Vespa 50 Elestart Make Model | Vespa 50 Elestart | Year | 1969-83 | Engine | Two stroke, single cylinder | Capacity | 49.8 cc / 3.0 cub in | Bore x Stroke | 38.4 x 43 mm | Compression Ratio | 7.2:1 | Mixture | 1:50 | Carburettor | Dell'Orto 14 | Cooling | Air cooled with centrifugal fan | Battery | 2 x 6V - 9.5 Ah batteries | Ignition | 4 Pole flywheel magneto | Starting | Electric | Spark Plug | Bosch W225 T1 | Clutch | Multi plate | Max Power | 1.9 kW / 2.6 Hp @ 4500 rpm | Transmission | 3 Speed mesh gears | Gear ratios | 1st 22.33 / 2nd 12.56 /3rd 7.95:1 | Final Drive | Direct drive | Frame | Pressed sheet steel with streamlined monocoque structure | Front Suspension | Hydraulic shock absorber with rubber elements | Rear Suspension | Hydraulic shock absorber | Front Brakes | Drum | Rear Brakes | Drum | Wheels | Pressed steel flanges | Front Tyre | 2.75 x 9" | Rear Tyre | 2.75 x 9" | Dimensions | Length: 1630 mm / 64.2 in Height: 980 mm / 33.6 in | Ground clearance | 210 mm / 8.3 in | Dry Weight | 67.5 kg / 148 lbs | Fuel Capacity | 5.6 L / 1.5 US gal | Consumption average | 1.5 L/100 km / 66.7 km/l / 157 US mpg | Top Speed | 40 km/h /29 mph | The Vespa 50 Elestart Series I was launched with an electric start and was targeted at women. The batteries were housed in the left side of the engine and the spare tyre, if required, was placed behind the leg shield. The gearbox was the three-speed unit. The Vespa 50 Elestart Series II was launched in 1975 and had a four-speed gearbox. Through its production the Elestart remained a novelty and is considered to be ahead of its times. |