Selasa, 20 Mei 2008

model vespa

Sebenarnya saya pribadi tidak terlalu tahu atau bahkan tidak tahu sama sekali tentang Vespa keluaran tahun lawas. Iseng-iseng browsing, saya menemukan beberapa data dan informasi. Saya sadur dari berbagai sumber, berikut informasi yang saya dapatkan, semoga berguna dan jika salah mohon diluruskan, jika kurang mohon ditambahkan. Otreh my bro…Save our Vespa…KICK!


Vespa 98 / 1946-1947
Vespa 98

Tahun :1946 / 1947
VIN :V98
Nomor :01 / 18079
Produksi :18079 unit

Fork depan masih mengadopsi roda pesawat terbang dan berada di sebelah kiri ban depan (sekarang di sebelah kanan ban). Dengan kapasitas mesin 98 cc maksimal kecepatan hanya 75 km/jam, konsumsi bahan bakar 3 : 100 atau 3 liter buat 100 km, irit kan? Vespa 98 ini di produksi tahun 1946, sebagai cikal bakal model Vespa yang melegenda hingga sekarang. Pertama beredar, V98 sangat diminati oleh masyarakat karena harganya yang murah serta keamanan dan kenyamanannya. Di tahun berikutnya (1947) V98 di produksi dengan jumlah unit yang sama (18079 unit), dan hasilnya laris manis di pasaran.


Vespa 125 - 1948

Tahun :1948 / 1950
VIN :V1T - V15T
Nomor : 01 / 104096
Produksi : 104096 unit

Vespa 125 ini dibuat berdasarkan pendahulunya V98, yang terlihat berbeda adalah kapasitas mesin yang lebih besar yaitu 125 cc dan shock depan berada di sebelah kanan. Bentuk body, stang dan head lamp masih mirip dengan V98. Melihat antusiasme masyarakat yang besar pada Vespa, V125 diproduksi hingga 104096 unit selama periode 1948 hingga 1950..


Vespa 125 Hoffmann - 1950

Vespa Hoffmann diproduksi antara tahu 1950 - 1954 di Jerman. Ini semua diawali saat pada tahu 1949, Piaggio setuju memberikan lisensi kepada Hoffmann untuk memproduksi dan memperdagangkan. Vespa 125 Hoffmann tidak hanya di perdagangkan di Jerman saja, tapi juga di Inggris dan Perancis. D Inggris di kenal dengan nama Vespa Douglass karena perjualannya di bawah lisensi Douglass dan di Perancis di bawah lisensi PACMA.

Foto dari member Forum VIO http://vespa-indonesia.web.id

Siapa bilang MIO otomatis duluan? - Selagi musim small frame belum berganti, ada baiknya kita bahas sedikit tentang jenis Vespa yang satu ini. Vespa Corsa, salah satu jenis vespa dan sepeda motor bertransmisi otomatis pertama di Indonesia. Makanya saya sangat tidak setuju dengan Yamaha MIO dengan slogannya “Otomatis Duluan”, yang berhak menggunakan slogan itu adalah Vespa Corsa yang di produksi pada tahun 1991 dan berhenti pada tahun 2006. Entah yang bikin slogan bego atau memang tidak tahu Corsa adalah motor matic pertama di Indonesia :D

Bahkan kalo di Italiano, Vespa matic udah dari tahun 1983/1984, zamannya Vespa PK 125. Jika dibandingkan antara Corsa dengan PK 125 ada banyak kemiripan di banyak hal, seperti bentuk body, kapasitas mesin dan transmisi. Bisa dibilang Corsa mengadaptasi atau turunan dari PK 125.

Seiring dengan makin membanjirnya skuter matic di Indonesia, Vespa Corsa tidak mau ketinggalan. Corsa tetap memiliki penggemar yang fanatik. Apalagi dengan mewabahnya demam “small frame” akhir-akhir ini, ikut mengibarkan bendera Corsa ditengah hingar bingar skuter matic kompetiror. Keunggulan Corsa diantara skuter matic yang lain adalah Corsa gak di kredit, jadi yang beli hanya orang-orang kaya saja :D (just kidd). Bagaimanapun juga CORSA motor otomatis pertama di Indonesia (bukan mio :D )

cara modifikasi vespa

Dengan hormat,
Secara fisik, Skuter adalah jenis kendaraan bermotor roda dua (2) dimana pengendara dimanjakan dengan kontruksi kendaraan yang unik dan nyaman juga keamanannya dalam mengendarai. Menurut Sejarah, Skuter dalam bahasa Italy adalah ” Tawon” hal ini terobsesi dari bentuk atau skuter yang menyerupai Tawon. Skuter yang terlahir dari negara Italy ini di produksi oleh Piaggio ini bermerkkan VESPA

Keberadaan Vespa di Indonesia ternyata bisa menyatukan ratusan orang dan membuat mereka bersaudara atau lebih kerennya di sebut BROTHERHOOD. Berawal dari saling bertukar informasi diantara penggemar- penggemar vespa, hubungan ini kian erat dan akhirnya terjalin persaudaraan Yang melahirkan Club atau Komunitas yang tidak menonjolkan ego individu, tetapi hal ini lebih untuk membentuk persaudaraan dalam satu Komunitas guna mempererat tali persaudaraan antara sesama penggemar vespa.

Bertolak ukur dari hal di atas tiada maksud dari saya untuk menyombongkan diri, maksud dan tujuan saya tidak lain berbagi pengalaman dan bertukar pikiran kepada rekan-rekan sekalian. Adapun kelebihan dan kekurangan dari prologh ini Saya pribadi mohon dikoreksi, Karna pada dasarnya tidak ada manusia di dunia ini yang sempurna.

PRINSIP DASAR KINERJA MESIN VESPA

Prisip dasar kinerja dari pada mesin vespa ini berbasis dua tak atau dua langkah, langkah pertama adalah pembilasan serta percampurannya antara bahan bakar dan udara yang sebelumnya sudah di atur dari karburator, lalu langkah kedua proses penekanan bahan bakar keruang bakar sehingga terjadilah ledakan dari percikan api busi dan bahan bakar yang berakibat adanya dorongan seher yang memutar poros engkol dan kopling gir transmisi. Di bawah ini saya akan menjelaskan perangkat mesin vespa super yang terdiri dari

I. KARBURATOR
Karburator adalah satu komposisi alat yang mengatur suplai bahan bakar ke ruang bakar, ini sebuah alat yang berkerja secara kinetik tanpa alat elektronik sipengendara hanya mengatur suplai udara melalui tuas gas yan ada distang kemudi lalu perangkat lainnya dari karburator menyesuaikan dengan sendirinya.

II. PENGAPIAN
Yang disebut Proses pengapian adalah terjadinya satu percikan api busi sebagai penyulut bahan bakar yang telah tercampur dan terbilas oleh poros engkol atau krukas yang ada dalam ruang bakar guna terjadinya ledakan yang menghasilkan dorongan seher. Api yang ada di busi daihasilkan dari SPUL PLATINA yang ada dalam medan magnet, setrum dari spul di stabilkan KONDENSATOR berukuran 2 farad lalu di sinyalkan atau sistem pemulsaran oleh PLATINA setrum yang melalui proses di atas di perkuat atau perbesar oleh KOIL, proses ini berdampak percikan api di BUSI berkekuatan lebih dari 4000 voltase dengan titik ampere lemah

III. RUANG BAKAR
Ruang bakar adalah satu ruang yang ada di dalam mesin vespa untuk menghasilkan tenaga berkapasitas 150 CC, di sini terjadi proses MIXTURISASI atau penyampuran antara bahan bakar berjenis bensin dengan udara KRUKAS atau poros engkol stelah bahan bakartercampur di transperkan oleh seher yang nya tlah terdorong oleh proses sebelumnya melelui rongga ransfering yang ada pada BLOK SILINDER, lalu bahan bakar mengalami penekannan ke ruang vakum yang ada pada HEAD SILINDER di sini lah terjadi ledakan hasil dari tekanan dan percikan api busi, sisa bahan bakar yang berjenis korbon dioksida dibuang ke udara lepas melalui lubang buang mengarah ke KNALPOT yang berfungsi menmanfaatkan gas buang sebagai kompresi balik untuk menyempurnakan proses selanjutnya, dan juga knalpot ini berfungsi sebagai peredam suara ledakan,

IV. ROTASI ATAU PUTARAN MESIN
Tiga proses di atas menghasilkan rotasi atau perputaran mesin dan gir-gir yang ada di girbok di melalui KOPLING atau cluth yang berpungsi sebagai otomatis penetral putaran gir sesui dengan keinginan pengendara dalam gir bok terdiri dari GEAR PRIMER atau lebih di kenal dengan gigi borobudur rotasi dari gigi borobudur ini berhubungan langsung dengan GEAR SEKUNDER atau lebih dikenal sebagai gigi seri. Pengaturan transmisi dari kecepatan gigi 1 ke 4 doleh CRASH GEAR atau gigi silang pengaturan ini langsung di hubung kan ke kendali atau stang motor, keunikan mesin ini dalam mantransferkan tenaga tidak menggunakan sistem rantai. Dalam perawatan lebih murah dan mudah yang terpenting adalah ketelitian dan ka apikan kit menggunakan mesin ini.

MASALAH YANG SERING TERJADI SERTA PENYELESAIAN NYA
i. Karburator sering kotor atau spuyer tersendat Dalam masalah ini berdampak langsung dengan laju motor, motor dalam melaju tersendat- sendat atau motor malah sulit untuk hidup terkadang
pula busi sering mati terlihat dari ujung busi isolatornya berwarna hitam kelang yang mengakiobatkan hilang nya percikan api di busi Penyelesaiannya:

1. Bersihkan tangki bahan bakar dari kotoran dan karat
2. Periksa selang bensin dari kerak bahan bakar
3. Bersihkan karburator menggunakan kompresor angin perikasa kembali lubang- lubang spuyer jangan sampai ada kotoran yang tertinggal, ketelitian di tuntut dalam hal ini
4. Periksa ukuran lobang spuyer sudah pas belum jangan sampai kebesaran atau kekecilan. Bila kebesaran motor akan boros bahan bakar dan juga busi sering mati. Ukuran ubang spuyer berpatokan pada ukuran standar pabrik
5. Setingan atau penyetelan jarum ideal harus pas menurut pengalaman saya caranya denmgan menyetel stasioner karbu pada stelan tertinggi, lalu putar jarum ideal menggunakan obeng kekanan stelah berhenti putaran jarum kendorkan kembali ke kiri perlahan-lahan sampai terdengar suara mesin di putaran ter tinggi,

ii. PENGAPIAN
Permasalahan dalam pengpian juga akan berdampak langsung pada laju motor atau motor tidak bisa hidup, susah starter motor biasanya kendala pengapian berada pada stelan platina yang tidak benar, bisa juga salah satu perangkat pengapian sperti Busi, Koil, Platina, Kondensor, Spul pengapian ada yang sudah tidak layak pakai atau mati. penyelasaiannya:
Langkah pertama periksa warna ujung busi, bila berwarna hitam kelang busi tidak akan memercikan api solusinya stel ulang ukuran spuyer pilot jet dam main jet, beila warna ujung busi merah bata maka pariksa ke bagian yang pengapian yang lainnya. Koil yang layak pakai apabila kita konsletkan kabel busi dengan jarak ke massa mesin kira kira 8 mm masih terjadi loncatan api berwarna biru, bila tida berwarana biru di sini percikan atau laoncatan api berwarna merah ini berarti stelan platina tidak benar atau si koilnya yang memang sudah lemah, loncatan api dari koil dipengaruhi langsung oleh stelan platina, Penyetelan platina yang benar adalah berjarak kerenggangan antara konektor minus dan konektor plus nya kira-kira 0,5mm. dengan menggunakan obeng min, perlu di ingat penyetelannya jangan di ketok karna hal akan mepersingkat umur pakai platina karna entara konektor tidak lurus atau bengkok. Loncatan yang terjadi pada platina juga
berkaitan dengan kondisi kondensator Pemeriksaan kondensator amat lah mudah apa bila terjadi lancatan api di platina ini di karenakan kondensator anda sudah tidak layak pakai, ganti kondensor anda atau ada cara lain yaitu cangkok kondensor dengan kondensor lainnya atau sistem kondensatornya di double dengan ukuran kapasitas kondensor yang sama 2 farad, Yang terakhir adalah cek spul pengapian anda masih layak pakai atau harus di gani degngan yang baru, tanda spul pengapian rusak, biasanya kumparan spul lecet, gulungan spul kendor, spul putus.
Apabila semuanya stabil maka anda wajib memeriksa nap puur atau ketepatan pengapian tapi sebelumnya lihat dulu kondisi spi magnet patah atau tidak juga lihat kondisi rotor masih bagus atau sudah tidak, ukuran nap puur adalah 21 drajat sebelum titik mati poros atau kondisi pala seher di atas.

iii. Motor macet tidak bisa starter Ini adalah suatu trable mesin yang lebih fatal biasanya hal ini terjadi di kerenakan lakher atau BEARING ada yang rusak, stang sekher atau CONECTING ROOD rusak, ring sekher patah, sekher atau PISTON tidak layak pakai, perangkat di gear bok ada yang patah, PER GIGI PRIMER rontok, PLAT KOPLING yang sudah tidak layak pakai. GIGI STATER ompong atau rontok. Proses penyelesainnya harus turun mesin dan kita harus bongkar semua perangkat mesin agar lebih mudah pengecekan nya. Apabila dalam pengecekan perangkat ternyata ada yang rusak lebih baiknya kita ganti dengan yang baru, untuk menjaga hal-hal yang tidak di inginkan yang bisa saja nanti terjadi di dalam kita mengoprasikan kendaraan
kita di jalan.

iv. Motor tidak nyaman di kendarai atau goyang Dalam kondisi ini diluar dari pada mesin kecuali perangkat penunjang dan stabizer getaran atau karet mesin, masalah ini menyangkut kenyamannan kita dalam berkandara karna semua ini akan berdampak langsung dalam SAFETY REEDING keselamatan kita terancam bila hal ini di biarkan. Adapun panenggulangnganya sbb:
cek kondisi kelayakan ban dan pelek, bila ban botak harus ganti kondisi pelek pun harus stabil jangan ada speleng atau goyang Cek kondisi as ayun masih layak pakai atau tidak, biasanya dalam kondisi ini pala babi depan akan goyang apa bilia as ayun rusak, semua itu berdampak langsung pada sistem kendali kendaraan anda, Cek lassan bodi pada titik tumpu seperti, DEK MOTOR, TULANG BUAYA, LUBANG AS MESIN, TUMPUAN SOK BLAKANG, DLL. Bila terjadi keropokan pada bodi jangan biarkan hal itu berlarut karna akan berakibat kerusakan bodi yang lebih fatal bahkan pernah terjadi notaor tiba tiba patah. Cek kondisi STABIZER GETARAN atau karet-karet mesin dan shokbreker juga MOUNTING sok blakang, bila terlihat sudah usang atau rusak harus cepat-cepat di ganti. Cek SOKBREAKER, apa bila sok breker sudah lemah baik pernya atau sok wajib untuk kita ganti, jangan lupa kondisi mur roda baik depan maupun belakang dalam kondisi kencang dan terkunci paku pengunci. Jangan sekali kali anda pertaruh kan nyawa anda hanya karena malas untuk memperbaikinya.

menghitung biaya madifikasi vespa

Saya banyak ditanya soal biaya modifikasi sebuah motor. Maklum saja, menambah piranti atau mengubah tampilan tidak pernah gratis. Dalam beberapa kasus malah membutuhkan biaya yang lumayan. Kadang-kadang malah setara atau lebih mahal dengan pembelian motornya sendiri. Jika demikian, maka kita bukan saja perlu membuat perencanaan soal model dan aliran, tapi juga menakar bujet yang tersedia.
Pada dasarnya ada 3 aspek yang bisa diubah pada kendaraan anda demi mengejar tampilan. Pertama, kaki-kaki untuk memberi kesan kekar pada kendaraan. Kedua, body demi mengejar sebuah model atau memastikan kesempurnaan tampilan. Ketiga, mesin demi memaksimalkan performa. Mari kita bedah satu persatu. Sebagai sampel kita gunakan saja motor sport 4 tak sebagai contoh.

kalkulasi-modif2.jpg

Kaki-Kaki

Modifikasi sektor kaki-kaki membutuhkan biaya yang tidak sedikit. Jika anda bertahan pada komponen after market, maka biayanya tidak akan seberapa. Tapi mari berpikir soal mengejar tampilan maksimal, maka terpaksa anda harus menengok komponen moge.

scorpy-hypermotard.jpgHarus diakui komponen kaki-kaki moge sangat mahal, apalagi jika anda bersikeras menebus yang gress alias baru. Salah seorang biker dari Jakarta pernah menebus kaki-kaki baru Aprilia RS 125 untuk modifikasi Tiger miliknya. Ia harus merogoh kocek sekitar 17 jutaan. Itu 4 tahun lalu. Bayangkan sekarang. Mungkin anda harus rela menghabiskan dana sekitar 20 juta.

Untunglah di Indonesia tersedia banyak sekali limbah moge impor dari negara tetangga, terutama Singapura. Jika hanya membutuhkan satu set kaki-kaki yang mencakup sok depan, swing arm dan sok belakang, velg depan belakang dan perangkat rem, anda cukup mengeluarkan dana 7-8 juta saja dan anda sudah bisa bawa pulang limbah GSXR, CBR, Aprilia RS 125, atau Cagiva Mito. Semuanya menggunakan upsidedown dan tahun produksi antara 5-10 tahun. Mau yang lebih oke, misalnya memesan limbah model monoarm dan upsidedown doble disk? Silahkan kucurkan dana 10 juta dan bawa pulang kaki-kaki Honda RVF atau Ducati.

Jika anda beruntung bukan tidak mungkin memperoleh tahun yang lebih muda, sebut saja belum 5 tahun. Tapi itu sangat sulit. Pilihan lain yang lebih murah, cari saja tipe GSX/F atau CB/R yang masih menggunakan sok depan teleskopik. Angka di atas akan terpangkas menjadi 5-6 juta saja. Lebih murah bukan?

Body

Beberapa orang mungkin tidak puas hanya dengan melakukan modifikasi kaki-kaki. Sebab aura sebuah motor dengan aliran yang jelas mengharuskan pula diubahnya sektor body. Bagi yang mencukupkan diri dengan ubahan kaki-kaki, biasanya untuk kepentingan harian (modif harian). Lain hal yang menginginkan kontes, ubahan body adalah kudu alias wajib.

rgr-modif.jpgMengubah body juga bukan barang gampang dan murah. Tidak gampang karena harus siap merelakan motor anda menginap beberapa hari di sebuah workshop modif. Kalau ingin gampang sih, tebus saja body bolt-on yang sudah dicetak massal di toko-toko variasi. Lebih murah. Harganya antara 1,5- 2jt saja. Pasang pun lebih cepat. Tapi jangan kecewa jika bentuknya pasaran, catnya seadanya, modelnya pun kaku dan kasar.

Bagi yang lebih freak, sebaiknya menemui bengkel modifikasi body yang punya reputasi. Selanjutnya silahkan pesan sesuai aliran yang diinginkan. Jika memesan full dress up aliran streetfighter, anda akan merogoh kocek sekitar 5-6 juta. Sementara jika menginginkan tampilan sportbike fullfairing, lengkap dengan deltabox dan lampunya, silahkan persiapkan tambahan dana 2 juta lagi. Ya bisa saja habis dana antara 7-8 juta. Mahal juga ya?

Mesin

Modifikasi mesin? Mungkin ini prioritas terakhir saja. Artinya bisa dipakai bisa tidak. Tak banyak berpengaruh dari sisi tampilan kok. Tapi bagi sebagian orang, justru ini yang pertama.

Modifikasi mesin atau yang lazim disebut korek atau oprek mesin pada 4 tak sangat mahal. Banyak komponen yang harus dikilik dan rata-rata berharga mahal. Biasanya modifikasi disertai pula penggantian komponen-komponen mesin dengan yang berspek balap, dan mengubah penyetelan alias durasi, lift, timing, dan seterusnya, juga melakukan porting dan bore-up. Bersamaan dengan itu perangkat pengapian seperti CDI, magnet, dan pembuangan seperti knalpot juga kudu diganti. Semua itu demi melayani perubahan pada masing-masing sektor mesin sehingga kompatibel dan tidak mubazir, atau m,alah agar tidak membahayakan mesin itu sendiri.

Saya kesulitan membuat kalkulasi rinci soal korek mesin. Namun dari pengalaman bengkel saya korek mesin dan pengapian beserta perangkat lain bisa 5-6 juta. Bagi yang memiliki pengalaman banyak soal tuning mesin ini, silahkan share di sini.

PS. Angka-angka di atas belum memasukkan biaya pemasangan secara tegas. Jadi harus dikalkulasi sendiri kayaknya…

vospa cooper

Bagi penggemar Vespa terdapat beberapa aliran ; ada yang suka vintage, resto, dan modifikasi. Nah pada aliran modifikasi pun terbagi lagi: british/mod style yang mengaju pada gaya scooterist inggris era 60-70an, modifikasi touring, modifikasi racing, modifikasi rat-bike, dan terakhir modifikasi chooper.
Modifikasi chooper mulai marak di awal tahun 2000an. ini mungkin bermula dari ide scooterist yang berkantong pas-pasan namun ingin mempunyai motor seperti chooper.

tampak depan
Tampak Depan

tampak belakang
Tampak Belakang

mesin
Mesinnya tetap Vespa

asal mu asal vespa

History

Model AMCA Troupes Aeról Portées Mle. 56 - modified by the French military that incorporated an anti tank weapon.
Model AMCA Troupes Aeról Portées Mle. 56 - modified by the French military that incorporated an anti tank weapon.

Post World War II Italy, in light of its agreement to cessation of war activities with The Allies, had its aircraft industry severely restricted in both capability and capacity.

Piaggio emerged from the conflict with its Pontedera fighter plane plant completely demolished by bombing. Italy's crippled economy and the disastrous state of the roads did not assist in the re-development of the automobile markets. Enrico Piaggio, the son of Piaggio's founder Rinaldo Piaggio, decided to leave the aeronautical field in order to address Italy's urgent need for a modern and affordable mode of transportation for the masses.

[edit] Concept

The inspiration for the design of the Vespa dates back to Pre-WWII Cushman scooters made in Nebraska, USA. These olive green scooters were in Italy in large numbers, ordered originally by Washington as field transport for the Paratroops and Marines. The US military had used them to get around Nazi defence tactics of destroying roads and bridges in the Dolomites (a section of the Alps) and the Austrian border areas.

Pre-war Piaggio employee Aeronautical engineer General Corradino D'Ascanio, responsible for the design and construction of the first modern helicopter by Agusta, was given the job of designing a simple, robust and affordable vehicle for Ferdinando Innocenti, whose pre-war time focused metal tubing business Innocenti had suffered the same fate as Piaggio post-war. Innocenti defined a post-war vehicle to D'Ascanio that had to be easy to drive for both men and women, be able to carry a passenger, and not get its driver's clothes dirty.

[edit] The design

D'Ascanio, who hated motorbikes, designed a revolutionary vehicle. It was built on a spar-frame with a handlebar gear change, and the engine mounted directly on to the rear wheel. The front protection "shield" kept the rider dry and clean in comparison to the open front end on motorcycles. The pass-through leg area design was geared towards all user groups, including women, as wearing dresses or skirts made riding a motorcycle a challenge. The front fork, like an aircraft's landing gear, allowed for easy wheel changing. The internal mesh transmission eliminated the standard motorcycle chain, a source of oil, dirt, and aesthetic misery. This basic design allowed a series of features to be deployed on the frame, which would later allow quick development of new models.

However, D'Ascanio fell out with Innocenti, who rather than a moulded and beaten spar-frame wanted to produce his Innocenti frame from rolled tubing, there by allowing him to revive both parts of his pre-War company. D'Ascanio disassociated himself with Innocenti, and took his design to Enrico Piaggio to produce the spar-framed Vespa from 1946.[2] Innocenti, after overcoming design difficulties and later production difficulties through his choice of a tubular frame, went on to produce the more costly to create Lambretta.

[edit] The product

Glove box on newer Vespa PX
Glove box on newer Vespa PX

On 23 April, 1946 at 12 o'clock in the central office for inventions, models and makes of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce in Florence, Piaggio e C. S.p.A. took out a patent for a "motorcycle of a rational complexity of organs and elements combined with a frame with mudguards and a casing covering the whole mechanical part".[3]

The basic patented design allowed a series of features to be deployed on the spar-frame, which would later allow quick development of new models. The original Vespa featured a rear pillion seat for a passenger, or optionally a storage compartment. The original front protection "shield" was a flat piece of aero metal; later this developed in to a twin skin to allow additional storage behind the front shield, similar to the glove compartment in a car. The fuel cap was located underneath the (hinged) seat, which saved the cost of an additional lock on the fuel cap or need for additional metal work on the smooth skin.

The scooter had rigid rear suspension and small 8-inch (200 mm) wheels that allowed a compact design and plenty of room for the rider's legs. The Vespa's enclosed, horizontally-mounted two-stroke 98 cc engine acted directly on the rear drive wheel through a three-speed transmission. The twistgrip-controlled gear change involved a system of rods. The early engine had no cooling, but fan blades were soon attached to the flywheel (otherwise known as the magneto, which houses the points and generates electricity for the bike and for the engine's spark) to push air over the cylinder's cooling fins. The modern Vespa engine is still cooled this way. The mixture of two-stroke oil in the fuel produced high amounts of smoke, and the engine made a high buzzing sound like a wasp.

[edit] The name Vespa

The first prototype was given the initials MP5 and baptized "Paperino," the Italian name for Donald Duck, a nick-name given to it by the workers because of the strange shape it had. Enrico Piaggio did not like the design and asked D'Ascanio to redesign it - which he did with a more aeronautical-derived aerodynamic look.[3]

When the second prototype called MP6, was shown to Enrico Piaggio and he heard the buzzing sound of the engine he exclaimed: "Sembra una vespa!" ("It reminds me of a wasp!") The name stuck.[4]

Vespa is both Latin and Italian for wasp—derived from both the high-pitched noise of the two-stroke engine, and adopted as a name for the vehicle in reference to its body shape: the thicker rear part connected to the front part by a narrow waist, and the steering rod resembled antennae.

Ape (pronounced Ah-pay), is Italian for bee. This was the three-wheeled variant used for commercial purposes, including the popular auto rickshaw.

[edit] Launch

Piaggio filed a patent for the Vespa scooter design in April 1946. The application documents referred to a "model of a practical nature" for a "motorcycle with rationally placed parts and elements with a frame combining with mudguards and engine-cowling covering all working parts", of which "the whole constitutes a rational, comfortable motorcycle offering protection from mud and dust without jeopardizing requirements of appearance and elegance". The patent was approved the following December.

The first 13 examples appeared in spring 1946, and reveal their aeronautical background. In the first examples, one can recognize the typical aircraft technology. Attention to aerodynamics is evident in all the design, in particular on the tail. It was also one of the first vehicles to use monocoque construction (where the body is an integral part of the chassis).

The company was aiming to manufacture the new Vespa in large numbers, and their longstanding industrial experience led to an efficient Ford-style volume production line. The scooter was presented to the press at Rome Golf Club, where journalists were apparently mystified by the strange, pastel coloured, toy-like object on display. But the road tests were encouraging, and even with no rear suspension the machine was more manoeuvrable and comfortable to ride than a traditional motorcycle.

Following its public debut at the 1946 Milan Fair, the first fifty sold slowly—then with the introduction of payment by installments, sales took off.

[edit] Sales and development

Original Vespa attached to a sidecar
Original Vespa attached to a sidecar

Piaggio sold some 2,500 Vespas in 1947, over 10,000 in 1948, 20,000 in 1949, and over 60,000 in 1950[5].

The biggest sales promo ever was Hollywood. In 1952, Audrey Hepburn side-saddled Gregory Peck's Vespa in the film Roman Holiday for a ride through Rome, resulting in over 100,000 sales. In 1956, John Wayne dismounted his horse in favor of the two-wheeler to originally get between takes on sets[6]. By the end of the fifties, Lucia Bosé and her husband, the matador Luis Miguel Dominguín[7], as well as Marlon Brando, Dean Martin, and the entertainer Abbe Lane had become Vespa owners. William Wyler filmed Ben Hur in Rome in 1959, allowing Charlton Heston to abandon horse and chariot between takes to take a spin on the Vespa[8][9].

Vespa clubs popped up throughout Europe, and by 1952, worldwide Vespa Club membership had surpassed 50,000. By the mid-1950s, Vespas were being manufactured under licence in Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Belgium and Spain; in the 1960s, production was started in India, Brazil and Indonesia. By 1956, one million had been sold, then two million by 1960. By the 1960s, the Vespa—originally conceived as a utility vehicle—had come to symbolize freedom and imagination, and resulted in further sales boosts: four million by 1970, and ten million by the late 1980s. Between 1957 and 1961 a reverse-engineered and partially redesigned version of the Vespa was made in USSR under the name Vjatka-VP150[10]

Improvements were made to the original design and new models were introduced. The 1948 Vespa 125 had rear suspension and a bigger engine. The headlamp was moved up to the handlebars in 1953, and had more engine power and a restyled rear fairing. A cheaper spartan version was also available. One of the best-loved models was the Vespa 150 GS introduced in 1955 with a 150 cc engine, a long saddle, and the faired handlebar-headlamp unit. Then came the 50 cc of 1963, and in 1968 Vespa 125 Primavera became one of the most durable of all.

T5 Millennium from the PX series
T5 Millennium from the PX series

Vespas came in two sizes, referred to as "largeframe" and "smallframe". The smallframe scooters came in 50cc, 90cc, 100 cc, and 125 cc versions, all using an engine derived from the 50 cc model of 1963, and the largeframe scooters in 125cc,150cc,160cc,180cc and 200 cc displacements using engines derived from the redesigned 125 cc engine from the late 50's.

The largeframe Vespa evolved into the PX range (still in production in 125 and 150 cc versions - update Piaggio just stopped production July 2007) in the late 70's, while the smallframe evolved into the PK range in the early 80's although some vintage-styled smallframes were produced for the Japanese market as late as the mid 90's.

[edit] The 1990s and beyond

By the early 1990s, Vespa was in crisis. Its models were selling slowly, two-strokes were being withdrawn around the world due to environmental concerns, new Asian manufacturers were stealing market share with cheaper/lighter bikes, and cars were very cheap. As a result, sales had fallen and production in Europe had been pulled back to Italy. Vespa needed a miracle—and a new model, beyond the PX.

The ET model range stuck true to the wasp/aero design principles. It was lighter, more aerodynamic, had an automatic gearbox and could take a series of engines from a 50 cc in either two-stroke or four-stroke, up to a 150 cc four stroke[11]. Plus, it was launched when traffic congestion in major European cities was on the increase, so the smaller wheel size didn't matter. It was a complete success, and allowed Vespa to re-enter the North American market in 2001 with a new, more modern style.

When Vespa celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1996, more than 15 million of the scooters had been sold worldwide, making it the most successful scooter of all time. Other companies vied with Piaggio for market share, but none came close to emulating the success—or romance—of Vespa. The nostalgic image of Vespa, however, could not hide the fact that Vespa was making a loss.

[edit] Under new ownership

In 2003, the company found itself close to bankruptcy. Continual management changes and millions spent on many different plans and products had saddled Piaggio with crushing debts and left it vulnerable to competition from cheaper Asian rivals.

In 1959, Piaggio came under the control of the Agnelli family, the owners of car maker Fiat SpA. Vespa thrived until 1992 when Giovanni Alberto Agnelli became CEO, but Agnelli was already suffering from cancer, and died in 1997. In 1999, Morgan Grenfell Private Equity acquired Piaggio, but a quickly hoped-for sale was dashed by a failed joint venture in China.

Then came Roberto Colaninno: A lot of people told me I was crazy. Piaggio wasn't dying. It just needed to be treated better. Piaggio's finances were in a bad shape, but its brand was still well-known and its products were featuring in more Hollywood films thanks to the Vespa ET4. In October 2003, Colaninno made an initial investment of 100 million euros through his holding company Immsi SpA in exchange for just under a third of Piaggio and the mandate to run it. Chief executive Rocco Sabelli, redesigned the factory to Japanese principles, and redesigned the factory so that every Piaggio scooter could be made on any assembly line.

Colaninno laid down some rules, and made quick changes: he didn't fire a single worker—a move which helped seduce the company's skeptical unions; all bonuses for blue-collar workers and management were based on the same criteria: profit margins and customer satisfaction. Air conditioning was installed in the factory, and he gave the company's engineers, who had been idled by the company's financial crisis, deadlines for projects. They rolled out two world firsts in 2004: a gas-electric hybrid scooter and a scooter with two wheels in front and one in back which grips the road better.

One of Piaggio's problems Mr. Colaninno couldn't fix from the inside was its scale. Even though Piaggio was the European market leader, it was dwarfed by rivals Honda and Yamaha. A year after rescuing Piaggio, Colaninno decided to salvage another Italian brand: scooter and motorcycle maker Aprilia. On July 11, 2006, shares of Piaggio & Co., became available to the general public through listing on the Milan [Italy] Stock Exchange or Borsa Italiana. Piaggio share prices, converted to US Dollars, may be found under the trading symbol: PIAGF.

[edit] Re-entry to North America

ET4 125cc from 1998
ET4 125cc from 1998

Piaggio first came back into the market in 2001 w/ the ET2 (two stroke 50cc) and ET4 (four stroke 150cc). In 2004, the PX (model year 2005) was re-introduced to North America to meet classic market demand. Growth in the US market and worldwide environmental concerns meant the need for larger and cleaner engines, so Vespa developed the LEADER (Low Emissions ADvanced Engine Range) series of four stroke engines. The larger Granturismo frame, with larger 12-inch (300 mm) wheels, was introduced to handle the additional power. The bike in 2006 spawned a GTS250ie version, with an upgraded suspension and the new QUASAR (QUarter-liter Smooth Augmented Range) 250cc fuel injected engine, capable of 80+ MPH. In 2005, the ET was withdrawn from Europe and North America and replaced by a new small-frame scooter, the LX range. These were available in the USA in 50 cc and 150 cc versions, while Europeans could choose a 125 cc.

[edit] Design Icon

With its elegant lines and classic aesthetics, the Vespa is recognized as the epitome of Italian design. In recent years, many urban commuters have purchased new or restored Vespas. A shortage of available parking for automobiles in large urban areas and the Vespa's low running costs are two reasons for the increase in Vespa (and other scooter) popularity. The cultural use of the scooter as a recreational vehicle with a sub-cultural following in the USA/Canada and parts of Europe & Japan has also contributed to the rise in Vespa ownership. In contrast, the Vespa is considered a utilitarian vehicle for hauling products and sometimes up to 5 family members in much of Asia and Mexico

Vespa enthusiasts can visit the comprehensive Piaggio Museum & Gift Shop adjacent to the plant in central Pontedera, near Pisa, Tuscany. The permanent exhibition includes those items which toured prestigious venues such as the Guggenheim in New York and the Centre Pompidou in Paris. Also on display is, perhaps, the most famous Vespa of them all - the one personally customised by Salvador Dalí in 1962.

[edit] Global Markets

[edit] Europe

Vespa's largest market by all measures globally is still Italy, but as a result of the Mod youth revolution of the 1960s, the United Kingdom is still Vespa's second largest global market - and at one point in the 1960s, its largest.

The appeal of the Vespa to the style conscious Mods was the weather protection - as opposed to their counterparts the Rockers, who rode classic British oily twins like Triumph Bonneville and BSAs, and needed to dress up in leather against both the elements and their oily bikes.

Mods would modify their Vespas, adding lights, mascots, accessories, various racks and crash bars (profusions of mirrors were NOT a 60's fashion it became one after the release of the quadrophenia album and film which featured scooters customised this way in the 70's). The whole phenomenon was dramatised with varying degrees of accuracy in Quadrophenia,the film based on The Who album of the same name.

The dominance of the Vespa declined through the 1970s, as small car ownership increased and cheap and reliable commuter bikes like the Honda Super Cub hit sales. Despite the introduction of the more modern 'P' range in the 70's however, the lack of development cost Vespa, and like other markets the sales fell off drastically in the economic boom 1980s. Then Vespa introduced the trendy automatic ET2, London introduced the congestion charge - and partly with celebrity chef Jamie Oliver's indirect help from his BBC2 series - sales suddenly leapt.[12]

[edit] North America

A Vespa Boutique in San Francisco
A Vespa Boutique in San Francisco

Much as Vespa had used the Cushman Army scooter as inspiration for its original design, Vespa in turn also made scooters for Sears and Cushman post World War II[13].

Imported by Morton Colby of the LLM Group , the Sears models were 3 and 4 speed 125 cc Vespas rebadged as Sears Allstate Cruiseaires. Innocenti also distributed their Lambretta brand via Montgomery Wards catalogue at this post WWII period. These were the premier brands of scooters, bringing premium pricing to many, including farmers, whose link to the outside world was via purchases made in these catalogues. Cushman sold rebadged Vespa scooters as Cushmans, but many Cushman dealers refused to market a "foreign" machine. However, collectors prize the Cushman Vespa because it is relatively rare.

Bankruptcy of Vespa's American importer due to two expensive product liability lawsuits, increased competition from Japanese manufacturers, and certain states passing so-called "green laws" caused a withdrawal from the US market in late 1981.

Vespas would have completely disappeared from the American scene if it weren't for the enthusiasts who kept the vintage scooters on the road by rebuilding, restoring, and adding performance enhancing engine parts as the stock parts would wear out.

Vespa returned to the US market in 2001 with a new, more modern style ET series, in 50 cc two and four stroke, and 150 cc four stroke. According to the Motorcycle Industry Council, U.S. scooter sales increased fivefold over six years, swelling from 12,000 units in 1997 to 69,000 units in 2002. Vespa sales in the U.S. increased 27 percent between 2001 and 2002. The 65 "Vespa Boutiques" scattered throughout the U.S. gave scooterists a place to buy, service, and customize Vespa scooters, and outfit themselves in everything from Vespa watches and helmets to Vespa jackets, T-shirts, and sunglasses. Vespa restarted its American sales effort, opening its first boutique on Ventura Boulevard in Sherman Oaks, Calif.

In light of vastly increasing US sales, Vespa developed the GT, offered 200 cc four stroke and a 125 cc variant in Europe. In 2004 Vespa reintroduced a modernized PX 150 to the US. In the fall of 2005, Piaggio offered their largest Vespa scooter model ever, the 250 cc engined GTS250 available in Europe with ABS.

[edit] Rest of world

Bangkok: Vespa in transport business
Bangkok: Vespa in transport business

Vespas acquired popularity beyond Europe and North America. In India, Piaggio transferred Vespa technology to Bajaj Auto. Bajaj used to sell in North America in the early 1980s but later withdrew from the market due to litigation threats from Piaggio.

Another Vespa clone producer in India was LML Motors. They were a large Piaggio parts provider and licensed to manufacture for the P series of Vespa scooters to the Asian markets. LML had manufactured a range of Vespa P series clones using their Piaggo/Vespa molds and machinery. Production of LML scooters has ceased after worker strikes and discontent at the LML factory progressed to a management lockout on March 7, 2006.

Though dominated by Honda and Japanese makes, Vespas are also widespread throughout Southeast Asia. Motor scooters remain economical forms of transport in the congested cities of Asia and there is a large manufacturing base of parts and accessories. The resurgence in interest in vintage motor scooters has also spawned the scooter restoration industry, with many restored Vespas being exported from Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia to the rest of the world. This has created controversy amongst scooter enthusiasts as the quality of the restorations vary greatly.

[edit] Racing

In the 1950s and early 1960s, Vespa and Lambretta scooters were raced competitively against motorcycles, often winning the races. In the mid 1960s, motorcycle engines became larger and faster, and a gap was created — along with varying cc classifications. Since the 1980s, Vespa and Lambretta racing has grown into a serious sport in the United States. There are various classes in the United States, depending on the racing association. They are generally:

  • Small Frame Class: Open class up to 152 cc's
  • Automatics Class
  • Specials Class
  • Stock Class: Large-frame Vespa and Lambretta 180 & 200 cc scooters.

[edit] Vespa Models

There have been 138 different versions of the Vespa - today there are just four models in production: the classic, manual transmission PX; and the modern CVT transmission LX, GT, and GTS.

1969 Vespa Rally 180.
1969 Vespa Rally 180.
1963 VBB Standard 150.
1963 VBB Standard 150.

[edit] Historic models

  • Paperino - the original prototype made in 1945 at Biella
  • AMCA Troupes Aeról Portées Mle. 56 - A Vespa modified by the French military that incorporated an anti tank weapon.
  • VNC Super 125
  • VBC Super 150
  • VLB Sprint 150
  • VBA Standard 150
  • VBB Standard 150
  • 125 GT
  • V9A
  • VNA
  • Vespa U - U is for utilitaria (English - economic). 1953 model with a price of 110 mila Lira, 7,000 were produced
  • GS 150
  • SS180
  • GS160
  • Standard 90 (3 spd)
  • Standard 50 (3 spd)
  • SS50 (4 spd)
  • SS90 (4 spd)-90 SS Super Sprint
  • 150 GL
  • 90 Racer
  • 125 TS
  • 100 Sport
  • 125 GTR
  • 150 Sprint Veloce
  • 180 SS Super Sport
  • Rally 180
  • Rally 200
  • Primavera 125 also ET3 (3 port version)
  • PK 50
  • PK 50 XL
  • PK 50 Roma (Automatic)
  • 50 S
  • 50 Special
  • 50 Special Elestart
  • 50 Sprinter / 50 SR (D)
  • 50 Special Revival (Limited to 3000 Italy-only numbered units, released in 1991)
  • COSA 1 - 125cc, 150cc, 200 cc
  • COSA 2 - 125cc, 150cc, 200 cc
  • P80 / P80 E (France)
  • P80X/PX80 E (France)
  • PK 80 S / Elestart
  • PK 80 S Automatica / Elestart
  • PK100 S / Elestart
  • PK100 S Automatica
  • PK100 XL
  • PK125 XL / Elestart
  • PK 125 S
  • PK 125 E
  • PK 125 automatica (automatic transmission)
  • P 125 X
  • P200E
  • PX200EFL
  • PX200 Serie Speciale (Limited to 400 UK-only numbered units)
  • T5 / Elestart (5 port engine 125 cc P series)
  • T5 Classic (5 port engine 125 cc P series)
  • T5 Millennium (5 port engine 125 cc P series) (Limited to 400 UK-only numbered units)

[edit] Recent models

  • ET2 50 - 2stroke
  • ET4 50 - 4stroke
  • ET4 125 (Euro Model)
  • ET4 150 (Euro Model)
  • ET4 150 (US model)
  • PX 200

[edit] Current models

2008 Vespa LX150
2008 Vespa LX150
  • LX 50
  • LX 125
  • LX 150
  • LXV 50 (60th anniversary variant of LX50)
  • LXV 125 (60th anniversary variant of LX125)
  • GT60° 250 cc Limited Edition. 999 produced worldwide and unique with the front fender light and each one receiving a commemorative badge, personalized with the owner’s initials
  • GT 125 (Granturismo 125)
  • GT 200 (Granturismo 200)
  • GTS 125
  • GTS 250
  • GTV 125 (60th anniversary variant of GTS 125)
  • GTV 250 (60th anniversary variant of GTS 250)
  • GTS 300 Super (2008)
  • PX30 125 (A limited edition, only 1000 produced to celebrate the 30 years of the P range [14])
  • PX 125
  • PX 150 (reintroduced to US and Canadian Markets in 2004)
  • S50 and S125 new model 2007, introduced at Milan Motorshow November 2006

[edit] Specials

One-offs and special machines:

  • Montlhéry - produced in 1950 to break world records on the French circuit of the same name, it very smashed 17 records in 10 hours
  • Torpedo - 1951 125 cc special with conter-opposing pistons, Dino Mazzoncini set the world record on the kilometer at an average of 171 km/h