History of Piaggio and Motorscooters

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Bob Darnell and Bob Golfen

Small Changes

Though updated many times over the years, the shape of every Vespa scooter is basically the same, from its contoured steel apron to its low, rounded-off rear. The steady progression of change in the details and mechanical parts endow every Vespa model with its own character, its own style, and its own personality. Naturally, some models have become more desirable than others, capturing a certain stylistic era or performance edge that sets its apart. Some have a stronger personality than others.

Like the VW Beetle, every Vespa scooter is a classic. Its basic style staying the same but with the mechanical and stylistic details ever changing. And like the Beetle, it’s easy for many people to see all Vespa models as looking the same. But when one starts looking more closely at the details, the various changes made throughout the years, such as subtle contour changes in body style, taillights and trim, become easy to identify. Plus models come in various sizes and engine displacements, from the small frame bikes with engine size ranging from 50cc to 125cc, to the bigger body and displacement scooters with engines going up to the powerful 200cc models.

One thing that has stayed the same is the one cylinder, two-cycle engine that is the heart of every Vespa scooter. The first model were powered by 98cc two cycle engine, rated at 3.3 horsepower, mounted horizontally, and acting directly on the drive wheel via a three speed transmission. Although the engines changed over the years, the design stayed basically the same. Simple to maintain or repair, each two stroke engine produces a surprising amount of power and torque for its size, allowing most of the scooters to travel along with the flow of urban traffic. The bigger the displacement models are able to go cross country touring in comfort.

Taken from the Motorbooks Workshop: How To Restore and Maintain Your Vespa Motoscooter. By Bob Darnell and Bob Golfen.

More on the History of Piaggio and the Vespa next week.

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