Italjet, an Italian company founded in 1959 by Leopoldo Tartarini, has been building motorcycles and scooters, first as ItalMZ, using engines sourced from MZ in East Germany until a 50cc Minarelli-powered Cafe Racer made it big and he renamed his company ‘Italjet’.

In 1965 Tartarini produced a twin-cylinder Italjet Grifo 500, powered by a Triumph engine in a frame of his own making. However the word ‘Grifo’ was already taken so he added an -n and the name became ‘Grifon‘. 1967 saw the production of a larger, Triumph Bonneville powered Grifon 650, equipped with Marzocchi forks and Grimeca brakes. 600 units were sold worldwide.

Italjet produced Ducati powered bikes and 125cc Bucaneers, powered by Yamaha. In fact apart from a GP racer, the company has always used outsourced engines from Triumph, Minarelli, MZ, Franco Morini, Yamaha, Piaggio, etc.

In 1999 Italjet displayed a new Grifon 900, powered by a Triumph T300 3-cylinder engine. However, the cost of the bike made it uncompetitive. In 2003 Italjet entered bankruptcy. However, the iconic Italjet Dragster scooter and the Italjet name were acquired by Tartarini’s eldest son, Massimo.

ITALJET GRIFON ‘BAZOOKA’ CONCEPT

The Hyosung GT650 based Grifon 650 shown here was unveiled a year or two back. It’s basically a GT650 fitted with a new tank, seat, wire wheels, brakes, fork and exhaust system. Street-tracker style handlebars are fitted. The ‘Bazooka’ concept Grifon 650 has alloy wheels and clip on handlebars instead, for that ‘Cafe Racer’ look.

Although it does seem a bit superficial, being basically a dress-up kit for a Hyosung GT650, I believe this is a really fantastic bike, though being Korean-based, the visual appeal is very exciting. Sadly, however, financial issues may mean this splendid bike may never see the light of day. I’d REALLY love to have one. If you feel strongly that this bike should be made, as I do, please contact Mr. Steve S. Kang at Hyosung! Tell him you NEED this Italjet Grifon 650!

Here’s a video review by MCN on this fantastic bike!

Would you like to see this in production? If so please write in the comments box below and pass the link for this posting to your friends around the world. I will send this to Italjet!!

バイカーブードゥー

Leopoldo Tartarini, the founder and president of Italjet has created this wonderful, gracefully retro moped – the Italjet Amarcord. The Amarcord leaves viewers speechless right at first sight. Its retro styling, futuristic and timeless look, combined with the high tech rear suspension system are truly representative of a work of kinetic sculpture!

The Amarcord is styled to look like a 1920s Italian sporty moped but with the addition of excellent comfort and the convenience of a state-of-the-art modern 150cc 4-stroke engine. This machine is in the final stages of development at the Italjet factory and will be available soon.

It looks like a super-retro equivalent of the Kawasaki KSR110. I want one! Do you?

バイカーブードゥー

Italjet, an Italian company founded in 1959 by Leopoldo Tartarini, has been building motorcycles and scooters, first as ItalMZ, using engines sourced from MZ in East Germany until a 50cc Minarelli-powered Cafe Racer made it big and he renamed his company ‘Italjet’.

In 1965 Tartarini produced a twin-cylinder Italjet Grifo 500, powered by a Triumph engine in a frame of his own making. However the word ‘Grifo’ was already taken so he added an -n and the name became ‘Grifon‘. 1967 saw the production of a larger, Triumph Bonneville powered Grifon 650, equipped with Marzocchi forks and Grimeca brakes. 600 units were sold worldwide.

Italjet produced Ducati powered bikes and 125cc Bucaneers, powered by Yamaha. In fact apart from a GP racer, the company has always used outsourced engines from Triumph, Minarelli, MZ, Franco Morini, Yamaha, Piaggio, etc.

In 1999 Italjet displayed a new Grifon 900, powered by a Triumph T300 3-cylinder engine. However, the cost of the bike made it uncompetitive. In 2003 Italjet entered bankruptcy. However, the iconic Italjet Dragster scooter and the Italjet name were acquired by Tartarini’s eldest son, Massimo.

ITALJET GRIFON ‘BAZOOKA’ CONCEPT

The Hyosung GT650 based Grifon 650 shown here was unveiled a year or two back. It’s basically a GT650 fitted with a new tank, seat, wire wheels, brakes, fork and exhaust system. Street-tracker style handlebars are fitted. The ‘Bazooka’ concept Grifon 650 has alloy wheels and clip on handlebars instead, for that ‘Cafe Racer’ look.

Although it does seem a bit superficial, being basically a dress-up kit for a Hyosung GT650, I believe this is a really fantastic bike, though being Korean-based, the visual appeal is very exciting. Sadly, however, financial issues may mean this splendid bike may never see the light of day. I’d REALLY love to have one. If you feel strongly that this bike should be made, as I do, please contact Mr. Steve S. Kang at Hyosung! Tell him you NEED this Italjet Grifon 650!

Here’s a video review by MCN on this fantastic bike!

Would you like to see this in production? If so please write in the comments box below and pass the link for this posting to your friends around the world. I will send this to Italjet!!

バイカーブードゥー

Leopoldo Tartarini, the founder and president of Italjet has created this wonderful, gracefully retro moped – the Italjet Amarcord. The Amarcord leaves viewers speechless right at first sight. Its retro styling, futuristic and timeless look, combined with the high tech rear suspension system are truly representative of a work of kinetic sculpture!

The Amarcord is styled to look like a 1920s Italian sporty moped but with the addition of excellent comfort and the convenience of a state-of-the-art modern 150cc 4-stroke engine. This machine is in the final stages of development at the Italjet factory and will be available soon.

It looks like a super-retro equivalent of the Kawasaki KSR110. I want one! Do you?

バイカーブードゥー