Innehållsförteckning för February 2019 från Scootering

Like all politicians, I’ll get the bad news out of the way first… there’s no Targa 275 ‘Street Sleeper’ update this month. List of excuses include… none of the parts I ordered arrived, the electrician who is plumbing power into my shed is booked but can’t get to me for another two weeks, and while I completed all the paperwork for a V5 (and endured a vehicle inspection from the SGS) I’m still waiting to hear back from the DVLA. Thus… everything hangs in the balance on parts, power, and registration! It’s not all bad news though, the slot I had earmarked in the mag (p92-93) is filled with one of the nicest scooters Stan has ever ridden (his own words) – a 43hp JB tuned RB, in a S1…

The past few years have seen unprecedented growth in the number of tuning products available for both Vespa and Lambretta. With every manufacturer claiming that its products are the best available, it’s a confusing world for both novice and experienced riders alike. This winter we’re building three scooters and this summer we’ll pit them against each other to see how they perform in a ‘real world’ long distance road test. Our aim is to ride from the UK to Zanka in Hungary for Vespa World Days then on to Zakopane in Poland for Eurolambretta before heading home. There’ll be a backup van but every mile will be ridden and reported on both in the magazine and on social media (see Dan’s videos regarding the components list and engine specs on…

The mastermind behind Barracuda is no stranger to the pages of Scootering. Back in 2006 Felix Richter unveiled his Vespa project, ‘El Sidney’, a PX that would evolve into a liquid-cooled 50bhp monster. What separated El Sidney from the competition wasn’t just outrageous BHP it was the neatness of its execution, particularly its unique CNC-milled engine case. “I love my CNC machines,” laughed Felix, “almost as much as I love my scooters.” An engineer by training, Felix is fortunate enough to work in the world of high end CNC manufacturing and has access to some of the most advanced machinery that’s currently available. A long time scooter enthusiast it’s only natural that he’d turn his fertile imagination to improving them in his own style. Complete concept “I thought that El…

They’re three letters associated with high quality, one off parts but what do they mean? In simple terms Computer Numerical Control (CNC or NC) is a process used in manufacturing that enables a computer to control cutting tools. Computer Aided Design (CAD) software having been used to produce detailed drawings, the computer converts that information into a series of numbers, effectively co-ordinates, which it feeds to a precision cutting machine. This CNC machine then uses a variety of implements to ‘carve’ out the design from a solid metal billet. The process is extremely accurate and enables prototypes or limited run items to be produced very cost effectively.…

There’s no doubt about it, Vietnamese traffic is chaotic and the first foray onto the road is daunting. After a while patterns begin to emerge and with them the realisation that there’s a method to the madness. In a country where insurance exists more as a concept than reality no one wants to collide and when accidents do occur they’re usually resolved on the spot with cash. Whatever the rules may say it’s mutually understood that there’s a defined area of personal responsibility. Look straight forward and anything in the 2m ahead or, if it’s closer, up to the rear of the next vehicle is for the individual to take care of. What’s happening behind or to the side is irrelevant. When there’s a need to enter a junction, turn,…

Kevin Walsh had, over time, built up many strong friendships within the scootering fraternity and a great many of these became very long-lasting. It was obvious that his role as the leader of the LCGB for all those years, combined with his duties at other organisations within the industry, had made him incredibly well known and recognised. Knowing people by association is one thing but gathering them as friends is another. His generous and kind personality meant that he had this effect and his circle of friends would only continue to grow. Sort it out Eric Tudor was a Lancashire lad who had been repairing scooters at home for years. Like so many others working out of their shed or garage there came a time when the inevitable move to…

It’s been years in development but Buzz’s first production run is planned for 2019 with a special ‘Genesis’ edition. Limited to only 500 units the Genesis will be finished in titanium candy paint and feature carbon fibre trim. Power will be provided by a 72V/3000W motor making this a 125cc equivalent. Each Genesis machine will be fitted with a plaque showing its production number and be supplied with a collector’s key ring and matching premium quality helmet. Priced at $7700 the team guarantee that this limited edition will never be repeated and early adopters will benefit from a 20% discount. Further information can be found at www.buzz-escooters.com , the Buzz-Escooters Facebook page or if you prefer the personal touch the team’s email is: info@buzz-escooters.com…

1: The rarest record was initially scheduled for release via Motown subsidiary Soul in 1965. On vocals was Frank Wilson, the song being Do I Love You (Indeed I Do). Berry Gordy Jnr offered Wilson the option of being a vocalist or to work as a writer/producer for Motown. Wilson opted for the latter and most copies of the promotional presses of the Wilson single were ordered to be destroyed. During the 70s a copy of one of only a few remaining singles found its way to Wigan Casino, where it was first played, covered up and credited to Eddie Foster. The record has been reissued many times, however, the last time one of the two or three original ’65 copies changed hands it was reputed to be in the…

This was Colin’s fifth annual Coast Town, each event raising funds for a nominated charity. His 2018 event was for the National Stroke Association, a choice I’m sure we all applaud, as I’m almost as equally sure that 90% of us will have had a family member or someone we know who’ll have suffered one. The event had already got under way by the time I’d managed to finish my radio show (Lucky Bag 12-2pm every Saturday on Fab Radio International.com) and belt up the motorway. By the time I got there the party had well and truly started. That’s the thing about ska events, they always do feel like a big party. True to form, Colin spiced up Coast Town with an ‘international’ flavour, with bands like Bang the…

Names: Johnny and Jane Cambridge – this is a joint project with both our inputs. Scooter club & town: We are currently members of Vespa Lambretta Club Le Plan de la Tour – south of France – we have a house in the village. We also meet up occasionally with the Cambridge Scooter Club. How and when did you first become interested in scooters: Johnny – When I was about 12 I was dancing to 2-Tone at my dad’s disco; he was a DJ. It seemed a natural progression for me to dress as a MOD and get a scooter probably having watched Quadrophenia, but those years are a blur it was just what you did in those days. Jane – My then boyfriend and his friends all started riding…

Recently I was waiting in an airport and noticed someone wearing a 35th anniversary T-shirt from a scooter club. With time to spare it got me thinking firstly how many clubs have ever been formed and secondly how many are still around today. If you think about it clubs have come in waves since the early days of scooter ownership and the explosion of them in the early 1980s. The majority that formed in the 1950s are long gone or if not are in the main only reminisced by surviving members. Many fell by the wayside as scooter ownership tailed off and were replaced or drifted into sport-oriented clubs as the scootering map changed. Again these clubs also succumbed to the big decline of scootering in the 1970s. By that…

When Ducati marked the new millennium by launching the 748S it created one of the best sports motorcycles of all time. Although it’s not without faults – for example the suspension set up and riding position are more suited to track than a shopping trip – but its handling is phenomenal. The ’S’ bridged a gap between the 748’s entry model ‘E’ and the just road legal ‘R’, which was effectively a works racer with added lights! As its name implies the engine was a 748cc four-stroke unit that developed 90.8bhp at 10,900rpm, rocketing the 748 to speeds in excess of 150mph. Only 1,000 machines were produced and of the 150 officially imported to the UK around a third are thought to survive. However, its performance, scarcity and sheer ‘yellowness’…

Name of scooter & reason: The Great Escape - Self-explanatory, it’s my favourite film. What other themes did you consider before coming to this choice of theme for the scooter and why did you go with your chosen theme: I was going to go with a Motown theme and then wife, knowing that ‘The Great Escape’ was my favourite film suggest that it would make a great theme and once she'd said it I just knew that was what I wanted. Scooter model: Lambretta GP 230 Date purchased & cost: 2008. It was blue and check I then changed it to red, white and black before it was The Great Escape. Inspiration for project and theme: I always wanted a themed scooter. At a charity raffle for Ady Thurland may…

On this gloriously hot and sunny day, we were collected from our hotel via a Piaggio Ape (kindly provided by Piaggio France) and taken to the meeting point, La Clinique du Scooter, a Vespa dealership in the heart of the city. There was a great representation of Vespa’s current lineup, to show what was for sale. It was good to meet with French, Belgian (Vespa Club Charleroi) and British scooterists. Mention must go to Carl and Gina from Wales who made the trip for the parade before heading back home again! There were some amazing scooters parked up, including a Super Sprint, GS, cutdowns, PXs, GTSs, and even a couple of Lambrettas. A personal favourite was the scooter with the huge topbox on the back. The owner then lifted the…

In the interim 12 years, this custom Vespa has changed owners several times. Though it wasn’t until current owner, Shaun Freestone bought it five years or so back that this particular scooter has gone from what was a tidy looking scooter with a Tamla Motown theme, to being a full blown custom Vespa. This involved replacing some of the original murals, respraying the base coat and adding more murals. Plus there was a total and complete engine rebuild along with adding an abundance of engraved brightwork with many subtle, yet significantly in keeping with the theme, one-off items. Some more obvious than others. Detroit Soul is at the top end of customised scooters, having had pretty much everything treated to enhancements, in every department. With all the changes and upgrades…

It’s a perspective that certainly applies to Johnny and Jane Cambridge, as their stunning, co-owned, full-blown custom Series 1 LI Lambretta, So Many Sides Of You confirms. Boasting a Charlie Edmonds tuned 240 power unit, with an abundance of trick goodies fitted, acres of plating and engraving plus many subtle one-offs that are in keeping with their Bobby Womack theme. Plus there’s a bespoke, one-off special seat, made in-house’ at Johnny and Jane’s Scoots and Soul scooter seat business. As for the paintwork and murals, excellent though the images are, to experience the full, jaw-dropping, visual effect of the livery So Many Sides Of You has to be seen in the metal. With the recent advent in popularity of patina, rusturation, rat rod approaches, especially on fat boy Series 1…

Way back in 1993 I needed my own transport to get to work, so myself and then husband went along to buy me a scooter. There sat a lone-Vespa, a red PK100. My husband had previously had a Vespa so, £570 quid later, the Vespa came home. I live in Ireland and the Vespa made the trip, from my then home in Canterbury to Kerry in around 1996, not bad for a 100cc machine! Fast forward to the present, and the scooter has been in the shed for several years: kids, work, blah blah. Then recently my kids (now adults) both bought bikes so, with an 'if you can't beat 'em, join 'em' and out came the scoot. Bit of a clean up, air in the tyres and hey, the…

WINTER WONDERLAND If you’re still looking for that winter project or fancy a fully restored classic for next season it may be worth calling in to Buzzsolomoto’s Halifax showroom. Recent shopping trips have seen Buzz return from Italy and Spain with a host of rare and desirable machines. As we went to press the show room included a Framebreather, DL200 and Spanish SX, all in original paint. Vespa lovers aren’t left out as a fully restored Mk1 P200E was looking for a new owner. Fresh from the USA was a fully restored US specification Jet 200 while cream of the crop has to be an Italian SX200 in original paint with only a handful of miles on the clock! While the rarity of some machines is reflected in their prices,…

Beginnings Witches Brew is the result of hard work, research, an eye for detail, accuracy and authenticity. Tessa Abraham is no stranger to the custom scooter scene; she got her first scooter, a Vespa PX125 in 1984 and her more recent ride (inspired by the 1977 track, Loving is Really My Game) is her fantastic Vespa P200E ‘Brainstorm’, which for the past few years has been picking up awards at custom shows all over the country. The theme for Witches Brew is poles apart from the glitz and sparkle of Brainstorm, which begs the question: where did the inspiration for the choice of the theme come from? “We love the 70s scene and it was mainly Vespas that kept the scene going through the 70s. Also during that time, as…

Being an aircraft engine manufacturer Simonini not unreasonably quotes bhp at the crank, after all there’s rarely a gearbox and drive chain to consider. For road users the most important figure is power at the rear wheel and Felix is currently exploring the best options in this new application. “We’ve already made some dyno runs with the BGM big box and in unmodified form that made 26bhp. For fun I also tried a Vespa T5 exhaust but that only realised 22bhp. I prefer to use a ‘box’ type exhaust and I think that with some development I can get good results. We also measured performance in third gear and that indicated a theoretical 140kph (90mph). For a first attempt I’m very pleased with the results!”…

Since the first Lambretta LD was uncrated on Saigon’s dockside, scooters have been an integral part of Vietnamese life. Though today the country is clearly dominated by four-stroke automatic scooters, there is still an ongoing, and growing, interest in the classic machines. This month we take a quick look at the scooter scene both in Saigon and further afield, to investigate some of its peculiarities and oddities. LOCAL HERO No business survives for long unless it’s doing something right and Tu Trung of Saigon’s Binh Thanh District has been maintaining local Scooters for over two decades. The open fronted shop may look ramshackle but inside it’s a treasure trove of memorabilia and used parts. From floor to ceiling every space is filled with components awaiting refurbishment and a new life.…

With the arrival of Andy from the UK our group was now complete. I’d been in Saigon for a week and my jet lag had just about passed, not so for the Americans who’d arrived that morning. Having travelled from the USA’s West Coast they were going through a nightmare ‘night becomes day’ transition. Even if it was only 10am I couldn’t blame them when the first thing they asked for was beer. We’d been brought together by Pat Joynt, owner of Saigon Scooter Centre. It had been a while since he’d organised a Saigon-Hanoi ride and last year he’d asked if any of his friends were interested in making the trip. Ironically none of the people he’d invited were able to make it and we were all friends of…

Name: Dean Home: Carson, California Main ride: Lambretta SX150 Specification: Standard Major repairs: Electrics flooded in Saigon Opinion: “I’m told that Pat restored this a few years ago and bought it back just before the trip. It’s not the most exciting scooter I’ve ridden but I think a stock motor is probably best out here. The only problem I’ve encountered is on inclines when it can get left behind. I’ve told Pat it needs some front dampers as the potholes here are brutal. If there’d been a set in the van I’d have happily fitted them myself!”…

It’s one of those movies which, once you’ve watched it, never leaves you. As we all know, The Great Escape is a war movie and not a romantic movie, but the journey to the completion of Bob Bush’s ‘Great Escape’ themed scooter is a story born out of true love and affection. Bob Bush has been into scooters since he was 16, but as he grew up the usual family and professional commitments took priority and scootering had to take a back seat for a while. However, as all of us know; you never lose the scooter love. In 2008, Bob bought himself the scooter which would later become ‘The Great Escape’. It initially had a blue and check colour scheme, which after a while Bob changed to red, white…

Having made his escape from the camp and whilst he is on the train near Flight Lieutenant Andrew MacDonald (Gordon Jackson) “intelligence” and Squadron Leader Roger Bartlett (Richard Attenborough) “leader of the escape” Lieutenant Commander Eric Ashley-Pitt (David McCallum) “dispersal” (who’d devised a method of spreading soil from the tunnels over the camp, under the guards' noses) reads a newspaper; ‘Volkischer Beobacher’. Also at the moment of Bartlett’s capture he is pretending to read this newspaper. The newspaper was the newspaper of the Nazi Party and Dewey has subtly blended the name of it into the top of the inner legshield toolbox.…

A lifelong scooterist and founder of Saigon Scooter Centre, Pat Joynt is an unlikely but enthusiastic advocate for electric technology. “Living in a city I know something must be done about pollution but looking at the electric scooters on offer I couldn’t see anything to tempt me away from the classics I love so much. The solution was to build my own,” he said. The obvious starting point was to convert existing scooter frames but as he soon discovered this was far from straightforward. “Around 10 years ago we produced a limited number of Ebrettas and VTronics using Lambetta and Vespa frames but their layout was compromised from the start. All electric vehicles are limited by battery size and finding enough space to give both usable range and power meant…

Norse mythology… to some the theme might on first impressions appear somewhat confusing and uninteresting, and that’s where they’d be wrong. The theme is in fact, full of twists, turns and intrigue. Jan purchased the scooter which would eventually be transformed into ‘Mischief and Mayhem’ as a full framed GP150 in July 2012 and since then it’s had some serious alterations and upgrades to say the least. The leg shields have been trimmed by approximately 1.5in on either side but the original floor width has been retained. Behind the leg shields there is a neatly narrowed toolbox, which houses an exhaust temperature gauge and rev counter. The scooter has a removable loop and 6in extended twisted forks. “I happened across the forks at the Cleethorpes Rally parts fair just as…

It was a really lovely balmy evening by the coast, proving that sometimes you can have an event quite late in the season and not get piss wet through for your trouble. Yes. It was time again for the annual meet up and ride along the prom, courtesy of the Coasties. Each year more and more people are turning up from further and further afar to conga along the prom at Blackpool. According to Howard there were about 140 this year and I have no reason to doubt him at all. Some hardy souls had ventured ‘cross the Pennines from Yorkshire, which is a fair trek from there to Blackpool at any rate. The meet up location was at the same place as last year, the Tramway pub at Cleveleys;…

A prototype batch was manufactured, assembled, and tested by experienced dealers including AF Rayspeed, Casa Lambretta Australia and Saigon Scooter Centre who have been happy with the overall quality. Manish Mittal (Uni Auto International) said: “Over a period of time, we have tied up with many big and small manufacturing units who are engaged in manufacturing parts for us as per drawings and OEM specifications, samples provided by our overseas customers. Many of these factories have ultra modern state of the art CNC/VMC/SPM machines, dedicated tool rooms, QC departments etc. “We always wanted to produce a standard engine casing with improved features that would be good for mildly tuned engines and affordable enough to buy. Our casings accept all standard parts available in the market as well as a lot…