Topic: Do you know what kind of bike you have?

[nickjtc]

What the hell's a Vespa?  Is that like a Zundapp or a Zalopitor or something?   

Vespa (italian for wasp, because that is what they look like) was the first mass produced scooter. At the end of the Second World War there was a dearth of simple, cheap transportation in Italy, so the Piaggio company (that had been making war planes) decided to build a cheap, economical two wheeler. It had the engine at the back, wheels of the same size that were interchangeable and was simple to work on. That was 1946. They've been building them ever since, and the new ones don't look much different than the first ones. Nowadays they all have four stroke motors, from 50cc up to 250cc. Piaggio also makes 250cc and 500cc scooters under their brand name.

The big difference between a Vespa and the subsequent clones from Japan is that the bodywork is still made of metal, not plastic. Here in Canada they carry a significant premium over the Japanese and Chinese competition.....but its apples to oranges, of course. Pity the customer doesn't see that.

Old Vespas are very valuable.

[southbound]

The responses here are great...  good to laugh when i walk into work for a change.


One interesting note about Vepas:  the early ones were designed and built around surplus WWII aircraft starter motors!

The new ones are fairly reliable, although i have seen a few pattern failures, either from  the result of teething in the design department, or user neglect/ error.  In my experience, although i'm not a scooter rider, and have never taken one out for longer than it takes to do a test ride, the build quality is the main thing that sets them apart from the competition, mainly being the Chinese and Korean scooters.  Stellas, another off-brand copy of the old Vespas are made in India, and have been a real huge pain in my ass.

[nickjtc]

We used to have people come into the dealership all the time wanting parts for their oriental clone scooters. When we told them that we couldn't get parts, but gently pointed out that that was the reason to buy a reputable make with a good dealer back-up in place they still didn't get it. It's always about the $$ to some people.

[ic455]

Now I have to doubt myself....I saw "750 F" on my airbox, but was sure I had a "K".  Could be a replacement part. I guess it would have to be, since I have a rear drum brake on my 750...

[Gordon]

Now I have to doubt myself....I saw "750 F" on my airbox, but was sure I had a "K".  Could be a replacement part. I guess it would have to be, since I have a rear drum brake on my 750...

This question comes up every few months.  All the 750 air boxes are stamped with an F.

[medic09]

No its a Mystere Falcon 20......well a Falcon 20-C5 to be exact. Garrett TFE731-5BR engines and Five tube King EFIS 

Ya found me out my other ride is jet.....

Least in Aviation they still encourage getting it right the FIRST time

Shows my ignorance...I *do* know which bike I'm riding which day, but I work in the back of a plane (flight medic on a Lear 35, usually) and don't know one from the other...

[ic455]

This question comes up every few months.  All the 750 air boxes are stamped with an F.

Ahhhh, thanks for clarifying!  I was kinda thinking that might be the case.  Like the engine being identified with an "E".

[nickjtc]

I even know the date the Norton was shipped from the factory to Canada, it's original factory colour, and how many owners it has had!

[cmorgan47]

We sold Vespas too. Or tried to. People couldn't understand why steel + Itallian = 2x plastic + Japanese. Oh well.

yeah, i actually have a hard time with that one...hence, the wife rides a vino 125.

[Stormer]

I think I have a CB400F.
Look in my avatar, an I right?

[nickjtc]

I think I have a CB400F.
Look in my avatar, an I right?

Looks like a red and chromey motorcycle to me.

[Gordon]

Looks like a red and chromey motorcycle to me.

But is it cute?  That's the important part!