Circulates throughout the world Established 1903

Straight from the plate: the Piatti works

Designed by London-based Italian Vicenzo Piatti, the scooter featured a welded-up, stressed-skin shell, which was internally stiffened, to which the steering head was attached. An adjustable cycle-type mounted saddle was also attached to the main frame, as was the pivots upon which swung the engine-cum-transmission-cum-rear suspension unit for the rear spring element and supports for legshields, floorboards, the 1.65gallon petroil tank the spare wheel and other components and equipment.

Power was provided by a single-cylinder horizontally-mounted air-cooled two-stroke engine, with a bore x stroke of 51x61mm and a compression ratio of 7.2:1. Claimed peak output was 4.75hp@4750rpm. Fuel consumption was claimed at 140mpg, if a cruising speed of 35mph was maintained, while top speed was reputed to be 45mph.

Gearbox was three-speed, with a twist-gear gearchange operation, while a Wico-Pacy flywheel magneto took care of the ignition and direct lighting. On the other side of the engine, there was an Amal Monobloc carburettor. Alongside the cylinder was also a large-volume, welded-up silencer with an expanded metal and glass wool lined centre baffle. Pivoting on substantial ‘Lay-Rub’ rubber-in-torsion bushed trunnions, the whole engine-transmission assembly was sprung by means of a single, tension coil spring so arranged as to provide progressive damping and with three anchorage adjustment points for varying spring strength for different loads or road conditions. The front wheel spindle was overhung and carried on a massive single link, sprung by a compression unit fully enclosed and protected.

Motor Cycling was certainly impressed by the Piatti tested in October 1956; ‘outstanding value for money’, ‘starting proved to be exceptionally easy’, ‘cornering first class’ being among the compliments heaped upon it. There were a couple of causes for complaint but in summing up, it was said of the Piatti; “A willing little servant, nimble, and if not having the speed of a cheetah, more than making up for it by having the heart of a lion.” Surely, it couldn’t fail...

Boasting seven inch wheels, with five-inch brakes, the scooter was described by some as looking like a hovercraft, while others tagged it a ‘cigar tube on wheels.’ Whatever, it could certainly have done with more development and indeed Cyclemaster had a MkII version ready for production in 1958, though it never made it into service.

As many as 15,000 were built in Byfleet in 1956-57, which added to a number made earlier in Belgium by coachbuilder Les Anciens Establissements D’leteren.

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