Modern Vespa

Scooter Dog writes I like that R1100RS, Fletch

Ditto. A 1996 R1100RS was my first motorcycle. Aside from the cost of clutch replacement, it was a fantastic bike.

I'd just like to point out a couple things.
1. I do not HAVE a garage, or any indoor storage space for my poor bike.

2. a solid 50% of the garages posted here are the size of my home.

Yeah, my PTWs are outside in the rain as we speak and my bicycles are inside much to the chagrin of my cohabitants.

Just put in an order for a couple of doodads to stick on the bike as soon as they get here. Give 'em somethin' to do in the rain

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFysQspVI7U

My garage, and scooter trailer.

Here is my garage. Kind of messy at the moment. I wouldn't have the other bikes if I had not joined MV. This place has been my gateway drug to all things 2 wheeled.

So I first saw this thread early last year, and was inspired by Jack Olsen, Jess and these posts, to convert my garage to a decent workshop. I started to think through, sketch, measure and plan, and began the work in the autumn. I need to create some new space, so had a shed base laid and reused some dead space behind the garage with a new shed to take bikes and garden stuff. For a while I had the family tent pitched in the back garden as temporary storage for stuff and building materials. That freed up the garage to empty it, fit a new ceiling to create a loft space, and fit out the workshop with the right layout and gear for my Vespas and future restorations.

And now it's done. So I thought I'd come back to this thread that started it all and share how it turned out...

I thought Jess list was pretty damn good, so I worked to it.

I lost a few pounds fitting the ceiling boards, which was pretty good as I had no spare time to be in the gym The new loft created plenty of space for long term storage, or occasional use utems

I used the cheapest IKEA kitchen units I could find, which fitted well up to the rafters, while leaving some space for storage for more boxes. The first wall mounted cabinet is visible in the second pic below.

I had to think through the loft access, because it made sense to rest a hatch door on the rafters, with the door raising upwards into the loft space, rather than use a drop down door kit often used in a house. After some head scratching, sketching and measuring, I ended up fitting a pull cord that passed through two pulleys fitted in the roof space, to a hook on the top of the door hatch. The red pull cord is just visible at the back of garage space. When pulled, the hatch lifts easily, and an aluminium loft ladder pulls down easily.

I was really pleased when this first worked perfectly. There's something very 'Anne Frank' about it...

Well done!

Here's the 'After' shots. I gave the cabinets a roller coat of red gloss paint, so all the white didn't make it feel like a hospital or a morgue

The black rubber floor tiles were a great find, very easy to cut and fit. They sit well without adhesive, and can be lifted for cleaning or replaced if damaged. I read the cushioning they provide is less tiring when working, which definitely seems true having worked on them for a few weeks now.

The only main item I kept was the pale grey cabinet, which is chock full of mountaineering, climbing and camping gear. More clear IKEA boxes sit on top of the cabinets, swallowing up decorating tools, scoot parts and other stuff. The cabinets have taken paint cans, liquids, more tools and a second hand Panasonic Hi-Fi system that I bought from eBay for £10 (the surround sound bass box is mounted underneath the worktop). Its probably better than the system in the house! 8)

A rack shelf from IKEA holds power tools boxes, cleaning stuff in portable tubs etc. I finally got a wheeled red tool chest (what guy doesn't secretly want one?!) that gives an L shape working pattern to the main worktop. As someone who tends to keep stuff 'just in case', I reused a desk light, a blind for the door and a few other things that cost me nothing.

Great job on the renovation!

I had the old US licence plates knocking around from years ago, so thought it was only right to put them back up 8) . Vespa signs are on the other wall, of course! With the clean lines towards the garage door, I can get three bikes abreast and still walk by. The push bikes have gone into the new shed. Silver GTS has been sold now, but the GTR has replaced it.

Painting the floor was a good move, but I can see its already getting dirty and chipping up a little, which I guess is inevitable. The white paint took 2-3 coats to look right (arrgh, Jess!) but really lights the space well (OK, he was right!). The side window gives welcome light, but I really need to upgrade the single bulb to a fluorescent tube next, plus I think I really need a vice.

Small design ideas have helped - the bin sits inside one of the lower cabinets, the hi-fi has a control panel that sits on its own shelf with a clock, the clean floor sweeps down easily, the wiring for the loft light etc all sits in one of the wall cabinets, all of the top boxes pull down easy and then get pushed back in seconds, regular used tools are in the cabinet drawer etc

So I guess that's it. Several months of on-off work, about £800 ish without the other shed base and shed, and too many hours to remember, but its done now, and I'm already really enjoying using it. Music on, cold one on the workshop, everything to hand, an hour or two in the evening after work or losing a few hours at the weekend

Between starting it and finishing it, I got the next piece of the plan - a 1975 Vespa GTR 125 to restore in it. And so starts another chapter.

Thanks for the inspiration and for letting me share it with you.

See you later - I'm off into the garage, I mean workshop. I might be some time...

I envy you. No child or wifey clutter in there. Clean and tidy spic-and-span.

Ooops........ you've missed something.

Where is the mini fridge for the beers your guests will be drinking.

Full steam ahead on the GTR

Nooooooo! Actually, I did think of that, but I didn't really have worktop space for it, so I'll have to go with the coolbox or ice bucket for guests. I did think of having a 'launch party' for the guys in my street, which is just an excuse for a few beers and talking bikes n tools and stuff...

GTR is coming on -> Full restoration log - 1975 Vespa GTR 125

Those leather rool bags look FANTASTIC on your scoots!!!

Here's mine. The house plans say this is a garage space. No car has ever set foot in here!
John W

More American auto plates. I guess that explains why I hang on to ZA and NA plates, a universal guy thing.

Yes indeed tomjasz. I was in Falls Church VA in the early 70s and back again in Colorado Springs in the early 90s. Did you spot the MC plate? I had a HD Sportster then and was a pretty active member of the Pike's Peak HOG Chapter.

John W.

Nothing but Italians here... 8)









Regards

/ VNS

Wow!

Over the winter in the garage.

w.

This is about as luxurious as it gets around here. This thing spends the winter wet with dew.. It gets to dry off a bit during the days if it's lucky.

We've moved to a new house since the last time I posted in this thread. The new garage is an odd layout. One side is double deep. The PTWs go in the deep part of the double side. Then there is still plenty of room for the car and the SUV.

-Craig

Ditch those cars and I bet you could fit another 20 Vespas in.

Call it a science experiment...

I've found that for me, more than one PTW at a time is a waste. I pick a favorite and the others get neglected.

-Craig

But Craig, it's for SCIENCE.

We live in apartment building but we have double-car garage, nothing special , still very handy and functional extra space. It is heated garage which is very nice during winter months. My half of garage was initially populated with couple of bike but three months late another bike was adopted and free space was fully utilized.
On some pictures posted here I see bicycles stuck to the side of a garage, very sad if you ask me. They deserve better In my case they are still my very preferable vehicles and they were always store inside appartment (next to my office).

My bad!

My garage is not so neat as the some of the rest of you, but it's pretty good size, and I like hanging out in there... The 'reflective' bits in the back are old license plates from previous cars I've had....

Looks good, Nautiker. I like your trouble light on the cord reel hanging on the ceiling. You can never have enough good light. And ceiling access is so convenient.

I have two compressed air hose reels (50' of hose on each) and a extension cord reel on the ceiling.

-Craig

Just found this thread. Nice sheds!

Mine, packed tot the gunnals and not the tidiest. Only about 3.5 x 2.5m but enough room for 2 scoots. One has to be moved out to work on the other...

My current rides....

This will be the "garage" for my new Vespa, our Pro Studio Shed Tuff Shed (with cedar paneling added by me).

I (only somewhat kiddingly) tell my wife I'm going to enter our shed into a "Best Looking Tuff Shed" contest.

I bought this loading ramp to get the scooter up the two steps:

https://www.harborfreight.com/automotive-motorcycle/ramps/1200-lb-capacity-convertible-aluminum-loading-ramp-94057.html

Father retired. Moved shop to home. First day of moving...