My other bike now is a 650 Suzuki single. It only weighs 354 lbs. I also have a 150 cc Kymco scooter. Not real well known in the US, but one of the largest manufacturers of 2 wheeled vehicles in the world. Use it at the office to do pick-ups, lunch, wherever parking is a problem.Will cruise at 55 easily, even with my big butt on it.

You're right about the torque on large singles.

Have had over 40 bikes, scooters, etc. The Cushman is mostly a fun project and nostalgic. Don't expect to put many miles on that neat old thing.

Russ

Russ:
Alright, I'm green with envy, Had a 1942 cushman at age 12, there's no place in the state of Ariz. that me and that Cushman have not been. Have been dreaming of finding a Eagle and restoring it ever since.

The "rich" kids had eagles, one had a Powell, He was the envy of the town. Mine had the metal box with a trunk on the back, which I promply removed and made a pipe frame, we called them air frames. I put so many miles on that machine, that I overhauled the engine twice, and wore out 2 sets of tires and about three clutches, It had a two speed tranny.

Post a pic when she's finished.......Pose

I really don't remember, it was in the late 60's. But it was fun to ride. I rode it about 40 miles round trip to work in Tulsa for a few months.
On weekends we would go to an old abandoned brick plant and ride up and down the excavations. Lucky I'm still alive!
DonM

Russ,

I envy you. I've always wanted to restore a Cushman or a Vespa. I do now have all the tools needed including a gas welding outfit. I now need to redo my garage to make space. One of the things in my garage taking up space is a baby grand that I want to restore. Someday when I have more time .....

Tom

Hey Tom, glad to hear from you. Really glad you're OK! Let's hear it for "Toys for Big Boys"!

temporarily, "scooterman" Russ

So far in this topic I haven't seen any mention of Lambretta scooters. Were they ever available in the US?

Lambrettas were Italian made and were the chief rivals to Vespa in the 60's in the UK. These machines were (I think) 150cc two-stroke, and were the transport of choice for the 'mods' in the 'mods & rockers' era.

Like their Vespa counterparts, they used to be dressed up pretty nicely, too. Usually the big side panels would be chromed, tassels flying from the ends of the handlebars and a windshield added also. Often there'd be a chrome bar across the front with a couple of fog lamps fitted. Any former 'mods' here from the UK who could comment further on this?

Obviously not a "mod", but I did live in England in Swindon when my dad was in the service and had access to a Lambretta. Saw a bunch of "mods" and was given an interesting book for Christmas several years ago about the whole mod culture, with many photos of bikes and people.

The Lambretta I rode was 150 cc and would more than keep up with a P200E Vespa. There was a limited distribution of Lambrettas in the US in the late 50's and early 60's. There's one for sale here in Lexington, which is driven daily. I'm researching availability of parts now. They are much more complicated than Cushmans, so getting one for restoration would be a big deal for my two left thumbs to handle.

Lambrettas are really neat and FAST. Next, I think I'll try to buy some old Shure Vocalmasters and "fix em up"! (Just kidding)


Russ

54' Lambretta

Hey, that's cool Fran! I haven't seen one of that vintage before. They sure smartened them up by 1963.