Api di Ken

[olandese volante]

the ape is already a lot happier ...........finally someone to perform some good surgery.......

[kjjohnson]

I picked up the Vespacar and headed home just in time. Bracebridge, Ontario where I'd picked it up has received 80cm of snow since I left for home and roads are closed. - This from a local news report " Residents of Bracebridge, Ontario deal with up to 80 centimetres of snow that is expected to fall by Dec. 11, 2009 Friday night, eight centimetres more than the area's average snowfall for the whole month of December."

[olandese volante]

punishment for the headlights.............

[kjjohnson]

Yes, the headlights suck. They were a requirement for British Columbia where the Ape's were licensed as trucks. Pity the P601 wasn't imported. As for punishment, Bracebridge got another 30cm of snow overnight. Here are some other B.C. Vespacars with the headlight modification. The bumper bar was locally manufactured and appears on a lot of them and it's worse than just the headlights mounted to the cab. Bodywork! - Ken

[kjjohnson]

Time to bring the Vespacar into the shop before the snow really starts to fly here. Some of the original plastic wrapping for the backrest is still attached. - Ken

[olandese volante]

the ape gets happier............nice and dry and a friendly doctor with all the equipment needed......api winter heaven...

[kjjohnson]

Ah yes, but there is some surgery involved to make sure the heart operates properly. The heart is waiting in the Pre-Op room. Ken

[ilPupillo]

Le tue api sono davvero belle complimenti!!

[kjjohnson]

Grazie, I think this is going to be a great restoration providing the motor isn't a big problem. I will be posting photos as I do the restoration. There is an original tool pouch that I found on the top of the spare tire. Ken

[kjjohnson]

I started dismantling the Vespacar. Pulled the seat out, not torn anywhere but needs restitching along the front edge where it's come loose. It can be cleaned up and reused. Pulled the spare tire and it's very worn, especially on one side which is telling me something. Pulled the battery and when I lifted the tray there was a nasty surprise. No sealing was done under the tray and water kept getting in under the tray and it's quite rusted. There was no overflow pipe from the battery so some acid corrosion as well. It can be repaired. Pulled the seat belts which the prior owner installed, a bit tricky for the center bolt. The inline fuse holder has a makeshift connection (not original) so this will have to be addressed. - Ken

[kjjohnson]

I've gone through the original container shipping documents from Piaggio to the importer in Canada from July 1982 and it was first sold to Daytona Automotive Ltd. of Edmonton, Alberta and so that is the original sticker on the back of the Furgone. The prior owner had installed twin seatbelts. The original jack and wheel wrench are still in the vehicle, probably rarely used. - Ken

[kjjohnson]

Removed the cabin beading and ends. Tip - use stainless steel screws when replacing the ends. The cabin beading plastic was cracked and worn but amazingly after 27 years when I removed it there was only a few very tiny rust spots behind. I've cleaned a portion and the original paint still has a shiny surface underneath. - Ken

[kjjohnson]

Pulled off the front fender which was cracked and some mounting points broken. There is an original paper sticker, still legible, applied at the factory after painting, and the original painters tape covering the top of the paraspruzzi, and once removed shows the black primer paint underneath. The tubo sterzo has the factory stamp showing month and year it was produced. Only surface rust on the cabin behind the front wheel, most unusual to find after 27 years. Ken

[kjjohnson]

The former owner must have been related to Raymond. Two ashtrays and a lighter. 12554km on the dial. Pulled the doors and started dismantling and bagging everything. Merry Christmas everyone. Ken

[kjjohnson]

Continuing to strip the Vespacar. I had Bayfield Garage turn my spare set of brake drums. Once they're painted I can do the brakes and replace the ones on the Vespacar with these. - Ken