Italjet was founded in 1959, by the Leopoldo Tartarini of Bologna, Italy. The company produced its first production motorscooter (moped) in 1961, called the "Sport Junior."
The Italjet 'Sport Junior' used a MZ 125 two-stroke engine made in East Germany. In 1962, Italjet began using the 50cc Italian-made Motori Minarelli, in Calderara di Reno, Italy. The Italjet Sport Junior used a 3-speed manual transmission.
Italjet Mustang 50 SS & Vampiro 50
The 'Mustang 50SS' was a moped/motorscooter hybrid with a tubular frame, large gas-tank , and drum front brakes. The Vampiro 50 was a Café racer version of the Mustang, equipped with a "special edition" 50cc Minarelli engine that was capable of reaching 130 km/h.
1969 Italjet 50 Vampiro
The Vampiro was the winner of several US championships in the 50cc class. The last of the Mustang line was produced in 1968, with the Mustang 50 Veloce - a tweaked version of the Mustang 50SS.
Italjet Vampiro 50cc Motor
During the mid 1960s, American and worldwide interest in small-displacement 'tiddler' style motorcycles was waining, and like many other Italian manufacturers, Italjet decided to get into the larger displacement field.
Italjet's Indian 500 & Grifon 650 Hybrids
In 1968, Italjet made a major departure from its moped roots. Leopoldo Tartarini partnered with Floyd Clymer, current owner of the Indian Motorcycle brand, to build the 'Fine Anni 60 Indian 500' that used a Velocette 500cc engine or a Royal Enfield 750cc two-cylinder engine.
In 1969, Italjet came out with the 'Grifon 650' which utilized a 650cc Triumph T120 engine. Two iterations of the Grifon 650 were produced: The 'Daytona' and 'California.'
Italjet Enduro Line
In 1970, Italjet entered the Enduro market, producing a line of 'Mini Enduro,' or 'ME' off-road and multi-use dirtbikes with small-displacement 50cc, 70cc, 100cc, and 125cc motors.
Italjet continued its 'engine-swap' tradition with the 1972 Buccaneer 125, which used a 125cc Yamaha twin cylinder 2-stroke engine. In 1981, Italjet partnered with Bultaco to produce the 'Italjet 350T' single-cylinder two-stroke.
In 1983, Italjet began producing its own Enduro engine for the 'Road Master 350,' and a 4-stroke 'trial bike' called the 'Scott 350.'
Italjet Moto Today
Italjet Moto srl in Bologna, Italy, continues to manufacture a full line of scooters, mopeds, enduros, ATVs, and street bikes, including a 'retro' version called the 'Amarcord,' designed by Leopoldo Tartarini. Italjet Moto is now run by Massimo Tartarini, son of Italjet founder Leopoldo Tartarini.
Italjet Links
Italjet
Back To: Vintage Motorcycle Photos
