When I went to Kenya last summer I remember feeling very foolish when I thought I saw hundreds of Vespa scooters riding around the city of Mombassa.
On close inspection the scooters revealed themselves as being made by the Indian scooter manufacturer Bajaj.
Vinny from Motorcycle diaries recently mentioned these scooters in a comment from my last post – which reminded me to do a little research into these machines.
The first thing I noticed when trying to learn about these scooters is how little there is available. Wikipedia has a paragraph of little or no value and don’t get me started on the official Indian Bajaj website (i wont even link – its that bad!)
Here are some basic stats:
- Engine : 4 stroke, single cylinder, forced air cooled, spark ignition
- 3 Engine Displacement : 145.45 cm
- Max. Net Power : 9.00 HP at 6000 r/min of engine
- Ignition System : Electronic ignition (C.D.I.)
- Spark Plug : Champion : PL 7 YC (To be used with resistor spark plug cap)
- Lubrication : Wet sump forced lubrication
- Transmission : 4 speed gear box
- Front & Rear Brakes : Mechanical expanding shoe type
- Fuel Tank Capacity : 1.32 Gal. (5.00 litres)
- Electrical System : 12V D.C.
- Head lamp : 35/35W Tail/Stop lamp : 5/21W
- Side indicator lamp : 10W Horn : 12V D.C.
- Curb Weight : 253 lbs/115 kg
- Max Speed : 55 MPH/90km/h with single rider
The Bajaj scooter is produced by Bajaj auto who is India’s largest two and three wheeled manufacturer. Bajaj auto is also the fourth largest producer of 2 and 3 wheeled vehicles in the world!
One of the reasons that many of the Bajaj scooters look like Vespa’s is probably due to the fact that 40 years ago Bajaj was allowed to build Vespa scooters under licence from Piaggio. It was only in the mid 1970’s that Bajaj split from Piaggio and started with their own designs. But obviously the design of the Vespa still existed in the minds of the Bajaj designers which could account for why I saw so many Vespa esque scooters bombing around Kenya.
At the moment Bajaj auto is marketing the “Kristal” which looks more like a Honda than a Vespa. I am yet to see a Baja in the UK but it does seem to be the case that more and more are selling in the US.
Has anyone seen a Bajaj scooter? If so please comment in the box below.
Also I have seen that Direct Bikes are selling some similar “cheap” scooters that people might be interested (this is only available for the UK – sorry guys.)
I have a 2003 bajaj chetak that no electric items woking (lights,horn, blinkers,and starter) I am able to kick start but can not drive on street due to no lights. can you help? what could I check. Ray rsweisthal@aol.com
how i insert battery in my bajaj super scotter
Hi.I have bajaj super chetak 150cc.it start with one but goes off or loose power when I gear it..and bend it again to start…
i have a1999 vespa bajaj classic sl does px side panels fit this
does the px side panels fit vespa bajaj classic sl
can we add RPM meter to bajaj super model scooter ?
I have a bajaj 1998 everything about it looks like a vespa square head light and horn cover the same as vespa got a vespa px engine with 166 kit and ported and cut back crank goes really well
Hi hi David I have a baja classic sl 125 I brought it from a salvage yard no damage to it apart from the glove box lock and no ignition keys it had half number plate ART not sure what the number is if it’s a 2 or 3 they lost lost log book and the breakers have gone into liquidation and no longer there trying to find the year of it from the vin but with no luck do u know how I can do this without having to pay stupid amount of money to find out this is the vin MD23027351A098486 not sure if the number 1 is that or an l any help would be great regards Steve my email is stephenpatch@icloud.com
2001…
Andy.
I have a 1998 Bajaj in the UK which is based directly on a 1960’s Vespa, there are a few subtle differences but to the uninformed onlooker it looks just like a Vespa. The 125 engine was a bit rubbish so I binned that and dropped a 200cc Vespa PX lump straight in it and it’s now a really nice scooter. I also took off the big ugly indicators (turn signals), the long family size seat and the Bajaj badges and you would be hard pushed to tell the difference. It’s a bit heavier than Vespa due to the thicker steel used in the manufacturing process but I see that as a good thing. It sounds like a lot to do but apart from the engine it really isn’t much to get a very nice ‘vintage’ scooter, besides you could be lucky and get a decent engine, I think I was unlucky with mine. It was a good job I had a couple of engines laying around I my garage.
I have a bajaj bravo purchased at 1998 great scooter 2 stroke engine I wanted to insert a battery coz its not there actually I am putting it to put a dual pressure horn
Can I put a pressure horn?
I have a 1963 Vespa Bajaj built under license by Piaggio. It has Vespa badges but instead of the clamsgell speedo it has the volcano.
What was the first and last year the Piaggio licensed Bajaj to make scooters?
Just brought a Bajaj classic sl,reg’d in 1999/2000 great little bike,starts well rides nice. With a few changes(horn cover & seat locking bracket) you’d think it was a real vespa.
Hi will a vespa PX 125 engine fit into a bajaj frame 2 stroke thanks
Hi I have one of these fantastic little scooters for sale, it has done around 2000 miles and is in good condition. rare little bike in the UK and something different now and so much like the vespa. put a vespa badge on it and you would hardly know it wasn’t . Marty.
when u r launch bajaj- chetak????????
Hi there from Norway and the city av Tromsö!
I’ve got a Bajaj Chetak 125cc Classic from 1997 – and this is 2-stroke. Parts are heavenly easy to find on ebay. Remember that Classic is acctually a Vespa Sprint/Vespa PX 125cc – so just “ask” for parts to the italian scooter and you’ll get bolt’on-parts as smooth as soft-ice!
BTW parts? – – this is a very reliable scooter 🙂 (off course it should be as long as it is a Vespa 😉
Hi Lars! I have just bought a bajaj chetak 1998 and would like to learn what i can about the scooter, by the way i am also norwegian, Hedmark.
Could you please write me and email?
tvitatus@hotmail.com
Thanks!
Thomas
I am looking at getting a Bajaj SL125 Classic Chetak 1997 will that be 2 or 4 stroke>?
I got one dumped Bajaj Chetak 150cc of 1995. Took it to a local mechanic and he rebuilt everything and worked on dent paint too. Now I have a nice looking Bajaj Chetak. Only problem that I am facing is sometimes it starts in single kick and sometimes it takes even 10 to 15. So unpredictable. The mechanic told me that the problem is due to fuel supply and it will be solved over time. Oh I forgot. I am from Bangladesh.
I have 1998 make Bajaj Classic SL scooter. The speedometer is of my scooter is giving trouble. Where can I get one genuine replacement of the same & at what cost. Can any one guide me. I’ll be thankful to him/her.
where can i purchase a new bajaj scooter in Mombasa – Kenya???
thank you
hello,
I am Laurent and I am in New Mexico, USA and I am looking for parts for a
legend bajaj scooter 2001
main shaft #28101217 Short version 26cm
rear brake assembly #28151028
piston ring set # AA101334
where can i get the parts?
thank you
I have brought a bajaj classic sl and its been in the garage for too long .it seems to be the cdi unit,have tried some but its not having it.not very experienced so I need some help please
I just looked at one for sale at M&M Motorsports in Raytown, MO, USA. Only 300 miles on it. I love the fact that this one has A SPARE TIRE THAT CAN BE REPLACED BY THE DRIVER beside the road.
Where can I buy a bajaj vespa scooter in Nairobi, Kenya?
Where can i get Bajaj scooters in Andhra Pradesh. As i heard that right now we are unable to get bajaj Scooter.?
Is there any chances to get bajaj scooter.
Kindly provide me the details for the same.
I bought a 1999 Chetak SL Classic, it is for all intents and purposes apart from electricals and some deviance on things like fork and mudguard, a Vespa 150 Sprint Veloce.
Large frame Vespa engines WILL fit in excepting the GS’s which have a different footprint, so anything from 152L2 to a P range will easily slot in but you will need its engine management wiring as well as Bajaj use its own cdi and rectifier.
You can swap the Bajaj head off for a P range one as well, in fact there is a kit out there for converting a T5 square head to a pinchbolt and this will fit straight on there with a bit of care, you will lose of course the tacho and fuel guage function unless you fit a fuel sendered tank and wire in the tacho into the cdi unit, simple enough to do.
Vespa exhausts can be fitted, if you have a handmade racing exhaust, you can get the end of a Bajaj mounting flange and ask an engineering shop to close the split end up and weld a lip holding the flange on or you can buy a cheap bolt on stub adaptor which will allow all standard and racing Vespa exhausts to fit 🙂 Mine has a simonini on it but its also got a Vespa barrel on it too lol
BTW this is for 2T not 4T engines above, the rest is pretty bog standard, if you have a basic of engineering skills then you will find you can get your Bajaj going with a Vespa part no problem 🙂
Dear Sir,
Bajaj scooter is No ! in the world .I can challenge any where.Request the owner of the vechile to produce at least 100000 units for the persons who like to have one
kannan.k Trivandrum -18
k.kannan
Hi, here you can fin Bajaj Chetak selfstarter diagram:
http://www.vesparesources.com/forum/downloads.php?do=file&id=7
Or here:
http://www.stardeluxe.it (in the download section).
If you find the Bravo diagram, please post it here.
I have a bajaj bravo 2 stroke scooter , it has blinkers,battery & fuel gauge.I want its electrical wiring diagram complete with wiring color code.I also want each electrical coils identification. I shall be highly thankful,if someone feel free to help me.kindly mail me at ranjeet3699@gmail.com
OMG Chetak owners,
What could be the Fan RPM during very slow idling, and at top most
speed at around 90kmph..
Thanks
Raja.
I have a bajaj bravo 2 stroke scooter , it has blinkers,battery & fuel gauge.I want its electrical wiring diagram complete with wiring color code.I also want each electrical coils identification.
Can I fix a KnN airfilter in my Bajaj Priya Scooter. Its 2 stroke, 89 model?
Hi,
I want bajaj super service manual . If any body have link please forward me.
i need bajaj legend scooter rear indicator glass.
Hi. I am doing up a 1980 dajaj chetak 2 stroke. it has a battery and blinkers. Can someone email me a wiring diagram to peebar@yahoo.com.au so i can finish it off. Thank you
Can anyone give a website link that gives yearwise VIN Nos for Vespa scooters made by Bajaj India
Can we use Bajaj Scooter engines for driving Aggricultural water supply Centrifugal Pumps. ?
Can we get engines from Bajaj for aggriculure Industries?
We would like to use 90% Ethanol + 10% Gasoline for these engines?
Our requirements of engines is eventuallly massiv.
hai everybody, my name is rajith i have a chetak scooter 94 model…the thing is i am going to repaint the scooter…..but i like 1 blue colour dat company paint when ma dad bought our scooter….but nobody dont knows the colour real name( its a dark blue metallic colour) i asked so many painters, bajar service centres also…. but they dont know the right name of dat colour….so pls if anybody knows about the colour or the colour name pls tel me…..
Hi, my name is Pietro I live in london, and I have a Bajah 125 XL CLASSIC just lost my clutch can any body tell me where in london can I get parts ???
my self
Ravi
i have a bajaj chetak 4-stroke wonder gears scooter. please tell me from where i can get its spare parts in Himachal Pradesh.
Please let me now Bajaj dealers in Kenya. Our company urgently requires one.
Kind regards.
The news that mahindra has taken over kinetic is buzzing all around, they are coming up with these power scooters, all these other scooters like scooty pepp, nova, aviator looks very feminine, these scooters are much more masculine and mature in looks,
A very bold step by mahindra
I checked them out on http://by/15URxfit.l
Hi I bought a Bajaj Classic SL 125 recently and I love it. Bought it in Dunfermline and brought it back to Manchester. It’s cracking however the exhaust fell off today and now I’m having problems getting it repaired / a replacement. A lot of garages don’t seem to want to touch it?!?!
Anyone got any advise?
Hiya
i just recently bought a bajaj chetak from ebay and i would like to buy a headlight and indicator switch. can anyone please advice where i can get hold of them from. am in london uk….and would be willing to purchase from anywhere in world. regards.
Hi may i know the price of Bajaj scooter for exporting to abroad of your country.
it is very kind of you if you inform by mail.
Thank u
I own a Bajaj 150, built in 1984. I’m restoring it and had some questions still about the company and the scooter:
1. When Bajaj was making scooters under license from Vespa, were they creating indian made Vespas, or a different imprint? Were these only sold in India, or were they exported to other parts of the world?
2. Why did Bajaj and Vespa split in the mid 70’s?
3. How did Bajaj get away with continuing using the molds that I’m assuming Vespa had ownership of?
4. What, if any, differences are there between a Bajaj 150 and a Vespa Sprint from the mid ’70s? I’m not an expert but to me they look identical. Did Bajaj make any changes to the scooter, or did they just keep on cranking the mid 70’s Vespa Sprint style well into the 80’s?
Thanks in advance for your collective assistance!
René.
Hi
I got a Bajaj 150 from Bangkok 2 years ago. Its totally restored and looks exactly as a Vespa 150 – 1961. 8″ wheels. I believe this is the model made on license in India. Ole Munck/Denmark
ive got a 125 classic that im chopping down abit,the pin in the forks has seized,would px forks fit?also could someone tell me the right size the jets should be,it has a dellorto si20 carb ,i think this is standard in these as it looks nearly like my px engine.thanks.
I am a resident of Malta and I hv just bought a Bajaj Chetak. I need some help on buying a maintenance manual and a site form where to buy spare parts 🙂
i have a vespa vbb and bought a bajaj engine to go in it were can i get a wire ing diagram for this engine
je possede une vespa baja de 1961 et cherche des info technique elle es toute d’origine
Hi there to all,
I’m currently restoring a Bajaj 150 Chetak. Not sure what year it is, pick it up rusting in a guys back-yard. Problem is in South Africa you just can’t get parts, there is one guy selling but he’s got limited items and is charging the earth for them, for example he wants the equivelant of $70 for a piston head and rings and $150 for the clutch kit, maybe its just me but this seems expensive. I’ve rebuilt other motorbikes before (bigger bikes) and this seems to be the most expensive yet. What i’m tryna find out is, can i use a different clutch kit and piston combo? I’m gonna bore out the block anyway so size can be adapted, but again what parts? Vespa? Which one?
Hope somebody can tell me. Thanks
Kind Regards
Jason Wilsnach
I have a 2005 Bajaj Chetak, and it runs like a dream.
hi dennis whats your email address
Hi, I currently own 3 bajaj scooters made in India. I went to india myself and restored them there. There is a lot of miss information regarding these bikes. The 3 I have are quite old and are almost exactly the same as a 60’s style vespa. Besides a few minor badges. There is also a whole under the seat that is missing from these frames. (something to do with water leaking on the engine) The parts are also all the exact same. The only difference is the badge on the engine parts.
I have a 79 Bajaj 150, and two Bajaj Priya’s. I also Have an Inida made Alwyn Pushpack (lambretta 150)
While in Delhi where there are many people selling refurbished italian vespas and Indian Vespas, I spoke and worked with many mechanics. The engines are the exact same. (for older Baja scooters.) I can’t speak for newer ones.
Currently vespa even makes some of their parts in India. They are quite reliable in my experience. As reliable as any 30 year old bike. I drove them in India and I also drove my bikes in Canada where they are now. I had some minor work done on them (brakes and lights) in Canada and the Vesap Mechanic there also told me the parts were the same as a 60’s Vespa.
Hope this helps. Email me if you would like to see pics or have any questions. Hope this helps someone.
denis
hi i have just bought a bajaj its in bits and has a vespa 125 engine in bits aswell will this fit ok or will i have 2 get a bajaj engine is it easy 2 get part for this scooter like panels or will crash bars fit of the vespas or will the primavera panels fit
Hi i am in Australia and i know where one of these scooters are sitting in a shed with genuine 74mile on the spedo i am going to make a offer but how much is reasonable same colour too
thanks
I want to know if they sell bajaj vespa in europe and if they
have parts and acessories for sale.
Thank you
John
I believe that a friend has one-a Belladonna-he believes that it was made in India to Vespa specifications but I am sure it was not (made to Vespa specs !). It’s okay now, but has had a number of hiccups-things that would never happen to a Vespa (I have had two Vespas, so I know what I’m on about) in the short time that he’s had it. Also, it seems to get scratched & dented more than the rael thing should & is generally not Vespa quality. I haven’t said anything-it’s too late now-but I would if anyone else I knew was thinking of buying one.
Yer gets what yer pays for.
Wie kan mij vertellen wie de importeur is voor nederland
van de Bajaj scooters?
I own a Plus Power Bajaj 2000 from Auteco, Medellín, Colombia.
Necesito Por Favor el manual del Carburador
Here’s another one on the maintenance, care, and everything else Bajaj:
http://www.bajajrestoration.blogspot.com
Hi there,
i live in Heysham,Lancs.and i am restoring a Baja,125cc,Chetak Classic.I am very interested if anybody can tell me where i can buy some keys for ignition ,as i have ignition barrel but no keys.Alternatively to purchase new ignition barrel and new keys,and keys and lock for seat,with many thanks,
best wishes,Tony
Okay, in Colombia, you would see a lot More Bajaj vespalike bikes than real vespas these were imported by a company named Auteco, so they have both the names “AUTECO BAJAJ PLUS”, but there are some real Piaggio Vespas, a few classics, a bunch of PX italians from ’94 thru ’96 and then some of the Indian produced Vespa by LML from 2000 (later called Star Deluxe). you can also find a few lambrettas from the 60’s, under the name of Auteco.
i’ve got a Piaggio vespa150 originale ’99 , that is actually made by LML in India too but before they set apart and i can tell you it’s as good as the italian
(but yes, let’s be clear, Bajaj sucks)
I own a Bajaj. It’s a great scoot. Check out this website for all you could want to know: http://www.retrobajaj.informe.com
Wow thats amazing! I wish my dad took me out on the scotoer when i was a boy.
Check out this pictue – this is the ad we used to see growing up in india: the bajaj scooter as the the family transport :
http://www.provoscooter.com/tsl/images/124IndianFamily.jpg
http://www.vespagang.blogspot.com/
hey check this out!