Piaggio Ciao
Encyclopedia
The Piaggio Ciao is a family of inexpensive moped
s produced by Piaggio
from 1967 through 2006.
It has a rigid rear suspension, and a leading-link front suspension. Some models include a sprung seat-post. The engine and drive-train are cleanly enclosed, similar to Piaggio's scooters
. The Ciao uses a belt drive
, unlike most other mopeds which are chain driven. Some models have an automatic continuously variable transmission
. Braking is by front and rear drums
. Power for the lamps, horn, and ignition is from a magneto
; there is no battery. However, models with turning signal lights were equipped with a 6 volt battery for the blinkers to function. On newer models the plastic fuel cap also serves as a measuring cup for the 2% oil-fuel mixture.
In some countries, such as Canada in the 1970s, these mopeds were branded as the Vespa Ciao.
Model variants include:
Piaggio also produced two stablemates to the Ciao: The Piaggio Si, with a telescopic front fork suspension, and the Piaggio Bravo with a telescopic front fork and a shock absorber rear suspension.
Moped
Mopeds are a type of low-powered motorcycle designed to provide economical and relatively safe transport with minimal licensing requirements.Mopeds were once all equipped with bicycle-like pedals , but moped has been increasingly applied by governments to vehicles without pedals, based on their...
s produced by Piaggio
Piaggio
Piaggio based in Pontedera, Italy encompasses seven brands of scooters, motorcycles and compact commercial vehicles. As the fourth largest producer of scooters and motorcycles in the world, Piaggio produces more than 600,000 vehicles annually, with five research and development centers, more than...
from 1967 through 2006.
It has a rigid rear suspension, and a leading-link front suspension. Some models include a sprung seat-post. The engine and drive-train are cleanly enclosed, similar to Piaggio's scooters
Vespa
Vespa is an Italian brand of scooter manufactured by Piaggio. The name means wasp in Italian.The Vespa has evolved from a single model motor scooter manufactured in 1946 by Piaggio & Co. S.p.A...
. The Ciao uses a belt drive
Belt (mechanical)
A belt is a loop of flexible material used to link two or more rotating shafts mechanically. Belts may be used as a source of motion, to transmit power efficiently, or to track relative movement. Belts are looped over pulleys. In a two pulley system, the belt can either drive the pulleys in the...
, unlike most other mopeds which are chain driven. Some models have an automatic continuously variable transmission
Continuously variable transmission
A continuously variable transmission is a transmission that can change steplessly through an infinite number of effective gear ratios between maximum and minimum values. This contrasts with other mechanical transmissions that offer a fixed number of gear ratios...
. Braking is by front and rear drums
Drum brake
A drum brake is a brake in which the friction is caused by a set of shoes or pads that press against a rotating drum-shaped part called a brake drum....
. Power for the lamps, horn, and ignition is from a magneto
Magneto (electrical)
A magneto is an electrical generator that uses permanent magnets to produce alternating current.Magnetos adapted to produce pulses of high voltage are used in the ignition systems of some gasoline-powered internal combustion engines to provide power to the spark plugs...
; there is no battery. However, models with turning signal lights were equipped with a 6 volt battery for the blinkers to function. On newer models the plastic fuel cap also serves as a measuring cup for the 2% oil-fuel mixture.
In some countries, such as Canada in the 1970s, these mopeds were branded as the Vespa Ciao.
Model variants include:
- Ciao SC (round saddle rack, saddle and suspension seatpost; light at the rear fender; racks are not removable; chrome fenders)
- Ciao L (square saddle rack, and only semi-suspension; light at the rear fender; racks removable)
- Ciao P (square saddle rack, and only semi-suspension; light at the rear rack; racks removable)
- Ciao Px (round saddle rack, saddle and suspension seatpost; light at the rear rack; luggage racks are not removable)
- Ciao Mix (round saddle rack, saddle and suspension seatpost; light at the rear rack; luggage racks are not removable; oil tank in the luggage racks)
Piaggio also produced two stablemates to the Ciao: The Piaggio Si, with a telescopic front fork suspension, and the Piaggio Bravo with a telescopic front fork and a shock absorber rear suspension.