Modern Vespa

Just as the title says. I am new to this forum and have a 1978 Ciao. After a considerable amount of poking around I haven't seen any.

Yep, I have a '74 Ciao deluxe that I rebuilt for my wife in the Spring. The engine was grievously seized. I had to replace the top end, and run acid through the tank to get it cleaned out. It's running great, now.

I got most of my help/info from the Moped Army forums. If you need pointers, I can try to help.

Hojo

Yes... I've owned around 10 of both.... currently have 2 in my garage.

I just picked this one up about a month and a half ago for $250. It is a 74' and it is very straight and complete however it is missing the rear turn signals. It is currently not running but not seized. I got one running for a friend a few years back and I Have wanted one ever since. I plan on getting it sorted out as a winter project among a few other things!

Good deal!
A little spit and shine, and that'll be a nice ride.

Not yet, but patiently waiting to swoop down on a bargain like this ^^^ when it appears. My oldest kid had a nice Puch I let slip through my fingures couple years back cuz I was lazy



If this 41mph Peugeot was half of the $500 asked, I'd sure be tempted. It's in Portland, you selling this, Herr Doctor?

Not mine... but I have seen that on Craigslist.
Crazy as it sounds, I bought 2 mopeds yesterday and am buying 3 on Friday.
Only one runs... but I love the challenge!

It's pretty hard to find cheap mopeds ( $200-$300 ) in running order.

Very cool. Mine is the absolute base model. It has no fuel gauge, speedo or turn signals. Its also a hard tail. I don't mind though because there are less things to go wrong with it.

http://newlondon.craigslist.org/mcy/3390589175.html

mopeds are rocking horse shit over here. Honda cubs are plentyful though

It's a moped damn it!

I bought this at a garage sale for $10. With a title. I got it running and sold it a week later for $150.

Great stuff!

I was just wondering what is the difference between the Vespa SI and the Vespa SI Monte Carlo? Also what year did they stop making the SI and SI Monte Carlo? I love Ciao's but I don't know much about these bikes and I can't find much info on them. Thanks!

I remember when the Ciao used to be my dream bike! I still love it. I'm more partial to the eupean version with the rectangular tail light that is part of the rack.

I had a Ciao from Canada.... exactly like the Euro version.

This is all I can find...kinda helps.

wow thanks it does help

I have to say you guys here in the US got a bad deal! The rear light on the Ciao is terrible. The early models in Europe had a light on the mudgard... Not so good looking but OK. Then the light was moved under the rear rack. And that was much much cooler than the light that was installed here.
Has the Grillo ever been imported?

Haven't heard of a Grillo... this is the USA and we suck for gtting the super cool mopeds

Heres one, should I get it?

http://www.usedvictoria.com/classified-ad/Frim----Piaggio-Vespa-Ciao-Moped_17833934

Just saw this thread. Great info. A good friend just gave me a 77 Ciao SC. We've got it running but I know it's not running correct yet. A carb cleaning and rechecking of the petcock are in order. My cousin and I played around with the petcock, pulled it apart to clean, and found the tube inside cracked and broken. We put it back in without the long rod. We'll look into that later. Don't know what it is but this thing is so much fun. I just bought a battery. We need a seat clamp which broke. Eventually I'll need to get new tires to replace the original ones. What I thought was a clutch I find is some compression thing. That doesn't work. I'm missing something that must attach to the head. I have the SC model. 1977. Guess I have to join up on Moped Army.

My cousin really likes the Ciao






Here's a few of the other toys.

Not for that price...
I bought a Canadian Ciao that only needed fresh fuel and spark plug for $250. The side cover on that one has had the clutch wear it out. There's no headlight or tail light ( maybe ).

I'd offer $350.

Nice rides!
Get all your parts here...

https://www.treatland.tv/vespa-piaggio-kinetic-ciao-moped-parts-s/3.htm

Careful when ordering a petcock... there are many different styles.

Thanks so much for the link. I'm thinking it will be easier just to try and buy a new one then ghetto'ing the old. We'll see.

Any chance anyone has a good link to the owners manual, or shop manual, for the Ciao?? I need to look close at that compression thingy on the head.

Mine has a SC on the fender. Anyone know what that stands for??

I'm trying to sign into Moped Army. I created an account but can't log in yet. I'm guessing it may take awhile for approval.

Here's the manual...

http://www.mopedriders.org/html/manuals/piaggio/sm/piaggiosism.htm

Here's a parts diagram...

http://www.zippymopedparts.com/partsviews.html

I say get it running great and enjoy it as it is. You'll spend too much $$
trying to get the extra HP. Yours is a single speed non variated model.

The decompression lever is there to help start the moped... you can also use it to kill the motor instead of the on/off switch.
Is your missing? It's not really necessary... some people use it, some don't.

Thanks again. The compression cable, if that's what you call it, is there but not the piece(s) attached to the engine. If it's not needed I'm not going to bother yet. It's not hard to pedal on the center stand to get it going.

Although I have the other scooters my cousin seems to really enjoy working on the Ciao and riding it. I'm sure we'll get it purring in no time. It's become out Friday night, few beers, play thing.

I'm having problems registering on Moped Army. Does it take a while??

It's not needed... but it helps a lot... as you said, it can be REALLY hard to start without it.
I'm not sure about how long it takes to register.

One thing about MA...

Read the Wiki and use the search before throwing questions out there... you'll catch a lot of shit if you don't.

Good Luck!

I have loads of NOS factory tools for Vespa mopeds. Bearing and deal punches, hub assembly, and crank pullers. Pm me if interested. I will let them go at a fair price.

Have a 73-74 ciao I just picked up it ran but the carb got gummed up with dirt and rust and A friend had a malossi Carb that fit so I put it in and im new to these and im having trouble hooking up the throttle cable anybody have pictures or detailed instructions to help me thanks also any tips to clean the tank out. Thanks

a month ago, i went to an honda service to buy a mrror for my wifes car, it was 400usd, i didnt buy it, when going out i saw a CIAO for sale just beside ..., i stoped & asked the owner to start it and how much it was , he answered 400 , just like the mirror ..., it had origi tyres, paint, i offered him 300 he said OK and now Im very happy riding it .., i have several vespas also and cant rationalize why i like it so much ... some links :
http://www.piaggiociaoamatori.com/
http://projectmopedmanual.info/Manuals/Vespa/Vespa-service-manual.pdf

It's exactly what the DOT imposed for the rear light on Rallys and P models, hence the tractor light.
One thing I really don't understand is why all these mopeds are branded "Vespa".
In Europe (or at least in Italy) Vespa was and still is only the name of the scooter line, then articulated with the various "GL", "PX", Sprint Veloce", Etc.
All under the name of the manufacturer brand "Piaggio".
So, the Ciao, was never a "Vespa Ciao" but a "Piaggio Ciao".
Does anyone know?

Probably name recognition. Maybe Americans assumed Vespa was the company that manufactured the scooters and Piaggio was a corporate group, like Chevy and GM, so they assumed Vespa (brand) Rally (model), instead of Piaggio (brand) Vespa Rally (model). Most of the old American Vespa signs I've seen prominently display Vespa, but Piaggio is very small. So no body would recognize a Piaggio Ciao, but they would recognize a Piaggio Vespa Ciao

I think you are right.
Easier to extend brand recognition with a name already know and successful.

Always looking for Vespa parts PM me if you have something for sale...Thanks

is from the rear fender my non-running 76 Ciao SC. From a Bicentennial Vespa ad campaign.

Got it for $20 from a guy hauling his barnload of metal to the scrappers.

My first daughter arrived shortly after though, so it is still in pieces.

It changed around '78, I think. I have a '71 Basic that has small tank badges that just say "Ciao" in script and has "Piaggio" cast onto the belt cases. I knew someone who had a '76 Ciao and it just had "Piaggio" on the tank badges. My '78 and '81 have "Piaggio Vespa" on the tank badges and cast"Ciao" badges in the 70's Vespa font that clip onto the belt cases.

always wanted one of these, or a souped up puch maxi sport with a cafe racer bench seat. mopeds are super popular around portland though. most without problems go for $500+

http://www.mopedrich.com/taste-e-licious-vespa-ciao/