he has achieved his original vision. Compared with his other custom creations, Rusty Hangar is a huge contrast but equally as good. All that remains is to ask what his next creation will be or, more interestingly, now that he’s broken his own mould, what will it look like?
Name of scooter: Costume Rat because rust meets airbrush but most people call it Rusty Hangar which is Michael’s nickname.
Scooter model: V50N Spezial.
Time to build & by who: I bought the scooter four years ago and have worked on it from time to time as my time and the time of the helpers allowed.
ENGINE SPEC
Kit: 130 Parmakit SP09.
Crank: BGM 51/105.
Carb: Dell’Orto 28 PHBH.
Exhaust: FalkR Ares.
Clutch: Electric sun.
Gearbox: PK50 with 2.56 primary. Porting work by: Michael Zocher/Maik Klintworth.
What’s it like to ride? The scooter is just finished and the weather is bad. So I don’t know, but I hope it’s a
rocket.
FRAME SPEC
Paintwork & murals by: Airbrush by Z-Design Customizing – Michael Zinnen. Rust effect by Michael Zocher.
Powder coating by: Michael
Zocher.
Seat by: Streamline Seats.
Any frame modifications? Headset from an SS 50/90, luggage compartment under the left side panel has been removed to make room for the exhaust. Are there are any specialised parts: Front disc brake by Crimaz.
What was the hardest part of the project: The most difficult part of the project was waiting for the external work to be completed because I had to rely on other people’s help.
Do you have any advice or tech tips for anyone starting a project: My tips are valerian for the nerves, lots of money and patience.
Is there anything still to add to the scoot: Not for me…
In hindsight, is there anything you would have done differently: I don’t want to change anything about the design. For me, everything is fine, but the neon yellow rims are controversially discussed by various people, they either love it or hate it!
Is there anyone you wish to thank: Z-Design Customizing and Michael Zinnen, Tim W, Chris B, Holger P and Maik K.