PLUS S
GRID FULL OF SCOOTERS
Racing’s Golden Era
LAZY, HAZY, CRAZY SIXTIES SUMMERS
BLACK MAGIC
Scootering in 1960s Scotland
Vespa PX
MUSCLE VESPA STONKING 252CC QUATTRINI
SLICK CUSTOM
CASTROL SCOMADI
Eurovespa ’87 Nostalgia ■ Beginner’s Vespa Tech ■ ‘Get Yourself Home’ Emergency Tech Tips ■ ETS Reader’s Ride ■ Show Us Your Scooters ■ Mailbox ■ Music ■ News ■ Reviews and more…
No.409 JULY 2020
£4.40
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High quality tyres 3.50 - 10“. Made in Germany. Classic TT 59P / reinforced speed rating 150 km/h Sport TT 59S & TL 59S / reinforced speed rating 180 km/h bgm-tuning.com
bgm is a Scooter Center GmbH trademark.
Editor: Dan Clare Email: dan@scootering.com Publisher: Tim Hartley Publishing Director: Dan Savage Designer: Chris Abrams Picture desk: Paul Fincham Production: Pauline Hawkins General queries and back issues: Tel: 01507 529529 24hr answerphone Lines open Mon-Fri 8.30am-5pm 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 32 for offer): (12 months 12 issues, inc post and packing) – UK £49.20. Export rates are also available – see page 32 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 Emma Buxton-Rockley – ebuxton-rockley@mortons. co.uk Tel (01507) 529410 Divisional Advertising Manager: Tom Lee – tlee@mortons.co.uk Tel (01507) 529412 Group Advertising Manager: Sue Keily ADVERTISING DEADLINES The advertising deadline for the next issue of Scootering (August 2020) is July 2, 2020 On sale in newsagents July 23, 2020 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 to the July edition of Scootering!
A
nyone who knows me will tell you that I have a habit of starting new projects, getting three-quarters of the way through them, but then I seem to get distracted by another ‘bright shiny object’ and move on to that. I then accumulate a catalogue of unfinished projects, some of which (lots of which) get sold off to fund the next adventure… it’s a perpetual cycle! I know I’m not alone in this matter, as most of my former garage customers were in the same boat, and brought their part-finished projects to the garage for us to complete! So when I took on the well-publicised Targa Twin project, I did have the mantra in my mind ‘don’t get distracted, don’t get distracted’. If you’ve ever seen the ‘aeroplane scene’ in the TV show Father Ted, where he tells Dougal, “Whatever you do… don’t press the red button!”, then I can tell you that this is very much like me telling myself not to get distracted. The good and honest intention is there, but in my position as Scootering editor, it’s almost futile. The metaphorical red button was pressed, and the pace of the project did slow, but thankfully, and for the first time ever, I now had a comrade in arms to keep the project moving! Big Stan fancied a ‘tinker with the Targa’ and got stuck right in, and though even he ran into a few issues with it, the project finally got finished. He enjoyed a few
SCOOTERING is published by: Mortons Scooter Media, a division of Mortons Media Group Ltd © 2020 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, 3rd Floor, 161 Marsh Wall, London E14 9AP. Tel: 0203 787 9001. Printed by: William Gibbons & Sons, Wolverhampton. The Professional Publishers Association Member
hundred miles of running in, and then delivered the beast back to my door. I was like a spoiled kid at Christmas. The irony here being, after all the delays finishing the project, now that it was finally ready and being delivered… lockdown was upon us and the planned jaunts to rallies up and down the land have been scuppered! Well for now, in the short term at least. Thankfully, though, I’ve been out enjoying the benefits of living in the remote Yorkshire Dales, and getting in lots of twistyback-road action on the scooter, and what a pleasure it is too… a welcome oasis during this bleak time. The good news is, despite current troubles, nothing lasts forever… this situation will resolve eventually, and I look forward to the day when I can stand with a group of likeminded individuals, drinking a pint, discussing our scooters, swapping stories and having a laugh together again. Roll on the good times. Anyway that’s enough of my ramblings, it’s another belter this month… stay safe and enjoy the issue. Dan
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 and 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.
Nik Skeat
Vespa P-range obsessive, welltravelled rally rider since the ’80s, founder of the notorious Scooterboy World forum. He’s also a brilliant beer-brewing bearded Scootering feature writer.
Paul Green
Vespa and 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 Lambretta Club owner and scooter restoration expert to boot. Scooter rider, rally-goer, restorer and author. Reaches the parts other scooter journalists just can’t reach.
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.
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 03 Welcome the editor A warm welcome to the July edition of Scootering.
06 Kickstart
The upfront section with all the latest news, views and product reviews!
Feature Scooter: 16 Feeling Blue
56 Vespa adventure
One man, his scooter and a head filled with excitement. Mike Collum recalls setting off on a lone journey to the Eurovespa Rally 1987, where he made friends for life.
Scomadi – 60 Castrol MoVin on up!
Taking on an unfinished project can be a challenge but Keith Newman’s latest creation shows the result can be well worth the effort.
There have been many Castrol race replicas over the years. Vince Lunn wanted his Scomadi in the official race scheme and after a few chats with Bedlam Customs, a simple spray job became something far more interesting.
26 Mailbox
66 Well Equipe'd
Readers’ letters, laughs, feedback and fury – get it off your chest man!
32 Subscriptions
Get your mag delivered to the door, earlier than newsstands, and save money…cool. Plus – gain access to all the benefits of the ‘Scootering Extra’ subs club.
34
Show us your scoots!
The best of our readers’ rides as sent in by you.
36 Back to the Future
An ETS that nestles in a corner of Armandos workshop proves there’s no need for a flux capacitor to be transported back to the 1980s.
Scooter: 40 Feature Technically Speaking Almost a decade after stripping it down, Richard Dixon finally decided to get his GP back on the road. His aim was simple, create a tidy scooter on a budget.
46
My Thai
50
Feature Scooter: Muscle Vespa
In many places Britain’s seen as the home of ‘scooter culture’ but, as Stan discovered on his recent trip to Thailand, there’s plenty of room for variety on a theme.
We all have the dream of the ultimate barn find, but Stuart Murray may have done that twice; his latest find packs looks, style, performance and a serious punch…
4 | SCOOTERING | JULY 2020
After building a trio of top-quality custom scooters over three years, namely Rat Fink, Grimm Fairytale and the famous Scooterotica, Wayne had the desire, the itch, to build another. This time, something far simpler.
56
grid full of 71 Ascooters
While the current scooter racing calendar is in a forced lockdown, we take a nostalgic look back to the 1980s when the grid was packed with famous names…
Tech Torque: Get 80 yourself home at all costs!
Out on your Lambretta miles from anywhere and it breaks down. How do you get yourself home if you don’t have the spares required? Old-school ‘quick fixes’ might save the day!
Tech Torque: The 85 Beginner’s Guide to PX Maintenance – Indicators
In the first of an occasional series the good people at Ron Daley’s talk us through basic PX maintenance. This month, Michael Daley tackles common indicator problems.
91 Scooter Trader
The readers’ buy, sell, swaps and wanted section
95 Classic Scooterist
Mau Spencer presents the legend that is… Classic Scooterist magazine.
Never miss from only £20 an issue Subscribe today on page 32
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66
40 WWW.SCOOTERING.COM | 5
KICKSTART I’M ALRIGHT JACK
There’s no doubt that the classic Vespa is a triumph of industrial design. Unfortunately the technique for changing a rear wheel is not one of its strengths. Members of Kirika Vespa Club in Vitoria, Spain have grown tired of damaging panels and spilling fuel by laying their Vespas on one side. Setting their collective minds together, they’ve developed the Vespa Survival Kit (VSK) and they believe it’s the perfect solution to roadside puncture problems. Made in Spain from high strength plated steel, the VSK is a lever jack which raises the Vespa’s rear end by means of a bar which fits through the two rear panel locating holes. The unit is designed to break down into a toolbox-sized bag which is around the size of a two-stroke oil bottle. There’s a definite knack to assembly but once mastered the VSK can be built and the rear end raised in a couple of minutes. So long as it’s used on level ground the result is a firm working platform that allows the rear wheel to be wriggled free without the need for further elevation. Priced at €99.76, the VSK isn’t the cheapest tool on the market but it’s less
expensive than repairing the damage caused by laying a PX on its side. The VSK is currently only available to fit P range machines but a variant to suit older models is due for launch shortly. A useful addition to a scooter club’s armoury and good insurance for anyone who lacks the upper body strength to wrestle a PX up from the ground. vespasurvivorkit.com
A DOWN UNDER FAREWELL Despite coronavirus restrictions, riders from the My Generation Scooter Club in Perth, Western Australia still managed to pay their final tributes to a much-respected member. Despite being a non-smoker, Mark ‘Stan’ Stagg died on April 29, having fought a 16-month battle with lung cancer. At the time of his funeral, Australian regulations prohibited more than 10 mourners but did allow the club to form part of the cortege. A popular member of the local scooter community, Stan will be sadly missed. Our sympathies go to his wife Sarah, together with his daughters Kacie and Freya.
6 | SCOOTERING | JULY 2020
LEGAL Q&A 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. My MoT is due next week but my local garage is closed because of coronavirus. What can I do? A. Don’t worry. The Government has thought of this. It has passed legislation
Oxford Products Urban Series Harrington Laminate Jacket
which says that if your MoT is due after March 30, it will be automatically extended for a period of six months. You do, however, have an obligation in the meantime to ensure that your scooter is kept roadworthy and safe to ride.
A piece of riderwear featured around the classic look of the Harrington jacket with a Dry2Dry outer shell. Stu Smith reports.
Oxford’s overview
upper arms, which run round the sleeves to give all-round reflective capability. The jacket is comfortable throughout and above the zip there are two neck press studs. When fastened they secure the padded collar in place and during riding there is no rubbing or irritation through head or neck movements.
Stu’s take
Overview
The Dry2Dry outer shell with taped seams allows water to run off the outside. Also the jacket is created from an elasticated material, which allows an ease of movement and is breathable. In terms of protection, there are full CE Level 2 protective pads in the shoulders and elbows, which fit in smoothly with the style and contours of the jacket. Also for added protection the jacket has an internal Dupont Kevlar lining, which has a protector pocket in the back. Overall the protective elements of the jacket are discreet and unobtrusive and keep the classic look of the Harrington jacket. In terms of visibility the jacket has neat reflective flashes on each of the
If you need advice on a scooter-related legal question, email stephen@wildwoodlegal. co.uk. The best Q&A will be published in Scootering magazine in confidence.
The Harrington jacket is a classic piece of clothing which can be found in most scooterists’ wardrobes. In fine weather it’s regularly worn as a riding jacket; but let’s be honest, it’s not designed for that purpose. I wore this jacket in varying weather conditions from mild rain, cold wind and sleet to fine and sunny days and it didn’t let me down. Oxford don’t claim that the Harrington is designed to be an endurance rider’s jacket. But what they have done is taken into account the Harrington jacket’s appeal to scooterists and blended it with a level of protection and durability, which makes it stylish and practical. The jacket comes in black, green or blue. RRP: £139.99 www.oxfordproducts.com
WWW.SCOOTERING.COM | 7
KICKSTART Oxford Products Armourlite Jeans Oxford’s overview
AA-rated CE approved jeans with CE Level 2 knee protectors and CE Level 1 hip protectors.
Stu’s take
The jeans you want to wear just got safer. In my experience motorcycle denim is usually uncomfortable and not particularly easy on the eye. Regular jeans, on the other hand, are usually comfortable and cool but offer little or no protection. The objective therefore has to be to find a pair of riderwear jeans which offer a balance of looks and protection. These jeans are lightweight and stylish, and along with the Armourlite protection they also have a reinforced lined yoke and lined rear pockets. The hip and knee protection pads are comfortable and unobtrusive, and slip effortlessly into internal armour-style pockets rather than Velcro, which reduces the number of seams that may cause irritation during riding.
The seams on the jeans are felled, which is the toughest and cleanest available, increasing strength and ensuring comfort. The outside of the jeans features standard busted seams, which is the traditional way and in keeping with the look of regular jeans.
Overview
I wore these jeans both with and without the hip and knee pads inserted. In each of the conditions they kept their lightweight feeling and didn’t feel hot or heavy. Also with the protection pads inserted flexibility wasn’t compromised. The jeans aren’t 100% waterproof, but they’re quick drying and stylish when being worn on or off the scooter. RRP: £119.99 www. oxfordproducts.com p
NEW MB PRICE LIST The list currently stands at more than 1100 items and is still growing. “We’re constantly at it and there’s a lot that goes off behind the scenes; so much so that it’s hard to keep up with what to do; engineering, run the business or make new ideas,” explained Mark Broadhurst. Getting the detail for the latest product started in November 2019. “It was hard work with constant reports, Excel sheets, stock taking, part numbering, web work, descriptions and clearing out junk; followed by long hours for several months on the computer, cutting and pasting the list into sections.” The list finally got finished: “We had it designed and ready to go to print the week we had the lockdown. But because of the lockdown my designer and printer wanted payment up front!” With uncertain times ahead Mark cancelled the order. “In the meantime Luke and I were extremely busy doing the work of what was usually completed by a five-man team. We were run off our feet, but I took the gamble to produce the booklet and here it is; full of everything and set out into sections for a rebuild, restoration or repair. It’s free to any customer who places an order and it’s the perfect size for toilet reading, sat in the sun with a beer or to keep in your workshop,” Mark smiled. To order or find out more, contact MB Scooters: 01709 869756 or email: shop@mbscooters.co.uk
MX
FULL FACE
FROM
£279.95 SIZES: XS -XL
PERFECT FOR THE LATEST GENERATION ADVENTURE BIKES PLUS NAKED, CUSTOM AND CAFÉ RACER FANS 8 | SCOOTERING | JULY 2020
T 0117 971 9200 E info@thekeycollection.co.uk W www.thekeycollection.co.uk
NEW
KICKSTART BGM RELAUNCHES A CLASSIC BGM has launched a new tyre which is a throwback to the old days of scootering but using modern technology. Simply labelled the Classic, the tread pattern is similar to that of the Michelin ACS. For those that can’t remember, the ACS was one of the best tread patterns ever designed for the scooter, not only giving good road-handling properties in the dry but also in wet conditions. For years it was standard issue equipment for both the Vespa and Lambretta. Even today, original examples of the ACS can fetch huge sums as owners want that retro look. Michelin destroyed the moulds back in the late 1980s and so it was consigned to the history books. Thankfully BGM has brought it back to life with the company’s new design. The Classic is speed-rated up to 150kmh/93mph, which is very impressive. This is down to a strengthened carcass which not only improves stability at high speed but also when cornering. Cornering is aided even further by the V shape of the profile compared with the U shape, which allows more surface contact as the lean angle is increased. Using a revised compound, they are super grippy in any conditions. Not only does this mean that owners with standard machines who want that classic tyre look will benefit but also those with tuned engines can use them as well. The Classic is made in Germany and available in the traditional 3.50-10 size. These tyres are now being distributed in the UK with many dealers already stocking them. For more info: www.scooter-center.com The original Michelin ACS, which was fitted to both the Vespa and Lambretta as standard equipment.
The new BGM Classic scooter tyre, which combines the classic look but uses modern tyre techn ology.
Eye-catching SIP Pordoi suspension arm cover This SIP Pordoi suspension arm cover is CNC machined from a high-quality aluminium alloy. It is mounted in position by tightening the integrated grub-screw against the suspension arm. The sleek design and the perfect finish, along with neat details such as the laser-etched SIP logo and torque values at the fixing points, make this cover a real eye-catcher. RRP: €39.90 More info: www.sip-scootershop.com
10 | SCOOTERING | JULY 2020
ACCIDENT CLAIM SPECIALISTS
Had an accident? Think you have a claim? Stephen Hattersley Principal WildWood Legal
info@wildwoodlegal.co.uk
Want a scooterist to deal with it? Call WildWood Legal www.wildwoodlegal.co.uk w
01423 788728
Keep calm and carry on scootering
F
rustrating though this lengthy lockdown period is, many scooter owners are working flat out on their pride and joy, making sure they are ready for when everyone can finally get back out on the road. Some owners are already out there, still working and using a scooter as a mode of transport. To do so requires a constant stream of spares to make sure the work of building or keeping them on the road can still be carried out. The main obstacle is getting the required spares for the job. With most scooter businesses closed to the public it’s not a case of just popping out to get what you need whenever you want. The supply chain by this method is cut – so what is the other option? It may be that you already had the parts required to carry out some maintenance on your scooter and were just trying to find time to get the job done. The reality is you now have that time but, as is often the case, there is something you forgot to get or since that time have found something else that needs repairing. Thankfully, there is an answer by way of scooter dealers and shops who can meet the demands required. Many of them are prepared to go to their shops or units, take orders and get them dispatched as soon as possible. On one hand, they want the trade as this is their only source of income at present. Without being able to carry out much of the general work or have customers come into the shop, this is their only means of keeping their businesses afloat. But on the other hand, they are in danger of being out in the open and having to interact with other people, such as couriers. It’s a difficult decision to balance trying to keep their livelihood going by actually taking a risk with their life to do so, not forgetting their families and those around them. A lot of it is down to the wartime spirit, I guess, trying to keep things going while battling against the enemy that is this virus. I’m sure many of you have seen the postings on social media of orders being stacked up high, waiting to be sent out on a daily basis. It’s not an easy task to do
12 | SCOOTERING | JULY 2020
During the lockdown period, many scooter owners are getting their scooters ready for the road. A number of dedicated people are making sure that is possible. – picking all the items, packaging them all up and getting them done in time to be collected. It is easy to notice there seems to be a little competition between some dealers to see who can get them out the quickest. I’m sure it’s only light-hearted – and why not have a bit of banter in these sad times? This current situation has highlighted a few things that, before all this happened, we probably took for granted. Buying spares online is nothing new – far from it. Ever since the internet revolution happened 20-odd years ago, scooter shops across the country have slowly been building up their online side of the business. That is only one part of it though and relying on just that as an income stream has never been the case. Likewise the same can be said for the customer and while it’s easy to look on a screen, then click and buy, it’s not always like that. Some people still want to actually see what they’re buying and prefer to go into a shop to make a purchase. Currently this is the only choice, whether someone likes it or not. Without online shopping no spares could be purchased and therefore no repairs are undertaken. Hopefully once the lockdown is lifted it will be for good but if anything
like this were to happen again, at least it’s been proven this way of buying things works, whatever the circumstances. The biggest thing I think it has shown is how much scooter owners need the dealers and shops. Ever since I can remember they have always come in for a bit of stick one way or another, often regarded as, dare I say it, mercenaries only here to make money. If they didn’t then their businesses would close down. They are just like anyone else who is self-employed; simply trying to make a living. Of course, it is a two-way street and the shops and dealers need the scooter owners as customers. It’s like anything in this scene, each feeding off the other for it all to survive. Now though, the dealers are needed more than ever before. While I’m sure they are well aware of that, none are taking it for granted. The effort they have made during the last few months to keep things going should be applauded above anything else. When all this lockdown is over hopefully we can all return to a normal way of life. When we do don’t forget those shops and dealers out there who have served everyone so impeccably. I’m sure everyone will agree and on behalf of all the scooter owners out there, huge thanks to you all.
With many scooter shops stocked full of spares, their priority at present is making sure supplies get to customers easily and on time.