Aspes Motorcycles

Moto Aspes was founded in 1955 on the outskirts of Varese, Italy, originally as a bicycle manufacturer under the name Aspes Fabbrica Cicli e Ciclomotori. The company moved into lightweight motorcycles in 1968 using Minarelli engines, and its first off-road model, the Cross 69 Special, followed in 1969. Aspes built real racing credibility through the early 1970s - rider Felice Agostini won the Italian motocross championship on an Aspes in 1971 - and late in 1972 the company partnered with engineer Vito Consiglio to develop its own front forks and engines under a joint venture called Asco. In 1977 Aspes rounded out its range with inexpensive 50cc mopeds, most notably the Navaho, built around a Minarelli Compact System engine.