The Piaggio Ciao (''ciao'' means "hi" or "bye" in Italian) is a family of
moped
A moped ( ) is a type of small motorcycle, generally having a less stringent licensing requirement than full motorcycles or automobiles. Historically, the term exclusively meant a similar vehicle with both bicycle pedals and a motorcycle eng ...
produced by
Piaggio
Piaggio Group () is an Italian motor vehicle manufacturer, which produces a range of two-wheeled motor vehicles and compact commercial vehicles under five brands: Piaggio, Vespa, Aprilia, Moto Guzzi and Derbi. Its corporate headquarters are ...
from 1967 through 2006.
Specification
It has a rigid rear, 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
A belt is a loop of flexible material used to link two or more rotating shafts mechanically, most often parallel. Belts may be used as a source of motion, to transmit power efficiently or to track relative movement. Belts are looped over pull ...
, unlike most other mopeds which are chain driven. Some models have an automatic
continuously variable transmission
A continuously variable transmission (CVT) is an automated Transmission (mechanical device), transmission that can change through a continuous range of gear ratios, typically resulting in better fuel economy in gasoline applications. This contr ...
. Braking is by front and rear
drums
The drum is a member of the percussion instrument, percussion group of musical instruments. In the Hornbostel–Sachs classification system, it is a membranophones, membranophone. Drums consist of at least one Acoustic membrane, membrane, c ...
. Power for the lamps, horn, and ignition is from a
magneto
A magneto is an electrical generator that uses permanent magnets to produce periodic pulses of alternating current. Unlike a dynamo, a magneto does not contain a commutator to produce direct current. It is categorized as a form of alternator, ...
; 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, it was 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) ''
Derivatives
Piaggio also produced some stablemates to the Ciao: The
Piaggio Si
The Piaggio Sì is a moped that was produced by the Italian manufacturer Piaggio.
It received homologation on 20 November 1978 and was presented in Genoa on 1 February 1979.
In the North American market it was sold by the American division of ...
, with a
telescopic front fork suspension, the Piaggio Grillo, with 14-inch wheel,
Piaggio Boxer, the Si's ancestor, the Piaggio Boss, with kick starter, mass button and speedometer and the Piaggio Bravo with a telescopic front fork and a
shock absorber rear suspension.
References
* Infobox specifications from:
* Vintage Mode
Repair Manual - Ciao, Bravo, Si - Multiple Languages
External links
Gallery of 1967 - 1979 Ciao*
{{Piaggio motorcycles
Motorcycles introduced in 1967
Mopeds
Ciao
( , ) is an informal salutation in the Italian language that is used for both " hello" and "goodbye".
Originally from the Venetian language, it has entered the vocabulary of English and of many other languages around the world. Its dual mea ...
Two-stroke motorcycles
Single-cylinder_motorcycles