Indholdsfortegnelse for February 2022 i Scootering

This information is provided by Stephen Hattersley, of WildWood Legal, a firm of solicitors specialising in claims for injured scooterists. Stephen, a qualified solicitor for 25 years, has been riding scooters for more than 30 years and has acted for injured riders across the UK. He knows the tricks and pitfalls that insurers use and pulls no punches in his dealings with them. He rides to work every day and understands the challenges you face out there. Q. I bought a Vespa to restore off eBay last year. It all seemed legitimate at the time. I’ve since found out it was actually a stolen scoot. The previous owner’s insurers have written to me saying the bike is now theirs as they paid out on it. I have tried contacting the…

The company website has long been the ‘go to’ spot for parts diagrams and now, following a complete redesign, parts ordering is set to be even easier. All stock will be laid out, in live time, with intuitive ordering and payment processes. In addition to original Vespa spares Ron Daley’s offers a full range of products from major brands such as BGM, Bitubo, Carbone, Pinasco and SIP. Shipping is offered worldwide with no extra import or clearance costs for customers in the UK. For your own look at the new website visit www.rondaleyscooters.co.uk…

Riders insured directly with Aviva should shortly receive notification that renewals won’t be offered on their ‘motorcycle’ insurance policies. In a surprise move Aviva, the UK’s largest general insurer, will no longer offer motorcycle insurance as one of its products. Liz Kennet, Aviva’s social media relations manager, told Scootering: “As part of our plans to improve and simplify our product range, we are changing the focus of our motorbike insurance business. In future, we will partner with specialist motorbike providers to underwrite their products, and we will no longer offer Aviva motorbike insurance products direct or through brokers. “We are committed to making these changes as easy as possible for our customers, who will be contacted in advance of their renewal to inform them about the changes. “These changes will…

Just like all his scooter mates, Dave dreamt one day of owning his own machine. The usual obstacle of parents wasn’t a problem, they’d already allowed his older brother to have a Yamaha Fizzy when he was 16. In fact, that was the only rule to adhere to, being the legal age required to ride one on the road. Oh, and that the money came from oneself and not borrowed. Negotiations with the old man sorted and with £60 in his pocket Dave set about the task in hand, buying one of Innocenti’s finest. Although most of his friends had Vespas, for Dave it had to be a Lambretta. A picture of a Pacemaker (Li150 sSpecial) in a copy of Scootermania had made his mind up. The problem was the…

Current BSSO Group 4 Champion Tom Shaw is part of the A1 Bike Training family in Doncaster. During a chat with Tom, we came round to the subject of how many people were new to scootering and to safety aspects surrounding their purchase. We wondered about just how often we jump on our scoot and zip off? More importantly, how often do we all ignore the basics – and do many riders even know what the basics are? Over the next few issues Tom will help you get the most out of your scooter by sharing his experience, covering both advanced and safe riding techniques. Before getting out on the road it’s important to make sure that your scooter’s in peak condition so we start with the basics: daily, weekly…

“... its radical engineering and enduring design make this one of the most influential and important Lambretta models ever created” DIMENSIONS Wheelbase: 1292mm Maximum length: 1830mm Maximum width: 710mm Maximum height: 1060mm Carrying capacity: 2 Weight: 104kg (230lb) PERFORMANCE (TO CUNA RULES) Maximum speed: 54mph/86kph Consumption: 120mpg ENGINE/TRANSMISSION GROUP Capacity: 148cc Bore: 57mm Stroke: 58mm Compression ratio: 7.00:1 Maximum power (To CUNA rules): BHP@5300rpm Clutch: Multiple discs in oil bath Transmission: Duplex chain ratio 1-3.066 (15/46) between crankshaft and clutch sprocket Gearbox: Four speed, twist grip combined with clutch and controlled by double cable. Gear indicator on twist grip boss Overall ratios: 1st: 13.95 - 1 2nd: 9.00 - 1 3rd: 6.67 - 1 4th: 5.22 - 1…

On Form Hi Stan, I’m emailing you with regard to the article ‘Completing the V55/5’ in your January 2022 edition. I have registered around nine Italian imported Lambrettas over the last two years and most of them have been processed by the DVLA relatively easily, although I thought I should point out a few of my experiences with them. I had one early application rejected because I had not inserted the unladen weight in kg on the V55/5, therefore every subsequent application I filled out as much as possible i.e. unladen weight, width, length as these are easy to do. I’ve also had an application rejected with a dating certificate from the Belgium Lambretta Club as it was not in English and perceived to be a photocopy. Personally, I’d advise…

Name: Fraser Colquhoun. Scooter club & town: Independent rider. Any interesting or funny scooter stories: I worked for the AA for a while and attended a few rallies to repair scooters. I remember looking at a Vespa with no spark. When I removed the flywheel it had no stator or internals. The fella who’d called the job in then admitted that he’d just bought it and wanted to be taken home! If you had to recommend one scooter part or item of riding kit what would it be: Casa front disc brake, it’s a brilliant piece of kit; fits well and will stop you on a sixpence. Also Oiltek fuel tank; looks good and fits well. Scooter model: Indian GP200. ENGINE SPEC Kit: TS1 with LTN left-hand manifold to bring…

Arguably, the golden era for touring motorcar racing was the 1960s and one of the most iconic saloon cars of that decade was the Mk1 Lotus Cortina. Initially Ford marketed their high-performance sports saloon as the ‘Consul Cortina developed by Lotus’. Thankfully the Consul title was quickly dropped and after a couple of other name changes the model became popularly known as the ‘Lotus Cortina’. The Lotus Cortina’s origins go back to 1961 with Lotus founder Colin Chapman taking a personal interest in the development of what would become a legendary vehicle. For some time Chapman had been investigating the possibility of building his own engines for Lotus, due to the exorbitant cost of using the Coventry Climax engine. Collaborating with a friend of his, Harry Mundy, who was an…

Scooter model: 1970 Vespa Sprint fitted with a 1972 Veloce three-port 150cc engine. Any specialised parts or mods: No specialist parts. I wanted the scooter to go back to standard as far as is possible to keep originality. All parts were bought from UK suppliers and many required some fettling to fit properly. Most parts from VespaJets because of their great service. ENGINE SPEC Kit: None – it’s a completely standard 150cc with a 20/20 carb. It had a knackered 20/15 on when I got it. Exhaust: Standard but with a £10 chrome mini tailpipe from Halfords which stops the back end of the scooter getting covered with oil residue. People often ask where I got the “flash” exhaust. Describe engine performance and scooter handling: Scooter pulls well in all…

Custom duty payable on some GB imports It’s always been necessary for owners of vintage scooters to source at least some spare parts from continental Europe. This is particularly a problem for Vespa enthusiasts, as one of the prime suppliers of spare parts for this marque is in Germany. Following Brexit, items being imported to Great Britain at a cost of £135.01 or higher, including post and packaging, are now subject to 20% VAT. There is no duty on items below this value (with the exception of wines, spirits and tobacco products). Gifts above £39 also attract VAT. Also, to add to this mix, there can be a handling fee for this customs process that is not at a fixed rate and some couriers are notoriously expensive when it comes…

Publisher: Moto Retro Author: Francisco Herreros ISBN: 978-84-934734-5-7 211 pages Price: 45 Euros This book is an enlarged volume of the previously published title ‘Vespa 1953 – 2002’, also from the same author and publisher. Francisco Herreros’ latest book covers the history, production and technical details of the entire Spanish production from the Moto Vespa Company. Sadly for the English reader the text is in Spanish, but as the book is full of diagrams and photographs of the subject matter, much of the information is self-explanatory. As far as is known, this book and its predecessor are the only publications on this little known, often badly interpreted and poorly understood subject. For those lucky enough to have a copy of the first volume, this book is purely an extension of…

And so, another trip over t’ hills was planned to get very close to the breathtakingly beautiful machines that belong to Brian Clough; machines that I can only describe after seeing them up close, as too good – in fact to be honest, so good the only words I could find to fit what I’m trying to say would be: “Über perfect!” THE LIFE OF BRIAN Brian Clough, now a sprightly 72 years young, was born in Wardle, a Lancashire mill town, in 1949. He still lives in the area and is a proud, born and bred ‘Wardleite’, or whatever that particular Lancastrian clan call themselves. He can remember seeing scooters being ridden around his local area while he was leaning on a lamp post on the corner of his…

I recently found myself flicking through various clips and behind the scenes of This is England on YouTube. A film and TV series that I’m pretty sure the majority of scooterists can relate to. As is so often the case with the internet I soon found myself heading down a rabbit hole of behind the scenes videos, ‘talking heads’ with the actors and of course an interview with the talented writer Shane Meadows. There’s no doubt that Meadows writes about the gritty stuff. In many ways he’s very ordinary and writes predominantly about what affected him, and his life, as he grew up in the Midlands surrounded by the political and cultural situations of the 1980s and 90s. The original This is England was set in 1983 with subsequent instalments…

“I guarantee that after reading this book you’ll never take an expansion chamber for granted again.” My choice for this month’s Book Club is unusual as scooters aren’t mentioned once within its covers. Bear with me though as the story of how the humble expansion chamber was developed is more Ian Fleming than Haynes manual. In the early 1960s, with the world constantly teetering on the edge of nuclear annihilation, the Cold War was played out on every imaginable front. In East Germany sport was a weapon through which the socialist state could prove its superiority. Here, a former Nazi engineer, Walter Kaaden, repurposed technology first developed as part of Hitler’s V1 ‘flying bomb’ programme to develop the expansion chamber exhaust. Thanks to this new technology, the East German MZ…

1) Brakes Auto scooters  Front and rear brake check: Apply four fingers and squeeze the lever, push the scooter lightly forwards. As you apply pressure to the lever, you should soon feel resistance. Do this on each brake individually. Geared scooters Front: Apply four fingers and squeeze the lever, push the scooter lightly forwards and continue to apply pressure to the lever, until you lightly feel resistance. Rear: Apply foot pedal, push the scooter lightly forwards, apply pressure to the pedal until you feel resistance. 2) Electrics check Turn the ignition on (for some scooters, the engine will need to be running in order to fulfil the checks described below). Lights Headlight: Check the dip and main beam. When on main beam, check that the dashboard main beam light indicator…

Towards the end of the 1950s, the Lambretta was regarded as one of the world’s finest motor scooters with its only serious rival being the Vespa. This was a time of intense rivalry between the two marques and to stave off the competition from Piaggio, Innocenti knew they had to develop a new model. This was to be completely different from that which had gone before, a new design that was improved cosmetically but more importantly one that was mechanically more advanced. Ripping up the rule book Ever since the Lambretta had been created it had followed a similar pattern, a small frame with eight-inch wheels that was driven by a low-powered motor. Using an engine that was shaft driven and utilised a three-speed gearbox was perfectly fine when the…

Among the best known, time served scooterists and DJs of Halifax parish is ‘Dukesy’. Like many scooterists he’s a fan of the 1980s and when he decided to build the latest in a long line of scooters it was to be the physical incarnation of that era; it also had to be a model that was intimately associated with the decade. His scooter was to dare to echo his love of the penthouse and pavements of Halifax in the early 80s, and why not? He’s only human. We caught up in the centre of Halifax for a chit-chat about his memories made real. Travelogue… Dukesy… “I got into scootering in around 1976. I was at school and I’d seen some older lads with scooters on the fields where we used…

Scene it all before Hi Stan, You asked for feedback on Stu Owen’s column about ‘the scene’ and I’m glad I carried on reading it to the end as I nearly didn’t. I don’t remember the 1980s with any fondness at all, so tend to switch off when the subject crops up. But in general I agree with him, the scene is what it is. Nobody was trying to recreate anything back in the day, we just wanted to have a good time. Trying to recreate the past is a folly of the old and the foolish. We have our eyes in the front of our head so we can look forwards, not backwards, so let’s celebrate what we have rather than compare it to what it was. Stu’s right,…

Paintwork & murals by: Richard Coveney (Riding Dirty Customs). Chrome by: Silvabronz, Alton. Seat by: Casa reupholstered by Glenn Moger Motorcycle Seats, Eastleigh. Any frame modifications? Rejigged by Dean Stradling. Otherwise standard. Oiltek rear disc brake. In hindsight, is there anything you would have done differently: Yes, I’d have taken a tape measure when I went to buy it and made sure it was 100% straight and true before I bought it! Is there anyone you wish to thank: Mike Cass for the engine, Dean Stradling for the jigging and body fitment, Oiltek for the parts and advice, MB and Casa for parts that fit, Glenn Moger for the seat work and Richard Coveney for the paint.…

Stu: How do you develop a project? Jamie: “Everything is done ‘in house’. Before we start the job we discuss the customer’s ideas with them and advise the best options before they bring the scooter to us. In the lead up to the scooter arriving, Jenna will complete the digital designs for the customer to approve. Once the scooter arrives, the customer receives constant progress photos of each stage to make sure they’re happy with each part of the process. “The prepping process then begins. Jenna starts by prepping the materials and equipment she will need for the artwork and designs. In the meantime, I start the base-paint and then we work together completing the pinstriping, graphics and murals. “When that’s finished I complete the final stages of the job…

Brothers Irakli and Misha started their scooter journey in 2011. Irakli was a doctor at the time, but wanted to do something new, Misha was a director of a bee farm and honey production business. Scooters were very rare in Georgia and the pair struck upon the idea that scooters could be a good option for transport in the country. They began to investigate if there’d be any demand and at first people were very sceptical. Basically, they were afraid of two-wheel transport and perceived safety etc. Despite the negativity they carried on (in a modest way) as they could see that Georgia was a fast developing country. Cautiously they imported a single scooter. The scooter sold before it even arrived and Irakli, with his brother Misha, decided to become…

In addition to one of Scootering’s racier photoshoots, Liberator also featured on at least three patches. As one of the best-known custom Vegas of all time it was inevitable that it would be adopted by the Luna Owners Club; it also achieved the distinction of being on two of Paddy Smith’s iconic creations. These were both issued in 1993 and used the same artwork which was retitled for Oban and Hagen. Eagle-eyed readers will note that the registration number’s changed over the years. What can we say? It was the 80s but rest assured it’s all legal now. If you know of any other patches that feature Liberator, we’d love to hear from you.…

Let me paint the picture: on a damp Monday afternoon, my phone rang with an enquiry about the Scooter World Show 2022. ”What time can I gain access?”– a simple question, easily answered – except that I’d hardly put the phone down when I got the message that the show had been cancelled! Given the prevailing Covid/Omicron situation, this was hardly surprising news (I’d been told the previous Friday that a meeting would be held ‘next week’ to assess the situation). But what caught me off guard was that the news broke before it was confirmed to me; and when it did, it set off a chain reaction of emails, Facebook messages and phone calls, resulting in me losing the rest of the day trying to deal with them. So…

Registration plate regulations query The wording in the ‘Red Champion’ article which appeared in the previous issue sent my brain whirling with a question I couldn’t find the answer to: ‘One story Bill Simmonds remembers was when he went to a National VCB rally in Torbay shortly after the new format, non-black and white number plates were announced. Not to be outdone by this new legislation, Frank matched the yellow and hand-painted and varnished a black and white number plate for the front of his GS and a black and yellow one for the rear. However, one keen-eyed policeman in Torquay spotted them and the result was that Frank was prosecuted because the home-made plates were not legal. Frank hadn’t realised that it wasn’t the colour of the new plates…

Name: Rod Gillan. Job: Civil servant. Scooter club: Northern Coasters SC, Portrush. First interest: In 1985 when my Mod mates got into the scooter scene. First scooter: Vespa 100. Favourite scooter model: Vespa PX. First ever rally: Pan Irish Mod Rally, Dublin 1985. Funniest experience: Coming back from Pan Irish Mod Rally with Antrim Coasters SC during the summer of ’85. We were all on Vespa 100s or 50 Specials and dressed in summer gear. When it started to rain we got soaked and had to stop several times to warm our hands on our exhausts!! Favourite custom scooter: PM Tuning Rothmans P2. Build recommendation: Buy quality parts every time.…

BUCKS SPARTANS MK SC Based in Milton Keynes, Spartans MK SC is a well-supported club. Info: Ray Reader mobile 07969 263840 or 01908 395961/Lyn Tofts 07831 383377 (for clothing and general info). Facebook: SPARTANS MKSC TIN SOLDIERS SC Meet every Saturday from 9.45am at Captain Ridley’s Shooting Party (Wetherspoons), MK2 2ED. Monthly meet held at same venue, but first Thursday each month from 7.30pm. Up-to-date information via Facebook: Tin Soldiers Scooter Club. DORSET POOLE INNERCIRCLE SC We are a mixed club of Lambrettas and Vespas. We meet at the New Inn, Poole on the first Wednesday of the month with a ride-out every month. More info find Poole Innercircle Scooter Club on Facebook. ESSEX WRITTLE INTERNATIONAL SCOOTER COLLECTIVE All scooters and scooterists welcome. Info via Facebook ‘Writtle International Scooter Collective’.…

When this year’s Nationals were announced there was some uncertainty surrounding the exact details for the end of season rally in Southport. We’re pleased to announce that all will go ahead as planned for the weekend of October 28-30, 2022. Early birds can take advantage of a rally special discount arranged with The Prince of Wales Hotel; just call 0161 923 9170 and quote discount code ‘SCOOTERRALLY281022’. Further details can be found on the VFM and LCGB social media sites.…

As daily checks plus: 1) Brakes Auto scooters Front and rear brake: Check sight glass on master cylinders, (situated on handlebars). On some scooters you have to turn handlebars to get fluid level in sight glass. On the sight glass there will be a ‘minimum’ indication line; when the fluid gets down to that level the brake pads will probably be ready for replacing. You can visually check your brake pads on front and rear calipers. Check your brake hose lines for any damage. Geared scooters Front hydraulic: As auto scooter Rear: Apply foot pedal until you feel resistance. Check the amount of travel before the brake applies pressure to the brake shoes. Drum brakes can be adjusted by the cable adjuster, check your scooter’s specific manual for proper adjustment…

■ According to official factory figures in total 110,944 were produced over a 16-month period. That’s almost 1700 scooters a week! ■ Originally the chain tensioners were a one-piece fixed item, these changed to the two-piece adjustable type later on in production. ■ A much-modified version was entered in the Scottish Six Days Trial held in May 1959. In total three machines competed in the gruelling event but were not expected to last past the first day. Despite more than half the motorcycle entrants failing to make it, all the Li150s completed the six-day challenge.…

“...the original testers recorded a stopping distance of 44 feet, our Series 1 came to a halt in just 14 feet.” SPECIFICATION AS TESTED Mugello 198cc kit Tameni 58mm crank Dell’Orto 30mm phbh Nissin anti-dive hydraulic front brake Li125 gearbox CST3 expansion chamber Gamma technology on-board data acquisition Anthony Tambs stator and flywheel BGM Pro F16 competition front shock absorbers Oiltec tank Jockey’s Boxenstop H4 halogen headlight conversion Max bhp: 17.76 Max torque: 16.50bhp Back in our February 2019 issue I proclaimed an RB277 powered Series 1 from the stable of JB Tuning to be the closest I’ve come to scootering perfection. It’s a decision I stand by so it was with interest that I approached this Mugello 198 powered example which, at the time of our test, was waiting…

After having to postpone our planned ride to Corsica not once but twice due to Covid, we were more than ready to get abroad, so when the opportunity came up for a quick trip over half term we decided to go for it. The signs aren’t good… Initially we picked the Gorges de Galamus, an area just below Carcassonne which we had read about in a book by Chris Hardy. However, looking at the mileage (and us being slow and crap) we scrapped the idea as by the time we got there, we would have to turn around and come home. Instead, we opted to visit a couple of places from my bucket list; Oradour-sur-Glane and La Roque-Gageac. I started to work my way through the ‘to do’ list; travel…

Least crap snap…

Name: David Ross. Job: Retired photographer and teacher. Scooter club & town: Oxford Roadrunners Facebook group and Vespa Owners Club. Favourite style of scooter: I like to see scooters put back to the original specification. I do have a friend that has wrapped a Royal Alloy in ‘rust’ and that looks pretty cool. It’s your own personal taste that is important. What would make the scene better: I think it’s fab at the moment with new scooters like Royal Alloys and older historic scooters being ridden by young and old alike. I quite often go to the H-Cafe in Berinsfield where there’s always a warm welcome.…

My Vespa GTS is ridden all year round and I knew mine was heading into filters and belt change territory. In a rare act of forward planning I decided that this should be done before winter set in. I would rather do it in the warmth before winter set in, than in the middle of February with frozen fingers. Unfortunately I’d no idea where to start; give me a PX or a Cosa and I’ll happily strip it blindfolded but the four-stroke GTS is a thing of mystery. Luckily Phil ‘Dr Kitch’ Kitchen was on hand to point the way forward while I took photos and notes. For this feature we’ve split the job into two parts, although in reality both would be done at the same time. This month…

Scooter name: Streetstyle SS Custom. Scooter model: Lambretta DL. Date purchased: June 2021. Inspiration: Ralph Saxelby’s RS Customs. Time to build and by who?: Four months by Sprouley at Streetstyle Scooters. Specialised parts or mods: Andy Nixon seat, Franspeed exhaust, SIP speedo. Engine spec: BGM 225 RT kit. Is scooter reliable?: Yes. Paintwork: Victor Currie. Tech tip: Use quality parts and people to build/paint. Thanks and acknowledgments: Streetstyle Scooters and Victor Currie for the top class paintwork.…