Korean Job Discussion Forums

[smwood]

I had to leave my 1968 Vespa 150 back in BC. Yeah; I know. I'm choked to be without it. Aside from getting one shipped from overseas, does anyone know if I can get a vintage Italian scooter here in Korea? Or, does anyone know if it's even possible to get a vintage scooter into Korea?

Any leads would be v. much appreciated.

Cheers,

~ smw

[thekingofdisco]

yes possible to do all of the above.

www.vespagarage.co.kr is a pretty good place.

if you're really serious you might want to import one in, you can get some really nice old models in s. asia. but vespas aren't cheap, and they're not exactly cheap when they break down either.

[smwood]

My Korean is all but useless (I 've been here less than 2 weeks and am too knackered to learn it at the moment). Anyone know any English-language sites that might put me in touch with Vespa people?

I know quite a bit about repairing them, actually it's not that bad if you do the work yourself. They are pretty hands-on scooters though.

Cheers for the link,

~ smw

[Bulsajo]

In 5 and 1/2 years in Korea, I only ever saw one: a beat up black px200 parked in the Chongno3ga area.

(Background: I used to own 2 Lambrettas, so yeah, I know exactly what a Vespa looks like).

My buddy (who owns a modified RZ350 tricked out in Team Gauloises racing colours) always used yank my chain by repeating what somebody told him in Germany:
"Scooters are like fat chicks: fun to ride until all your friends find out."

Don't shoot the messenger.

[nolankerr]

I know it's not really the same thing, but there is a Korean company that makes scooters that look a lot like Vespas. I'm sure they are a lot cheaper and if you buy a newer one you won't have to deal with repairs.
If you are planning on staying here for just a year or so, I think that would be the best option. Getting a Vespa shipped over here would cost a ton and be pretty ridiculous thing to do if its just for transportation. But if you are planning on staying here for life or at least a long time, then I am sure you can get a company in Korea that either has them or can get them...but, of course you'll have to pay a good hunk of change for it.
Pay them enough and Koreans can get you anything you want.

[thekingofdisco]

hmmm well i have seen quite a few vespas in korea. not obviously everyday, but there are a few about. there are 2 shops/garages that i know of. the best one is the one i posted up before.

best thing is to just go there and have a look. there are also vespa clubs about. but if your korean isn't great they might be hard to find. use cyworld or naver to see, if you can get soemone to help you.

[Bulsajo]

[smwood]

I know someone that bought two of the guy in Canada's imported bikes (if it's the same one) and let's just say they weren't all that great. Or safe.

I was in Vietnam earlier this year and looked at maybe 300+ bikes (both Vespe & Lambretti), and bought one + had it shipped for US$240 to Vancouver. The scooter is beautiful and it was easy to get into Canada, doing all the paperwork & legwork myself.

The same company will ship a restored Vespa to Incheon for US$165 (US$145 to Busan), and they do fantastic resto work. The cost of the bike is, naturally, extra. I'd definitely get one shipped here but would like to find out first about importing a vintage bike into Korea - in theory it should be possible, but I guess I'd need to find out first, to be on the safe side. I'd prefer to find one in-country i.e. in Korea to avoid all the importation hassles, but might just go ahead and import one if it looks straightforward.

I appreciate all the thoughts & leads, cheers to everyone. I'll see about getting someone to help me with Naver & the links you sent.

~ smw

p.s. As for the "fat chicks" wisecrack... dude, I've so heard it all before.

[thekingofdisco]

well i know someone who has imported a few into korea from vietnam.. so next time i see him i'll ask what you have to go through.

i actually want to get a 600cc race bike, and the prices here tend to be really over the top, so am thinking about importing in... but like you, i have no real idea on how easy it is.

[smwood]

That'd be awesome. Cheers for the info. I can get a really, really nice restored Vespa or Lambretta here for US$1,300 + shipping from HCMC, and that's not much more than Korean machines which, frankly look awful and are a bit under-powered from what I hear (I'm talking about scooters, not m/c's). You're right about the Vespa maintenance, but man, that's something I consider a hobby anyways.

I dunno; call me 'old school,' but there's something about old Vespa's that just chills me right out, especially if it's been a tough day. By the time I've ridden the scoot home all the world's problems just fall away into nothing...


~ smw

[Bulsajo]

[elksnitis]

i'm very interested in any info on importing bikes into korea from vietnam. does anyone have a website that has more info on vietnamese restored or race bikes?

[smwood]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/smw/113935444/in/set-37404/

... that's the '68 VLB I just brought into Vancouver from HCMC. They did a really nice job, and well worth the money. If I can bring one into Korea it will be pretty much identical.

~ smw

[Bulsajo]

Nice pics, saw some Servetas there (brought a little tear to my eye for days gone by). I think I had the same model- '77 150 special?

[thekingofdisco]

great deal!!~

the bike looks mint..