Scootering June 2017 by Mortons Media Group Ltd

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Taylor Tech the world’s

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#372 June 2017

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END D OF

THE ROAD? CHRIS STIA AN’S

VESPA-S SAV VING

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW Retrospective Scooters report ■ Vespa Tech ■ feature scooters ■ DNCC Vespa ■ Readers’ Rides ■ essential scooter maintenance ■ BSSO race report ■ Scooter Trader ■ Event Guide ■ Show us your scooters ■ and more… POLINI TR RANSP PLANT!

WELCOME Editor: Dan Clare Email: dan@scootering.com Publisher: Dan Savage Designer: Charlotte Turnbull Picture desk: Paul Fincham and 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 ad manager: Martin Freeman 01507 529538, mfreeman@mortons.co.uk ADVERTISING DEADLINES The advertising deadline for the next issue of Scootering (July 2017) is Thursday, June 1, 2017 On sale in newsagents Thursday, June 22, 2017 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 SCOOTERING is published by: Mortons Scooter Media, a division of Mortons Media Group Ltd © 2017 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 Member of the Professional Publishers' Association

Welcome to the June edition of Scootering

he eagle-eyed readers among you may have noticed our updated Scootering masthead logo. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for the past year, but was at first unsure how to approach it. I wanted to ‘doff my cap’ to the very beginning of the magazine and its heritage, so chose to reflect that in the redesign of the current logo, using hints from the past. The dot over the ‘i’ was originally done by Stu Garland for the man who started Scootering magazine: Steve Myatt, and was a reference to the Prisoner TV series. That, along with shading and other hints now make up the new Scootering logo… I hope you all approve. Something more noticeable on the front cover is the new Lambretta V-Special. Now I’m a man (like many of our readers) who has not yet come to terms with the fact that our beloved classic Italian, two-stroke, manual geared scooters will never be mass manufactured again. I acknowledge the comfort and safety benefits of modern scooters, with ABS brakes, emission compliant engines and automatic gearboxes… but I still own, ride, and embrace the ‘classic’. That said, go to any scooter rally these days, and the machines which were once looked at like an unsightly stain now appear in abundance and are readily accepted by many… but not all. When the likes of the Gilera Runner and Piaggio GTS rolled up, they were initially shunned by some, until many rally goers

realised how comfy, quick and reliable they were… and for ‘a man of a certain age group’ that can be a godsend. Now, many variants of the four-stroke autos can be seen, including LML, Scomadi, and AJS Modena to name but a few. These scooters make up a good proportion of the machines attending rallies these days. I think that is an important point to note, and the reason I have run a digital render of the new machine as the cover scooter. It’s not the classic Italian scooter we all know and love, it’s not where our hearts lay, and it’s not the main focus of Scootering. But it is representative of the future of modern scooters, whatever brand name they are, and with this one being a new launch at Adria in June as part of the Lambretta 70th celebration… whether we love it or loath it, it’s an important landmark in the transition many scooterists are going through as well as a representation of the marketplace we exist in. Thankfully for me, I don’t have any cause to switch ownership yet, and will continue my travels on my current Vespa PX125, and my soon to be finished (honest) Innocenti Lambretta GP125. But when the time comes for me to add a four-stroke auto to my stable, as has happened already with Stan, then at least I have plenty to choose from. There’s a lot more going on besides in this edition, but I’ll let you discover the rest of the goods at your own leisure. Anyway, it’s another belter this month… 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. . .

Sarge

With over four decades of riding, rally-going and competing on both Lambretta and Vespa scooters under his belt, he’s still going strong. A key player in the Scootering editorial team since the 80s. Top DJ to boot.

Nik Skeat

Vespa P-range obsessive, well-travelled rally rider since the 80s, and founder of the once notorious Scooterboy World online forum. He’s also a brilliant beer-brewing bearded Scootering feature writer.

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.

Stuart Owen

Life member of the LCGB, 100mph LambrettaClub owner and scooter restoration expert to boot. Scooter rider, rally-goer, racer, restorer and author. Reaches the parts other scooter journalists just can’t reach.

Darrell Taylor Dave Oakley Two-stroke tuning guru, scooter engine building maestro, technical aficionado, and dyno tuning specialist. When it comes to a true understanding of scooter engine top-ends, he is THE man.

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!

Jordan Lewis Paul Green Hard-riding, rally going scooterist representing the Young Guns SC. He might be young in years, but this lad has already covered more miles than most and represents his club at the BSRA meetings.

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.

CONTENTS 03Letter from the Editor

69Being – the film review

06Kickstart

72From The Jam

14Lambretta V-Special

76Serveta Jet 200

A warm welcome to the June issue of Scootering. The front section with all the latest news, views and product reviews!

Press release for the new Lambretta V-Special.

Stan dusts off his best blazer (from school) and tries to fit in (badly).

The interview with From The Jam, by Simon Wells.

Stu Owen’s view of this now classic scooter, but was it received well at the time?

22Report: BSRA Scarborough 80Club Do’s & Events BSRA Weston28Report: super-Mare Words & 91Scootering Sounds Stan’s all-action report from the first national of the season.

Jamie gets those miles in to bring you the news.

VMSC 32Report: Extravaganza

Stu visits the VMSC do to see what’s going down.

36Report: Phoenix Nights

Stu spends the weekend with the Leicester Phoenix SC at their annual rally.

40Show us your scoots

The best of our readers’ rides showcased.

42Subscriptions

Get one now! Your mag gets delivered to your door, earlier than newsstands, and you save money too!

Dealer spotlight: Retrospective Scooters

Stan does the usual, reaching the info other journalists can’t reach.

50Back Street Scratcher

Down and dirty, LC Vega Hybrid custom scooter.

57Letters

Feedback and full throttle responses from the readers

Spanish Museum Collection

Stan thinks he’s in Raiders of the Lost Ark as he delves into this treasure trove. Bullwhip and fedora not required Stan, seriously.

64Dark Destroyer

Sarge takes a look at the gleaming magnificence that is tattooist Kirsty’s Vespa cutdown.

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Your essential guide to the scene – What, Where & When!

The best of words and music as reviewed by Nik & Sarge.

92End of the road?

Christian Giarrizzo gives his 125,000km Vespa some radical life-saving surgery.

98Tech Torque

Dan continues his epic Vespa Tech quest with goodies from Sip, Pinasco and BGM.

102Sin Custom Chopper Legendary Scootering photographer Richie Lunt shows this beauty in its best light.

108Tech Torque

Darrell Taylor embarks upon the first part of his clubman dyno series.

115Tech Torque

Stu Owen gives us this month’s essential maintenance tip.

118BSSO Race Report

Paul Green’s version of events, bringing you all the action from BSSO Round 2 at Mallory Park.

124Scooter Trader

Your sales and classifieds section – including Specialist Services & At A Glance.

136DNCC

Dave O brings us another classic blast from the past: Shame – Eurythmics Vespa.

138Reader’s Ride

A football-themed scooter… ooh, how very dare we!

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108

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KICKSTART

LUNA LINE PIPES BACK AT CHISELSPEED

hiselspeed has recently added to its line of performance exhausts with the CST Luna Sports Exhaust. “These are the only pipes of their kind available for the Luna range,” explained owner Martin Cook. “They’ve been out of stock for some time but we’ve now located a British supplier capable of delivering to the standards we require.” The pipes are currently available to fit the 75cc engine cases with 50cc compatibility to follow. Priced at £340 the pipes are already proving popular with buyers in the UK and Italy. Also exclusive to Chiselspeed are compact universal fitting Lambretta rear hub pullers. Priced at £19.95, their clever design enables them to fit all Series 1, 2, 3 and GP hubs. “Our pullers are manufactured in the UK from EN8 high grade British steel,” said Martin. “Unlike pullers made overseas their threads should give many years of use” For more information visit www.chiselspeed.co.uk

SIP PROMOTING DIVERSITY AT SCARBOROUGH Having made the long trip to Scarborough from their base in Southern Germany, the SIP crew were keen to showcase a wide range of products. Although well known for its range of classic Vespa parts, SIP also stocks unique lines for modern Vespas and classic Lambrettas. Among the range of products on display were 8in tubeless wheels for older Vespas and items from SIP’s selection of Gori Lambretta products. The innovative SIP speedometers were also on display and in addition to classic models now cover Vespa autos and the Lambretta Series 2/3 models.

Running the stand was Martin Silberhorn who explained that the UK market was important to SIP and the long journey had been worthwhile to meet British scooterists and receive customer feedback. With a recently introduced English telephone line (020 3870 1487) and free shipping to the UK, there’s never been a better time to visit the firm’s website and see what’s on offer. SIP also now offers free shipping to UK for all retail customers, by UPS Standard shipment (1-2 days delivery time). No matter how high or low order value is! www.sip-scootershop.com

SCOOTAWAY WORLD RECORD ATTE EMPT! Four Lambretta riders will attempt to set a new world record on July 6 by simultaneously riding the 50 motorways in Scotland, England & Wales in four days. The four riders will be covering around 300 miles per day as they crisscross the country, leaving Dunfermline on the 6th and completing the record attempt when they join the M2 at Chatham on Sunday, July 9. The Scootaway UK team comprises Jim Dennis, Peter Johnson, Steve Holmes, Mark Broadhurst, Dave Drew & Barry Drew, along with four other support members. As well as attempting to set a new record, the Scootaway UK team will also be raising money for Parkinson’s UK and anyone who would like to support Parkinson’s UK can make a donation either through Just Giving at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ ScootawayUK or by text: 70070 – code sc0055 As the ScootawayUK team attempt the world record, they would welcome support from fellow scooterists and anyone wishing to meet up with us or ride a section of the route with us, should see the FB page for more information: www.facebook. com/scootawayuk2017

6 | SCOOTERING | JUNE 2017

MODFATHER ON THE MOVE Modfather Clothing, purveyors of all things stylish, have recently moved premises. Although still located in Camden Market their new store offers a more user friendly layout and is situated alongside similar ‘lifestyle’ retailers, including the soon to be opened Dr Martens European flagship store. As owner Daniel Warner explained: “The new shop has been fitted out to evoke the atmosphere of a classic tailor’s and we’re

very pleased with the overall effect.” As stockists of brands such as Baracuta, Ben Sherman, Fred Perry and Tootal Vintage, Modfather has become something of a magnet for style conscious scooterists visiting the capital. With a wide range of memorabilia on display the shop’s a pleasure to browse and it’s even possible to pick up the latest edition of Scootering magazine! Visit www.modfatherclothing.com

Imminent rally, ride and race dates May 26-28 AFSC Thrash

May 26-29 Kelso National Rally June 2-4 Hayling Island, SW Scooter Clubs June 2-4 EuroLambretta Adria, Italy June 2-4 Cheeky Northern Monkeys 16th Anniversary Rally Colne & Nelson RFC, Lancs For info: Stubby 07733 462156. June 9-11 Big 7 National Rally Kent June 17 Animal Antics 7 Hayfield Fishing and Shooting Lodge, Doncaster For info: Alex 07931 501688. June 22-25 Vespa World Days 2017 Celle, North Germany June 24 Totally Unstable SC 25th Anniversary Alldayer Ely City FC, Downham Road For info: Andy 07740 760434 or visit FB. June 30-July 2 Isle of Man Scooter Social For info: Barry 07940 915190

ALCOSENSE EXCEL It’s 50 years ago that a blood alcohol limit for drivers was first introduced in the UK, yet Government figures suggest drink drive casualties are on the rise. Provisional statistics for 2015 (the latest data available) from the Department for Transport indicate that 1380 people were killed or seriously injured in accidents where at least one driver was over the limit – up 5% on the previous year. There has also been a rise in drink drive casualties of all severities. The estimate for 2015 is 8480 – a 3% increase compared with 2014. Police carried out over half a million (520,219) roadside breath tests in 2015, with more than 60,000 drivers and riders (one in eight of those tested) failing or refusing to

take the test. The Road Safety Act of 1967 set the maximum limit at 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood (0.35mg of alcohol per litre of breath). It became an offence for the first time to drive, attempt to drive or be in charge of a motor vehicle with a blood or breath alcohol concentration exceeding that limit. The 80mg per 100ml limit was based on evidence that a road accident is more likely to happen at or above this level. Recent evidence shows that drivers are impaired below this limit. Given the propensity for a few sherberts at a rally, many would do well to invest in a bit of kit like the Alcosense Excel tester to make sure they are safe to ride home the next day. For more info: www.alcosense.co.uk

WWW.SCOOTERING.COM | 7

KICKSTART NEW

PINASCO 19 90CC

The new RX cylinder kit for the Vesspa PX 125/150 has been developed specifically for the racin ng market while still offering excellent reliability for fast road usse. Manufactured from aluminium featuring a boosted exh haust port, graphite coated piston kit, and increased port size and timings. The kit is supplied with a centre plug cylindeer head that uses eight head studs for perfect alignment, the neew cylinder kit ticks all the boxes for all-out performance. Due to the increased cylinder heeight needed to obtain the 190cc capacity, a 60mm stroke crrankshaft by Pinasco is also required for fitment. You can now order online at www.ve-supermarket.co.uk

NEW

CABERG DR ROID

Starting from the end of May, DROID, the new flip-up from Caberg, will be available at retail stores. It comes with the dual homologation P/J which allows you to ride with the chin guard open thanks to the lever on the left side of the helmet; This lever, when in the ‘J’ position, blocks the chin guard in the fully open position avoiding accidental closing. DROID is equipped with a double visor system which, thanks to the easy-to-use inner sun-visor, allows to ride always with the right light and in safety. The lining, made with hypoallergenic and transpiring fabrics to grant maximum freshness, is entirely removable and washable. DROID is offered in the solid colours Matt Black, Metal White, and Matt Anthracite plus the Hi-VIZION high-visibility version with Yellow Fluo shell and Matt Black chin guard. RRP is €249.99-€279.99 (colour/model depending). For more info: www.caberg.it

SIDI ARCADIA RAIN BOOT NEW

Full grain leather and suede, lined with rain membrane water resistant material. Suede neckband, metal eyelets, rubber sole. SRP £174.99 www.sidiselect.co.uk

Never miss an issue 8 | SCOOTERING | JUNE 2017

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KICKSTART

Lambretta Concessionaires: The Complete Story 1951 to 1971

Stuart Owen invested two years plus of exhaustive time, meticulous research and extensively thorough cross-referencing to produce his first book, Lambretta Concessionaires, so was the effort worth it..?

hile there is much more information circulating about Lambretta scooters and machines now than there ever has been… the definitive story, from inception to conclusion, of Lambretta in the UK hasn’t been told in full until now. Stuart Owen’s book, is informative and enlightening as well as containing a few surprises too. Published by Scooterproducts in Westonsuper-Mare there are three elements contained in first print run copies, akin to the classic spaghetti western.

200 came into production and found its way onto the world markets. Another of the profusion of actual happenings relayed in this excellent book is the animated conversation between Peter Agg and Mike Karslake regarding something he’d seen on a visit to the Milan Factory. Peter Agg denied the existence of what was known as Project 137, while Mike Karslake was adamant and was proven entirely correct by a find in the 1980s which showed that there was a progression to prototype stage of a Lambretta twin 250cc engined machine.

The Good

The Bad

Lambretta Concessionaires is packed with in-depth text across all seven chapters. Accompanied by a veritable treasure trove of reproduced images; from advertising leaflets, through rare photographs to press releases, correspondence from and to Lambretta Concessionaires, and much more beside. Taken together, it traces the rise, and the eventual unexpected demise, of Lambretta in the UK. It was driven by a father and son combination who succeeded in establishing what was, even viewed 45 plus years from the point when it ended, one of the best, if not the best motor industry business model anywhere. Needless to say, contained within the book are captivating insights regarding the UK-only Rallymaster, how the TV/GT

10 | SCOOTERING | JUNE 2017

Content wise, Stuart’s book is hard, near impossible to fault. However, there is one gargantuan glaring error contained in the first print run copies. Probably the simplest way to flag it up is to borrow a record from the northern soul scene. Recently hitting well into four figures on British CBS with collectors is Chapter Five – You Can’t Mean It. With one exception, (in the first column of the chapter), Lambretta Concessionaires’ throughout the text the word Lambretta appears as Lauretta! This is an error that any proofreader should have been able to spot and address and the fact that it has gone all the way through to print is very unfortunate indeed. That said, and having been lucky enough to know Mike Karslake, who was president of the Lambretta Club Great

Britain during my 15-year stint on the club’s committee, Lauretta, especially with her twin cylinders, would’ve appealed to his sense of humour!

The Ugly

All but the most devoted Lambretta aficionados would agree that not every twowheeled machine to roll off the Milan factory production line was a thing of beauty. Nor was every model selected by the astute and highly successful Lambretta Concessionaires to import, for potential sale, to the British market. Both the Lambrettino and Ribot mopeds along with the entire ‘J’ series/ range for example. As for Peter Agg’s moustache in some of the archive pictures, some Football Association referees may view it as a sending off offence in its own right these days. Plus there are several adverts that in these PC times would be

unthinkable. However back during those halcyon days they were deemed perfectly acceptable. Concluding the Ugly content, BLMC’s financial controller, the man who erroneously took the decision to cease production of Lambretta scooters, is named. All of which is included. Stuart Owen’s book, Lambretta Concessionaires, The Complete Story 1951 to 1971, is a must-have for anyone with an interest in not only Lambrettas but any scooter. I’ve a feeling copies of the first print run editions, with the serious series of typos (over 50 times), will go on to be collectable in their own right. Besides, the vast majority of scooterists having a bit of a tendency to hoard, those who get the first edition will, in the main, also want a rectified and as it should have been to start with, edition of this unmissable book. Sarge

STRUGGLING TO COPE WITH POWER As I write these words hundreds of Lambretta owners from different countries will be preparing their scooters for what should be the trip of a lifetime...

veryone has been gearing up to gather in Italy for the celebrations to mark the 70th year since Innocenti created the iconic machine. What should and I hope will be a momentous and unique event unfortunately is tinged with a sadness that underlies the current situation. When the Lambretta Club d’Italia announced the eagerly awaited news of where the event would be, along with the programme format, there was great excitement. This was short lived as rumour of trouble with the venue meant it might be cancelled. For all those in the UK trying to book time off from work and organise somewhere to stay it was highly frustrating. Where had the rumours come from and who had started them? It was all academic in the end as the scare proved to be wrong, but why do it in the first place? With owners keen to get everything booked up along came another bombshell as the Lambretta Club Lombardia announced its own celebrations at a different venue two weeks before. The outcome of this means there are some owners going to one event and not the other and in doing so diluting the whole affair. It seems rather sad in what is a momentous year for Lambretta celebrations that the host country can’t unite as one to bring a unique celebration for all. The losers in all of this are the owners themselves who now have to make a decision which event they should travel to. Driving by Lambretta to Italy is a big commitment, not to mention the cost, so you can imagine the frustration of turning up at one of the events but not meeting up with friends because they have gone to the other instead.

Why has this situation occurred in the first place and why the big fallout? In 1988 I became the first paid up member of the rejuvenated Lambretta Club d’Italia. It was a proud moment as the club, through the work Lambretta scooters how they should be, all going of enthusiastic to the same rally to unite together as one. members, would once again unite Lambretta owners in its homeland. however painful it might be reading it. Now some 30 years on the whole thing One of the obstacles though is the only has become split as a war between the time the committee and its members can two rival factions threatens to destroy discuss anything is at the AGM, which is all the hard work that has been done. only once a year. This in my opinion is too The reality is though that this is not an long and regular discussions need to take issue exclusive just to Italy. Anyone who reads the forums and social media will see place between the committee and its members do discuss problematic issues and read the comments regarding our own and resolve them. In the past this has Lambretta Club in the UK. As most of you sometimes been hard to do due to getting will know here we have the Lambretta everybody in the same place at the same Club Great Britain. Over the years it has time. With today’s technology though that been well run and now has its biggest should not be a problem and this could membership since the original club was easily be done without people having to mothballed in the 1970s. However there leave their own home; there are no seems to be a growing divide between the excuses for it not to happen. committee and its members. It has now Whether any of this will ever happen, got to the point where there have been who knows? But one thing is certain – if suggestions of a rival club and with the it doesn’t then the situation will only introduction of a new British Lambretta deteriorate further. No one is saying one Owners Association that very thing is side needs to bow down before the other, it happening. Yet again the question is just needs a few level-headed people to raised, how have we got to this situation? come together to discuss the needs of the I haven’t brought this subject up club and what is in the best interests of because I like what’s occurring – far from the members. We must remember that any it. No it’s because it saddens me to see committee works hard to serve its members what is happening. As I have previously but there are times when the two parties stated, all this arguing is being played out need to meet somewhere in the middle. on social media and is plain for all to see, Whether all of these goings on are to do with a power struggle is up for debate but surely we have come too far now for all the hard work to thrown away. In the 70th year of the Lambretta we should all come together to celebrate this great milestone. If we don’t then as history will tell you, in the end: divided we will fall. Stu

In the 70th year of the Lambretta we should all come together to celebrate this great milestone. If we don’t then as history will tell you, in the end: divided we will fall

12 | SCOOTERING | JUNE 2017