Full circle, blue moon
Devine 140cc Vega custom
Triumph over tragedy a scooterboy overcomes his demons
PLUS
Pass You By ultimate custom chopper
#390 December 2018
100 years
Time Will
FREE
2019
wall plan
ner
inside (UK only)
IN T H E M A K IN G
Conflict
DEWEY FRANKLIN INTERVIEW: WORLD’S BEST AIRBRUSH ARTIST? BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO BUILDING A STREET RACER CUSTOM: PT3 Scum and Oh You Pretty Thing customs up close ■ JADE nostalgic custom ■ Show Us Your Scooters ■ L’ultimo Drago custom ■ ‘Subs Extra’ benefits for subscribers ■ Scooter Trader ■ Events ■ BSSO racing ■ News and more...
Editor: Dan Clare Email: dan@scootering.com Publisher: Dan Savage Designer: Charlotte Turnbull Picture desk: Paul Fincham, Jonathan Schofield Production editor: Dan Sharp General queries and back issues: Tel: 01507 529529 24hr answerphone Mon-Fri 8.30am-7pm, Sat 8.30am-12.30pm help@classicmagazines.co.uk www.classicmagazines.co.uk Archivist: Jane Skayman 01507 529423 Email: jskayman@mortons.co.uk Subscription: Full subscription rates (but see page 42 for offer): (12 months 12 issues, inc post and packing) – UK £49.20. Export rates are also available – see page 42 for more details. UK subscriptions are zero-rated for the purposes of Value Added Tax. Subscription manager: Paul Deacon Circulation manager: Steven O’Hara Marketing manager: Charlotte Park Commercial director: Nigel Hole TRADE ADVERTISING Gary Thomas – gthomas@mortons.co.uk Tel (01507) 529417 Emma Buxton-Rockley – ebuxton-rockley@mortons.co.uk Tel (01507) 529410 Divisional advertising manager: Zoe Thurling 01507 529412, zthurling@mortons.co.uk ADVERTISING DEADLINES The advertising deadline for the next issue of Scootering (January 2019) is Thursday, November 29, 2018 On sale in newsagents Thursday, December 20, 2018 SCOOTERING (USPS:020-245) is published monthly by Mortons Media Group Ltd, PO Box 99, Horncastle, Lincolnshire LN9 6LZ USA subscriptions are $60 per year from Motorsport Publications LLC, 7164 Cty Rd N #441, Bancroft WI 54921. Periodical Postage is paid at Bancroft, WI and additional entries. Postmaster: Send address changes to SCOOTERING, c/o Motorsport Publications LLC, 7164 Cty Rd N #441, Bancroft WI 54921. 715-572-4595. chris@ classicbikebooks.com
WELCOME
Welcome to the December edition of Scootering
W
ell, I’ve honestly never looked forward to winter with so much enthusiasm. Eh? Well it’s true. My project scooter (see page 96 for the start of this new adventure) arrived one week, and then my Sei Giorni 300 ‘winter hack’ arrived the week after. In between all this, news broke at the EICMA trade show, that Piaggio has upped the stakes for 2019 and the new GTS comes with more power, updated styling and new hi-spec tech added. As if that wasn’t enough, Royal Alloy is releasing its liquid-cooled 300cc version of the modern auto with Lambretta looks. I know there is a whole ‘anti-auto’ brigade running around loose on Facebook, with not a dictionary or spell checker between them, but seriously… when a scooter looks good, handles well, goes quick, and is a heap of fun to ride… who gives a shit what other people think? I enjoy the best of both worlds; the Sei Giorni is a weapon, make no mistake about it. I live in rural North Yorkshire with
long, smooth, winding, twisty, hilly roads and the GTV annihilates them, but crucially… it also takes the hard work out of it all, and makes it just that bit more of a pleasure to just enjoy the ride. Does this mean I think we should all trade our classics in for an auto? Does it bollocks. I’m a classic scooter owner to the core, and when my street sleeper project is finished, it’ll give me a mental buzz that I don’t get from the auto… something different. Not better, different. Each item is a weapon of choice, depending what I want on any given day. For ease of use, power, handling and fun on those dry and crisp winter days… I’ll be out on the Sei Giorni. When winter is over and the street sleeper is ready, I’ll be at the rally on the classic. Because, as much as I’m an auto-fan, I still have to acknowledge that nothing attracts a crowd like a custom classic Vespa or Lambretta. Live and let live. Anyway that’s enough of my ramblings, it’s another belter this month… enjoy the issue. Dan
SCOOTERING is published by: Mortons Scooter Media, a division of Mortons Media Group Ltd © 2018 All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any way without the written permission of the publisher. ISSN 0268 7194 Distribution: Marketforce UK Ltd, 5 Churchill Place, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5HU. Tel: 0203 787 9001. Printed by: William Gibbons & Sons, Wolverhampton
The Professional Publishers Association Member
S C O O T E R I N G WA S B R O U G H T T O Y O U W I T H T H E H E L P O F. . .
Stu Smith
Vespa & Lambretta owner, scooter obsessive, amateur home mechanic, rally goer, Mod sympathiser, music lover and general all round good egg. He writes your rally reports, be nice to him.
Rik Bardsley
More flamboyant than Liberace and more manic than a mouse swimming in a vat of Red Bull. Another 80s scooterboy turned journalist, digging up the very finest scooter stories from Russia to Rochdale.
Paul Green
Vespa & Lambretta scooter enthusiast, BSSO professional and general good egg. Our Paul has a long history of scootering both on the road and on the track, with the breakdown bills and crash scars to prove it.
Stuart Owen
LCGB ‘life member’, 100mph LambrettaClub owner and scooter restoration expert to boot. Scooter rider, rally-goer, restorer and author. Reaches the parts other scooter journalists just can’t reach.
Dave Oakley
Riding and building scooters since 1983, Dave has been a contributor to Scootering since the 90s. His builds include chops, cutdowns, street-racers, autos and the most infamous custom of the 80s!
Big Stan
80s scooterboy turned long distance rider. Be it local, national or international, he’ll ride anywhere in his quest to bring you the tastiest scooters, best roads, trade interviews and hidden gems.
Sarge
With over four decades of riding, rally-going and competing on both Lambretta and Vespa scooters under his belt, this former Freddie Mercury lookalike is still going strong. He’s a top DJ too, don’tcha know.
CONTENTS letter from the 03Welcome Editor 80Club Do’s & Events A warm welcome to the December issue of Scootering.
Your essential guide to the scene – What, Where & When!
06Kickstart
86
14Full Circle, Blue Moon
92L’ultimo Drago
23Rally Report: Brid
96Project Street Sleeper
The upfront section with all the latest news, views and product reviews! A ‘Devine 140’ custom Vega, with a tidy power boost courtesy of Chiselspeed.
It chucked it down on the way, but it would have been ‘Bad Manners’ to have missed this event…
30Gary’s Gorgeous Girls
A beautiful pair of vintage classic scooters and one very proud owner, and rightly so!
37Mailbox
Readers’ letters, laughs, feedback and fury – get it off your chest man!
38Show us your scoots
Scootering Words & Sounds
The best of Scootering words and music as reviewed by Nik & Sarge. Airbrushed fantasy art doesn’t get much better than this custom from Rob Graham – the last dragon. Dan finally gets his arse in gear and starts his first new project since the infamous Dyno Donkey, no fancy paintjobs, just a discreet pocket rocket.
99BSSO Race Report
Paul Green brings us the Championship winners and year end highlights from Cadwell.
Torque: Building 103Tech a Street Racer
The best of our readers’ rides as sent in by you.
Stu Owen brings us Part 3 of his winter tech series, his guide to building a Lambretta or Vespa Street Racer.
42Subscriptions
114Scooter Trader
Get your mag delivered to the door and save money. Plus – gain access to the NEW ‘Scootering Extra’ subs-club.
45
Triumph OVER tragedy
After a bad accident on his scooter, John Cartwright found the determination and strength of character to face his demons.
The sales and classifieds section for you to browse.
Nostalgic 120Dave’s Custom Corner
Nostalgia master Dave Oakley pulls out another stunning blast from the past – this month it’s an early 90s street racer which he tracked down to Germany!
FROM tragedy 50Triumph – Time Will Pass You By
After the sad loss of his brother-in-law, Stuart Dean completed this amazing machine as a tribute.
artwork from the 57Inspired heart World famous airbrush master Dewey Franklin tells us about his colourful life and beautiful artworks.
66
Once a soldier
Mark Grace’s stunning and emotive tribute to the fallen heroes who went before us – Conflict.
family 73Rally-going scooterists
Scooter rallies are now being enjoyed by generations after generation, Stu Smith reports on this family affair.
4 | SCOOTERING | DECEMBER 2018
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92
23
99
108 WWW.SCOOTERING.COM | 5
KICKSTART NEW GTS AND ELECTTRICA
EICMA NEWS
FOR 2019!
Hot off the press from EICMA, Piaggio has just announced two major updates to its range for 2019. First are the power, style and technical updates for the GTS125 and 300 models... New GTS models
The entire Vespa GTS range gets a series of updates for 2019 to boost performance, comfort and style. The Vespa GTS range now comprises five versions: Vespa GTS, GTS Touring, GTS Super, GTS SuperSport and the brand-new Vespa GTS SuperTech, with colour TFT display that maximises connectivity to the smartphone with the Vespa MIA system. Two engine sizes are available, the already well-known and appreciated 125 i-get single-cylinder is now joined by the new 300 HPE (High Performance Engine), fruit of the latest Piaggio Group technology, which aims to create engines that are increasingly advanced and efficient in terms of limiting emissions and consumption. Able to deliver nearly 24hp, this is the most powerful engine ever fitted to a factory Vespa scooter as standard. Modifications have also been made to update the design of the new Vespa GTS, while still retaining certain distinctive traits. The front headlight and rear lights
now adopt full LED technology, while the front section features a redesigned shield. Also new is the shape of the handlebar, the chrome crest of the front mudguard, the rear view mirrors and the grilles to the sides of the shield, characterised by a brand-new honeycomb motif. At the rear, the side panels undergo a restyling, running under the body, while versions driven by a 300 HPE engine stand out for a new engine crankshaft cover and a new silencer cover.
The Piaggio 300 HPE engine
As mentioned above, the new Vespa GTS boasts the latest evolution of the 300cc single-cylinder, four-stroke, four-valve, liquid-cooled engine with electronic injection. The 300 HPE unit has increased performance while at the same time reducing fuel consumption. With respect to the previous version, maximum power comes in at 23.8hp at 8250rpm, which translates into a 12% increase, while maximum torque, which works out at
19.2lb-ft at 5250rpm, has been boosted by a significant 18%. Piaggio has adopted a new head and piston with redesigned features which results in a highly efficient combustion chamber, and the design also benefits from valves and ducts of increased diameter inside the head. The camshaft now benefits from optimised timing and valve lift speeds, and the introduction of a new high pressure multi-jet injector also helps to improve combustion. Lastly, a more generous intake line improves the torque delivered at low revs and ensures a smooth ride. The transmission has also been redesigned: the CVT boasts a new belt, new geometry and new materials, all enveloped by a new cover coated with sound-absorbent material, to reduce mechanical noise, also aided by a new, more rigid clutch drum. The engine is controlled by a latestgeneration Magneti Marelli MIUG4 ECU, already compatible with the future Euro 5 standard.
125 i-get engine
All models in the new Vespa GTS range are also available with a 125 i-get electronic injection engine, which has four valve distribution and liquid cooling too. Engines that are a part of the ‘i-get’ family also stand out for the adoption of the Piaggio patented Start & Stop system known as RISS (Regulator Inverter Start & Stop System). The 125 i-get engine is accredited with power of 12hp at 8250rpm, and a torque value of 8lb-ft at 6750rpm.
6 | SCOOTERING | DECEMBER 2018
THE SECOND MAJOR ITEM IS THE NEWS THAT THE VESPA ELETTRICA HAS ARRIVED TO MARKET The heart of the Vespa Elettrica is a power unit delivering continuous power of 3.5kW and peak power of 4kW: values that, combined with a torque of over 200Nm, provide performance superior to that of a traditional 50cc scooter, especially in terms of acceleration and uphill power that benefits from the typical quick output of electric motors. Vespa Elettrica has a range of up to 100km, a distance that does not change significantly on a rural route, thanks to a modern lithium ion battery and an efficient Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS), which charges it in the deceleration phases. Charging operations are the simplest thing imaginable: the lithium-ion battery, just like the one in modern smartphones, needs no special precautions. To charge, simply extract the cable from the seat compartment, where the fuel cap is usually located, and plug in to a normal wall outlet or one of the growing number of public charging stations in big cities. The standard time required for a full charge is four hours (with voltage of 220V). The ride-by-wire electronic accelerator controls the power output of Vespa Elettrica’s motor. By pressing the ‘riding mode’ button on the right hand side of the handlebar, the rider can choose between ECO and Power, in addition to Reverse mode for easier handling of Vespa Elettrica while manoeuvring. ECO mode, intended to save energy, extends battery life; speed is limited to 30km/h and acceleration is more gradual. However, power is the basic riding mode which fully exploits the power of the motor. Vespa Elettrica is also ‘connected’: A new version of the Vespa Multimedia Platform system
Never miss an issue
connects a smartphone to the vehicle, can be managed through a man-machine interface incorporating a digital instrument panel with a 4.3in colour TFT display. This has a twilight sensor that adapts the background and colour of the characters to the light conditions (day/night mode) and the four adjustable brightness levels. The centre of the screen always contains the main information such as speed, selected riding modes, residual range in km and battery charge level (%). But it is using the dedicated Vespa App on your smartphone and connecting it to the vehicle – via Bluetooth – that lets you take full advantage of the capabilities of the TFT display on which all notifications of incoming calls and messages appear, highly visible in the centre. The system also allows you to use the handlebar buttons to answer calls and to use the smartphone’s voice commands to make calls or play music from your own playlist.
Vespa Elettrica X: with a range of up to 200km
Vespa Elettrica will also be available in the X version at some point during 2019, with a range of almost 200km thanks to its petrol
driven generator that, depending on riding style, conserves battery power. To make room for the generator and its fuel tank (three litres), Vespa Elettrica X uses a smaller battery pack that, with the generator off, provides a range of up to 50km. The generator adds another 150km to the range, bringing it up to 200km to make Vespa Elettrica suitable for out of town riding as well. The generator kicks in automatically, when the battery charge level falls below a certain threshold or the rider can start it manually by selecting the Extender mode.
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KICKSTART
AF RAYSPEED DEVELOPING NEW ITEMS FOR 2019 t.
The new range under test and developmen Reed-valve version under development.
New RB manifold.
A simple solution to strap new kits to and test port flow.
New quick action throttle roller.
N
ever happy to sit back and rest on their laurels, AFR are embracing new technology, such as 3D printers, as part of their design and development process, in order to bring new items to market. There are quite a few items we were asked to keep tight lipped about for now, but among the items under development that we were allowed to report on, are the following: updated RB reed block manifolds with improved clearance and better flow characteristics; throttle cable ‘quick action’ rollers; new cylinder head designs for existing kits, and the best items (in my humble opinion): a new range of cylinder kits for both big and small block.
Cylinder head prototype.
As yet the final spec and prices remains unclear, but AFR have been using their new technology to develop a very simple ‘flow simulator’ which allows them to see clearly how the kits’ port sizes, angles and dimensions are performing. They currently have both reed and piston port kits under development, these are first to be made available for the small block casings, which will come as a welcome surprise for many. Initially they hope to release a budget 175cc steel-lined kit with alloy jacket, but if quality and pricing can be worked out, then perhaps a Nikasil lined version will materialise also. After the initial small-block version is finalised and released, a larger 200-225cc version should follow. The
8 | SCOOTERING | DECEMBER 2018
Piston port layout (shades of Autisa?).
ethos behind both kits is that they should provide a cost effective and tangible boost over a standard engine, with flexibility for tuning should more power be desired (it usually is in my experience!). Ben is printing out the prototypes for all these items, testing the designs, and when he’s happy, he hopes to work with Uni-Auto to also bring a complete engine to market. Ben stressed to me that, apart from the fast action throttle roller which is available now, the rest are all planned items for the future, but as of yet no release dates or final spec/price is available, so please don’t call AFR with your order just yet! Scootering will report as soon as more information is released.
A simple splitter significantly helped fuel/mix distribution.
Port layout under review.
KICKSTART
SCORPION LINKS UP WITH MOTO GB
S
corpion was recently invited to be involved with the development of an application for the new Royal Alloy range of scooters currently being distributed in the UK by Preston-based Moto GB. Scorpion research and development technicians were tasked with producing a fully compliant dynodeveloped aftermarket set of parts that met all required criteria for the Royal Alloy range of scooters. Both companies were very pleased with the outcome of the project and UK dealers are now able to offer a completely compatible aftermarket option for the scooters that will enhance the aesthetics and performance of the scooter without the need for engine/fuel setting adjustment when fitted. A complete fit and ride product, it has no effect on the scooters manufacturer’s warranty, giving complete peace of mind to Royal Alloy owners. The totally British-manufactured official aftermarket product is only available through Moto GB’s Royal Alloy
NEW!
dealer network in either brushed stainless steel or black ceramic coated sleeve finish. They feature full T304 stainless steel throughout and are covered by Scorpion’s no quibble lifetime guarantee.
MALOSSI CYLINDER KIT FOR SCOMADI LEGGERA 200CC 4V
Scomadi owners looking to add more performance to their 200cc Leggera 4V scooter will be interested in this cylinder kit from Malossi, which is available through VE (UK). It has been manufactured from high grade alloys, and machined to Malossi’s exacting standards to ensure the best possible performance while still maintaining reliability from the 63mm diameter cylinder. Technical features include recalculated heat exchange surfaces for more efficient cooling, ultra-compact lightened and reinforced piston kit, and low friction piston rings, to name but a few. The cylinder increases the capacity to 204.5cc and provides a marked improvement in performance across the entire rev range. You can now order online: www.ve-uk.com
NEW! MALOSSI MAXI EXHAUST RANGE FROM VE Malossi has released 10 new RX Black exhaust systems for Maxi scooters which are now available through VE (UK). Manufactured from black anodised aluminium and tipped with a real carbon fibre end cap, the RX exhaust features a vibration reduction system using three mounting blocks that have been designed and tested thoroughly to minimise the effects of transmitted vibration from the scooters engine and road surface. The ‘RX’ exhaust is ‘E’ marked for road use and features a vast range of technological advances but it has also been developed to save weight over a standard system, in fact an ‘RX’ system weighs on average just 3.5kg. The new fitments include: Honda: PCX 125 2018, SH 125 2013. Piaggio: Medley 125. Sym: CRUiSym 125, CRUiSym 300. Vespa: GTS 125 Euro 4, Primavera 125 iGet, Sprint 125 iGet. Yamaha: N-Max 125 2017, X-Max 125 2018, X-Max 300 2018. In addition to VE’s highly competitive ‘flat rate’ items, VE has revised prices. You can now order online: www.ve-uk.com
10 | SCOOTERING | DECEMBER 2018
Collecting the impossible For those wishing to amass literature and memorabilia about certain scooter makes and models it can be thankless and sometimes an almost endless task…
Y
ou can guarantee that every scooter produced, regardless of which company made it, came with an instruction manual, and there was more than likely a glossy sales leaflet produced to promote it too. Not only does this leave a historic archive trail, but also an opportunity for enthusiasts to collect as much of it as they possibly can. We, as a nation, are avid collectors of memorabilia, whether it is stamps, beer mats or just about anything that was ever printed on paper. Scooters are no exception, and any paperwork or ephemera connected to them from the past always evokes great interest among collectors. There is nothing better than owning a scooter, and then slowly gathering memorabilia that is associated with it. It must be remembered that many owners don’t just see a scooter as a form of transport – they are passionate enthusiasts about them also. It almost makes owning the scooter in question complete by doing just this. The question here though, is where do you actually stop? The answer is… never, as there always seems to be something unearthed which relates to the subject matter at hand. For the less popular makes quite often there is not much out there to obtain. Many of the companies who built them didn’t have big advertising budgets in the first place meaning far less was spent on advertising or sales literature. For the bigger brands, quite the opposite can be said and there seems a never-ending supply waiting to be discovered. The two most popular makes of scooter were of course the Vespa and Lambretta and it is those two that produced by far the most literature. Both factories in Italy churned out model after model and in doing so created a huge paper trail behind
12 | SCOOTERING | DECEMBER 2018
them. By far the most marketing material was produced by Innocenti and as time went by their sales brochures become more and more elaborate and colourful. Perhaps that’s what lures collectors in so much as the brochures themselves are like a piece of art. Carefully capturing the spirit of the time, they are great pieces to be looked at and treasured. What makes collecting literature by both Piaggio and Innocenti even more interesting, as well as complicated, is the amount that was produced in the UK separate to that which was printed in Italy. With the UK being the biggest market outside of Italy both companies were keen to see their brands succeed. In doing so it was assumed the key to success would be to bombard the public with advertising the likes of which had never been seen. When it came to Lambretta Concessionaires they were so committed to the Lambretta being the number one scooter the literature produced reached epic proportions. Not only was it more bright and colourful than any other manufacturer, the quantities for each model was staggering. The TV200 branded as the GT200 had three different sales leaflets alone. With hundreds being produced, this has given collectors plenty to go at over the years. Just like scooters where the
addiction becomes greater, the same can get said about memorabilia. You may start out by wanting to collect anything connected to a certain model you own but in the end, it tends to build up on just about every model produced. It doesn’t stop there either –soon it spreads to owner’s manuals, workshop catalogues, shop signs, you name it. After a while when the easy material is obtained it becomes more difficult to find something you haven’t got. Luckily both companies sold their scooters around the world and this meant producing even more different sales leaflets depending on the country that it was sold in. Though an advertising leaflet for the same model may be similar there will be some slight anomalies, making them collectable. If that wasn’t enough there were literally hundreds of companies who endorsed both the Vespa and Lambretta, again producing more memorabilia, which is just as highly collectable. There is that elusive piece, a bit like when we collected football stickers as children, always one that you could never get. There are a few examples of this in the scooter memorabilia collecting world and when one becomes available it can fetch a high premium in an auction. Some collectors describe themselves as anoraks with huge hoards amassed over many years, not to say what it all cost. That can’t be a bad thing though as what they are doing is preserving history. Perhaps that’s what the collectors are in reality… archivists of a once great scooter empire, preserving the past. One thing is for certain though… just when you think you have collected everything there’s always something else related which will pop up at a later date. That’s what makes it all so interesting, trying to collect the impossible!
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An English term invariably used to refer to an occasional occurrence is ‘once in blue moon’.
R
arity of a blue moon in technical terms, according to most astrological sources, refers to two full moons in one calendar month. Which actually occurs around every 32 months, once every three years or so. Innocenti’s Lui is one of the models in the Lambretta Luna line; Luna, of course, is Italian for the moon. Gerard James has a custom Lui 140 in dark blue livery, which loosely equates to his pride and joy being something of a blue ‘moon’. He originally bought his Lui CL when he was 21 or 22 years old during the early 80s. Although he acquired it with good intentions, other priorities were more pressing, which meant Gerard’s Vega spent a while, waiting patiently, on the proverbial back-burner. Some 30 years in fact. Even after the project actually began, due to a variety of contributory factors, it took quite a lot longer than expected or anticipated to complete. With its breath-taking contrast of deep, dark candy blue paintwork and abundance of chrome plating, coupled with some clever one-off items, plus a Chiselspeed 140cc engine, it is finished at last.
I Get Around
Gerard cites a life-shaping night when he was a mere 14-year-old as his gateway to what has become a lifelong passion for scooters. Which was the first time he went to see The Jam perform live. Aligning his young self to the Mod revival, as it spread across the UK, by natural progression Gerard was to get himself a scooter. We all started somewhere; his first Lambretta was a Starstream 125, which, out of the entire output of scooters made at the Innocenti factory is part of the J-range and arguably the least sought after or coveted Lambretta scooter. Although they do have a small but loyal group of devotees, nonetheless in general engineering and design terms, Innocenti’s decision to produce their version of a monocoque chassis scooter, inspired by the success of Italian rivals Piaggio with their Vespa models, wasn’t one of their finest moments. Gerard’s first National rally was
Weymouth in the early 80s, by which time he’d gone from a Starstream to a Series 3 Li 125. Within a year or so of doing his first rally, Gerard did a deal that cost him £120, in return for which he took ownership of a rare UK registered Lui 50CL. Luna Lambrettas are Marmite machines, rarely is there any middle ground occupied: they are either appreciated or disliked. However, unlike their elder sister model, the J-range, Luna Lambrettas were designed by Italian engineering maestro Nuccio Bertone, which evokes a near mystical devotion from some Innocenti worshipers. A significant amount of engine parts, as well as other J-range fixtures and fittings, are compatible items that can be used on certain Luna line scooters. It was obtained as a complete scooter, with a vague idea back then to rebuild it into something a bit different, at some point during its 30-year residency in his garage the original 50cc engine was removed from the frame.
that in mind it’s been reworked to make it sit a bit higher, a bit taller than a standard Luna line scooter. This was achieved by reworking the front forks, of which the top stem are the original Lui item, while the fork legs and yoke came from Series 2 TV Lambretta forks. They have been modified to accommodate a BGM front disc brake set up, along with BGM fork links and dampers. “The disc brake itself is a PM type item, which is operated by a one-off master cylinder unit. With the forks making the front sit higher than standard, the centre stand was extended and strengthened accordingly. Getting the modified forks to do what was required took a bit of doing, and needed a bit of reworking to iron out a few niggles. One of which involved the fatter front tyre swelling up as it got warm and starting to wear a hole in the side wall! This was soon rectified and re-modified to work as it should. There’s a BGM rear shock fitted to provide all-round uprated damping.”
Let’s Go Round Again
Circles, Go Round and Round
While never forgotten about entirely, Gerard’s plans for his Lui were relegated to the back of his mind for three decades. Why then after some 30 years did he take the decision to do something with the little Lammy Luna? “It was a combination of things really, all kinds of new stuff for scooters coming on the market, other priorities having run their natural courses, as well as having something of a settled personal life. I had ideas on how I wanted it to be, some of the ideas had been around since I first bought it, others more recent. I initially got in touch with Mick (Gauntlett) at Surrey Scooter Services discussed my ideas, got put right on some of them, and pointed in the right direction on a few other ideas too. The plan was to get all the work done through Mick. This involved both the engine modifications and tuning and paintwork being subcontracted out, after Mick had carried out the clever stuff. Originally I wanted and went for having it sprayed in a pale blue colour. Once it was done I didn’t really like it as much as I thought I would, then I went for as deep as I possibly could dark candy blue paint job. Which is much more to my liking. The colour combined with the chrome makes it really stand out. Dale at Extreme did a top quality job with the paint.”
You Spin Me Right Round
As with most scooters that Mick Gauntlett has had some input and involvement with building, Gerard’s Luna Lammy has had more than a few modifications bestowed into its makeup. Ones that enhance and improve the running, handling and braking have been carried out. “I’m a big lad; with
Blue Moon, cheeky rear-end.
Chiselspeed were commissioned to work their magic on the engine, which is now light years away from the original 50 CL that accompanied the frame when it rolling off the Milan production line. Gerard’s mislaid Lui 50 lump was capable at best of delivering 1.5bhp. Contrastingly the Chiselspeed
Right: Man and machine. Below: Smart throttle and control setup.
ENJOYED THIS PREVIEW? THE BEST ACTION IN TRIALS AND MOTOCROSS
DIRTb bike ke
VELO MAC MA S SPECIAL PECIAL NORTON RT RTON INTER AJS SCEPTRE SCEP E SPORTS! SCEPTR SPORTS POR ! PORTS
CLASSIC
#48
ISSUE
Forty-eight Autumn 2018
OCTOBER 2018
No. 330 October 2018 £4.30 UK Off-sale date 31/10/2018
MOTO MEMORIES // TECH TALK // MONTESA COTA 200 // BULTACO MATADOR
3.60
Running, Riding & Rebuilding Running, Rebuilding Real RealClassi RealC Classic C lassi Motorcycles
BOXER CKS TRIC
HOW THE LEGEEND BEGAN
SUPERMAC’S TRIUMPH DRAYTON
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