Vintage. Retro. Classic. Old school.
It's a rough thing sometimes to be a reformed gashead.
Old cars, trucks, motorcycles, they still turn my head.
It's a rough thing sometimes to be a reformed gashead.
Old cars, trucks, motorcycles, they still turn my head.
Oh, the choices - but I prefer all those on the left!
But that whole gasoline thing messes it all up. Yes, cool vintage vehicles still turn my head, but if it burns gas, I don't want it.
No room for negotiation on this one.
For me, there is no vehicle more enjoyable than a vintage scooter, I am especially fond of old Vespas. But there's that whole messy gas-and-2-stroke-oil-destroying-our-ability-to-live-and-breathe issue thing that ruins the whole thing.
Here and there I run across news of someone who is working to create a green upgrade for old scooters (and the people who love them). Keith (good friend and accomplished Vespa restorer) shared one such venture with me earlier this week, and I am smitten!
Unlike almost all Vespa electric conversions I have seen, this one does not use a hub motor in a redesigned swingarm - this one uses the original swingarm, transmission, and clutch. The top-end of the engine is replaced with a specially designed brushless motor conversion. Ah, the best of both worlds. More power, no emissions, and you still get to chunk through those original gears! Sweetness!
ScooterLab UK - Stoffi FlowEr Power Vespa Interview (Video included)
Here are my two favorite quotes from the video:
"The guy who is doing this [at CRANK-e], he is a freak, and he's doing it perfect!"
"There will be, for the future, a kit." (!!!!!!!!!)
Stoffi's Garage is an Austrian Vespa shop known for their high-quality work and components. I am excited to see them working on green alternatives for vintage eco-dorks like me! The electric motor setup is from an Austrian company called CRANK e. It is a very cool design. They refer to it as an electric crankshaft.
May your inner eco-dork be granted its greenest wish!
PS. The video also mentions a kit for the Vespa Ape (3-wheeled pickup), the large-frame Vespa, and the Lambretta. Whoohoolio!!!
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