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While touring Germany in 1956, Soichiro Honda and financial chief Takeo Fujisawa noticed the popularity of mopeds and small motorcycles. Fujisawa had been thinking about a new product that would help Honda expand into other markets. Soichiro was given a new design brief: a small yet powerful motorcycle, in between a scooter and a full

Derny began production in 1949, specializing in the manufacture of auxiliary-engined bicycles and tandems, all powered by proprietary engines. The Derny Taon, or “Horse fly” was unveiled at the 1955 Paris Motorcycle Show. It was the creation of one of France’s most noted industrial designers, Roger Tallon, and looked like nothing else on the road.

The Pli-Solex is the folding version of the Solex 5000. The frame folds in the center, and the handlebars, seat, and engine may be removed to allow for easier transport or storage. While most Pli-Solexes came in orange, as seen here, they also came in a light blue color. Specifications:Manufacturer: SolexCountry of Origin: FranceEngine: Air-cooled,

Solex released the Micron, its most diminutive model, at the end of 1967. Powered by the engine from the larger 3800 model, the Micron represents a bit of a misstep for the Solex company. One of the main draws of the VéloSoleX was the ability to have motorized transport without all of the “hassle” of

There are certain scenes that spring to mind when thinking of Italy. The Colosseum in Rome, the gondolas on the canals of Venice, and narrow roads filled with Vespa scooters. Enrico Piaggio was the principal of the Piaggio aircraft company, founded by his father and based in a factory in Pontedera, Tuscany. At the end

In 1931, the Italian Industrialist, Ferdinando Innocenti founded a successful engineering company most well-known for producing scaffolding and other steel pipes and joints. Just after the war he saw the potential for an economical means of transport and created the Lambretta, so called because its factory was in Lambrate, an eastern suburb of Milan. Unlike

At the conclusion of WWII Japan’s Nakajima Aircraft Co. was reborn as Fuji Heavy Industries, to manufacture civilian vehicles. They were responsible for the Rabbit S-1, Japan’s first motor scooter. The S-1 its debut in June 1946—some months ahead of the Italian Vespa. The Rabbit was based on the American Powell Streamliner scooter, examples of

When the Elite 250 was introduced, it was the largest scooter for the American market as, previously, the largest scooters available in the US were the Lambretta X200 (1966) and the Vespa Rally 200 / P200E. The Elite 250 used a vertical, liquid cooled motor which it shared with the Honda Helix (’86 – 2007),