Innehållsförteckning för May 2023 från Scootering

If it’s true that a week is a long time in politics then a month is an eternity in the world of scooter rallies. The ink had barely dried on Big 7’s advert in last month’s magazine than the organisers announced a change of venue and new date (for more details see Kickstart, page 6). For rallygoers that’s inconvenient but also easily dismissed as a one-off. Except it isn’t; just ask the organisers of Euro Lambretta, who were forced into a very similar position just before Christmas. Sadly, the days when scooterists could fill a seaside leisure complex capable of holding two to three thousand people are long gone and most organisers of large rallies work on numbers of around half that. This puts them into competition with everything from…

Regular readers will have been following the adventures of Trevor Dodd, who’s ridden his Vespa GTS from the UK to Istanbul. Last month we left him pondering his next move, but it seems that fate has taken a hand and given him a little more planning time than he’d imagined. We’re still waiting for full details, but the GTS is currently under repair following an incident in Cyprus. Thankfully nobody was injured in the crash and although things look bad, the GTS is repairable. We’ll bring you the next instalment soon….…

Sc: I’ve been riding for years and never heard of MAG. Are you new? CB: MAG is actually celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. We were formed in 1973 in response to the introduction of the helmet laws. I have to admit that it is a source of frustration, given the work we do, that there are riders that have never heard of us. Equally there are many who have heard of us who have misconceptions. Given the issue that triggered the birth of MAG, some who do know of MAG believe that we are opposed to crash helmets. We are not, and never were. MAG objected to the fact that motorcyclists are treated differently from other road users who are not legally obliged to wear crash helmets, despite being…

Hopefully, readers of Scootering will know that I’m fairly open-minded where scooters are concerned. Having fallen in love with them in the late 1970s, there are only a couple of models that I’ve made a conscious effort to avoid and by pure coincidence we’re featuring them back to back. Last month’s ‘Lexicon’ featured the Luna range and a test ride that shed years of apathy I’d felt towards the breed. This month we feature Vespa’s Cosa, a scooter that was directly responsible for me embarking on a decade of motorcycling adventures. Ironically, I hadn’t been too bothered by its distinctive appearance. Instead, for me, the Cosa spelt the end of Piaggio’s interest in the Vespa marque. First came the name; ‘Vespa’ was unceremoniously dropped, being replaced by ‘Cosa’, then…

As soon as last year’s event finished Mike and Karen Theedom, along with the rest of the Worthing Custom Scooter Show team and Michael Caiels, started planning their formula for this year’s show. Before the big day arrived advance tickets were sold out, which gave the team an early indication that they were going to be in for a busy day. This year’s show was special for another reason; it was also a memorial event dedicated to Adrian George, a popular local scooterist and artist who died in November 2021. The custom show is always the main event of the day, and as usual there were some fantastic machines on show, which were developing plenty of interest from browsing onlookers and competing owners. The vintage classic machines caught the attention…

PRACTICAL SCOOTERING TECH TIPS You may recall from last month’s instalment that we identified a few issues with the project, so this month we’ve got stuck into that list of updates, the most boring and arduous part of those processes being cleaning the bloody cases! It’s a simple enough job but a somewhat thankless task that is dirty, smelly and boring. However, it needs doing and like many jobs of this nature, once complete, the results are extremely visually rewarding. In fact, it looks like all that oil and muck has preserved the cases perfectly; they now look almost new. With the engine out it was also easier to sort the silly captive nut that was spinning on the exhaust. Considering how much force these bolts are usually tightened up…

Living in the real world is hard and costs are going up all the time; we’re all having our budgets stretched to the limit and often end up having to make unpleasant lifestyle choices. And it doesn’t take long for that to filter down into the scooterist world. It could mean that you can’t afford to attend every event you’d like to; or maybe you have to look at the cost of running your scooter, etc, etc. But it isn’t just ‘Joe Scooterist’ who’s suffering from these problems; just spare a thought for event organisers as well. You’ll quite often hear scooterists moaning about the cost of a pint, a burger and more specifically, the cost of an event ticket – but is it always the event organiser’s fault? The…

Alan Springall was an original Mod about town, living the fast life of the capital with exceptional taste and worshipping the Modernist Holy Trinity of clothes, music and scooters. But as the scene became commercialised, wilting and dying back until it eventually disappeared underground again, Alan’s career began to grow and he set off in a new direction. HARROW – RIGHT AREA, WRONG SCHOOL! Alan was born into the new optimistic post-war Britain in 1947, living in the nice area of Harrow, but attending a normal school. In 1964 Alan was 17 and was swept away by the Mod scene that had been growing for the last few years and was now in full bloom. He obviously needed a scooter and after a short search purchased an ex-commuter vehicle from…

This month’s page seems to be all about initials, with a few little goodies from a couple of separate innovators on the scene known as MB and JB! MB CATCH-UP First up are two items from the hands of Mark Broadhurst of MB Scooters over in South Yorkshire, the first of which is the absolutely fabulous Lambretta ignition switch. I first reported on this last year when I spent the day at MB Scooters catching up with everything new that they had in the pipeline. This item was just at prototype stage then and was already looking like something a little bit special. Now finished and in stock, it was time to go back and see the final product. THE ‘FIT ALL’ MB RACE-TOUR IGNITION SWITCH: This is a totally…

ALTER NATIVE SCOOTE SPORT The Straightliners organisation puts on a number of events throughout the year and for the last couple of years has started the season with its own show at Elvington Airfield as a way of showcasing what this leading motorsport events organiser is about. As an added bonus this year, Straightliners included a full schedule of on-strip demo runs (albeit on a shortened track) alongside its usual static show, meaning there was a lot more to keep the crowds entertained. It’s great to see small-wheeled scooters giving the bikes a run for their money. There for the weekend was scooter competitor Mike Pacey, who said: “Saturday morning was damp, but Adie Horrocks set the bar at 5.1 seconds and the bikes were not happy as they…

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 got knocked off my scooter and injured. Trying to find a solicitor online – some of them have calculators showing how much I might get and there’s quite a difference between them. Am I best going for the highest one? A. Sorry to hear about your injury. The main thing people…

It didn’t matter how long you’d owned a scooter, one of the first things on the list was to change its appearance. While bolting a load of chrome on it was one option, the most common way to achieve something distinctive was by painting it. In the mid-1980s the custom scooter boom was at full throttle, and even Vespas, which might have only just left the factory, were being repainted. With a multitude of possible schemes and a growing number of specialist paint shops opening up, the choice of where to have the work done was wider than ever. There was of course a catch: getting a complete scooter painted could cost upwards of £200, while the waiting list could mean you were without your machine for months on end.…

Those who’ve been making the biennial trip to Scarborough for a few years can vouch for the Easter rally’s unpredictable weather. Some will tell stories of camping in snow flurries while others will recall (almost) getting sunburnt. This year straddled the two extremes; riding conditions were fresh, but when the sun came out it was time for ice creams and aimlessly browsing the hundreds of scooters assembled along The Spa’s access road. Hundreds? In this case that’s no exaggeration. The season opener’s always popular but this year it seemed that any post-Covid reluctance to get out and about had been well and truly shelved. On Friday I caught up with an old school chum, Jim, who now lives in Scarborough, and we struggled to find a pub that wasn’t bursting…

Feedback, Scootering magazine, PO Box 99, Horncastle, Lincs LN9 6LZ or feedback@scootering.com ★ STAR LETTER ★ Friendly Vega Dear Stan, I loved the article on the Vega in the April issue of Scootering but don’t agree with the statement that the Casa Performance One35 isn’t user-friendly; it deserves the right to a reply... Mine is super user-friendly and accelerates from 25mph right up to over 70mph in top gear alone. It now also has a five-speed box and that has made it even more user-friendly; you guys need to try it! Other than the ‘not being user-friendly’ comment, it was a great article. Brilliant magazine, keep up the good work. Best regards Andy Horne Hi Andy, I don’t think that has caused so many letters in a long time. The…

TRADE FOCUS Although Cambrian Tyres isn’t a name that trips from the lips of many scooterists, the chances are that everyone’s indirectly bought something from the company at some point. In fact one third of all ‘motorcycle’ tyres sold in the UK have passed through its warehouse on the outskirts of Aberystwyth. Not only does that make Cambrian the largest wholesale supplier of motorcycle tyres to the British trade, it’s also one of the largest tyre wholesalers in Europe. With responsibility for brands such as Anlas, Bridgestone, Continental, Kenda and Risemouse, together with large stocks of Avon, Dunlop, Heidenau, Metzler, Michelin and Pirelli, this family-owned company is one of the greatest repositories of tyre-related knowledge in the world. Who better to ask the questions that are so often incorrectly answered…

The owner of this 80s-themed PX is Paul Boocock, a Bradford lad who’s always been a Scooter Boy. The story of how he was introduced to the rally scene is one of those that can only be believed by those who were there at the time. “One Friday morning, my girlfriend sent me to the shop for some bread and milk,” he began. “On my travels I bumped into some mates who were part of West Riding SC. They told me they were going to a rally in Whitley Bay and asked if I wanted to go. I was pretty naive and quite new to the scene but I immediately agreed to go with them. I had just the clothes I was wearing and my YTS wage of £28.50.” Later…

Caring for the Lambretta’s petrol tank is often overlooked because it can be a pain to access and clean. However, neglect this area of maintenance and accumulated debris can cause fuel flow problems, blocking the petrol tap with disastrous consequences for the fuel/air mixture. Servicing can also be problematic because contaminated fuel must be disposed of and extreme care must be taken with any remaining fuel vapour, which can be highly flammable. Removal It’s best to drain all the fuel from the tank before removal, and the easiest way to do that is to run the fuel level down, making draining into a petrol can much easier. Pull the pipe from the carburettor banjo, place the end into a can, and turn the tap on to reserve. Even after fuel…

✎ Classic Scooterist, PO Box 99, Horncastle, Lincs LN9 6LZ ✉ mauspencer@classicscooterist.com ☎ 01507 529408 Sportique memories My 1965 Vespa Sportique pictured with Elizabeth and Richard Ross (our neighbours at the time). Leslie Johnson This is me (circled) aged about 11 in 1982. There was a Mod disco to celebrate the release of a single. I’m not sure which but the group – The Scene – played our local public hall. A Scooterboy in the making Me as a 17-year-old Scooterboy wearing the same parka. You can’t see from the photo but I got my mum to cut the parka in half and put in a drawstring, I wore it like a bomber jacket for years! The picture was taken en route to a scooter rally with the Rossendale Aliens…

From its early beginnings in 1980, the Bristol Classic MotorCycle Show has grown to be the biggest annual celebration of motorcycles in the South West, with thousands attending each year. There are club and private entry motorcycles and scooters of all shapes and sizes with stalls selling almost every conceivable item that you might need to repair, rebuild or improve your bike – whatever that might be, this show is the place to find that special something you are looking for. Although this is predominantly a motorcycle show, there is usually some scooter representation to be found and this year saw three clubs plus a handful of independent scooter entries – but still no Vespas! BRISTOL LAMBRETTA CLUB This year saw the return of the Bristol Lambretta Club. SOUL CITY…

BUCKS TIN SOLDIERS SC Meet every Saturday from 9.30am at the Gifford Pub MK14 5QN; also new regular Wednesday evening meets at the Scots Club, Bletchley, MK3 5BX from 7.30pm. Info via Facebook page: ‘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 rideout every month. More info via Poole Innercircle Scooter Club on Facebook. ESSEX CLACTON SCOOTER COLLECTIVE Find us on Facebook for information on club meets and road trips. WRITTLE INTERNATIONAL SCOOTER COLLECTIVE All scooters welcome. Info via Facebook ‘Writtle International Scooter Collective’. FLINTSHIRE SC FLINTSHIRE Meet Weds at The Boot, Northop CH7 6BQ. All scooter riders welcome. Contact via Facebook at ‘Scooter…

The world of scootering is full of people who are extremely passionate about these vehicles, the engineering, the styles, the lifestyle, the music... whatever. It is a scene that can truly become not only a massive part of your life but even at times take over your life. There are people who we meet at events, rallies or races and we end up with friends around the world. For more than 20 years I’ve been emailing, messaging and talking to a guy in the States called Eric. Our initial conversation was about a Lambretta in an AOL chat (remember them!) and he has become a family friend who is even helping my son through the hurdles of importing goods for his business. Closer to home I met someone 12 or…

I find it hard to believe that this book has been living on my bookshelf for the best part of a decade. When it was first published it received rave reviews, both from scooterists of the era and those who were too young to experience the halcyon days of the Isle of Man’s Scooter Week. It remains the definitive book on this subject and as the forewords by Norrie Kerr and Mau Spencer indicate, frankly, it’s unlikely that it will ever be bettered. For those unfamiliar with the Scooter Week, the concept was very simple; between 1957 and 1976, scooterists from across Europe (even so far as India!) were encouraged by the Manx tourist board to visit the island for a week of “fun, games, competition and socialising”. When first…

One of my best friends is Den Davis, official historian of The Jam and a true scooter enthusiast. As is so often the case when we get together the subject turned to scooters; on this occasion a few beers sent us off on the topic of dealer specials and factory customs. Before long we were heading off on a tangent to Mini’s signature editions and then back to Vespa’s collaborations with Sean Wotherspoon and the like. Out of the alcohol-induced fog an idea emerged; what if we could do something along those lines with contacts Den had? When the hangovers subsided Den chatted with Paul Weller’s sister Nicky and Steve Cradock’s name appeared. Best known as the guitarist from Ocean Colour Scene, Steve also plays guitar in Paul Weller’s band…

In 1988 Piaggio was keen to promote its revolutionary new scooter; so keen that it invited a select number of Vespa dealers to Italy for a trip that combined a visit to the Milan motorcycle show, the factory at Pontedera and of course a test ride of the new machine. Having been frustrated by the Cosa being positioned, literally, out of reach at the Milan show the group had to wait for their private preview in Pontedera. The report, in Scootering ’s ‘Norrie’s Bits’ column, ran to four pages and included a summary of the factory’s operation together with details of the company’s finances. For our Lexicon we’ll concentrate on his impressions of the Cosa. Norrie’s Bits go Italian “As the first British correspondent to actually ride the new machine,…

WIN a smart Scootering T-shirt with your photo For your chance to win a stylish Scootering magazine T-shirt, email us your HI-RES pics to: suys@scootering. com and the least crap snap wins! For full terms and conditions, visit: www.scootering.com/comptc DATA: Protection of your personal data is important to Mortons. Your data will be stored securely and only be used for the purpose of processing the competition and notifying the winners. Data will then be destroyed. If ever a snap summed up modern scootering it’s this one by Martin Chick of Section 8 SC and Troglodytes SC on tour in Wales last year. Least crap snap THIS MONTH’S WINNER: Canadian style: They may be small in numbers but Toronto-based scooterists more than make up for it in style and…

Cambrian Tyres’ helplines are devoted to the trade only but from next month Rhodz will be answering your tyre-related questions. Send your specifications to Stan (stan@scootering.com) and he’ll pass them on. The answers will appear in Kickstart but in a flagrant display of queue jumping Stan got his query in first. Rhodz, I ride a 1969 Lambretta GP150 that’s fitted with a Quattrini 218 kit. I’m not a fast rider but do get in plenty of miles, usually touring with luggage. Most of the time I’m on back roads but sometimes have to endure the odd stretch of motorway. What would you recommend? Rhodz replies: The best all-round tyre for this purpose at the moment would really have to be the Anlas Tournee which is readily available from most dealers.…

Box pipes were never my thing; in fact I’d go as far as to say I hated them. I mocked them at every opportunity: “Why fit an exhaust that saps so much power?”, I would ask in a somewhat patronising manner. Back then I was still living off the memories of two-stroke power bands and expansion pipes of the 80s, that frenzied wall of power that lifted the front wheel every time you jammed the throttle wide open. This thought process was only compounded further by the fact that I was constantly in search of more bhp on my dyno at that time, porting cylinders with new ideas and concepts as frequently as I could, watching the power rise with each new adjustment. Of course, that was a long time…

✎ Classic Scooterist, PO Box 99, Horncastle, Lincs LN9 6LZ ✉ mauspencer@classicscooterist.com ☎ 01507 529408 Shark unveils world’s first helmet with integrated brake lights Shark has launched the SKWAL i3 – the brand’s latest UN ECE 22.06 certified full face helmet featuring two brand-new patented technologies and integrated active brake lights for ‘intelligent visibility’. Designed without the need for Bluetooth or wires, the industry-leading tech uses an inbuilt triaxial accelerometer to activate the bright red LEDs on the rear of the helmet in the event of braking. There are white LEDs located on the front of the helmet for active rider visibility to oncoming traffic. When the unit is turned on, there are a total of three modes to choose from: 1. White LEDs on front, constantly on (smart brake…