Vintage Vespa teardrop camping trailer and my Primus 8R

Discussion in 'Stove Forum' started by Tom_B, Dec 1, 2021.

  1. Tom_B United States

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    Greetings Everyone!

    I posted a few months back during the building phase of my Vespa scooter camping trailer. I fell in love with the 8R and had lots of questions about this stove. In short, not only did you guys answer all my questions, a kind member here sold me one at a fair price. Thank you all so much.

    The trailer was completed last week and I just posted my first video on my new YouTube channel. If you are interested you can view it below. I did not use the 8R in this first video because I wanted to save it and really do a special episode where I can really showcase it.

    I'm also a school teacher and I'm teaching a camping club. I can't wait to introduce my students to the 8R and have them use it every week in the club!

    Thanks again for all of your help!

    Tom



    Cabin_Car.jpeg
     
  2. Jim Lukowski United States

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    What an awesome video, and that meal looked so delicious. Not to mention the incredible job you did making that trailer!

    I was surprised by your choice of stove. I'd only seen one review of it (or one that appeared just like it) in the past and it didn't go well.
     
  3. presscall

    presscall United Kingdom SotM Winner SotY Winner Subscriber

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    @Tom_B Great work on the trailer and Vespa tow. The Lambretta 125 I had couldn’t have coped, but I guess after a proper overhaul it might have.

    Wonderful video and content.

    John
     
  4. Tom_B United States

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    Jim,
    That little K202 stove is awesome. It's an immediate favorite. I saw the review that you were writing about. That flame-out on camera was all but deliberate...and caused by improper use. I've been using the stove for weeks and it's been flawless. I love the quirky "sputnik" look of it. At $12 it's the deal of the year for an all metal camp stove. I would have happily paid double!

    Presscall, I'm almost jealous of the AMAZING scooter scene you guys have across the pond. Lambrettas are pretty rare here. I've only ever seen three in my 20 years of scootering. I got to ride one about 3 years ago. Incredible bikes.
    Thank you for the kind comments about the video. If you still have some scooter friends kicking about, please feel free to share the video with them. I'd love to connect with people from the UK scooter scene!
     
  5. presscall

    presscall United Kingdom SotM Winner SotY Winner Subscriber

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    None, I’ll confess, Tom. The Lambretta was one of two machines I got in a swap for a motorcycle, which was my main ride. The second machine I took possession of was a Triumph 21 (350cc) 3TA ‘bathtub’ - not so far removed from a scooter in appeareance because of the metal fairing partially enclosing the back wheel.

    4FDB765A-960A-4BF2-8161-B99FE35D80B8.jpeg


    That said, the Lambretta dispelled any silly prejudice I might have had (as a leather-clad ‘biker’) in respect of scooters. It’s engine/transmission, sheer functionality and comfortable ride were very likeable.

    John
     
  6. BradB

    BradB United States Subscriber

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    John, terrific Triumph! I had a TR 6 when in high school. Wish I still had it.
     
  7. Jim Lukowski United States

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    @Tom_B

    Thanks for that info on the stove. I went back to the video I saw and this time, I clearly see that the stove he evaluated was defective. It was missing one of the two tabs required to attach the butane canister. Surprisingly, he didn't see that the canister never fully engaged and lit it anyway. I have too many stoves now, but it appears one of these will also be in my future.
     
  8. Tom_B United States

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    Jim, what's one more stove? lol.

    The little K202 is a gem.

    Tom
     
  9. Jim Lukowski United States

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    >>what's one more stove? lol.

    That what I think to myself every time I get another.

    I've got too many lanterns and stoves, so have quit collecting. In fact, I've probably quit collecting at least a half-dozen times in the past year alone. :)
     
  10. Tom_B United States

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    hahahahaha right on!
     
  11. frg7700

    frg7700 Subscriber

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    Sportique?
     
  12. Tom_B United States

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    frg7700, If you are referring to the Vespa, It's a 1962 Vespa VBB, 150cc 2-stroke, 4-speed manual transmission.
     
  13. frg7700

    frg7700 Subscriber

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    I think they're the same machine, 'Sportique' being the UK distributor's name for the VBB. Anyway, absolutely beautiful.
     
  14. itchy

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    @Tom_B

    :thumbup::thumbup:

    If you are going to be cooking like that on a regular basis the 8R may not be quite enough.
     
  15. Tom_B United States

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    Frg7700, Thanks for the info! Here in the US I think it was simply marketed as the "Vespa 150"...many years later, collectors began referring to the bike by part of it's VIN. "VBB"

    Itchy, the 8R will be used mostly for my camping club on Friday's...simple stuff like warming a foil packet meal or heating water for hot cocoa. I'll feature it on my channel from time to time but would not use it to power a makeshift oven :) Thanks again :)
     
  16. Jaime Massang

    Jaime Massang Australia Subscriber

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    Tom,
    That is a beautiful job you have done. I think 150 cc is also the most powerful Vespa? It should tow it with ease.
    I have always envied the regulations in the US which have allowed you guys to build all kinds of vehicles e.g hot rods, custom cars, etc.
    In OZ the regulations are extremely repressive and restrictive.

    I am particular interested in how the trailer behaves under brakes.
    Could there be a problem going downhill or could 'jackknifing' ever be an issue?

    Does it have its own braking system?
    Could you possibly rig an additional master cylinder or mechanical arrangement?
    Regards, Jaime.
     
  17. Tom_B United States

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    Jaime,
    I believe there were some special model vintage Vespas that were more powerful than 150cc.
    Braking does not seem to be an issue. The trailer has no brakes. I stop it with the dual-drums on the bike and it seems to stop just fine. I don't think Jack knifing would be much of an issue either...it tows pretty well!
    Tom
     
  18. Jaime Massang

    Jaime Massang Australia Subscriber

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    Tom,
    I noticed the safety chains that keep the trailer connected would also prevent the trailer from deviating too much to the R or L so would remove any tendency to do so. Good stuff.
    Jaime.
     
  19. frg7700

    frg7700 Subscriber

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    There were both 180s (SS & Rally) and 200s (Rally, PE & PX)
    These days they're 4 stroke and go up to 300cc.
     
  20. frg7700

    frg7700 Subscriber

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    Nothing like as old as Tom-B's machine, but this is my PX200, late eighties/early nineties. The paint is Rover Cadbury Silk Cut purple and was stupidly expensive.

    p2.jpg