Vespa 98 series 2 1947

The second series of the Vespa 98 (1947), of which 16,500 units were produced, included significant improvements over the preceding model, design-wise as well as in terms of technical and practical aspects. The front mudguard no longer had a hatch opening, and it had been reduced in size to make wheel changing easier in case of a puncture, a frequent occurrence in the post-war period because of bad roads. Magazines of the period noted that potential customers had to wait eight months for their Vespa 98. This led to the creation of a flourishing black market, with Vespas being sold at as much...

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Vespa Monthery 1950

In order to promote the sporting image of the Vespa, Piaggio turned its attention to record breaking in the hope of reviving a glorious post-war tradition. On April 7 1950, on France’s Monthery circuit, these riders took turns as the Vespa spent 10 consecutive hours acquiring 17 world records: over 1 hour (average speed 134 km/h); over 100 miles (average 129.7 km/h), 500 miles (average 123.9 km/h), 1,000 km (average 124.3 km/h), and over 10 hours during which the Vespa covered 1,049 km. On a streamlined vehicle similar to this (the Vespa 125 Circuit alloy frame of 1949) rider Dino Mazzoncini...

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Vespa MP6 Prototype 1945

Vespa MP6 Prototype 1945 At the end of the Second World War, Enrico Piaggio gave Corradino D’Ascanio the job of designing a simple vehicle that was tough, economic, and elegant. It had to be easily rideable by anybody without dirtying their clothes, and have a seat for a passenger. D’Ascanio, who was not a great lover of motorbikes as such, drew up a completely original vehicle. Digging into his aeronautics background he came up with the idea of a vehicle mounted on a chassis with the gear change on the handlebars. He also put the drive on the rear wheel so creating a highly original...

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MP5 Paperino 1943

Towards the end of the Second World War, Enrico Piaggio was driven to start up production again by the idea of offering the widest possible market low-cost product. And, with this in mind, the factory at Biella produced a motor-scooter (1943-1944). This prototype, designed by the engineer Renzo Spolti and coded MP5 (Moto Piaggio 5), was christened "Paperino", which means "Donald Duck", by the workers.   But Enrico Piaggio didn’t like it, and passed the job over to Corradino D’Ascanio to review the project and build something different, more advanced both technically and stylistically....

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Piaggio Museum in Italy features an exhibit on the Inventor of the Vespa

PIAGGIO GROUP: THROUGH JANUARY 31 IN PONTEDERA A MAJOR EXHIBITION ON THE INVENTOR OF THE VESPA  "Corradino D'Ascanio: Man, Genius, Magician, Legend": an important exhibition at the Piaggio Museum in Pontedera, open until the end of January 2012, pays tribute to the inventor of the Vespa scooter, examining his long adventurous life and endless ideas. A special stamp collection dedicated to D'Ascanio will be present on Tuesday, December 20 at the Piaggio Museum. Pontedera, Italy, November 23 2011 – Corradino D’Ascanio, the aeronautical engineering genius who invented the Vespa scooter,...

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The Vespa GTV 300 stars in New Year’s Eve

Starring the Vespa GTV 300, "New Year's Eve" celebrates love, hope, forgiveness, second chances and fresh starts, in the intertwining stories told amidst the pulse and promise of New York City on the most dazzling night of the year. Starring: Halle Berry, Jessica Biel, Jon Bon Jovi, Abigail Breslin, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, Robert De Niro, Josh Duhamel, Zac Efron, Hector Elizondo, Katherine Heigl, Ashton Kutcher, Seth Meyers, Lea Michele, Sarah Jessica Parker, Michelle Pfeiffer, Til Schweiger, Hilary Swank, Sofia Vergara source : vespausa.co...

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Disc Brake GRIMECA NT

Vespa PX Lusso/T5/PK/XL/2 Classic,Ø 20mm, with PX MY brake disc and caliperAnother symbiosis of style and technology. The new GRIMECA NT disc brake scores high with its excellent combination of classic looks and superior technology of the GRIMECA Vespa PX 98 MY/ Millennium. This disc brake is exclusively produced for SIP Scootershop!Compared with the GRIMECA Classic, the new NT version offers a lot more variation options in brake discs and brake pads, be it a new Wave disc or real race pads with certification for legal road use. This leaves almost no wishes unfulfilled. Additional features are...

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BMW Motorrad E-Scooter Concept

German automaker BMW is one of the most diverse brands in the industry, having branched itself out past its cars division into other ventures, particularly motorcycles.At the company’s recent Motorrad Innovation Day 2011, the German brand unveiled their latest two-wheeled concept machine, the electric drive E-Scooter.Featuring a design that lends itself to the lack of a main frame, the E-Scooter comes with an aluminum battery casing that is connected to the steering head support, the rear frame, and the left-hand mounted single swing arm, which is directly hinged to a horizontally installed shock...

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Honda with portable scooter concept

In 1981 Honda released the Motocompo, above, a portable "Trunk Bike"—actually a motorized scooter—designed to cleanly fit in the boot of a Honda City compact car. They sold just over 50,000 of them before retiring them in 1983.Now the concept is back, albeit in electrified form. At this year's Tokyo Motor Show, Honda pulled the sheet off of the Motor Compo, below, which in addition to getting an "R" added to its name now features a smartphone dock that serves as a speedometer and battery meter. Another sign-of-the-times design touch: The battery is removable and can be used to power other objects...

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Honda's 750 scooter concept with CVT and electric roof

The product of several ongoing trends in the two-wheeled arena, Honda's concept Elysium is futuristic all-weather mega-scooter.Yamaha started it all with the 250 Majesty, Suzuki followed with a 400 scooter, Yamaha went to the T-Max 500 and Suzuki countered with the Suzuki 650 Bergman we tested in Gizmo 5.Honda's new concept continues the capacity creep for scooters of recent years and trumps them all, being powered by a liquid-cooled 4-stroke flat-4 engine with a low center of gravity and plenty of grunt.The drivetrain features a new, Honda-developed combined CVT (continuously variable transmission...

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Lover gets revenge...

Chris Thompson spotted this vandalised Vespa near Hampstead in London.He commented: 'When I saw the scooter from a distance, I thought the owner had opted for an interesting paint job or stickers. But as I got closer, I noticed that all the words were things like 'cheat' and 'liar'. It was totally trashed and lying slumped against a lamppost with some rubbish bags. Assuming it's all true, I hope it's made the boyfriend think about what he's done.'The number on the side of the scooter is for Bernard Dodd, we're not sure what he has to do with the cheating fiasco, perhaps he's the artist?We're wondering...

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F-ACT racing scooter

It’s all about the finish This is a sport version of the FACT. It features racing style exterior design and a dual colored seat. The distinctive "F" above the headlamps is an icon that makes it stand out from the crowd. Experience the rush of the Fact Racing today! F-ACT Racing features:Digital speedometer Sport tuned exhaust Carbon Fiber style front fender adds more to the sporty flair Sport exterior styling Aluminum foot boards Dual colored seat Dual head lamps Many colors to choose from With exclusive triple – phase electrostatic painting technologies and UV Curing Processing, the surface paint is more evenly distributed upto 50 um in thickness, and remains highly shiny and aging resistant for 5 – 7 years.Source : keey...

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Scooter99

Scooter99.com is the leading and competitive trade company in the world's marketplaces today, we specialized in reconditioning scooters and build a state of the art sidecars for your satisfaction. Our aim is to build up the trade name and follow the strategy of developing international market for our product. We have taken lots of effective measures and operate strictly according product quality management; we put quality, service, price, speed, and creativity on our check list.These facts fully reflect our trade name's strategy and help our company in exploiting wider market. At the same time,...

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Carburetors

Dell'Orto SH1/20: Fitted to Lambretta Series III bikes including: Li125 Special, TV175, TV200, SX150, SX200, & GP125. For more info see the Li125 Special carb re-build page.Dell'Orto SI24/24E: Fitted to 200cc Vespa from the 70s onwards 125 - 200cc including: Rally 200(VSE1T), P200E, & PX200E. Autolube was added to this carb as standard in the US and as an option in Europe.Dell'Orto SI20/17: Fitted to 150cc Vespas in the 60s including VBA1T and early VBB1T. The choke was not part of the carb, but worked by closing a small air flap in the intake of the carb box.Dell'Orto TA18C: Fitted to...

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VESPA P200e

S p e c s: VSX1T1977 - 1982engine: single cylinder, air cooled 2-strokeinduction: disc valvebore: 66.5 mmstroke: 57 mmcubic capacity: 198 cccompression ratio: 9.8: 1bhp at rpm: 12 @ 5700lubrication: 2%(USA autolube)transmission: 4 speed constant meshprimary drive: 23/651st gear: 13.42: 1 (12/57)2nd gear: 9.13: 1 (13/42)3rd gear: 6.32: 1 (17/38)4th gear: 4.71: 1 (21/35)clutch: wet - multiplatecarburetor: Dell'Orto SI 24/24 E(1981 & 1982 sometimes have a SI 20/20 D in a last ditch attempt to meet CA emissions- jet sizes below are for the 24mm carb)venturi size: 24 mmmain jet: 116/100slow running...

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CRANKS

Vespa P200E, PX200E, Rally 200Stroke: 57mmCon Rod: 110mmVespa PX125, PX150, 150 SuperStroke: 57mmCon Rod: 105mmAF Rayspeed Crank for Lambretta GP200Stroke: 58mmCon Rod: 107mm or 116mmGuaranteed to 12,000 RPM can be used on LI series engines for an Imola Kit or GP 200 series engines for a TS1 kit.Small Frame Crank - Click for more infoStroke: 43mm (50cc) & 51mm (others)Con Rod: 87mm (50cc) & 97mm (others)This one shown has the separated bearing type on the crank. Older models have a full bearing both sides.Vespa VBC (150 Super) CrankStroke: 57mmCon Rod: 105mmSmall taper flywheel fits most...

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Seat Locks

Keys are one thing I always find are missing on bikes that have been stored or neglected for a while. This section deals with how to replace a P series seat lock. As far as I know the Vespa P series is the only large frame Vespa that came with a seat lock. Hopefully it will be in the unlocked position on your bike, but if not you will have to drill down the center of the lock with a drill to break the lock.You'll need the following parts/tools:A new seat lockA 7mm socket and driver or a 7mm wrenchThere are simply three 7mm bolts holding the lock body into the seat frame. Loosen these with a driver...

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Vespa P-Series Steering Locks

One thing that always seem to get lost on scooters that have been sitting for a while are the keys. This section shows how to replace the steering lock on a most 70's-80's Vespa large frame bikes and will soon show how to drop the forks to replace the lock on 60's large frame type scooters, and take apart a Lambretta headset to replace the steering lock. The large frame instructions should also be similar to replacing a small frame lock.To replace a large frame steering lock you'll need:An electric drill1/4 or 3/8" bit (must be sharp)1/8" drill bitA flathead screwdriverFinish hammer and a small...

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Corsa Retro Helmet Italian Series

As seen in the Larry Crowne movie. Sport the Italian flag on your head, whether you're Italian or have an Italian bike, these Corsa vintage helmets will do the trick. You really need to check out these retro racing helmets, they can even make your new 50cc scooter look classic. These are inspired by the really unsafe, over-priced UK helmets, but they are DOT approved with actual padding to keep you safe. YES THESE ARE D.O.T. APPROVED. Don't JUST ride your ride.... Style it! THESE RUN A LITTLE ON THE SMALL SIZE, SO ORDER YOUR NEXT SIZE UP FROM YOUR NORMAL HELMET SIZE.webstore : scooterwest....

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150cc scooter Performance GY6

Performance parts and accessories for 150cc and 125cc GY6 engines and engine based scooters and vehicles.New performance parts such as big bore kits, CDIs, custom chrome parts, carburetors, roller weights, variators, kevlar belts and much more. *Note: The stock horsepower for the GY6 engine is 7.27 under load.webstore : partsforscooters....

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HIGH PERFORMANCE 2 STROKE HEAD KITS

Head kits for 2-stroke 43, 47 and 49cc pocket bikes, scooters, mini choppers, small dirt bikes and atvs will give engines big power gains for higher performance. It is best to install a head kit when you have other performance parts. You need an after market intake and exhaust to handle the extra powerwebstore : Partsforscooters....

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Rad Hover Scooter Design Leaves Scooter Haters in the Dust

Have you always wanted to drive a scooter, but you just couldn’t stand the thought of people laughing at your low-powered little vehicle chugging along at a pace barely faster than walking speed? Artist Norio Fujikawa’s depiction of a hover scooter might be just what you need to quiet the doubter in you and get you onto a fuel-efficient scooter.Of course, the hover scooter isn’t a reality just yet, but it’s fun to think about the possibilities. If a MAG-LEV infrastructure were present, it would be pretty easy for hover vehicles to become commonplace. But on an individual level, repulsion lifts...

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Electric-Powered Scooter Concept from MINI

MINI has unveiled retro-futuristic conceptual model of electric-powered scooter called MINI E Scooter Concept. This concept shares traditional MINI design: these are typical large speedometers and oval mirrors, square rear lights and chrome inserts. There will be possibility to store power on lithium-ion batteries, use electric motors built into the rear wheels, and accept charge via retractable leads in the back. If this concept will get positive feedback from public and experts at the 2010 Paris Motor Show the mass production of MINI Scooter will not take lo...

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SCOOTER RACING in UK 1970's

1973If you were racing during the 70's and 80's you will undoubtedly remember Allan Hillman probably as much for his association with LASCA (London Area Scooter Club Association) as for his activities on the track. Here he is firstly at Cadwell Park, full circuit, in September 1973 on his Vespa 90SS and on the day wining Group 1, (standards up to 104cc); just behind is Chris Dalton.Second image is again Allan, this time at Lydden Hill circuit in Kent. Allan's machine was in fact tuned by Trevor Sharp who seems to have done quite a good job as Allan finished 2nd in Group 1 and 6th in the overall...

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