Keeping the Vespa as it is (Or making it Better)

There's a real dilemma here.   As I've said before, one of the real pleasures of the Primavera is that it is so incredibly simple.  For those that have never seen an original very early 1970's Vespa Primavera 125, here's some of it's benefits (and some might say drawbacks).

The 125 Primavera is a small frame scooter.  Simply it's built round a very small narrow frame.  The engine, which is pre-mixed two stroke is mounted at the back of the bike to one side of the frame.  Drive is direct through a 4 speed gearbox, which is changed through the left hand handle bar using a twist grip gear change and lever clutch.  Throttle and front brake is on the right hand handle bar.  Rear brake via right hand foot pedal.  

The scooter is started by depressing a kickstart a few times from cold and once when warm.   There are no electrics to speak of, no battery.  Once the engine is running sufficient power is created to power the lights, which glow dimly in the dark and the horn which has sufficient volume to annoy you at 2 paces away.  

There are no luxuries or indeed essentials such as luggage space, mirrors or indicators.   The scooter is pretty terrifying to ride as you ride SO slowly with no way of knowing what is going on behind you and no way of alerting other road users of your intentions other than by flapping your arms.  

There is also no luggage space at all.  

Oh yeah, and did I mention that the brakes also don't work .  The front one does nothing, and the back one if applied hard would just lock the wheel and cause a skid.

So what to do.   Reason says that I should fit a pair of mirrors, and a couple of luggage racks.  Indicators are a complete no no as the electrics just aren't up to it.

Melsher logic however says that I should avoid all change.  If I really want all that is both sensible and practical, then it's all available on the Harley Davidson.  Whats the point of kitting this scooter up like a real bike.

Slow transport, like slow food perhaps should be appreciated for what it really is, slow biking.   Remember Simon's idea of a bike that is light enough and simple enought to lay down outside the sweet shop.  THAT'S WHAT I'VE GOT, SO AS LITTLE ALTERATION AS POSSIBLE.