I've never been attracted to the Vespa style but people do rave about the 300 GTS although the internet suggests that you want one that's been waxoyled, or similar. Maybe that's no longer true (if it ever was!)
Then I clapped eyes on this 2021 model and couldn't resist buying it. It was well priced due to the high mileage (9,500) and being the version before the RST22 upgrade. I took a gamble regarding potential rust issues (the bike was 250 miles away) but I asked the usual questions and was fairly satisfied. Now, having stripped it down to check it all out I saw that the frame and seams were all good but, to be on the safe side, I treated it with copious amounts of anti-corrosion product.
I did find some rust though. On the left side of the lower legshield was an area of bubbling paint caused by a stone chip. I took it back to bare metal and coated it with Dinitrol, then zinc primer and paint & lacquer. There was also a fair bit of surface rust underneath at the front which received the same treatment and I finished off by adding a Fenda Extenda. Finally, the battery compartment had signs of early rusting so it was also treated.
The bike is fun to ride and much better than I anticipated and I'm really surprised just how much I like it. One thing that I've learned though is that these scoots are not designed for northern climes - just too many potential areas for corrosion to take hold. The rear wheel arch, for example, has obvious areas where crud can accumulate unseen and it took me a while to clean out and treat those areas. If they weren't so expensive I'd love a new one and protect it from the start but pretty happy that I managed to pick one up in my favourite colour.
