VN Scooter

Is it possible to replace the engine in a vespa with a motorcycle engine? So it can reach triple digit speeds?

Is it physically possible? How much would it cost? Are there alternative ways to modify a vespa to make it really fast? This is a project I hope to start in the next few years. I want to buy a vespa (new or old, but old is preferred) and modify it to have the acceleration and speed of a nice motorcycle. I was thinking that perhaps it'd be possible if I took out the vespa engine, and replaced it with a motorcycle engine. But I have doubts that it would be that simple. I was hoping someone with knowledge on vespas/motorcycles could enlighten me on the possibilities.

Public Comments

1. Most anything is possible when modifying a bike. You would need mechanic skills at least. Definitely welding equipment and machine shop equipment and skills to make the necessary adaptors. Lots of work and probably not cost effective.
2. why do you need to reach triple digit speeds on a scooter!!!! go out and buy a real motorcycle!!!!
3. you would just end up building a new motorcycle in the process you would have to build a new engine frame since it would take a motor with atleast a displacement of 250cc to reach triple digits and the current frame fits like a glove over a 50cc motor. I dont belive the vespa has a clutch. Also its arodynamics are not designed to go that speed witch whould require more power and would make the moped/cycle very unstable. Not to mention you would need new brakes tires and pritty much everything would have to be replaced and it would come out looking nothing like a vespa. You would just have better luck buying a motorcycle or suck up your low speeds on the vespa because it would be very costly if its even possible!
4. Yes.
5. This takes me back - I did just that about 30 years ago. I took a Vespa 125 and put a 250 triumph engine in it , or rather my friend Roy did. It turned a nice commuter runaround into a much faster bike - more like 90 top speed than 100, but what a pig to ride. My advice - get a faster bike. The pain of making engine plates, welding new lugs on, etc outweighs the pleasure of extra speed. And honestly, you will ruin the (already poor) handling. If you're limited cc wise get an Aprillia or something a bit flashy and you will feel ok. BTW the old Vespas were already pretty well tuned in comparison with the Lambrettas of the period, but they all had the habit of tipping you in the road if you braked hard in the wet, as the engine was on the side of the rear wheel, and led to bad weight transfer. The Triumph Tigress 250 scooter was not a commercial succes but was much faster. And there are other italian makes - Capri, Piatti etc loads faster.
6. Earl !!!! Snap out of it !!! You've got a curious mind.. People like you become inventors or scientists. But triple didget speeds on a Vespa? Why not a rocket turbine on your skate board? Earl, we need a cure for the common cold. We need world peace. Please redirect your brain waves.