Vespa T5

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Piaggio Vespa T5
Vespa T5 Mk1 in original condition.jpg
Manufacturer Piaggio
Also calledT5
Predecessor Vespa PX
Class Road
Engine 125; 2-stroke, single cylinder, air-cooled
Bore / stroke 55×52 mm
Compression ratio 11.3/1
Top speed100 kilometres (62 mi) per hour +
Power 12.0 bhp @ 6,500 rpm
Ignition type CDI
Transmission 4-speed
Frame type solo
Suspension single sided (front and rear)
Brakes Front and rear drum
Tires 10 inch (front and rear)
Wheelbase 1,235 millimetres (48.6 in)
Weight112 kilograms (247 lb) (dry)
Oil capacitypremix 2 stroke oil for engine and 250 ml engine oil for gear box and clutch
Related Vespa PX, Danmotor Excel 150

The Vespa T5 was a 125cc, single cylinder, 2 stroke scooter [1] which was manufactured in the 1985-1999 period by Piaggio.The name "T5" referred to the 5 transfer ports of its engine case.

Contents

Engine

The Vespa T5 was a true sporting scooter featuring:

The T5 exceeded a top speed of 100 kilometres (62 mi) [1] per hour, as standard, and compared favorably to the Vespa PX200; but its dependence on higher revs and relative lack of torque made it pale in adverse conditions, and/or with a pillion. [2]

In the UK, and some entry-level Spanish and Italian models, premixing of 2 stroke oil was required; on French and German (and as an option in others) markets, autolube was standard, and accompanied by an electric start setup not available on base models.

The Vespa T5 had CDI ignition. Depending on the market, it either had no battery and all electrical components were powered by magneto after starting the engine. (UK, base models in Spain and Italy), or if a battery was fitted, it had an electric starter, and fuel gauge, as well as horn, were powered directly by DC (battery).

Body

Like classic Vespas, the scooter had full steel body panels and weighed around 112 kilograms (247 lb) dry. The engine was housed in the rear right side on a swing-arm and the left side housed a spare wheel. The rear brake was operated by a right foot pedal.

The T5 was sold in three generations:

  1. Vespa T5 Mk1 (1985–1992): Cosmetically, the Vespa T5 Mk1 featured a rectangular headlight, an updated headset console which included a fuel level indicator and a digital or analog tachometer (depending on market), a flat rear end (achieved by adding the "square tail" sheet to a PX body), and a redesigned seat to complete the look. The front mudguard was smaller compared to the P-series mudguard and the steering head was attached to the fork via a locking ring instead of a handlebar-bolt. The scooter had a classic 4-speed manual left-hand twist grip gear change, a kick starter, and a front storage compartment with a black tray atop it, adorned with a "Pole Position", logo, designed to underline its sportiness.
  2. Vespa T5 Classic (1992–1999): The T5 Classic had a standard Vespa PX frame but kept the T5 engine.
  3. Vespa T5 Millennium (1999): In 1999 Piaggio ended production of the T5. A numbered limited edition of T5 Millennium scooters would mark the end to the T5. The T5 Millennium saw the addition of a front disk brake.

Similar Scooters utilising the T5 Mk1 body

References

  1. 1 2 3 "125 PX T5 (VNX5T) (1985)". MuseoPiaggio.it. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  2. Vespa PX
  3. "New Vespa, LML T5-200". Scootering Magazine (58): 5. July 1990.