The first Yamaha's scooter

At the end of the 1940s, which was spearheaded by the appearance of a series of Vespa (Piaggio) and Lambretta (Innocenti) products which became known as the most revolutionary two-wheeled vehicle figures in the world. Piaggio and Innocenti through their scooter creations that are strong, tough, comfortable to drive and have an affordable price tag.

The 1st Yamaha scooter product launched in 1960 and named Yamaha SC-1. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2pTfMUm)

And in its development then managed to make the scooter to develop in such a way that it became a figure of two-wheeled vehicles whose existence at that time was even able to change the face of the automotive world and shake the existence of motorbikes in general.

No exception in Japan, which later also to follow the trend of scooters in the 1950s through several pioneering manufacturers such as Mitsubishi with the Silver Pigeon, then there was Fuji Heavy Industries with the Rabbit turned out to also feel the sweetness of success in the market of two-wheeled vehicles, especially scooters. Whether it's recognized or not, this also seems to inspire other Japanese manufacturers such as Yamaha Motor Company to join into the scooter segment.

Front view of 1960 Yamaha SC-1 scooter. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2XZSysx)

At that time, Yamaha was just starting to be active in the world of the two-wheeled vehicle industry, after launching its first motorcycle product namely the Yamaha YA-1 in 1955 which was followed by a series of other models such as YD-1 & YDS-1 until 1959. And then in March 1960, the three-tuning forks-logoed motorcycle manufacturer then released a scooter product named Yamaha SC-1 and is believed to have the meaning of Yamaha Scooter 1 or the first scooter from Yamaha.

The Yamaha SC-1 is presented not as a 'trial and error' product, this can be seen with a variety of the latest technology at that time deliberately installed on this scooter by Yamaha. Then from the SC-1 scooter design, Yamaha tried to display slightly different designs and styles from the top Italian scooters such as Vespa, which at that time carried more rounded shape design with the headlight placement on the handlebar. While Yamaha presented a taper, boxier-shaped design pattern with the headlight placement on the front body (like most German and British scooter designs in the 1950s).

Right side view of 1960 Yamaha SC-1 scooter. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2R0PmLo)

Then the chassis has applied a strong and sturdy monocoque chassis system. For the suspension is somewhat special, by using the single-sided suspension model on the front and rear wheels. With such those suspension system applied certainly makes it easier for its users, especially when they replace the rear wheels.

The Yamaha SC-1 scooter produced only for the Japanese domestic market (JDM) has a size that is arguably small, with a length of 1,770 mm. However, it has fairly hefty ie around 123 kg, this is due to dominantly use of the metal materials on its monocoque chassis. Then other sophisticated features that were also installed on this scooter include the use of an electric starter with the help of a dynamo in the engine.

Meanwhile, for the engine, Yamaha equips its SC-1 scooter with an air-cooled 2-stroke single-cylinder 175 cc engine. And Yamaha claimed that the engine is capable of producing power of around 10.3 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and a maximum torque of 15 Nm at 3,600 rpm. Then all those power is channeled to the rear wheel through the shaft with 2-speed manual transmission systems.

Yamaha sold its SC-1 scooters at a price tag of around ¥150,000. By the presence of the Yamaha SC-1 is apparently able to attract many consumers so that the scooter sales also reaped success in the Japanese domestic market at that time. So no wonder, if in the next following era, Yamaha Motor Company always launches its reliable scooter products to the domestic market up to worldwide.

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 | YAMAHA]

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Scootavia, a short-life fancy scooters of France

Might be the emergence of various designs of scooters at the beginning of its development in the 1950s can be connected indirectly to the large numbers of aircraft designers who suddenly lost their jobs shortly after the 2nd World War ended. At that time many manufacturing industries were closed because many of the plants were destroyed into pieces affected by the war or as economic downturn results.

André Morin in person on one of the first advertisements for the Scootavia AMC 175 where the new hull does not have its gills of aeration of the engine. (Picture from: Motor-Collection)

The economic downturn also coincidentally resulted in also lowering the financial capabilities of a large number of European societies in the time, even making them can't afford to buy a car so that it encouraged some of them (who previously designed the aircrafts) to make a vehicle that was as reliable as a car but had more affordable price, then was born the scooter-typed vehicle.

One of the first Scootavia built models on display at the Vittorio Tessera's scooter museum in Rodano near Milan. (Picture from: Motor-Collection)

Are You still remember to Corradino D'Ascanio? An Italian gentleman who previously worked as an aeronautics expert, aircraft designer then succeeded in making the legendary scooter design for Innocenti and Piaggio that globally changed the face of the world of the automotive industries at that time.

Sales brochure of the 1948 Aerocar, a three-wheeled vehicle designed by André Morin. (Picture from: Motor-Collection)

It can't be denied, many of the scooter designers are those who originally worked in the aircraft industry as aeronautic experts, engineers, technicians, and others. So it is not surprising that many of the designs and use of materials inspired by the world of the aircraft industries.

The Scootavia AMC 175 shown off at the 1952 Paris Salon de l'Auto. (Picture from: CyberMotorcycle)

This is not much different from a scooter produced by a French manufacturer called Scootavia. This French scooter brand founded by André Morin. He known as an aeronautical engineer who has a passion for engineering and design was unmistakable, even at a young age. It made him able to work in the design office of Devoite Arado and Farman in Paris on a seaplane project capable of crossing the Atlantic.

The 1950 Scootavia uses the Ydral's 125 cc engine, combined with the 4-speeds manual transmission system. (Picture from: CyberMotorcycle)

Shortly after the war ended, he designs a single-seat airplane that leaves due to a lack of means. Then in 1947, he started in the construction of automotive wheels rims removable light alloy. It continues from the wheel to the microcar in 1948, he designed a three-wheeled vehicle named Aerocar dressed with dural sheets or plastic but the project was unsuccessful in the market, due to considered too expensive at the time.

The 1951 Scootavia uses the AMC's four-stroke 175 cc engine, combined with the 4-speeds manual transmission system. (Picture from: CyberMotorcycle)

After the Aerocar project stalled, then in 1949, he switched to the scooter project which was named Scootavia. The Scootavia name is taken from the combination of the words of Scoot from 'scooter,' and Avia from 'plane.' Most of the scooter design was inspired by the Bernardet A48 scooter had been launched a year earlier. The construction of the Scootavia scooter-designed by André Morin is entirely using light alloy materials, apart from precisely this large fixed nose welded sheet.

Sales brochure of the Scootavia AMC 175. (Picture from: CyberMotorcycle)

Scootavia were luxurious and innovative scooters fitted initially with the Ydral's 125 cc engine, it first time advertised in 1949 then started to production probably early in 1950. In 1951 there was a design change along with a new engine, the AMC's four-stroke 175 cc combined with the 4-speeds manual transmission system. Then there was an association with M. Petigat, who made the scooter under license from 1952 until the end of production in 1954. 

1950 Scootavia Tripousse on display at the Lane Motor Museum. (Picture from: LaneMotorMuseum)

During the manufacturer's production period, it is known that the company has been built approximately 140 units of scooters and only 18 units known to exist today including a very rare (and possibly one-off) triporteur styled vehicle, the Scootavia Tripousse.

André Morin (87 yo.) in December 2010 posed along with his two scooter-creations, the Scootavia AMC 175 (left) and the Scootavia 125 (right). (Picture from: Scootavia.Over-blog)

Scootavia ended production in 1956 and Morin went back to his aviation roots, designing light aircraft, the M31, M81, and last and better-known creation, the M85 were offered to homebuilders for construction.😢 The plans are still available for purchase today. André Morin pensioned in 1982.

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 | SCOOTAVIA.OVER-BLOG | DESKGRAM | CYBERMOTORCYCLE | MOTO-COLLECTION.ORG | LANE MOTOR MUSEUM ]

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It wasn't the mythical box, just the 1950s Japs scarce scooter

The presence of many new scooter models today does not necessarily make classic scooters lose their prestige. Likewise, the classic scooters presented by the Japanese brands from around the 1950s may still be few who know of its existence. As has been known and been presented in previous articles about the existence of several early scooters made by Japanese companies from the era of the 1950s.

1959 Tosho Pandora 125 cc scooter. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2XT3ZlL)

Now on this occasion, we still discussed one of the unfamiliar Japanese-made scooters of the 1950s. Maybe some of you are not familiar with the Tosho brand that we will discuss in this article. The Japanese manufacturer with the formal name 'Tosho Auto Industry Co., Ltd.' is known for its two-wheeled vehicle products only for the Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) in a relatively short period of times, namely 1958 and 1963. So this is probably why the company's products are only known in Japan.

1958 Tosho Echo 50 cc moped. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/37CkzKM)

From a source we found in cyberspace which later quoted by us, namely www.oldjapanesebikes.com, this company is a joint venture company between a Japanese pioneers Tohatsu and Changwon so that's known as Tochang (while other sources mention that the company collaborated with Showa).

The company has a base in Chiyoda, Tokyo. And during its time in the world of the two-wheeled vehicle industry, the company was recorded to have ever produced a moped in 1958 named Tosho Echo, which uses an engine of its own-made with the capacity of 50 cc.

1959 Tosho Pandora 125 cc scooter. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/37CkzKM)

Then in 1959, the manufacturer was later launching a prototype scooter that was named Tosho Pandora or Pandra, in contrast to a moped powered by a machine with a displacement of 50 cc, then this Pandora scooter used a 125 cc engine displacement. Interestingly, both of them turned out to apply the pull-starter system to start their engine, instead of the kick-starter like most motorbikes at the time.

1959 Tosho Pandora 125 cc scooter. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2OKneK5)

Then no less unique, the Tosho Pandora scooter was looked pretty cool with a tailfin shape that at a glance similar to one that pinned on the American car-made at the time such as the Chevrolet Bel Air and others. At that time, the existence of the tailfin was believed to be a 'stabilizer' to place the 'pressure center' as far as possible behind the vehicle (if it's applied to cars). But if it is applied to a scooter, what should the function of it? What do you think?

Finally, in 1963, the company was taken over by Yamaha Motor Company, one of the Japanese motorcycle manufacturers after being unable to survive the harsh business competition in the two-wheeled vehicle industry and since then this brand was disappeared.😢

1959 Tosho Pandora 125 cc scooter. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2XGJ2KD)

Hence, the existence of the Tosho Pandora scooter today is very rare, even in Japan too. This is indicated by the rarity of pictures from this scooter in cyberspace and even some of the images that were later displayed in this article were also coming from those few sources.

Due to its rarity, it made seem like a mysterious figure like the mythical box Pandora's box. If you have additional information regarding this unique Japanese scooter. Don't hesitate to comment in Our comments column below. We really appreciate all the information you submit.

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 | OLDJAPANESEBIKES]
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Paul Vallée scarce scooter

Whether we realize it or not, in reality, that the presence of the scooter that begun in the early 20th century has given its own color and style to the automotive world. How not, a type of vehicle that initially only has a very simple construction, which is a board, two wheels, and a handlebar in such a way then can develop into a vehicle with various shapes (while maintaining its basic characteristics) and made by many manufacturers around the world. For example, look at how's unique the scooter below...

1954 Paul Vallée's SICRAF BO 54 175 cc 'Grand Luxe' scooter. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2D7nehF )

This unique scooter was made by a French company named SICRAF in 1954. The company founded by a Frenchmen named Paul Vallée in 1949. Paul Vallée was a wealthy industrialist with a complex and interesting personality. He could anticipate novel ideas before others, yet sometimes he did not carry them through in practical ways. Known, he ran a successful transport business, married into wealth, and opened a mechanical shop called SICRAF (Société Industrielle de Constructions et de Réparation des Automobiles Francaises). 

1949 Paul Vallée's SICRAF S 149 scooter. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/34jGJ2I)

Besides that, he founded and ran a successful Grand Prix team named the Écurie France, which fielded the magnificent Talbot-Lago T26 racing cars driven by legendary drivers like Louis Chiron. However, he regarded the Grand Prix team not as an end in itself, but as a way of promoting his other businesses, scooters included. That's proved shortly then he's left and abandoned his racing team and gets more seriously involved in his business.

1954 Paul Vallée's SICRAF BO 54 125 cc 'Grand Tourisme' scooter. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2OFtjYd)

The company produced commercial three-wheeled vehicles, light motorcycles, microcars, and two-stroke-engined scooters by using 125cc and 175cc engines from Aubier-Dunne and Ydral. And the company's early scooters have similarity styled with the early Lambretta, but there was apparently no contract related to the Italian company.

1954 Paul Vallée's SICRAF BO 54 125 cc 'Grand Tourisme' scooter. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2OFtjYd)

Sales brochure of Paul Vallée Triporteur.  
(Picture from:  http://bit.ly/2Dl47Rz)

The company's first scooter was the P.Vallée S 149 appeared at the 1949 Paris Salon de l'Auto fitted with a 125cc Aubier-Dunne 3-speed engine and bore a resemblance to the first Lambretta 124M (A) scooter.

While the next version presented at the 1952 Salon de l'Auto had a 4-speed Ydral 125, and the following year the P.Vallée BO 54 model appeared in the 'Grand Tourisme' and 'Grand Luxe' versions with 125 or 175cc engines. Later the scooters were made in a different style with two-tone paint.

The company-made S 149 scooter then evolved into a three-wheeled utility vehicle and about 5,000 examples ever made at the time. At the 1952 Salon de l'Auto, besides shows off the S 149 scooter,  the company also showed off the Chantecler, a very cute microcar. Unfortunately, it did not enter production lines until 1956, and only around 200 units were produced ever.

1956 Paul Vallée Chantecler microcar. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2XIXPEG)

But his business journey did not go smoothly. The scooter's relative failure in the market was far from devastating loss to Monseigneur Vallée. He simply shrugged and moved on, buying into ownership of a large Rolls-Royce and Ferrari dealership. But who can avoid death? On April 3, 1957, Paul Vallée unexpectedly died. Left everything behind and once again sad-ending happened.😢

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 | CYBERMOTORCYCLE | GRAMHO | RM SOTHEBYS | GOOGLE SEARCH]

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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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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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