Vespa Motor Scooter Model Guides to Buy Used or New Vespa Scooters

When going to look at a scooter for sale, it is good to have a firm knowledge of what you are looking at. Often, the titles are incorrect as to the year of the scooter, or the owner may not even know for sure what the scooter is. With the following guides, you can be better informed regarding the year and model of your scooter.

VESPA 50 SPECIAL 1978 - 1983 

EXTERNAL FEATURES

- Rectangular Headlamp and Speedo
- Detachable Horn Cover
- Small Panel Door only on right side

- 300 x 10 Wheels

INTERNAL FEATURES

- BORE 38.4mm, STROKE 43mm, Carb Size 16/16 

- Can be increased to 125/135cc by changing the Crankshaft, Cylinder / Piston / Head, Head Cowling, Cylinder Holding Studs, Primary Gearing and Exhaust
- 6v AC unregulated power. Points Ignition

VESPA 90 AND VESPA 100 1964 - 1978

EXTERNAL FEATURES

- Round 105mm Headlamp and Small Round Speedo
- The horn cover is a part of the frame
- Small Panel door only on the right side

- 300 x 10 Wheels

INTERNAL FEATURES

- The crankshaft on the early V90 had a small End Brass Bush instead of a small End Bearing, making the piston not interchangeable with the later type unless the crankshaft was also changed
- BORE - V90 47mm, V100 49mm, STROKE - both have a 51mm Stroke
- Carb Size: V90 16/16 - V100 19/19
- 6V AC unregulated power. Points Ignition

100 SPORT 1976 - 1982 

EXTERNAL FEATURES

- As Vespa 100 but Ignition Switch on the handlebars
- Directional Indicators, 115mm Round Headlamp
- Small panel door on both sides

- 300 x 10 Wheels 

INTERNAL FEATURES

- As Vespa 100 but a USA specification machine with a daytime headlamp that cannot be turned off
- 12v DC powering Side Lights, Indicators, Horn And Brake Light, 12v AC regulated power used for the headlamp only

- Points ignition

PRIMAVERA 1966 - 1978 

EXTERNAL FEATURES

- As above but with a round 115mm Headlamp and Eye Shaped Speedo
- 300 x 10 Wheels 

INTERNAL FEATURES

- BORE - 55mm - STROKE 51mm

- Carb Size: 19/19
- 6v AC Unregulated Power
- Points Ignition

PK50S, PK50ES, PK80, PK100, PK125S 1982 - 1987

 EXTERNAL FEATURES

- Two piece handlebars with Round H/Lamp and Speedo
- Steering + Ignition Lock in one on the steering column
- Inside Legshield Toolbox
- Directional Indicators (no indicators on the PK100)
- Small Panel Door on both sides secured by locks above each door
- PK frames have an indentation in the frame under body close to the stand for exhaust clearance.
- Spare Wheel carrying facility under L/H Panel

- 300 x 10 Wheels 

INTERNAL FEATURES  

- The PK engine is basically an electronic 12V version of the V50/V90/V100/PRIM Engine
- BORE - PK50S+ES 38.4mm, PK100 49mm, PK125S+ES 55mm
- STROKE - PK50 43mm, all other PK models 51mm
- Same Crankshaft Taper as the V50/PRIM
- The PK50S was restricted to 30 MPH by a 16/10 Carb
- If changing engine for older style V50/PRIM: The PK Carburetor Inlet Manifold has to be retained because it points approx 1" over to the left more than the V50/PRIM
- PK50S + PK125S use 12v AC regulated lighting
- PK100 use 6v AC unregulated power, and has no indicators
- PK50ES + PK125ES use 12v DC power for Electric Starter, Horn, Indicators and Brake Light and use 12v AC power for headlights
- Electronic Ignition

PK125 ETS 1985 - 1987

EXTERNAL FEATURES

- Same headlight as PK models but has slightly different shaped handlebar cover
- Has sporty look and unique Cigar Shaped Exhaust that fits on L/H/S which means you could not fit a spare wheel under the L/H side panel
- Also has small Horn Grille Cut into the Legshield to the right of the horn casting
- 300 x 10 Wheels

INTERNAL FEATURES

- Same as PK125S + ES, BORE 55mm, STROKE 51mm, Electronic Ignition 12V AC regulated power

PK50XL, PK100XL, PK125XL 1987 - 1993

EXTERNAL FEATURES

- As PK/S above but with a Fuel Gauge in the Speedo, Floor Mats and Plastic Colour matched seat base and rear lower bodywork protection
- Panel Doors released by cable operated panel locks under the seat

- 300 x 10 Wheels

INTERNAL FEATURES

- Carburetor Inlet Manifold is held onto the engine by 3 Studs where as all the other small frame VESPA's have two
- Uses PX flywheel side Needle Bearing and Oilseal
- Larger Taper on the Crankshaft
- As above using 12v AC regulated power, Electronic Ignition (PK50XL now superseded by PK50 - FL2)

P125X, PX125E, P150X, P200E, PX200E 1978 - 1984

EXTERNAL FEATURES

- Ignition Switch in top handlebars
- Large Fully Detachable side panels
- Directional Indicators
- Spare Wheel Carrier under L/H panel
- Some later PX-E models had Oil Injection and 20mm Front Wheel Axle (known as PRE EFL models)
- 350 x 10 Wheels.

INTERNAL FEATURES

- BORE - P125X 52.5mm, P150X 57.8mm, P200E 66.5mm
- STROKE - All models 57mm
- 12v AC regulated power is used on all PX/PE models
- P125X, P150X use Points Ignition
- PX125E, P200E and PX200E use Electronic Ignition

PX125E-EFL, PX200E-EFL 1984 - 1999

EXTERNAL FEATURES

- As above but with the Ignition Switch Moved and integrated with the steering lock in the steering column, fuel gauge in the Speedo
- All EFL models are Oil Injection Type

- 350 x 10 Wheels

INTERNAL FEATURES

- As above but all models Electronic Ignition
- Some machines may have Electric Start and COSA Clutch
- 1999 versions of the above two models now have front disc brake fitted
- 2001 summer versions have Halogen Headlamp, Chrome Fittings and Vintage Style Speedo

 

T5 1985 - 1992

EXTERNAL FEATURES

- The frame is basically the same as PX125EFL but the rear section of the frame was extended to fit a longer seat unit, this can be seen as a seam above each panel
- The PX style floor runner strips where replaced by floor mats held in place by a spoiler
- A new style rectangular headlamp was fitted and a very large d shaped Speedo with a REV counter and a fuel gauge
- A small screen blade was fitted onto the top of the headset

- 350 x 10 Wheels

INTERNAL FEATURES

- BORE - 55mm, STROKE - 52mm
- A 5 Port Aluminium Barrel with a 2 Stud Loose Flange type exhaust fitting
- 12v AC regulated lighting power, electronic ignition

T5 CLASSIC 1993 - 1999

EXTERNAL FEATURES

- Not as T5 above but as the PX/EFL this machine was made after the T5 named "CLASSIC" due to its older PX type styling
- Uses floor mats and a spoiler as per the T5 but that's all.
- Handlebars are normal PX-EFL round headlamp and Speedo with fuel gauge.

- 350 x 10 Wheels

INTERNAL FEATURES

- Same engine as the T5 engine above
- Although the T5 engine casings and most of the top end components are unique to the T5, the engine as a unit will slot straight into a PX with no alterations necessary

T5 MILLENNIUM 1999 - 2000 

EXTERNAL FEATURES

As the T5 Classic but featured a disc brake and had a COSA type clutch fitted.

COSA (1) 125/200 1988 - 1992

EXTERNAL FEATURES

- Flatter more flush fitting horn cover and toolbox than PX models
- Ignition-Toolbox-Steering Lock, all one lock seat lock on side of the seat, with met-in facility under the seat.
- Round headlamp and an arch shaped Speedo with a rev counter and a fuel gauge, colour matched mirrors
- Hydraulic linked brakes - via the rear brake pedal
- 100 / 90 x 10 Wheels

INTERNAL FEATURES

- Engine mostly as PX125 or PX200 but with different casings, all models are Oil Injection, Electric Start was optional on both the 125cc and 200cc.
- Exhausts look like PX type but use a longer
- 3 inch bolt the Carb uses an air filter on the Carb and a secondary air filter in the air box accessed
- In the met-in compartment under the seat

COSA (2) 125/200 1992 - 1997/8

EXTERNAL FEATURES

- As above but the trim colour was now more of a Brown/Grey
- The wheel discs on the old COSA were replaced by a thinner
- Type ring that just covered the wheel nuts, the front suspension unit had no cover but had a chrome spring
- The seat lock was moved back to the rear of the seat, which was a more aftermarket looking seat
- With a colour matched plastic seat rear section, the mirrors on this model were not painted.
- 100 / 90 X 10 Wheels

INTERNAL FEATURES

- As above but very late models may have aluminium cylinder
- Also gear selection is by one single PUSH/PULL thick gear cable