Front Dampener Choice

Originally I planned to build a performance TV175 with a stock-ish look, but being a High School English Teacher my wallet is just not that big and now after restoring my wife's Vespa SS180 I have develop a serious appreciation of nearly bare-bones stock -- the upgrades are only for reliability, such as a electric ignition and stainless steel hardware and such -- all mild mods.

The three shock brands I looked at were the Italian repros, Sebac, & Escorts. I posted for buying advice on the LCUSA forum (you need to be a member to read this). I learned from a mentor who owns a TV200 that the Italian repro shocks not only did not perform as well as the stock ones, but they also leaked. I heard this from at least one other person. They cost $50 per shock. The Sebacs are $45 per shock and look stock and perform much better, but for $22 per shock you can buy Escorts which are a slight performance improvement over the Sebacs at the sacrifice of not looking stock, because the shocks are fatter in diameter. This is a big no-no for those anoraks out there. In a pinch, you may be able to squeeze gators over the Escorts and trick the eye into believing they are stock.

Without a doubt, I would like NOS or to rebuild some original ones, but I am not sure how quick and easy those would be to find.

The recommendation from LUCSA is to buy the Escorts if I plan to enjoy riding my bike as opposed to looking at it as being 100% correct.