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.
Pre-Motocompo Folder – 1970 Carnielli Motorcycles Moto Graziella
3/19/22 Update: Four years later, this Moto Graziella is back up for sale. Find it for $3,500 or best offer in West Palm Beach, Florida here on Facebook Marketplace. When the subject of “folding scooters” comes up, most people’s minds will wander to Honda’s Motocompo, but there are a number of other collapsible, small-wheeled scoots that predate the Honda by …
No Reserve – 1950 Indian Papoose
The Indian Papoose was a rebadged Brockhouse Corgi, itself a civilian version of the Excelsior Villiers Welbike – a single seat scooter designed to be dropped into combat situations via parachute-equipped containers, then unpacked and be ready to ride in less than 11 seconds.
Original Owner – 1964 Fuji Rabbit 90 S-202
Japan’s first scooter was built in 1946 by Fuji. Called the Rabbit S-1, it was released six months before Vespa’s first model. The Rabbit was the name given to Fuji’s scooter lineup, and it ranged from the top-of-the-line Superflow down to the S-202 which was later introduced as an entry-level offering for those who just needed cheap transportation.
1966 MV Agusta Germano
Germano is Italian for “Mallard” – not the most eloquent name, but it definitely had a more distinctive style than the average moped of the time. MV was busy trying to make fast motorcycles at the time, so they work with several other companies to supply parts for this built-to-a-price moped. Said price was cheap enough to move 4,508 units …
1965 Tule Trooper
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.
1972 Ruttman Horny Toad
There’s some great names in motorcycling history – Combat Wombat, Interceptor, and, to name a few. But damn if “Horny Toad” ain’t high up on the list as well!
2007 Yamaha Morphous
Here’s a vehicle only true scooter fans know about – the Yamaha Morphous. Ignoring the oddball name, it was by all accounts a well designed scooter that did not achieve commercial success. It was introduced in 2005 in the US and was pulled in 2009. If you’re looking for a scooter that stands out, it’s hard to imagine a better …
Rare in the US – 2013 Honda Blade 110
Normally, the words “Honda” and “Blade” would make you think of something like the original 900RR Fireblade (or the new Fireblade RR-R). But in Southeast Asia, the Blade is one of many (and I mean MANY) underbone scooters that dominate their personal transportation industry. This one has somehow made its way to California, and the seller claims that it is …
1981 Suzuki FS50X
Sold in some markets as the Shuttle, the Suzuki FS50 was a family of scooters related to the FZ50 and FA50. The FS was built between 1980 and 1991 and was powered by a 49cc 3.2 hp engine paired with a two-speed transmission.
1960 Cezeta 501
Cezetas were built between ’57 and ’64 in the former Czechoslovakia, though the parent company (CZ) existed from 1935 to 1997. The Cezeta stands out thanks to its distinctive design, with the odd nose and the long seat that doubles as the opening to an impressively-sized storage compartment.
$500 – 1987 Honda Aero 50
The Aero was Honda’s first modern scooter in North America, where it was introduced in 1983. A second generation was introduced in 1985, and these have served as reliable in-town runabouts ever since.
1957 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.
1969 Italjet Kit Kat
The Kit Kat was Italjet’s solution for people who enjoyed flying and boating but then found themselves at a destination without wheels for land. It weighed just 73 pounds, so you could even throw it in the trunk of your car if necessary.
1958 Cushman Highlander Model 721
Post Listing Update: This Highlander did not meet reserve with 9 bids up to $2,550.11 on eBay in Ormond Beach, Florida. In 1958, Cushman created the Model 721 variant of the Highlander with an open frame in the rear. They made it for just three months before covering the back half in fiberglass bodywork. Here’s one of those rare open …