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| | Scooter is a type of motorcycle. Motor-scooter is built in such a way that when the rider sits on it, he has to step-through the frame. Besides, all mechanisms of scooter are closed by panels and the engine is located on rear side. Front panels of the scooter safeguard the rider from mud.
Scooters of 50 cm3 class are used with special popularity, which, according to traffic rules, are equivalent to mopeds and hence do not require license and registration (In a number of European countries, however, license is required even for driving a moped). Nevertheless, maxi-scooters and “Hyper-scooters” are manufactured, whose engine volume touches upto 800 cm³.
In the beginning, scooters had usual manual transmission and chain gearing on rear wheel. Now, almost stepless V-belt variable speed drive unit and automatic centrifugal clutch. Simple chain gearing, which significantly reduces the dynamics, is used in cheapest scooters instead of variable-speed drive unit in the same (visually undistinguishable) chassis.
In case of air cooling, the air is blown by special blower, since the engine is covered with panels and counter air stream does not reach the engine. Liquid engine cooling version is also available.
Engine can be two-stroke and four-stroke. In recent times, sphere of usage of two-stroke engines reduced significantly due to strict ecological requirements.
Scooterette distinguishes with big wheel diameter and engine is mounted between the rider’s legs but not under the seat, as in the case of regular scooter. Often, it is considered as something intermediate between scooter and usual motorcycle or a moped.
According to design features, Auto-Fauteuil, manufactured by French engineer Mr. George Goth in 190, was primogenitor of scooters.
Seat with backrest and armrests was positioned above the engine and wheels with lesser diameter than accepted for motorcycles of that period, frame between the steering column and seat had opening for seating convenience in first scooters.
Word “Scooter” with regard to wheel transport was taken from America, where small put-puts were fitted on scooters in the beginning of 20th century.
Slang verb “to scoot” — “run, run away” precisely designated entertainments of the then teenagers, raiding the traders on these “scooters”. In 1915, fun of juvenile hooligans paved path for industrial foundation: Autoped, with tiny wheels (rear wheel was closed with cover), platform-footboard, collapsible steering and without seat, appeared. Four-stroke 155 cc engine with capacity of 1.5 h.p, brought the front wheel into rotation. With modern definition of class, scooters of those years are made with small wheels and platform for footrest.
American “Scooter-skateboards” ignited first splashes of interest towards scooters in Europe. Licence manufacture of motor-scooters was mastered in Germany, Czechoslovakia and England, however, by the middle of 20s , modernized motorcycles, in those times, completely replaced the scooters.
European version of scooter – Scootamota of 1919 from England.
Second surge in popularity of scooters took place in mid 30s of XXth century once again in America after appearance of Salisbury’s model Motor Glide in 1935. External features of present-day scooter were visible in this tiny machine: underfoot rack, 82cc two-stroke engine, fitted beneath the seating, small 5 inch wheels.
Third popularity wave of scooters occurred in Europe after the World War II and Italian concern Piaggio played leading role in scooter boom by releasing model Vespa in 1946 and scooter Lamretta A in 1947. Its engine with volume of 98 cm3 and capacity 3.2 H.P was fitted near the rear wheel and chain transmission was missing. In 1950s, similar scooters were manufactured in Germany, The Great Britain, France, Spain and Belgium.
After World War II, Japanese scooters represented artless copies of pre-war American scooters, with ordinary-looking appearance, low-power four-stroke engines without transmission and with automatic clutch. Post World War II, scooter boom was not witnessed in America, though some companies released scooters in limited quantity. Even Harley-Davidson, today's fashion maker amongst motorcycles of “chopper” class manufactured model Topper in 1960. After experiencing peak popularity in mid-fifties, scooter mania was on slide for the last decade or so. Main reason behind this was appearance of low-cost economy cars in Europe.
“The last of the Mohicans” — Salsburu 85 of 1946.
Latest (fourth) surge in interest towards scooters was generated by designs of Japanese motor-giant Yamaha: in 1977, 50 cc Passol S50 combined requirements such as less weight and low-cost, stylishness, high protection against water and mud and place for luggage. And, most important thing, highly simple manageable transmission was used and control organs were reduced to minimum and without underfoot pedals and levers. New machines were accessible to beginners, teenagers and housewives. Particularly, these categories of owners have given push to popularity growth of scooters all over the world.
Yamaha Passol, manufactured inn 1977, was the first scooter of modern version. |
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