Modern Vespa

Any mechanics or scoot-hobbyists know if this is possible:

I'm interested in replacing a stock heavy rear wheel (for drum) with the thinner lighter stock front wheel. The front wheel is designed for disc but the question isn't about converting from drum to disc at the rear. I'm interested in determining whether you can use the stock front wheel/rim as the driving wheel at the rear - obviously this effectively eliminates the rear drum brake. The goal is achieving a lighter weight as well as a slightly thinner and slightly shorter tire&wheel; the front wheel/rim is substantially lighter than the rear (for drum). So, the question is... can a front wheel be adapted for use as the rear drive wheel? Is it a simply a matter of replacing the center hub or would the wheel require extensive modifications? Also, does the drum assembly serve any other function, than braking, such as wheel stabilization?

~~~ really appreciate any knowledgeable instruction ~~~
The engine-transmission-drum-wheel assembly is from a
Scarabeo-50/100;same engine/cvt (for rear drum) as the
Piaggio Fly50 and Vespa S50/LX50.

I don't have much mechanical knowledge, but I honestly think it would depend greatly on the wheel itself. I imagine some could be rigged to work on the rear fairly easily. For example, the GT/GTS/GTV wheels are exactly the same, front and rear, with just a different tire recommendation for each. Others might require a lot of modification... the wheels on my Scarabeo 50 were the same size, but still very different. The rear was a single sided fork mount, the front was a 2-sided fork mount.

????? i don't know, but i would be scared of the greatly hindered breaking power!

You want to ride without a rear brake? Please accept your Darwin Award before your demise...

Even if it was possible, do you really think that's going to satisfy you?

Stop with the 1/2 measures, try this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_kIUSr7-is


Good luck!

Harvey