In our time, when the streets of Russian citiesfilled scooters, manufactured mainly in Southeast Asia, somehow it is not even believed that our country also once produced similar machines, only they were called motor scooters. One of these two-wheeled vehicles was the Vyatka motor scooter.
The appearance of Vyatka is obliged tothe Italians. Post-war Italy needed vehicles that everyone could afford. As a result, at one of the surviving enterprises of the "Piaggio", engaged in the production of fighters during the war, began to produce a new two-wheeled car, which was fundamentally different from the usual motorcycles. The first scooters "Vespa" ("Wasp") appeared on Italian roads as early as April 1946. They became extremely popular not only in their own country, but also abroad.
I must say that the design of the scootersignificantly different from the design of the motorcycle. The low placement of the center of gravity, as well as the small diameter of the wheels and the long legroom make it very stable. In addition, deep shields on both wheels, as well as a large front shield protect the driver and passenger from road dirt.
In the late fifties, at a time of reductionarmy and traditional weapons, it was decided at some defense enterprises to start the production of consumer goods. So, in 1956 a resolution of the Council of Ministers of the USSR appeared and an order from the Ministry of Defense Industry, according to which the Vyatka-Polyansk machine-building plant located in the Kirov region was ordered to launch scooters as soon as possible.
Production of Vyatka-Polian masters from the prototypediffered slightly, mainly in weight and dimensions (heavier by 7 kg and with a wheelbase, more by 4 cm). In addition, on the front wing was a flag with a star, instead of an oval speedometer, a round was installed, the ignition lock was located on the handlebar (and not in the headlight housing), the central part of the steering wheel and the headlamp were somewhat larger. In general, the design was similar to its Italian relative.
Like Vespa, the engine of the Vyatka motor scooterIt was located on the right under a convex protective casing. On the other hand, for symmetry, there was the same casing under which the reserve was located. The fuel tank was in the rear of the body. To switch gears, a handle on the handlebars was used. Kickstarter was used for launch.
The motor scooter "Vyatka" was equipped with a single-cylinder two-stroke engine with a forced air cooling system with a working volume of 155 cm3, which developed a capacity of 5.5 liters. from. and accelerated the scooter to 60 km / h in 19 seconds. The gasoline consumption was 3.1 liters per 100 km. As fuel used low-octane gasoline A-66.
In general, the design was quite successful, toIn 1961, 100 thousand cars were produced. Motor scooter "Vyatka" had a low cost. In the sixties it could be purchased for 320 rubles, which is much lower than any motorcycle. Production "Vyatka" stopped in 1966, replaced by a scooter "Electron".
Based on the two-wheel model in 1959.was made three-wheeled modification, and in several versions - a van, a cargo platform and a dumper. Three-wheeled motor scooter "Vyatka" could carry up to 250 kg of cargo and was accelerated to a speed of 35 km / h.
Also on the basis of "Vyatka" was created mototaxi,whose two wheels were located in front and were turning. Between the wheels was a seat for passengers. True, only 50 such taxis were created.
