Look how's unique these Schweppe Pirol scooters

It is undeniable if the scooter has become one of the very popular vehicles. And it is no exaggeration if there are those who argue that a scooter is a type of vehicle with the most usage population and is unmatched by other man-made contemporary vehicles.

Well, on this occasion, once again we want to give You an example of how diverse the scooters shaped has ever been made back in the 1950s. After in a number of previous articles, we have discussed the mysterious/uniquely shaped scooter like the Lutz rounded design scooter, the several French-made scooters: the Baudier Super B58, the Gloobyscoot, and Proto Delaplace.

1950 Schweppe Pirol 145. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2rk31Cv)

Now let's take a look at Germany, in the country was known as the birthplace of pioneering (all of the kinds) motorized vehicles which are also home of many the world's leading automotive manufacturers.

Especially in the world of scooters, so many brands have been born and died here, starting from the pioneering era until today. The numbers are innumerable. One of them was Schweppe also known as the Pirol scooter.

1950 Schweppe Pirol 145. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2rk31Cv)

This Dillenburg-based company formally named 'Schweppe-Mechanik' Fahrzeugfabrik, founded in 1949 has been known for some of its scooters, albeit for a short time (1949-1954). The company's first scooter made in 1949 called Schweppe Pirol 145. The scooter's unique appearance can be seen at the front, where it has an unusual inverted-open front structure with the headlight sitting on the frame.

Sales brochure of 1950 Schweppe Pirol 145. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2qrd3C4)

This scooter used a 2-stroke 143 cc single-cylinder JLO engine able to spew 4.5 horsepower which combined with the 3-speeds manual transmission system. Then the 90 kg weighted scooter is claimed to be able to drive up to the top speed of 80 kph. Even, in one of its sales brochures, it is said the scooter managed to win a gold medal at the ADAC-Zuverlässigkeit (a vehicle endurance race in Germany) in the 200 cc class (45 Std.-D.) after circled the circuit as far as 1,800 km. 

Sales brochure of 1950 Schweppe Pirol 145. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/33blG0J)

Because this was a small company that wracked with severe financial problems, making it unable to compete in the scooter market with other companies such as the Italian scooter giants, Piaggio and Innocenti. Eventually, the company's Dillenburg plant ceased producing in 1951. In the same year, the company's name changed to 'Pirol Fahrzeugfabrik GmbH.' and moved all of its operational activities from Dillenburg to Dortmund.

1951 Pirol 200 (Miranda) Roller. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2rhMsHm)

Under the new Dortmund-based company, the Pirol brand had launched a scooter with a form that was no less unique and was named Pirol 200 in 1951 and a year later relaunched the scooter with a sidecar in 2 choices namely Baby-Beiwagen and Transport-Leichtrollerbeiwagen.

Sales brochure of 1952 Pirol 200 Roller with sidecar. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Odhiu5)

While the engine is still using a 2-stroke 198 cc JLO engine able to spew 4.5 horsepower which combined with the 3-speeds manual transmission system. In addition, the Patrol 200 scooter has a distinctive rounded shape from front to back. The most striking' rounded shape was under the seat, front shield, and big-bulge headlight.

Sales brochure of 1952 Pirol 200 Roller with sidecar. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Odhiu5)

At first glance, the shape of the Pirol 200 scooter looks similar to Bernardet, a French-made scooter. This can be seen in the shape of the headlights that sit on the front fenders. It is not known whether there is a connection between these two brands. Is this German brand just inspired by the French scooter or vice versa? 

1951 Pirol 200 (Miranda) Roller. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/34h3K6o)

In the end, this company apparently was not able to survive anymore. In 1954, the company stopped all productions and since then its brand disappeared from the world's scooter market.😢 If you have additional information about the Pirol scooter brand, don't hesitate to submit it to the comments box below. We really appreciate your help.

Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of the two-wheeled monster and stay alive with true safety riding. May God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops...... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | PICUKI | ROLLERWELT | SCOOTERLAB | CYBERMOTORCYCLE | HIVERMINER] | WIKIPEDIA | OTTW | MOTOR-LIT-BERLIN]

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Suzuki's weird retro-classic motorcycle of the 1990s

When you first seeing this two-wheeled vehicle figure, what's comes to your mind? You might see it as a unique-shaped two-wheeled vehicle that tends to be weird. Yes, it looks like a some-kind-of-motorcycle as the result of cross-breeding between a classic Italian scooter and a Japanese typical moped.

This unique motorcycle made by one of the Japanese motorcycle manufacturers, Suzuki and launched in 1992 later known as the Suzuki SW-1. Indeed, the physical appearance of this motorcycle looks very strange for us, the people who live in modern times.

1992 Suzuki SW-1, one of the scarce and outlandish Japanese motorcycle. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Qz6qbr)

Due to most of the two-wheeled vehicles like these usually were produced by the European or American motorcycle manufacturers back in the 1950s. But, this motorcycle was made in the 1990s, that's weird, isn't it? Let's take a look at the motorcycle. If you look at the rear section, it's like an Italian antique scooter, but on the front like a motorcycle in general.

This outlandish motorcycle concept design was done by Naoki Sakai and uniquely, the retro-futuristic themed motorcycle was awarded the 1992 Good Design Award. We wonder, so what's actually thought by this Japanese manufacturer while making this motorcycle.

1992 Suzuki SW-1 was the combined design result of the Italian scooter with the Japanese moped. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/336PvQ2)

Even more strange, if you know that the part shaped like the fuel tank in the front actually is a toolbox or luggage, instead the real fuel tank is under the seat such the one in a typical Japanese moped. And even more astonishing was the engine. It turns out that this unique-shaped motorcycle uses the GN-250 purely sport engine with a displacement of 250 cc and equipped with the SOHC system. Noted, the same engine was applied to the other 250 cc Suzuki-made motorcycles such as Suzuki GZ250, Suzuki TU250, Suzuki Thunder 250, etc.

1992 Suzuki SW-1 has a unique toolbox or luggage resembled a fuel tank and two on both sides. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/336PvQ2)

The engine is capable of spraying power up to 20 horsepower and 21 Nm of torque. But don't be wrong, just because you saw there are two exhausts sticking out on its left and right sides and then You think that the motorcycle's engine has two cylinders. That's because the motorcycle is adopted the Twin Swirl Combustion Chamber (TSCC) technology so that's why it has two exhaust outlets. Even, the motorcycle's final drive system also doesn't use the chains, but the belts which mated with the 5-speeds manual transmission system.

1992 Suzuki SW-1 used the GN-250 purely sport engine with a displacement of 250 cc. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2rZEbbr)

The engine is mounted upright plus using an oil cooler, then the round-retro designed headlight, equipped with telescopic shock absorbers, then there's a trunk shaped like a fuel tank to the handlebar area and the instrument panel similar the one in the sport motorcycle. The funny thing is, this bike uses wings on either side of it as a moped.

This motorcycle also has unusual wheels size, for the front uses 16-inch rims, while the rear 15 inches. With a dry weight of up to 183 kg, so the Suzuki SW-1 is included in a big motorcycle. Hence, even though it is equipped with a derivative of a sports motorcycle engine that has a decent performance, but its top speed stuck at the numbers of 115 kph.

1992 Suzuki SW-1, a retro-designed motorcycle may only be one in Indonesia. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2KDXYE4)

And don't ever think it's as a creative or crazy modified result motorbike, but it has actually been this way since it left the factory in 1992. Then, if you wanna ask whether these motorcycles are produced in a limited way? The answer could be 'Yes' and be 'No'. Due to actually, the motorcycle is produced only for the Japanese domestic market or commonly known as the Japan Domestic Model (JDM). So no wonder if these motorcycles were many seen in the Japan streets only.

When its launch in 1992, the company set at a fairly expensive price of 600 thousand Yen or equivalent to Rp.57 million for the motorcycle. By the combination of anti-mainstream designs, and high selling prices, that's natural if the motorcycle becomes a failed product because not many consumers buy it. Hence, the population was quite rarely and so made it as one of the targets of the retro vintage-themed motorcycle collectors.

Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of the two-wheeled monster and stay alive with true safety riding. May God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops...... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MOTORCYCLESPECS]

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Get to know about the BMW' first scooter

BMW, one of the German automotive giants, besides making various kinds of premium cars, also is known manufactures the topnotch motorcycles and scooters.

In the scooter segment, to date, BMW has marketed its newest BMW C650 GT scooter model. And you can see these BMW's big scooters have made its debut at the 2019 EICMA held in Milan some time ago.

The BMW R10 scooter never put into the production line and replaced by BMW Isetta. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2OnWsqB)

Meanwhile, if the automotive enthusiasts are given a question about the first scooter produced by BMW. Most of them will answer that the BMW C1 model which was produced from 2000 to 2002 is the first scooter made by this German manufacturer. That's not the right answer.

And the correct answer is the BMW R10 which was made in the 1950s. Yes, actually this German manufacturer had been started the scooter segment business nearly 67 years ago, were at that time (in 1953-1954) they made 2 unit scooters later known as BMW R10. Although only as a prototype, but is noted as the starting point of the German manufacturer in the scooter segment.

The BMW C1 was not the first BMW-made scooter. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2OnWsqB)

It seems, at the time BMW was also tempted by the success stories of Italian scooter manufacturers such as Piaggio and Innocenti. So they decided to follow in the footsteps of those two Italian manufacturers to dive into the scooter segment.
Unfortunately, the BMW R10 did not succeed in becoming the company's commercial product. The German automotive giant did not give a chance to these scooter-typed vehicles to appear widely in the world, and that might be the reason why it was forgotten then.😢

In the time, this BMW R10 scooter came with a design that is directed to a shape that slightly different than its German or Italian-made rival scooters that existed at that time such as Vespa, Lambretta or Heinkel, etc.

The BMW R10 had a large fairing that served as both leg shield and front fender. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2OnWsqB)

Unlike the successful Vespas of that era, the BMW R10 scooter prototype had a large fairing that served as both leg shield and front fender. So that the R10 has a prominent front fender made it look a bit like a cyclops version of Snoopy from Charles Schultz’s 'Peanuts' comic strip, elongated rear body, and seats for 2 people.

The 1st prototype of 1953 BMW R10 was equipped with a single-cylinder 175cc engine and 198cc on the 2nd one produced in 1954. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2XoVize)

The first prototype produced in 1953 was equipped with a single-cylinder 175cc engine capable of producing about 8hp while the second one made in 1954 was equipped with a 198cc producing about 10 hp.

Initially, the German company planned to launch the BMW R10 in 1954, but................. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2O0BwqE)

Initially, the German company planned to launch the BMW R10 in 1954. But the scooter didn't put into the production line due to the company's financial situation was not favorable. At that time, BMW was more interested in four-wheeled vehicle products that were believed to bring new solutions for urban transportation at the time. 

The BMW Isetta 300 then put into the production line replaced the BMW R10 scooter in 1954. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/32UIu4I)

So be the BMW Isetta, a microcar model which is then put into the production line to replace the BMW R10 scooter. And the results are also not disappointing with total sales of over 160,000 units of the BMW Isetta. So it made proof of the microcars were the company's right choice in the time. Now, there are just two of these wonderful R10 scooters in existence – both safely kept in the BMW Group Classic collection in Munich.

Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of the two-wheeled monster and stay alive with true safety riding. May God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops...... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | BMW MOTORCYCLE MAGAZINE | BLOG.MOTORCYCLE | CYBERMOTORCYCLE]

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A German' bizarre round-designed scooter

Lutz knew as a small machinery manufacturer that had been building stationary engines since 1948. The company's full name was Lutz-GmbH. Braunschweig-Querum and had an address in Bienroder Weg 53, Fernruf 22122, Braunschweig-Kralenriede.

1950 Lutz R3 Hummel or Lutz-Roller with a 58 cc engine and basic lightweight body construction. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2NZ2FtV)

This German' company founded in 1946 by Otto Lutz who held an engineering doctorate and had been employed as a professor at the Technical University in Stuttgart (1936) and later at the German Aircraft Engine Research Institute in Braunschweig.

1950 Lutz R3 'Hummel'
with a 58 cc engine. (Picture  
from:  http://bit.ly/33SnvAR)

Professor Lutz was later acknowledged for the work he had done relating to jet engines and two-stroke engine technologies and became a respected figure in aviation research. Professor Lutz died in 1974 and now his personal Lutz P53 moped has become part of the Städtisches Museum Braunschweig collections.

In the beginning, the company developed an efficient bicycle engine that could be easily installed in the frame of any bicycle's brands at that time. The engine was a 58cc 2-stroke as authorities limited new designs to less than 60cc.

The engine was also used to power wheel-chairs, lawnmowers, pumps and all manner of stationary machines. It's noted several other companies including Goebel, Delius and Adria used this engine.  As a result, some 2,000 of these 48 cc (b/s 40/39.5mm 49.3cc) machines are sold in 1951.

Sales brochure of Lutz-Roller or R3.  
(Picture from:  http://bit.ly/2NZ2FtV)

And then, Lutz GmbH developed several motor scooters, examples of which competed in the ADAC Deutschland Rundfahrt reliability trial. Besides that, Lutz also developed and marketed the moped.

Its first scooters appeared in 1949 wore basic lightweight bodywork construction made it rather similar to the early Italian machines and named 'Lutz R3 Hummel' using a 58 cc 2-stroke engine.

In 1950 the company got into trouble because it gave the standard vehicle name of the 'Hummel,' and the compatriot company DKW raised objections due to feeling have more right to the name, as a result, the Hummel name should be removed.

The following year Lutz produced a larger scooter named 'Lutz Autobahnroller' with a 175cc engine and designed by W. Lieb in a bizarre round-shaped. It was similar in appearance of the smaller model by retained the two-speed gearbox and used 8-inch wheels. The Autobahnroller engine claimed able to spew power up to 7 horsepower and made it could run-up to the speed of 80 kph. 

1951 Lutz Autobahnroller with a 175cc 2-stroke engine and designed in bizarre round-shaped by W. Lieb. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/33SnvAR)

Unfortunately, there is no information about the Lutz Autobahnroller whether this scooter is produced or not. If you have additional information about this mysterious scooter figure, don't hesitate to submit it to the comments box below. We really appreciate your help.

In the end, the company didn't stay long in the scooter business, because in 1952/1953, the company's sales numbers plummeted and forced them to cease production, later declared bankrupt in 1954.😢

Lutz P53, a private moped of Professor Lutz became part of the Städtisches Museum Braunschweig collection. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2CTjujW)

Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of the two-wheeled monster and stay alive with true safety riding. May God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops...... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | WIKIPEDIA | WALTER'S AUTOWERKSTATT | MO.PED.SE | ROLLERWELT | CYBERMOTORCYCLES]

Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.

An American scarce Crocker Scootabout

From a number of references, we have found that the actual culture of scooters first appeared in America with the appearance of the first scooter in the world called the Autoped around 1915. Then the global popularity of scooters increased by the end of World War II, marked by the presence of Vespa and Lambretta in the pizza country.

The Three Stooges on the 1941 American-made, Crocker Scootabout. Surprised Moe let Curly be in the driver's seat. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2qmraIF)

The popularity of these scooters in the post-war period was largely driven by the sluggish world economy, especially in countries directly involved in the war and made the people's purchasing power at that time were so low so then they were not afforded to buy the four-wheeled vehicles.

1941 Crocker Scootabout with its typical teardrop bodywork. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2NZUMVn)

With the presence of scooters intended to provide low power personal transportation (50 to 250 cc engines). The original layout is still widely used in this application. Scooters are popular for private transportation, partly based on the low cost of purchase and operation and benefits that include convenience in parking and storage. Licensing requirements for scooters are easier and cheaper than those for cars in most parts of the world, and insurance is generally cheaper.

The Crocker Scootabout sales brochure. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2QpVzQZ)

Among American scooters before and after the war, one of them was made by the Crocker Motorcycle Company, the company known of single-cylinder speedway racing motorcycles from 1932, powerful V-twin road motorcycles from 1936, and the "Scootabout," one of the first modern styled motor scooters, in the late 1930s.

A telegraph cable delivery man uses the Scootabout in the 1942 movie-titled 'Talk of the Town'. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2qmraIF)

1941 Crocker Scootabout in a magazine
article. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2ObXzJJ)

Have you ever watched the Three Stooges' classic film series? Well, in one episode, there was a scene where three of these hilarious friends were riding a Crocker Scootabout scooter and sidecar with all their funny behavior (see the picture above). The Los Angeles-based company made these scooters in short production periods.

The step-through scooter, designed by Al Crocker and distributed by Floyd Clymer, featured one-up seating, a centrifugal clutch, and a 2.3-hp Lawson air-cooled engine hidden behind a teardrop-shaped cowling pressed from sheet metal. The simplicity of operation was obtained through the use of an automatic clutch that engaged as the foot throttle was depressed. And by removing the foot from the throttle quickly, disengaged the clutch.

The operation is said to be somewhat similar to fluid drive such as used on some makes of 1941 cars. A foot lever operated an internal expanding brake band on which was mounted Ferodo lining. Choke and compression releases are combined in one lever on the right handlebar. The standard color was black with red panels. And a tow-back attachment was available for use in attaching the unit to car bumpers.

Sales brochure of Crocker Scootabout
(Picture from: http://bit.ly/2NZVBNZ)

The Crocker Scootabout was considered a forerunner at the time it was released. Scooters of the time were very plain, no-nonsense fun machines, and the Crocker Motorcycle Company gave them style with a streamlined design including two-toned paint jobs and skirted fenders even before Indian made that look famous, and the company furthered scooter design by adding a crude suspension to the front end in 1941.

At the time, the scooter was sold for $139.00. Unfortunately with the war underway and the supply of the Lawson air-cooled engines dried up so the production ceased in 1942. It's thought at the time, less than 100 units of these little scooters were ever produced.😢

In 1997 the Crocker name was resurrected by collectors Markus Karalash and Michael Schacht in order to supply replacement parts for the original Crockers. After an enthusiastic response to reproduction parts produced for a restoration, the partners decided to officially incorporate Crocker Motorcycle Company in January 1999. In 2002 steps began to trademark Crocker Motorcycle Company Worldwide, and they anticipate the ability to eventually assemble complete reproductions of all Crocker Motorcycles. Wanna see the Lutz scooters.

Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of the two-wheeled monster and stay alive with true safety riding. May God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops...... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CROCKER MOTORCYCLE COMPANY | KICKSTARTKAREN | FLESH&RELICS |  HAGGERTY]

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A snail-likened mini bike creeping on the streets

Still discussing the unique creativity of the world's automotive fans. When We first saw the figure of this mini bike, a unique and funny impression immediately appeared. How not a minibike made by a man from Indiana, the United States named Brent Walker some time ago had attracted a lot of attention in cyberspace when it was first shown.

A unique snail-likened mini bike named Volkspod by Brent Walker made of the VW Beetle's front fender. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2qaZLJO)

This mini bike is named Volkspod, seeing from its name, it can be seen that there is a connection with the VW car due to it was actually built by Brent Walker from the VW Beetle's front fender. The idea to make this unique vehicle, apparently departed from the maker who is also a VW Beetle fan, thus arousing the idea of ​​making a unique vehicle from those vehicle's components. Might be the initial idea that has similarity to the vehicle that was discussed earlier by us, namely Paul Gorell's Crosley sign-turned-scooter. 

As quoted from Rideapart, the making of this unique mini bike by Brent Walker can be said success. By its snail-likened body, will immediately make people directly pointed their two eyes by frowning in amazement when this funny mini bike passes in front of them.

The Volkspod by Brent Walker used a small-capacity 79 cc engine capable of producing power of 6.5 horsepower. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2rTEy7z)

As mentioned above, this mini bike has a body taken from the VW Beetle' front fender which is supported by a frame structure made of small tubular pipes. This cute mini bike wore a pair of 13-inch alloy wheels wrapped in thick tires to make its figure look proportionate.  

The Volkspod by Brent Walker supported by a frame structure made of small tubular pipes. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2rTEy7z)

Also not to forget, Walker then pinned a small-capacity 79 cc engine capable of producing power of 6.5 horsepower. The engine was taken from a lawnmower and paired with an automatic transmission system to be able to make this funny mini bike crawling on the streets. 

From the workmanship in detail, this cute two-wheeled vehicle also features a bike's standard handlebars, kickstand, throttle cable, then there's around the front headlight and rear brake light has taken also from the VW Beetle. And to make the rider can sit comfortably also pinned a single soft seat to hold the rider's body so as not to sag while riding this snail-likened two-wheeled vehicle.

Brent Walker said that everything was made by hand without using any factory machinery. Until now there are only 2 units of snail-likened mini bikes that have been successfully made, each with a color of birch green and pastel blue. When uploaded on his Instagram, many people are willing to spend to buy this Volkspod. Do you want to have this snail-likened two-wheeled vehicle? If Yes, please Direct Message (DM) the Brent Walker's Instagram account.

Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of the two-wheeled monster and stay alive with true safety riding. May God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops...... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | WALKER WERK | RIDEAPART | THE DRIVE | VISORDOWN]

Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.