1957 Beta 125
The history of this bike is really rich! But first a brief mention of the history of Beta. The company was founded in 1904 by Giuseppe Bianchi (the name Beta is derived from the initials of the two men who ran the company, Enzo Bianchi & Arrigo Tosi) but only produced bicycles until the late 1940s.
In 1948, a simple 2-stroke 48 cc engine was added to the bike – the Cervo 48. A suitable motorcycle, the Cigno, was soon born.
A range of 2-stroke road bikes followed until the 1970s when all-terrain machines (for which the company is now well known) were introduced. Lapo Bianchi, grandson of the founder, currently runs the company.
Now comes the bike I took in 2014.
This 1957 Beta 125 The machine was purchased new in Sicily and registered under the name of 14 year old Vito (who dated 1/11/57 with a hammer and chisel on the LH engine cover).
It was used to transport produce from the distant family farm (milk from local shepherds, etc.) to Palermo. Something faster than a bicycle was needed because the robbers arranged the delivery!
Vito then used it to get him to school. It was then passed on to his younger brother, then to his father, who used it until 1995.
In 2014, after years of storage, Vito restored the bike then imported it to Australia, where he had emigrated as a young man.
A few period photos showing a young Vito with a bicycle and it in front of the family farm (no electricity or water, earthen floors) shared with two other families and shepherds .
After hearing about Vito’s history with the bike, I drove away from the shoot with a certain warm feeling in my heart.
