A few questions have been asked on here over the last couple of years, I guess, about buying classic restored Vespas in Bali.
I gather that some countries notably USA are much easier to import them. Australia is very strict about what they let in, or not.
For those thinking of doing it there are some pitfalls. First you must have permission from Canberra to import one and importantly must not ship it until you receive this permission. If you don't have it you may have the bike destroyed at your expense when it gets here.
The form you fill in and send to Canberra includes the engine number and body number. I was talking to somebody recently who had his bike sent before hearing back from Canberrs and had a big problem because the numbers he gave were incorrect for the year or model he was sending. In his case all was sorted out because it was an error in reading a number from an old log book. Had this not being the case it would have been very expensive indeed for the unsuspecting importer.
You need to window shop around Legian/Kuta/Denpasar before buying and don't be in a rush because you fall in love with one of them. (I call Brian's Vespa "Isteri Kedua" (second wife) because it is love. He says he's not selling it but adds "mind you everything has it's price" which leaves me a little concerned about my position as first wife.
Now with 2 weeks to go before we return he is saying "Well if somebody offers me a really good price, I might because I can order another while we are in Bali". I think he should keep it partly I admit because he doesn't keep taking my car when he has it ......unless it's raining.....or cold....or windy. In his defence he did get his motor bike licence only a couple of years ago at age, well not advanced age but lets say he's not as young as he used to be and leave it at that.
Now he reckons he would prefer a more classic colour. His current one is bright orangey red and cream and I love it. Plus it stands out on the road which is nice because I am sort of attached to him. Anyway I think he'll be looking for a new one when we are over there.
That brings me to my friend Wayan who has a car rental business in Jln Werkudara. He has said to us a few times and I gather to friends who have bought from him "Look around and you will find many cheaper than mine but you won't find any as good." After many hot walks and long taxi rides we have come to agree with him so the moral is. If you are looking around at Vespas in Bali, look carefully at what you are getting because there are the good, the bad and the ugly.
Brian's second wife is currently part of a window display of retro clothes etc. I must admit that seeing her there in the window with a pair of lovely boots strategically propped on her foot rest, she is indeed a thing of beauty. If any Perthites are driving past the big Video/retro clothing shop on the corner of Beaufort St and Walcott St. Mt. Lawley, that's Brian's pride and joy in the window!