The Skat Kitty was one of many American minibikes of the 60s, but it stands out as it was the first production “scooter” with a cast aluminum frame and fender assembly. It was sold by Projects Unlimited out of Dayton, Ohio, and this is probably only going to appeal to someone who either had one themselves as a kid (or …
1959 Moto Guzzi Galletto
Post Listing Update: This Galletto did not meet reserve despite 25 bids up to $4,550. Carlo Guzzi was one of Moto Guzzi’s three co-founders back in 1921, and he was the brainchild behind a scooter/motorcycle hybrid called the Galletto (cockerel in Italian). Over approximately 15 years of production, 75,000 units were sold.
All Original Survivor – 1967 Honda P50
First introduced in 1966, the P50 would only have a three year production run before being replaced by its successor: the PC50. The P50 – also known as the P25 or “Little Honda” – was an important bike in Honda’s history. To the best of my knowledge, this little scoot was the first Japanese moped to be imported to UK …
HD’s Only Scooter – 1961 Harley-Davidson Topper
Harley-Davidson has only produced one scooter in its entire history; the Topper. The Milwaukee-based manufacturer did make some small-displacement mopeds during its partnership with Aermacchi, but the Topper is the only scooter Harley made with legitimate floorboards and an automatic transmission. Starting in 1959 or ’60, and ending production in ’65, Harley-Davidson offered the 165cc two-stroke Topper in hopes of …
3-Wheel Tilters – Pair of Honda Gyros
The Honda Gyro is an all around fun little scoot. These tilting three-wheelers boast a leaning main body that allows for stability when cornering at speed, without losing a scooter’s traditional low-speed stability. With 49cc displacement, a turning radius of 5.5-feet (or 1.7-meters), an automatic (two-speed) transmission, and the bike’s ability to tilt/lean, the Gyro is a phenomenal gateway into …
$950 – Tule Trooper Big Boy
Jim Edwins was the man behind the J. I. Edwins Company in Issaquah, Washington. The firm was best known for the production of the “Trooper”, a competitor to the better-known Tote Gote. They’re rare finds nowadays, and this one is worthy of consideration as it’s the harder-to-find “Big Boy” model with optional tandem seat and it’s said to run great!
Vintage Folding Scooter – 1955 Argyle Cub
Designed to be stowed in your car, boat, or airplane, the Argyle Cub weighed about 50 pounds and could fold up in 15 seconds. Over time, the rights were sold to a manufacturer that sold the Cub to a variety of distributors who sold it under their own names like Argyle Cub, Dinky-Cycle or JoyRide. Whatever brand you bought, you …
Fresh from the Petersen – 1954 Vespa Ape
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 …