Vespatude - A Vespa Blog: To buy or not to buy, that is the question

This bike picture came from Chris. Now, Chris doesn't own this bike, but he is wondering if he should buy it. Guess what? It is in Indonesia. I got this email asking for advice on purchasing this scooter. I will admit it is unique...

Here is what Chris had to say about it:

I wonder if this bike is a good deal? This guy says he's from california but he now lives in Indonesia and he restores bikes for a living. he says he will give it to me "as is" for $2500 free shipping, and will supply me some extra parts so i can finish restoring it myself.

Is this is a good idea or not, this would be my first bike and i want a cool vintage vespa to work on as a summer project (w/out much engine work).

Well, at least the fellow isn't saying that it is fully restored with all new parts, yada, yada, yada. I'm not so sure I would buy the bike. My rule of thumb for buying from Asia is... I know what you are thinking, "Don't"... but seriously, I'm not all down on purchasing from Asia... the rule is, buy as though you are just buying a frame with plans to do a full restore yourself. Here is what the seller says:

Body has been stretched 15cm from front to back and the width stretched 8cm across from right to left. To add to this monster of a vespa are modified/enlarged side pods giving the rear end of this vespa a big beefy look, custom chrome sports handlebars, custom chrome exhaust pipe (gives the vespa a nice deep sound), 10 inch rims an tires, headlight lowered to the leg sheilds, custom chrome rear tail light & a left side Kick stand (added for easy on an off action). Also has a rear mud flap. The engine is a 1974 Super 150 Piaggio Vespa 4 speed and has been fully restored, runs excelent and has great get up. All big parts in the engine have been re-surfaced & re-machined by a Piaggio mechanic w/ NEW coils, platina, points, starter, all new seals, spark plug, clutch & brake cables, body cable, front & rear brakes, shocks & tires. I use this bike everyday and she is great, the true German tank of all vespas, a definate 1 of a kind.

Now, if you are looking to get a vintage Vespa, I don't know if you want to go the modified route. Of course, that would depend on whether you like your vintage cars stock or hotrod. Personally, the bike doesn't interest me and I would be scared that a scooter with so many modifications would have issues. It's Chris' call. $2500 might not be too much if you really knew the condition of the bike... I would look for a summer project that you could look at first.

Anybody else have any input for Chris? I do think the handlebars are cool.