Modern Vespa

So today I went out and bought a new toy.

Its a 1978 Puch Pinto.




I was torn between buying this or a 1980 Vespa SI, but the owner of the SI wanted far too much money. So far I am pretty happy with my decision.

Congrats man!

That's nice! Certainly a perpetual motion machine, at least the motor is!

Is it fully functional?

Around here, it's already a bit difficult to find close to original mopeds from 60's or 70's...cheap electrical welding units and too much D.I.Y spirit have ruined most of them. Lot's of "Frankenstein-mopeds" available, with parts from here and there.

One moped will put me in the Zen of riding. Just kick back an find some alone time and let the moped show you the uncomplicated side of life.

the lights and horn do not work. But I honestly don't think it will be too hard to fix that

Cool and way better than this Pinto. Can never have too many scooters.

Nice! 8)

Update: I rode it around my neighborhood and the lights started working. I think I'm still gonna rig up a 12v system.

What's the 12V upgrade do? Easier starting or better lighting? Definitely clean up the grounds and terminal contacts.

Just for lights. It actually starts up really well. On the first kick.

But being only a 6v incandescent bulb, the headlight is super dim. I think I also want to add turn signals.

it's cool. 8)

You haven't met my wife Judy!

14, nope. Does she have a addiction?

I think it can't be quite called an addiction unless it becomes a problem

Aprilia Motó 6.5

21 years old

19k KM

Congrats on the Pinto! I have a yellow '78 as well, with the optional saddlebags.

The engine is Puch, but the frame is Kromag, another Austrian company. It's worth noting that the Puch logo was deleted from the magneto cover on these bikes.

These can do well with very minor tuning. I changed my air filter, main jet, swapped the head for a high-comp 50, slipped on a Proma GP pipe and changed my front sprocket from a 14T to a 15T. Went from a 25mph moped to a 42mph moped and did nothing to the the internals save for changing the ATF. If I was going to go further, I'd put a thin ringed piston and a roller crank in it...the 2hp E50 with the alu cylinder and open transfers was a good motor as it came!

Biggest beef was the brakes. Get an EBC shoe kit and the Treats teflon cables and be done with them!

That's awesome! Yours looks much cleaner. I'll look into what you suggested. But I do agree, the brakes are piss poor. If somebody pulled out in front of me I would definitely not be able to stop in time.

I always thought that was a beautiful bike. A work of art. It was part of "The Art of the Motorcycle" exhibition at the Guggenheim Museum in NY. I don't think they were sold in the US and there aren't many around.

you are right

on one side bad that it didn't made bigger success, but on other side it makes them more rare

am so in love with it

need to sort out iddle problem (it shuts itself down uncontrollably), but other than that is really good.