Modern Vespa

Hello all,

I'm in Italy, looking for a 50cc Vespa to use as a weekend fun bike. I really like the looks of the 50 Special but would prefer electronic ignition as opposed to points and condensor.

Do you know what year Vespa starting using electronic ignition on it's 50cc scooters? I think I once read it started with the PK 50 but can't find that reference anywhere.

Thanks for the help.

1976 with the Primavera ET3 but that was 6V. Rally's were earlier still but I'm assuming you mean the Ducati ignitions which really means the P200E from 1977 on. But again I'm assuming you mean smallframe specific so that means the PK from 1982 onwards. Not that any of that really matters as the easiest way of converting a Special is to use one of the modern systems from Vespatronic, Parmakit, Polini, Malossi or Pinasco.

Perfect, thanks for the info. Yes, I'm talking smallframe. Maybe I'll look into converting a 50 Special to electronic ignition, as I really prefer the look of these.

Have a look on Italian ebay for the Pinasco ignitions, some of the lads on the UK smallframe forum have got really good deals on them from there. Probably also a good idea for you to look up ET3.it for more local information and potential deals and sales.

I saw ET3 with electronic while in Florence, so they are available as you desire

I have that 6v ET3 ignition on a v90 they don't play together that well. The ET3 ignition is pretty specific to that model. An easier move is that custom 12v stator for small frames that Scooter Mercato sells if you're stateside.

Looking at the big picture... why electronic ignition on a stock 50? I'd do a lot of other things to increase power first and stay on points. Points have worked fine for me in the past.

I've just had my share of reliability issues with points in the past. I'm sold on electronic ignition after I made the switch on my vintage Fiat 500.

Looking at increasing power and switching to electronic ignition, I guess I could transplant an ET3 engine into the 50. There are tons for sale on the used market here at decent prices.

Switching to the ET3 motor makes a great platform for performance modifications. When I rode my Polini 102 kitted 50 Special around in Italy I was stopped by either the Polizia Stradale or the Carabinieri and they threatened to take it away from me. I just pretended not to speak Italian and they let me go. How does everyone there manage to not get busted for riding kitted Vespas ?

Good question. I live in Napoli where there doesn't seem to be alot of traffic or motor vehicle enforcement. I can't imagine them confiscating a scooter here.