Vespa PK50

Make Model	Vespa PK 50, PK50S, PK50 Elestart, PK50XL, PK50XLS, PK50
Year	1982 - 93
Engine	Two stroke, single cylinder
Capacity	49.8 cc / 3.0 cub in
Bore x Stroke	38.4 x 43 mm
Compression Ratio	9.1:1
Mixture	1:50
Carburettor	Dell'Orto SHB 16/10
Cooling	Air cooled with centrifugal fan
Battery	1 x 6V - 9.5 Ah batteries
Induction	Rotary valve
Ignition	Flywheel magneto
Starting	Kick start
Spark Plug	Bosch W225 T1
Clutch	Oil bath, multi plate
Max Power	2.7 kW / 3.7 Hp @ 7000 rpm
Transmission	4 Speed, grip shift
Gear Ratios	1st 26.88 / 2nd 17.74 / 3rd 12.78 / 4th 9.62:1
Final Drive	Direct drive
Frame	Pressed sheet steel with streamlined monocoque structure
Front Suspension	Trailing arm, coil spring, damper
Rear Suspension	Coil spring, damper
Front Brakes	150 mm drum
Rear Brakes	150 mm drum
Wheels	Pressed steel flanges, interchangeable
Front Tyre	3 x 10"
Rear Tyre	3 x 10"
Dimensions	Length: 1675 mm / 65.9 in Width: 700 mm / 27.6 in Height: 1070 mm / 42.0 in
Wheelbase	1175 mm / 46.5 in
Ground clearance	252 mm / 9.9 in
Dry Weight	77 kg / 169.7 lbs
Fuel Capacity	6.2 L / 1.6 US gal
Reserve	1.2 L / 0.32 US gal
Consumption Average	3.5 L/100 km / 29 km/l / 68 US mpg
Top Speed	70 km/h / 43.5 mph

The Vespa 50 was launched in 1963 in response to regulatory changes in Italy. By 2002, the Vespa 50 and its variants had sold roughly 1.42 million units across the world. This is a remarkable success for a vehicle which was launched to escape the regulatory constraints more than anything else. The popularity of ‘small body’ Vespa has grown through the decades.

With the introduction of ‘Highway code’ in 1962, vehicles larger than 50cc were required to have a license plate. 14 years and above were allowed to ride scooters under 50cc without a license. Young riders who till then was a small share was rapidly becoming mobile and affluent. Vespa 50 circumvented the regulatory challenge and opened a hew world for the youngsters.

The marketing campaign revolved around this.

“Giovane, moderna e…senza documenti” or “Young, modern and… without papers”

The 50SS (or 50 Super Sprint from 1971) was a 50cc version of the 90SS with an elongated chrome exhaust and spare wheel located vertically on the platform with a glovebox fitted on top of the wheel.