The fizzy was a classic in its day. There was also the Honda AP50, which was viewed as a more conservative mode of transport, the fizzy was definitely the go-to mean machine for those trying to impress the ladies.
I disagree.
"...if you are really lucky some old git will tell you a story. "It was the Suzuki AP50 and the Honda SS50.
The best ones for showing off were the Italian ones that looked like dirt bikes. The Garelli Tiger, The Malaguti, The Gilera and the Testi.
Here's the history.
In about 1973 the UK government said that 16 year olds could no longer ride up to a 250cc motorbike on L Plates but would be restricted to 50cc Mopeds.
Until the Japs came along British bikes of 175cc to 250cc were the asthmatic BSA Bantam, The Triumph Tiger Cub 200cc and some BSA C15 250 which would top out at between 50 and 70 mph.
Then the Japs came along with the Honda 4 strokes that would touch about 80 and the Kawasaki, Yamaha and Suzuki 2 - strokes that would hit 90.
So the government banned 16 year olds from jumping on these rocket ships which were as fast as Brit 350/500's and wrapping themselves round a tree into an early grave or a wheelchair.
So the manufacturers wrung extra horsepower out of 50cc motorbikes.
The Raleigh Wisp and Puch Maxi and Honda C50 of 20/30mph got outshone by the Yamaha FS1E/Suzuki AP50/Honda SS50. And the Italians took their Garelli 80cc commuter, sleeved it down to 50cc and made it look like a dirt bike.
These little sports mopeds would do 50/55 mph. The Garelli would touch 60mph and even the 4 stroke Honda would touch 40.
Happy daze!
