Vespa

VESPA 50 1963 - 1990

VESPA 50 1963 - 1990
VESPA 50 1963 - 1990 · Photo: Mamelfi, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Spec sheet
MODELVESPA 50 1963 - 1990
Year1963 - 1990
Engine TypeTwo stroke, single cylinder
Displacement / Capacity49.8 cc / 3.0 cu in
Bore X Stroke38.4 x 43 mm
Compression Ratio7.2:1
Cooling SystemAir cooled with centrifugal fan
Max Power1.9 kW / 2.6 hp @ 4500 rpm
Max Torque—
Ignition4 pole flywheel magneto
Induction—
Start SystemKick start
TRANSMISSION SPECS
Lubrication—
Gear Box3 speed, constant mesh (1st 22.33 / 2nd 12.56 / 3rd 7.95:1)
ClutchMulti plate
Final DriveDirect drive
CHASSIS SPECS
FramePressed sheet steel with streamlined monocoque structure
Front SuspensionHydraulic shock absorber with rubber elements
Rear SuspensionHydraulic shock absorber
Front BrakesDrum
Rear BrakesDrum
DIMENSION SPECS
Overall Length1630 mm / 64.2 in
Overall Width—
Overall Height980 mm / 33.6 in
Seat Height—
Wheelbase—
Ground Clearance210 mm / 8.3 in
Dry Weight67.5 kg / 148 lbs
Wet Weight—
WHEEL SPECS
Front Tyre2.75 x 9 in
Rear Tyre2.75 x 9 in
FUEL SYSTEM
Fuel Capacity5.6 Litres / 1.5 US gal
Fuel Consumption1.5 L/100 km / 66.7 km/l / 157 US mpg
Top Speed40 km/h / 29 mph
Vespa file

Introduced in 1963 as a small-frame, 49.8 cc two-stroke scooter, it was aimed at young riders because Italian rules let those aged 14 and over ride sub-50 cc machines without a plate or licence. It had a lighter, self-supporting steel body than the bigger Vespas and a modest 2.6 hp engine. The platform lived on in the PK 50 until the 1990s, with hotter S, SS and SR versions along the way.