Some recent videos which have Welsford navigators in them

 Feeling miserable still, here in the northern hemisphere? Spring not coming quick enough? Sailing season still seems far away? 

Although Arwen will be heading to new waters soon - here are some videos of other welsford navigators in action from 2024/25. I am very privileged to know many of these sailors and navigator boats through regular interactions on forums, facebook and facebook messenger over the years. Great people all and lovely boats. Exactly how the designer envisaged them I suspect. Anyway, enjoy and remember, sailing season for you is almost here at last. 😄

Our beloved Motorvespa 125 super 'Stacey'

Well, we have finally made the decision. It is time for Stacey to go to a new home where she will be loved as much as we loved her, but taken out and let loose more frequently. It is painful as this was a father/son restoration project and she gave us much pleasure, fun and stories to tell. But life marches on and priorities and needs change. So as we move to a new chapter in our lives, Stacey needs to do the same.

For sale much loved Douglas Vespa small frame Motovespa 125cc super model year 1971 and first registered July 1972  registration ******K.

762M***** on engine     Vin frame prefix number 762C***** on frame. Research on various vespa websites shows it to be a Motovespa 125 super 1965 - 68 although I cannot guarantee that this is accurate.

Kick start, two stroke, pre-mix, petrol and 4 speed manual gear. Tax exempt. MOT new to march 2018. Was SORN during 2017 when son was away for year.

Ready to ride with approx 12,000 on clock; speedo is in mph. Original mileage when bought was 10,200.  V5 and original registration document from 1971 present (matching chassis and engine numbers); previous MOT’s and service history present whilst in our ownership. Has been stored in garage since we have owned it and ridden once per month.  During part of 2017, when SORN'd, engine has been turned over every fortnight for several minutes each time since then. Normally starts on third kick.  

Restored from old barn find as father/teenage son project, son is now away from home and saving for car; and so this is a ‘reluctant’ sale.  Have receipts for most items during resto which we can show you. Many original features remain.

Restoration work included:

·        Strip down to bare metal and rust removal; Primer and new paint job – metallic burgundy red - completed by professional car customising garage locally

·        New 10 inch white wall tyres and inner tubes  – original rims

·        New floor panel and floor runner kit

·        Engine strip down and replaced bearings, seals, gasket, new piston. Had previous malossi cylinder headset conversion at some stage and also a CDI conversion by previous owner.

·        New shock absorbers front and rear

·        new speedo cables and gearing (installed by local scooter expert)

·        New fuel tap; petrol tank cleaned out

·        New FACO ET3 banana exhaust and air filter

·        New carb dell'orto SHBC 19/19 and  intake manifold

·        New handlebar clutch and brake levers

·        New wiring loom inserted by local scooter expert along with new headlight glass; new rear brake light holder and gasket

·        New brake shoes front and rear

Original features, as far as we know - speedo, horn, light switch box, rims and hubs, spare wheel holder, most of engine. Please note: we were new to vespa scooters and so kept as much of the original features of scooter that we bought. We cannot vouch that what we bought was all original – please see note below about toolbox for example.

Receipts for most of the restored parts all from Allstyles, Beedspeed, AJ Sutton and SIP

People should remember engine may need little more running in still.

Runs perfectly – starts on third kick normally. Engine and carb needs slight tuning – Can see videos on YouTube....search motovespa 125 super or search ‘plymouthwelshboy’ and download playlist.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNe9Ys0KwjI&list=PL4ru7c7wAAWz8UeZAHN4B5Q8bAeLLv37o

Notes:

We have tried to describe ‘Stacey’ in as much detail as possible. In good faith please note the following:
1. Minor cosmetic scratches on engine panel.....it fell off once! See photos/video; also slight scratches on toolbox.

2. Being naïve, we had the parts and frame sandblasted and then powder coated…that was before we realised or managed to get plugged into the local scooter scene and small frames Vespa forum
3. Large scratch on bottom of rear front mudguard where bolt on front leg shield once caught it

4. Big note.....when we restored it we didn't know anything about scooters and so didn't realise that bottom of leg shield had small part cut out by previous owner....see one of the photos. May need piece welded back in. We have gone on journeys of 150 miles in a day. It has never been a problem. The ‘hole’ is currently covered with black duct tape which has held for four years!  The back of the hole does have cross piece in it which maintains structural integrity – see photo

5. The right hand throttle mount on headset broke when an over eager observer leaned against scooter heavily and knocked it over. We had local engineering company cut and bolt in new aluminium plate. Never been a problem, headset fine and throttle and brake works perfectly. However some paint and powder coating lost on edge – see photo

7. The toolbox was fitted at later stage by previous owner and isn't actually the correct motovespa toolbox.....again, we didn't know until much later after the restoration was complete. 

8. Light switch box keeps coming loose and is held on with tape – see photo

9. Crack in paintwork on one part of floor panel  - see photo; also minor paint flakes missing on a floor panel nut - see photo 

10. we don’t have a key for the steering lock; the person we bought it from didn’t have it either

We have tried to be completely honest via description, photographs and video clips. But if we can help in any other way, please ask. Thank you for your time and interest. ‘Stacey’ provides a great ride, is much loved and we part with her reluctantly. Looking for an owner who can tune her, restore her further and treasure her as much as we have. We also have a box of spare bits and pieces to go with her along with some basic tools - spark plug key; spanners for loosening front fork; some cable pullers etc.

If you are interested in buying her please drop me a comment below or via facebook or via my Youtube site (search Arwen's meanderings) and I will contact you regarding price etc.

UK buyers only and must arrange own collection please. Payment by PayPal transfer in to my account. Please bring photo ID (drivers licence or passport with two paper utility bills showing address (mobile phone bills not accepted).

I don’t accept any returns. If you would like to arrange a time to see it, please contact me but I would appreciate no time wasters or tyre kickers – please only visit if you are seriously considering buying her – thanks. I can show scooter running but will not be able to run it up and down the road as my CBT has just expired. Please don't ask to ride it yourself, in that way, I won't cause offence when I say no and neither you or the scooter will run the risk of accidental damage out on the road! The MOT and videos above show it works and runs well and we have given an honest and fair description.

Thanks for your interest. I will be advertising her on Facebook and Gumtree in the next couple of weeks. Have a good week. Take care.