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 …
Folding Scooter – 196x 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.
1947? Indian Papoose
I’m an Indian fan, and I’d never heard of this model. I was skeptical until I did some research and lo and behold, there it was. The Papoose was actually a rebadged Corgi model built by Brockhouse Engineering in England. The model was a civilianized version of the Welbike which was developed during WWII for British Special Forces to use …
Sleeper Scooter – 1999 Italjet Formula 125
At first glance, you might think this scooter was only good for quick runs to a coffee shop at 25 miles per hour. But thanks to a 2 stroke 125cc engine, this Italjet Formula can get you up to an indicated 85! The seller says he’s never seen another example of this model in the US, and I haven’t either. …
34 Bikes – Cushman Collection
Some Cushman nut has accumulated 34 scooters spanning 56 years of the company’s history. You’ll also get thousands of extra parts, boxes of original literature, and signs up to 8 feet long. Now he wants to get rid of it all in one fell swoop. Feel like starting a Cushman museum?
Needs a Taillight – 1984 Honda Motocompo
Post Listing Update: This Motocompo did not get any interest at the opening bid of $3,000. One of the true cult classics of scooters, the Motocompo was designed to fit into the trunks of Honda’s subcompact cars of the time. To minimize dimensions of the scoot when it needs to be stored, the handlebars and seat can be folded in …