Overview Vespa 50 Special Elestart

The Vespa 50 Elestart was a pioneering model among Vespas, as it was the first to have an electric starter and a 12-volt lighting system. Based on the Dynastart principle, the generator on this Vespa also functioned as a starter motor, which made it possible to start the Engine without the conventional Kickstart Lever - a simple turn of the Key in the handlebar head was sufficient. In contrast to the "normal" Vespa 50N or the Special version, the Vespa Elestart also had a flap on the left rear side. The electrical components of the Dynastarter and two 6-volt batteries connected in series were concealed behind this flap. This special feature made the small Vespa a unique model within the Smallframe Vespa family.

Model history Vespa 50 Special Elestart

The Vespa 50 Special Elestart was produced under the model designations V5A3T and V5B2T, each with a 3-speed gearbox, and was given a 4-speed gearbox in 1976, the last year of production, as the V5B4T model. In the German type sheets for the Vespa 50, the Elestart models are classified as "Ausführung C". The engine designation of the 4-speed version differs from the Italian models, where the engine is listed as V5B4M, and is given the engine prefix V5A5M instead. Until 1973, the Vespa 50 was adorned with two lines of chrome-plated "Vespa 50" lettering on the Legshield in a slanted, curved font. From 1973/74, the lettering changed to "vespa" in a more modern block font. At the rear, above the Rear Light, the curved Badge "Elestart" was emblazoned until 1973, emphasised by a lightning bolt symbol under the second "e". This changed from 1973/74 to "50 elestart", also in the newer block lettering.

The Engine of the Vespa 50 Special Elestart

The Engine corresponds to that of the Special version, but was adapted to work with a Bosch Stator, which serves as a dynamo and drives the Starter when starting.

The electrical system of the Vespa 50 Special Elestart

The electric starter of the Vespa V 50 Elestart differed fundamentally from that of the later PK models. It was a Bosch Dynastarter, which served both as a generator and starter motor. This "alternator" or "flywheel magneto" thus replaced the traditional combination of separate alternator and starter motor as found on the PK Elestart, where a small starter motor meshed via a Drive Sprocket with teeth on the outer edge of the Flywheel.
Interestingly, the Voltage Regulator of this alternator was identical to that of a VW Beetle. The Flywheel of the Elestart, unlike the standard models, did not contain any permanent magnets. Instead, the coils were mounted directly on the Flywheel and not, as usual, on the Base Plate. The electrical contact to the Base Plate was made via Carbon Brushes. This design resulted in a heavy Flywheel and a longer and thinner crankshaft stub compared to the standard crankshaft, which increased the susceptibility to torsional fractures, i.e. torn-off crankshafts. Due to this special feature, any tuning of the Elestart was generally discouraged, as there was a risk that no replacement crankshafts would be available in the event of a defect.
There were originally two 6-volt 9.5 Ah block batteries connected in series under the left Side Panel Door. However, it was possible to replace these with two 12-volt 5.5 Ah batteries connected in parallel, which required regular driving to prevent the batteries from discharging each other, or to construct a new Holder for a single larger 12-volt battery.
An ignition spark could only be generated with a charged and connected battery. The Elestart's Ignition Lock had five contacts and three switch positions (OFF, ON and IGNITION), unlike the Vespa Primavera ET3's Ignition Lock, which had only three contacts and two positions (OFF and ON), making starting with the ET3 lock impossible. If the starting function failed, a separate start button could be installed as an alternative.
A characteristic feature of the electrical system was the shunt connection of all lamps (bulbs) with respect to the pole wheel coils, while the switches were connected in series. The lights were switched on by Locking instead of opening the corresponding switch contacts.

Miscellaneous Vespa 50 Special Elestart

A 3-speed gearbox was standard on the first two model series V5A3T and V5B2T, while a 4-speed gearbox was used from the V5B4T model series onwards. In addition to the original exhaust system, the Vespa could also be fitted with alternatives such as the ET3 banana from Piaggio or Sito as well as the Polini banana. A special feature is the lack of a Kickstart Lever and Kickstart Shaft, although retrofitting is possible by opening the Engine.

The specific components of the Vespa 50 Special Elestart include

• A crankshaft cone with a Breaker Cam

• The left-hand Side Panel Door, under which the batteries, starter relay and Voltage Regulator are located

• The Dynastart system, for which spare parts are hard to find. The carbons from a Miele hoover can serve as a replacement, and the Contact Breaker can be reassigned as long as the cam is not worn out

• The Ignition Lock and a Control Light on the handlebar head above the speedometer, both of which are no longer available new

• A differently designed, very heavy Flywheel with larger blades which, unlike standard Flywheels, does not use permanent magnets but carries the coils directly. A standard Flywheel Puller is not suitable for this

• A special Flywheel Cover

• A modified small engine half that is only compatible with an Elestart Ignition without significant modification

• A Crankshaft with a completely different crankshaft cone compared to normal V 50 Special Models, which is very flat, almost cylindrical, with one or two grooves near the Bearing. This Crankshaft, on which the Breaker Cam sits directly, is also no longer available new. A normal V50/PK Crankshaft can be installed, but it is then no longer possible to use the Dynastart system

• Badges on the rear of the vehicle

Situation on the used Vespa 50 Special Elestart market

The Elestart, with a production figure of just under 9000 units, is one of the rarer models and is therefore affectionately referred to as "the super sprint of the Special riders". In the 1970s, the Vespa 50 Elestart was only produced for a short time and did not achieve outstanding sales figures. As a result, the models that still exist today, especially those in their original condition, are extremely rare. Where do you look for this vehicle?

• At your trusted Vespa dealer

• Classified adverts in the local newspaper

• Markets and trade fairs such as Mostra Scambis in Italy

• Online marketplaces such as www.mobile.de, www.autoscout24.de etc.

The colours of the Vespa 50 Special Elestart:

Colour	Colour Name	Max Meyer Code	Colour info
	Chiaro Di Luna Metallizzato	2.268.0108
	Blu	1.298.7490
	Biancospino	1.298.1715
	Rosso Corsa	1.298.5806
	Rosso	1.298.5847
	Rosso Katmandu	1.298.5875
	Rosso Corallo	1.298.5880
	Giallo Cromo	1.298.2933
	Alluminio	1.268.0983	various Frame Parts
	Grigio	8012M	Rust protection/primer

Sources