I’ve mentioned many times that selling one of my classics is always a tough decision. Space is always at a premium in my Seattle garage and after spending last weekend cleaning it out it and organizing things it was obvious that a decision needed to be made. After a significant amount of hand wringing and a couple of Heineken's, I settled on my all-original VM2.  It’s very rare to find one of these in original paint and in such good condition. It starts right up with a couple of kicks and shifts like it should. The light switch is missing, lost long before it came to me.  The front hub spinner and unusual cowl protectors came with it.  I’ve considered selling them separately in the past but been too lazy.

Every bike in my stable was hand picked and I tend to develop an attachment to each of them. On the other hand, I have a full range of ‘faro basso’ Vespa models from a 1951 V30 the last VM2 to roll out of the Pontedera in 1957. There are four unfinished Lambretta projects sitting in the garage, and a Zunapp Bella and Heinkel Tourist at the paint shop. It will be along time before I can get around to doing something with this old timer and the cash proceeds will help fund the completion of my numerous other projects. After exchanging a half dozen emails with the buyer, my impression is this bike is going to a good home. They seem like people who know something about ‘vintage’ scooters and will take care of it. Even so, I will probably get a little ferklempt when I take it to the shipper and drive away.

A couple of weeks ago, I got the itch to buy an old Heinkel Tourist I saw on eBay. It was in bad shape, but restorable.  It was tempting, but somehow I found the strength to not bid. No more new projects until all of the current bikes are finished. The last few projects bikes I acquired were good candidates but not very satisfying after the thrill of the hunt wore off. What I really want is to add some of the more obscure models such as a Rumi, TWN ‘Tessy’ or Ducati Brio to the mix (see below).

Another that I have been searching for is a mid 1950’s Peugeot. They don't run well, but the French get an A+ for unusual design. The French Bernadet “Texas'” had hand-tooled leather seats and saddlebags with fringe. An homage to the brief post-war fascination with Americans? Who knows.

Looking at the date of my last post, it is obvious how little time I have devoted to my scooters in recent months. Now that the warm and dry weather has arrived here in Mosstown, I will be a bit more active. The paint for the Bella and Tourist will be finished soon and I’m looking forward to seeing how they turned out.