6-17-17 Update: The former eBay listing says that this was sold on eBay for $25,100 after 42 bids, but it looks like that sale did not go through. Contributor Tim Huber notes that htis is now up for sale here on Craiglist for $30,000, still in Palos Verdes, California. Every once in awhile you get to see something so unique …
Folding Scooter – 1968 Minimo Joky
The Minimo Joky is a rare folding scooter with a frame made out of aluminum. Because it weighed 60 pounds, it was apparently quite popular with yacht and glider owners – the former would get around the harbor and the latter would use it to get to a phone after landing. They’re nearly impossible to find in the US and …
A Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing – 1966 Lambretta SX200
Post Sale Update: This Lambretta SX200 sold for $13,600 after 46 bids on eBay! Fast is a relative term. If you are a Desert Tortoise, a mile a day advantage on the competition is enormous in Darwinian terms. If you are a part of the Latte sipping, scooter riding crowd in any city this Lambretta could spell domination in the …
1960 Cushman Allstate Jetsweep
“Like a new 1959 car . . long, low, sleek . . smart 2-tone colors” {Quotes from the 1959 Sears Catalog Advertisement page 1066} The 1960 Allstate Jetsweep was a rebadged Cushman 722 Pacemaker offered between 1957 and 1960. Sears and Cushman had a long term relationship that saw tens of thousands of Cushman scooters sold under the Allstate banner.
1980 Italjet Pack 2
Post Sale Update: After 4 bids on eBay, this Italjet sold for $1,125. In the 60s, Italjet produced a folding scooter called the Kit Kat. It was designed for pilots and sailors who found themselves at a destination without wheels. A couple of decades later, the Italian company modernized the idea with a scooter they called the Pack 2. It’s …
1961 Rockford Silver Pigeon
In the 1950s and 60s, Rockford Scooter Company of Rockford, Illinois imported several Japanese lines for sale in the US. Bike-urious chronicles the importation of Bridgestone Motorcycles in 1963 right here. As it turns out, Rockford also signed a deal with Mitsubishi to import the ‘Silver Pigeon’ line. Rockford was aggressive in their marketing signing up a large dealer network …
3 Rare Mopeds
I originally started featuring the seller’s NSU Quickly, which was built between 1953 and 1963. But it turns out he’s got two other interesting mopeds, so let’s take a look at all 3!
1978 AMF Roadmaster Moped 3-fer
American Machine and Foundry was founded in 1900 by Rufus L. Patterson, inventor of the first automated cigarette rolling machine. In the course of time AMF bought many companies and manufactured many items, including Harley Davidson, Roadmaster Bikes, Alcort Sailboats, and AMF Atomics. Yes. AMF made small atomic reactors for the US Military. Fast forward to 1976. The gas crisis …
1953 Aermacchi 125N Cigno
According to the seller, there are less than 5 of these little Aermacchi scoots in the United States. I have no idea if that’s true, but what I do know is that what looks like the gas tank is actually a storage unit, and you can shift it to make the bike look like a small motorcycle or a step-through …
1967 Vespa Sprint 150
In the wreckage of post WWII Italy the aircraft and maker Piaggio decided that Italy desperately needed cheap and reliable transportation. They patented their first effort in April, 1946 and had a 1947 model in production. Their aircraft heritage clearly showed in the bodywork of the newly named Vespa. By the early 1960s Vespa was being made under license in …
1958 Zundapp Bella
Zundapp was able to sell about 130,000 examples of the Bella scooter between 1953 and 1964. Engine options were a 150 (146) or 200 (198) – here’s an original example of the latter.
Twin Engined – Custom 2x150cc Baja Trike
When reader Christian E sent this over to me, he said it was most definitely “Bi” and “Curious.” How could I not feature it?
1950 Cushman Eagle
Started in 1903, incorporated in 1913 in Lincoln, Nebraska, Cushman Motor Works built motors principally for farm and industrial applications. In 1922 they introduced a four stroke overhead valve single cylinder motor famously known as the Husky. In 1936 they brought out their first scooter in an effort to sell more Husky motors in the teeth of the Great Depression.
1960s Centaur Folding Scooter
Post Listing Update: This Centaur was pulled off of eBay, final sale price unknown. I actually remember this from the early 60’s. Popular Science and/or Popular Mechanics had a feature on it. I didn’t give it much consideration then. The owner of this one isn’t sure what year it is, but they were built from 1960 to 1965.
Rare in the US – 2001 Italjet Dragster 180
One of the most interesting two-wheelers of all time, the Italjet Dragster is the only scooter to have ever combined a space frame and a RAAD forkless front suspension (think of what was equipped on the Yamaha GTS1000. It was built between 1998 and 2003, and very few made it to the states as the bike was never officially imported …