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Meet My “New” Vintage Vespa from BelloMoto SF

posted on : November 30, 2022 posted by : April 1 Comment

This is a sponsored post for BelloMoto. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

I’d love to introduce you to my “new” Vintage Vespa! I’m still unsure what to name her, but she sure is pretty! I’ve wanted a Vespa for years and recently Neil and I began the search for the perfect scooter. After checking out a few shops in the city that carried all sorts of new vespas and vespa-like scooters, we stumbled upon BelloMoto and I’m so glad we did!

my vintage vespa from bellomoto

About BelloMoto

BelloMoto is located in the industrial part of San Francisco next to the most adorable plant nursery as well as a delicious pizza place. So make plans to spend a couple hours here!

With roots in Italy and decades of experience riding, maintaining and restoring vintage machines, BelloMoto offers a complete service and restoration facility as well as a vast inventory of parts and classic motos for sale. The CEO, GianLuca Baldo, who migrated to the United States from Italy, is passionate in restoring original details of Italian cars, motorcycles and scooters in his custom built facility in San Francisco. Established in 2011, they are dedicated to the highest level of preservation. BelloMoto also has formed a special partnership with the new Museo Moto Laverda in Breganze, Italy. This gives GianLuca and BelloMoto privileged access to Laverda Motorcycles that are to be restored by the expert staff at Museo Moto Laverda. GianLuca cares about the integrity of restoring classic motos and some of their scooters have won awards at a variety of major California concours events. With a new Italian headquarters, BelloMoto also showcases select motos to collectors in Italy as they continue their passion to celebrate these remarkable and iconic machines. You can learn more about BelloMoto, HERE.

my vintage vespa from bellomoto

Our Experience

As soon as we walked into BelloMoto, Neil and I felt like we were transported back to 1950’s Italy! I can’t stress enough how awesome of a place BelloMoto is. They have an insane variety of vintage Vespas, Lambrettas and old Italian cars and if they don’t have what you’re looking for, GianLuca, the owner, can find it for ya! We were greeted by Tim, their in-house mechanic and vespa extraordinaire who showed us around the shop. They have a second floor dedicated to rows of vintage bikes, which to me was the most fun to see! Way in the back, this green and white gal stood out to me. Low and behold it’s the same as my birth year (so not super old, but old enough)! It was meant to be! We left the shop without the scooter that day, and mulled it over on our drive home.

The next weekend, we rented a uhaul trailer and headed out to meet GianLuca. Yes, I won the argument and Neil caved in…..haha…..I was getting my new vintage vespa without ever riding one! I wasn’t too worried since I learned how to drive a car on a stick shift long ago and we’ve been driving electric scooters around town for a couple years. Once we arrived, my green gal was out in front of the shop and GianLuca personally gave me a ride on the scooter which was super fun. Neil recorded every moment of it haha!

Since taking it home, Neil and I have driven together as well as solo. I’ve also added a few accessories over the last month. Neil and I drive it together over to our local farmers market. The first time, we bought a ton of goodies and forgot we didn’t have a basket on the back! It was interesting trying to find spaces to shove pastries and fruit! Not only is it a fun pastime we do together as a couple, but our kids have enjoyed it as well. Everyone we drive by smiles and it has been a great conversation starter among our fellow neighbors when they see us out and about.

The whole reason behind why I chose a vintage Moto over a new one was for the character and uniqueness. To me, it’s a collectors piece and very personal to me. I love having something that makes people smile as I drive by. It has been the best part of owning one! I can completely understand GianLuca and BelloMotos passion behind collecting and restoring these. It’s now become a passion for me as well.

If you are in the Bay Area, you MUST check this place out! Even if you aren’t in the market for a Vespa, you will upon leaving! It’s such a magical place and makes you smile as you walk down the rows of vintage motos in a rainbow of colors! I also want to add, that if you have a vintage vespa OR are looking to purchase one, they can also make them fully electric and automatic!

MENTION APRILJWAGNER AND YOU’LL RECEIVE YOUR FIRST TWO TUNE-UPS FOR FREE WITH THE PURCHASE OF A CLASSIC MOTO OR 50% OFF A TUNE UP IF YOU ALREADY HAVE A MOTO!

my vintage vespa from bellomoto