It seems there are lots of T5 Mark 1 owners who need a new speedo with a working rev counter! Here’s part three of our competition entries.
Tomorrow we’ll have the final batch (providing we don’t get loads more flooding in) and will pick a winner. If you’ve missed out on the competition you can find out more here and see the previous entries.
Entry #17
I’m up in Glasgow and I’ve owned this T5 Mk1 for 6 months. The T5 Mk 1 was always on my radar, however, they rarely come up for sale, since then I’ve been pretty much all around Scotland and have just recently took part in the Glasgow Armistice Day memorial run.
This run took us around all the main WW1/WW2 memorials in Glasgow with a service at each one. We ended the run at the Glasgow city centre cenotaph with over 40 scooters allowed to ride onto George Square for the last service. This run raised over £500 for veterans and my T5, which is standard, never missed a heartbeat at 37 years old. This winter I am planning to carry out some key maintenance as it’s looking a touch tired, so with this in mind my plan is to change the speedometer as not all of the instruments are working, drop out the engine for a full service and send it to the paint shop.
Kind Regards
Brian Sheen (East Kilbride)
Entry #18
Hello Scooterlab team, I’m Arnaud from France,
Here is my little story: Since I’m a kid I wanted a Vespa, the noise and smell of the 2-stroke Vespa was always delightful to me. Life went on and never had the chance to purchase one until about 2 years ago when someone offered me to get a T5 for a bargain, so I couldn’t let this opportunity pass despite the poor buddy had slept way too long outside without running.
I didn’t know anything about the T5, but straight away I was attracted by this unusual squared shape. After some research I learned the history of it and oh boy I was in love with my T5.
After some TLC, it started and run perfectly, my love for the T5 grew even bigger. A few months back, the cruciform gave up in the middle of my ride about 3 hours from home. Last week, I took the time to change that piece and did at the same time all the bearings, oil seals, clutch…
As I’ve stripped down the frame I’m about to do a new paint job (red of course) so it can regain its glorious time.
The only thing that will be missing is a working rpm speed gauge. So that new speedo would be a blessing for me and my T5.
Thanks for the reading and good luck to everyone.
Arnaud and T5 with love
Entry #19
My name is Daniel Castro, I’m from Portugal and I own a 2nd hand Piaggio Vespa PX 125 T5 from 1990.
It has low mileage, it’s 95% original (changed the mirror and had to change the piston (same size)) and I believe it is one of the greatest Vespas ever made.
I also own a Vespa 180 Rally and a Vespa 50s, I’ve had a few others also, but there’s nothing like the T5. It’s quite unique, the sitting position, response, curving, and handling in general. They are quite different from any other Vespa models.
The longest journey that I did with it in one day was about 5 or 6 years ago: 430km (more or less). Apart from that, several trips of 200km a day, did some camping, some meetings… and when the weather is fine I also use it as a daily ride.
The nicest thing about them is their reliability. I know that if they are being well taken care of, they won’t fail you. What an amazing ride the T5 is!
Cheers
Daniel Castro
Entry #21
I haven’t owned this for that long.
It was a friend of mine who owned it before, unfortunately he had an accident on it that ruined the legshields forks mudguard etc.
We tried to make the most of it by cutting it down (just to get rid of the bad bits) he then stopped riding it or any other scooter. I bought it from him as he needed the money. It is now (and still is) undergoing the panel work and will be reassembled early next year. I have tried to find a digital dash without any luck.
Entry #22
I’ve had my T5 since 1992 when I bought the frame from my Mate Martin, who sadly died a few years ago in an RTA.
The paint etc. is original, and it’s currently running a Worb 5 longstroke 172 engine, reed valve and all the usual stuff, plus original 90s screen, stereo console etc. I’ve still got the standard 125 engine in the garage!
This scooter was my go-to rally bike for years, but lately, I’ve tended to use my other scooters as it’s covered a lot of miles now.
The first picture is on its way to a rally somewhere or other, the second one is an old photo with my eldest son, who’s now 25!
I’ve been through a lot with this scooter, and it’s a great bit of kit, the only niggle is the digital rev counter is a bit temperamental and some of the warning lights don’t work because the connections got damaged a few years ago, so a new speedo would be ideal!
Thanks and best regards
Duncan
Entry #23
This is my T5 which I have owned for 20 years. I have owned many T5s over the years and have always loved the styling and performance.
This t5 has been my rally-going scooter for the last couple of decades and has a Malossi kit with a SIP Road 2 exhaust. I also fitted a P200 primary drive with a 21-tooth Cosa clutch, which if I’m honest makes it a bit sluggish at the bottom end but on a motorway it doesn’t scream its nuts off. I’ve had many memorable trips on this scooter but probably the one that sticks in my mind is the trip to Venlo a few years ago, 30+ scooters riding abroad and none of us knowing where we were going. I love this scooter but as with most T5s the rev counter doesn’t work and the mph is very optimistic. So the addition of a SIP speedo would be great improvement.
Ian White
It’s the final part tomorrow…
I’m sure T5 fans have enjoyed seeing all your squaretails this week. It’s the final day tomorrow though so normal SLUK service will soon be resumed.
