Modern Vespa

I've seen some models where the ignition is at the top of the headset like many of the classic Vespas, but also some others where it's behind the leg shield (just above the glove box).

Is there any reason for the specific difference?

Was one a later update in the design?

It's all about the age, the older models had the headset ignition, and later models behind the legshield. I'm not sure about when the change happened, but someone will know and hopefully come on and give you specific dates.

Early Ps were the headset .....I believe the Steering lock/ignition appeared with the PX's in 81.....Could be variations on that but that is what I recall.


You would have to ask Piaggio about why.

While you are phoning up Piaggio to ask "Why?" quesitons ... ask them what dipshit thought the key above the headset on the P was a good idea to begin with. God forbid you have another key, or a fob of some sort to flap around in the wind and obscure and scratch up the speedo - just brilliant.
Someone fired that guy in 1981, I guess.

Hey Thom - your scooter in awaiting you in San Diego... just commit to it already!

BUY ME, THOM

The column ignition lock was introduced in 1984.

Just a general tip here. Your post made me think of it. Don't have too heavy a key fob, or too many keys attached to the key in your ignition. The weight of it can make the lock barrels wear prematurely and you'll get slop, to where one day your key might fall out on a big bounce. Don't know if this applies to the modern Vespa keys, but definitely on the old style keys.

Thanks Andrea. Yeah - I have my P key on a clip ring (which bounces all over), so I can clip it to my house keys when off bike.

And nearly guarenteeing that I will either:
a) misplace the one ignition key
b) lock myself out of my house with my one usess P key in my sweaty hand

Ah, the perils of being blonde.

Good tip; I had this happen with a car ignition many years ago. The lock got so worn that it no longer worked and was an expensive fix. I've kept my ignition keys on a separate ring ever since.

well there you go 84 it is.....



Pshhhhhh ....Lady....I already have a pink fucking truck....I don't need a pink scooter slower than my chihuahua.

The change was officially made in 1983 when Piaggio introduced the "Acobaleno" series of PX's. 1983 was also when they introduced the EFL-style gearing, more square horncast, more square headset, fuel gauge, 20mm fork...basically all the changes that separate a "P" from a "PX". However, they phased out the old parts by using them up so the first year that all the PX's had the changes was 1984.

I was looking through my manuals & remembered the ...I guess you would call them "transition"? P's from 81 to 83.
i.e.
P125"X",P150 "X"....PX150"E", PX200"E"....Before the switch over to the PX series.

I thought the "Arcobaleno" was actually a P150E?

Scooterhelp always had the P150 "S" listed....Any clue what that actually was?
a little clarity on what was what?

P150S is a P150 with 8-inch wheels.

Found this pic of the P150S:

The P-series w/ the "X" at the end were the early 125 and 150 models. I wouldn't call them "transistion models", I'd call them "P's" or "early P's". These models lasted from 1977 to 1983. As far as I know, there is no such thing as a "P150E". "Arcobaleno" means "rainbow" in Italian. You can see the little rainbow in the model logo on my PX: 125s, 150s, and 200s were all part of the Arcobaleno overhaul, and so it is not limited ot a singel engine displacment.

Basically, the "Arcobaleno" P-series were the first of the "PX" scooters. That is when they moved the "X" over next to the "P", since the 125 and 150 models had electronic ignition now, instead of points/condensor. (which is what the "E" means: electronic ignition")

P = model range
X = has integrated turn signals, a first for Vespas
E = Electronic ignition (does not mean electric start)

Some models don't follow this, like the P200E, which had electronic ignition from the get go,(hence the "E") but does have turn signals. Also the "X" model, which is a very early P-series but has no turn signals. At least, that's my understanding from all of my research into this.