Lowering My Standards

[az_slynch]

Bought a new toy over the weekend. Something to make my Spree look that much more awesome:



'71 Piaggio Ciao. Cheapo model, so no suspension whatsoever. Yes, that's a caliper brake in front. Yes, it's a factory fit. The car headlight is not.

I figure any little bike that is only rated for 18mph even makes the FA50s look good!

Just for fun, here are two of my other 'peds:



The Pinto and the ugly Jawa are mine. I wish I had a Hobbit. Love the Pinto, the Jawa...let's say I wouldn't miss it if a bus ran it over. It's a loaner.

EDIT: Sold the Jawa to a friend who was borrowing it. Good riddance to a janky 'ped.

[eliteguy50]

Sounds like a fancy bicycle seat is in your future.

[az_slynch]

Sounds like a fancy bicycle seat is in your future.

About the only thing between a rigid Ciao and a bicycle is a Velosolex.

I've been wanting to mess with a Ciao. Very tuneable motor. I'll have to swap the fork if I try to make it faster, the front brakes make the Spree's brake look awesome!

[eliteguy50]

Sounds like a fancy bicycle seat is in your future.

About the only thing between a rigid Ciao and a bicycle is a Velosolex.

I've been wanting to mess with a Ciao. Very tuneable motor. I'll have to swap the fork if I try to make it faster, the front brakes make the Spree's brake look awesome!

Can you imagine one of those (Velosolex) on a dirt rode, I can't figure out if it would be hilarious to watch or scary...
I just noticed the Pinto seat, stock or aftermarket?

[az_slynch]

Aftermarket. The original seat was destroyed and I didn't want to wait for the upholstery shop. It comes with a de-badged Puch saddle stock. Seat's on hold, bought the Ciao with my upholstering budget.

[nacree]

What type of transmission does that thing have? (looks like centrifugal clutch but?)

Later,

Nathan

[az_slynch]

What type of transmission does that thing have? (looks like centrifugal clutch but?)

Later,

Nathan

It's a centrifugal clutch setup. It works like a Spree, except the crank-mounted pulley contains the clutch and the transmission pulley is fixed. Unlike the Spree, adding a variator is easy and parts for the swap are easier to find. The forks have swap-in options too.

[ALOW1]

I have one of those if you need parts. I have no interest in her because she does not have a title, I am building a Maxi right now. I will probably put a write up here eventually showing it off.

[az_slynch]

I have one of those if you need parts. I have no interest in her because she does not have a title, I am building a Maxi right now. I will probably put a write up here eventually showing it off.

Dude, let me know what you have. Heck, I'd buy the whole bike! No title needed in AZ, and I've got the Ciao fever! Makes sense, as I'm a Vespa afficionado.

Maxi's rock! I've got a '78 2HP project bike that I want to build with a Rito crank, Polini 64cc kit and a 15mm Bing. My brother wanted to get back into mopeds and he insited on a Puch. One of my buddies here just bought a '77 Newport which I'm refurbishing for him. Keep me posted on your project!