Classic Scooterist - June 2019 - Preview

VINTAGE VESPA

THREE OF THE BEST 200cc LAMBRETTAS

BRAKE LEVER REMOVAL

A FITTING SIGN OF RESPECT

LAMBRETTA

MODEL C RACER

HOW TO REPLACE A LAMBRETTA REAR BRAKE STOP

GRIMSTEADINSPIRED VESPA SS180

TRIALS & TRIBS

A LIFETIME OF VESPA PASSION The Peter Rose story

SCOOTERAMA! – A FELICITOUS FANFARE OF FACTS, FEEDBACK & FACES

ISSUE 127 JUNE/JULY 2019

A BRIDGE TOO FAR?

SUBSCRIBE TODAY SEE PAGE 44

Issue 127 June/July 2019

Founding Editor: Mau Spencer 01507 529408 mauspencer@classicscooterist.com Publishing director: Dan Savage Publisher: Tim Hartley Contributors: Rich Addison; Gill Beecham; Jon Betts; Pete Davies, Dave Dry; Chris Wainwright; Andy Westlake; Roy Workman.

Apologies to anyone we’ve forgotten.

Some articles express contributors opinions and are not necessarily those of Classic Scooterist.

Design: Fran Lovely Production editor: Mike Cowton Picture desk: Paul Fincham, Jonathan Schofield Group advertising manager: Sue Keily Divisional advertising manager: Zoe Thurling zthurling@mortons.co.uk (01507 529412) Advertising: Emma Buxton-Rockley ebuxton-rockley@mortons.co.uk (01507 529410) Subscription manager: Paul Deacon Circulation manager: Steve O’Hara Marketing manager: Charlotte Park Commercial director: Nigel Hole Editorial address: Classic Scooterist magazine.

PO Box 99, Horncastle, Lincs LN9 6LZ General queries and back issues: 01507 529529 (24hr answerphone) Archivist: Jane Skayman 01507 529423 jskayman@mortons.co.uk Next issue (128) published: July 17, 2019 Editorial deadline: June 10, 2019 CLASSIC SCOOTERIST (ISSN:1756-9494) is published bi-monthly by Mortons Media Group Ltd, PO Box 99, Horncastle, Lincolnshire LN9 6LZ UK. USA subscriptions are $36 per year from Motorsport Publications LLC, 7164 Cty Rd N #441, Bancroft WI 54921. Periodical Postage is paid at Wisconsin Rapids, WI. Postmaster: Send address changes to CLASSIC SCOOTERIST, Motorsport Publications LLC, 7164 Cty Rd N #441, Bancroft WI 54921. 715-572-4595 Email: chris@classicbikebooks.com www.classicbikebooks.com Distribution: Marketforce UK Ltd 5 Churchill Place, Canary Wharf, London E14 5HU Subscription: Full subscription rates (but see page 44 for offer): (12 months 6 issues, inc post and packing) – UK £22.80. Export rates are also available – see page 44 for more details.

UK subscriptions are zero-rated for the purposes of Value Added Tax. Customer services number: 01507 529529 Telephone lines are open: Monday-Friday 8.30am-7pm, Saturday 8.30am-12.30pm Printed by: William Gibbons & Sons, Wolverhampton © Mortons Media Group. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication maybe reproduced without prior written permission.

In the event of a dispute developing between two or more individual clubs, businesses, or organisations - and in the abscence of any legal ruling to the contrary - Mortons Media will strive to maintain a neutral position in not disadvantaging either party.

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36 CONTENTS 4

9

Back when we had hair

Nostalgic memories from times gone by

Mailbox

Readers have their say

10 Scooterama

A felicitous fanfare of facts, feedback and faces

15 What’s going on?

With so much going on, here's a quick look at what’s on the calendar

18 Event roundup

A quick glance at recent events

24 An artistic tribute

Lee De-vall’s Lambretta Series 1

28 Lambretta Model C Racer

Lee Abraham’s dream of a ride

32 Soul Shoutin’

A Mod called Joe and his Spanish Motovespa

36 Restoration or rustoration?

68 MB’s ‘S’ Type resurrection

42 Past inspiration

72 Last of the line

46 Back in the day

76 Snowy’s LD Riviera

Ian Vanes-Jones finally makes a decision Mick Maidment’s Grimsteadinspired SS180 Trojan works gymkhana

48 Three of the best

Jason Hudson’s 200cc Lambretta collection

52 As good as new

A Lambretta ‘S’ Type built by an ‘S’ Type pioneer

56 A lifetime of Vespa passion The Peter Rose story

60 Lotus-themed TV200

Mark Saul’s original loft find

64 Arsenal-themed Lambretta TS1

Scooters and football – a never-ending story for Dean Lloyd

All was not quite what it seemed…

Richard Gabb’s Vespa PX200 Disc Long neglected, but now back on the road again

79 Classic Vespa rear brake lever removal

An answer to the mysterious problem

80 Lambretta braking issues How to replace the rear brake cable stop

82 Scooter clubs

Meet and greet your local club

86 Scooterist classifieds

For all your wants and needs

90 Blast from the past

Marlene wows the Italians!

So many different worlds, so many different suns

T

hat’s a direct quote from the Dire Straits song, Brothers in Arms, which aptly describes one of the reasons I’ve always been enthralled by the scooter world and the diversity it encompasses: the music, the clothes, the lifestyle – and most importantly, the scooters themselves. Whether you ride a Vespa, Lambretta or another vintage make; whether it’s in original condition, a rat/rusto, street racer or cutdown, there’s something

available to suit everyone’s individual taste.

Ok, I’ll put my hand up and say that not every single option is my cup of tea, but I can see, respect and appreciate your individual choices and the work that has gone into making it your own.

Of course, scooters are a passionate subject and because of that some can become too fixated on what’s right or wrong with the scooter scene. My view? You only live once.

Basically, we’re all in it for the love of that scene, so embrace it rather than chastise people for their diverse lifestyle choices.

Sticking with the subject of diversity, my contributors and I have scoured all corners of the UK (and beyond) to try and provide you with varying articles in this issue that will suit everyone’s individual taste – so read on and enjoy!

MAUSPENCER@CLASSICSCOOTERIST.COM

3

n e h w k Bac we had hair DO YOU HAVE A NOSTALGIC STORY TO TELL, OR AN OLD PICTURE

TO SHARE?

6LZ ✉ mauspencer@classicscooterist.com ☎ 01507 529408 ✎ Classic Scooterist, PO Box 99, Horncastle, Lincs LN9

Those were the day ays

T Mid-60s Maidstone

Back in the day, my buddies and I lived in Maidstone and had some carefree days of enjoyment. One of them, Bob, now lives in New Zealand, but we keep in touch. There photos were taken (I think) around 1964/65, but I seem to be the only one who has still kept scooters. I have two Lambrettas and I use them both regularly if the sun is in the sky. I’m now 73 and I enjoy every moment when II’m m out and about. about David Steel

he b/w photo shows me on my 1961 ISO Milano and was taken outside my now wife’s house in Southall, Middlesex. The two colour photos show my 1966 Eddie Grimstead SS180, which I still own!

I used to live in Hounslow, Middlesex, and went around in a group of around 20 people known as the Hounslow Hounds. We followed The Who, Small Faces, etc. I’d known Pete Townsend when I was at school in the early 60s and living in Acton. We met up again in 1964 when I was a roadie for one of their warm-up bands, The Dae Before, and we supported them at the Rickitic, Windsor, the Railway Hotel, Harrow, and the

Marquee, Marquee London.

London I left the music scene when two Dae members joined Love Affair, who had several Top 20 hits.

I still have other scooters and motorcycles, but they get harder to kick-over or pick up when you drop them.

David Hunt

Still got m myy hair!

Sock it to them JB

1969 Italian GP200 at Yarmouth, circa 1982.

Jez Wensor

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This picture of me on my PX is circa 1985; it has been used a few times by the likes of Merc, Rat Race Margate and Fred Perry for advertising purposes.

This is a more recent picture of me (I’m m 53 a n d still got hair!) next to my Douglas 150 Sportique, courtesy of Disco Dez. All the best from sunny Lyon, France.

Gilles Baillarguet (once drummer for ‘The Clique’ Mod band in the late 80s/early 90s).

70s icon

TASS race team 1995

Street Racer-style Lambretta. They were good times around Scarborough in those days.

Duncan Kilbride

Group 6 TS1 230, alongside the Group 7 sidecar (chain-driven TS1 250). Happy days!

Roger Lucas

Then and now

How times change g

The first picture was taken in 1980, the second in 2018.

Alan Gardiner

Mods 1967 1967. The SX nearest to the camara is still on the road.

Racing Lambrettas Couple of race bikes below from late 70s/early 80s. I’m told that No.3 is Malc Anderson and No.6 is Trev Harrison.

Thomas Precious

The way it was in the 70s; you buy a Lammie for £10, but you couldn’t give a Series 1 away.

Lovely GPs “Keep on scooting.”

Gary Roberts

They always seemed to park next to each other. These pictures were taken at Yarmouth around 1988/9 – always loved these GPs. Have been told that Darren Wain rode Southern Comfort (middle) and someone called Kev rode the ‘S’ Type (right). Don’t know who rode the white Stage 5 Lambretta?

Karl Beeston

MAUSPENCER@CLASSICSCOOTERIST.COM

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90s mem mee m mooorrriiies es

On way back from Mersea maybe?

A ride to Great Yarmouth from Kent during 1999. Around 120 miles up the road came a chance for Kevin Blamphin to repair his clutch. Unfortunately he had no clutch tools, so borrowed a scaffold pole to act as a compressor p and all was ggood!

A mix of mid mid-to-late to late 90s pics from various forgotten places. Two themes obviously... breakdowns and V sign!

Richard Solomon

Where’s BGO 31H now?

Me and my husband, John, bought our/my black Vespa PX for £20 from Midlands Scooter Centre in 1988.

Later, in 1990, our friend Martin Rich from Gravesend procured us a red GP200, which wasn't in a bad state paint-wise, but it wasn't roadworthy, so he wheeled it around to John's parents’ house in 1990. Then we took it to Norrie Kerr and Dave Webster at Midland Scooter Centre where Malcolm restored it for us.

Here are some of the photos we took at the time. I wonder where the GP is now?

Yvonne Lynn

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Morecambe 1988

Somewhere near where Morrisons roundabout is now.

Nigel Goodall

Happy memories H

Brid 71/72

My Auntie Pat and her friend sat on the GP. Jamie Jarvis

Below: Taken at Morecambe in 1989.

Colin Dower Co o e

Old and new

My old ride in 1978 and my current scooter.

Dave Jones

That’s the way to do it!

This is how we rolled in the 80s.

Martin Stones

Fun and antics 80s style Pictures taken around 1988-ish.

Paul Wootten

MAUSPENCER@CLASSICSCOOTERIST.COM

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Sco coot ooter oterr rac aci ciinnngg hist hiist stooorry r Neil Snelgrove

Three Sisters, about 1986 or 87?

Three Sisters in the 1980s.

Pembrey, Wales, circa 1986.

Young gun

I did have haaiir – once!

Here’s a picture of me, taken 30 years ago.

Stan Smith

SHARE YOUR NOSTALGIC PICTURES WITH OUR READERS

If you have any pictures from the past, why not share them with our readers. Call Mau on 01507 529408, or email him at mauspencer@classicscooterist.com

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Skegness 1985 Good times!

Ivor Marshall

Here's me outside my parents’ house at Spondon, near Derby. I’m on my 125DL, which I collected from Derby Scooters on my 18th birthday (Feb 4, 1971).

There was no ink splatter or GP badge on this one. I still have it, but it’s awaiting complete restoration.

I had quite long hair back then, but it eventually went (first by haircuts and then on its own)!

Richard Baker owner, ‘Frightened Chicken’ 2014 ACU National Records ‘Top Scooter’ class winner

x 99, Horncastle,

t, PO Bo ✎ Classic Scooteris

Lincs LN9 6LZ

✉

.com

ssicscooterist mauspencer@cla

☎

01507 529408

Happy reading!

G’DAY FROM DOWN UNDER!

Hi Mau, I always look forward to all your hard work, so thanks for you’re efforts, although the magazine is always an additional two months behind by the time it gets to the tropical north of Australia!

The older photos shown here are from 1984 (probably the first mass ‘international rally’ us ex-pat Poms went on). I took my gold flake ‘S’ Type and blew everyone away. It was at a place called Beersel in Belgium (not far from the ferry port); they show the A4 Prowlers, Junction 13 and a few other clubs/individuals.

Simple days back then!

The other pictures here are from an event at *Bald and were taken at the end of January, 2019. I took along a bunch of back issues and left them on some scooters; I managed to speak to a few owners and although we couldn’t really understand each other, they seemed happy enough to receive them.

Charging around – oh, happy days!

Note Classic Scooterist tucked into the seat strap The young hipster owner of this scooter says his whole family love Vespas

Graeme Mitchell A4 Prowlers SC

Thanks for the pictures – and for spreading the Scooterist word Graeme. Here in the UK we’re not sure whether you meant Bald Head, Bald Hill or Bald Island, but we hope you enjoyed yourself.

With A4 Prowlers, Junction 13 and others. Dickie Rainsberry and Nick Jolly are in there somewhere – oh, and me!

A REAL LONDON MOD Back in 2001/2 I was asked by a fellow club member of the Odd Mod Squad based (in those years) in south London to attend a photo/fashion show in central London at the Great Eastern Hotel in Liverpool Street.

They had requested an original Mod with a vintage scooter who was around in the early days. As I fitted the bill, I was included in said shoot.

On the day of the show, I rode my 1966 Lambretta Li 125 S3 with lights and mirrors all working and I dressed to impress, including my original parka (M51), sports jacket and tie (knitted).

I rode through the main entrance of the hotel to the service lift and made my exit on the fourth floor, riding around the corridors to the dance floor. You should have seen the guests’ faces, not only them but the chambermaids (the only person who knew what was happening was the hotel manager). You should have seen their reaction. The smell of two-stroke was

everywhere; the dance floor was packed with Italian designers with cameras, etc; and seeing me on my Lambretta made their day. There were two young ladies dressed in very mini Union Jack bikinis.

I rode round the sides of the dance floor and stopped between them, then I took my M51 off, threw it over my Lambretta and slowly walked off the dance floor amidst loud claps and cheers from the assembled crowd.

When I finished the assignment, I rode off through the corridors and back down to the ground floor, then out of the main entrance and home with a healthy £125 in my wallet – a good day’s work! The day had been brilliant and I heard through the grapevine that my picture was posted around Milan, Italy, on billboards and magazines.

I’m now 71 years old (not so much hair, sad to say). Good memories.

SCOOTER QUERY? Hi Mau, Any idea what scooter this is?

Christopher Boothby

Hi Christopher, it's a Zundapp Bella.

Steve Howard The Jurassic Mod (Cockney exile)

MAUSPENCER@CLASSICSCOOTERIST.COM

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A M A R E T O SCO

CK & FACES A FELICITOUS FANFARE OF FACTS, FEEDBA ooterist.com ☎ 01507 529408 sicsc

le, Lincs LN9 6LZ ✉ mauspencer@clas

✎ Classic Scooterist, PO Box 99, Horncast

Butterfly Hose Clip RRP: £ ask This handy butterfly tube clamp enables the clamp to be tightened, loosened and removed by hand.

No special adapters or tools are necessary.

These are especially useful for inaccessible components mounted in cramped conditions, such as carburettors and fuel hoses, but also everything else in the garage or house.

Various sizes and colours are available: 8-12mm, 10-16mm, 12-22mm, 2032mm, 25-40mm, 32-50mm, 40-60mm, stainless steel, blue/yellow/orange.

Info: www.sip-scootershop. com

Vespa Smallframe gears

RRP: £ various Vespa small frame owners looking to replace worn or damaged gears in their late 4-speed gearbox can now obtain single gears from VE (UK). Previously only available as a complete gearbox kit (VC11084), the new range of replacement gears are suitable for machines fitted with a 50.2mm gear selector.

Manufactured to OE quality in Italy, the gears are produced from hardened steel to offer a long-lasting replacement.

Info: www.ve-uk.com

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GoXtreme Rebel Action Camera

BSRA Championship 2019 Well, it’s that time of year again when you lovely people have the chance to sign on for the BSRA Championship 2019. All you need to do is email your name, address and postcode to alb401@hotmail. com or alternatively you can go to the Lexham Insurance stand at a National Scooter Rally and sign on there. You will be given a card that you must remember to take to any national rally in order to get it stamped. If the card isn’t stamped then you can’t be marked down as attending.

ADDITIONAL EVENT

This year we have added an extra rally into the mix – ‘Phoenix Nights 14’ Scooter Rally, which takes place on Friday/Saturday, May 10/11. This means that there are nine events in total.

The entry categories are ‘Male’, ‘Female’ and ‘Club’ (four or more members).

Just ride!

All you need to do to enter is to get on your scooter and ride to the events, then sign on, enjoy the atmosphere and ride home. Prizes will be announced in the next update, but will include trophies, free magazine subscriptions, discounted insurance and free entry to all BSRA National Scooter Rallies during 2020 for the male and female winners. So, if you’re signing on for the LCGB or VCB,

you might as well join in with this, too. Safe riding everyone and see you at Scarborough.

We have confirmation from sponsors for 2019 below in alphabetical order. We’d just like to thank each and every one of them for their continued support, it’s really appreciated: Crusader Promotions – t-shirts (male and female); LCGB – £250 main prize; Lexham Insurance – discounted insurance, goodie bags and signing on cards’ Putoline Oil (thanks to Jim Moulder for sorting this out); Scootering – magazine subscription; Scooternova – magazine subscription and general support; SLUK – t-shirts (male and female); SWSC – £250 for trophies; Touch of Glass – trophies and engraving; Tucano Urbano (awaiting confirmation); VCB – National Rally entry cards and a year’s VCB membership; VFM – £250 main prize.

Ann & Rick, ERSC

Capable of taking micro SD memory cards of up to 32GB capacity, the GoXtreme Rebel Action Camera is equipped with a built-in twoinch (5cm) colour display, which allows users to frame, set up and then playback recordings, a 140º wide-angle lens, and photo resolution options of up to 16MP. Most importantly, it’s capable of filming at a native 720p high-definition or interpolated 1080p Full HD video (at 30 frames per second).

It comes with built-in WiFi, which allows users to view a live action feed being recorded on the camera using a smartphone and the free GoXtreme companion app. It can even send videos and photos from the camera straight to a compatible device.

From an equipment perspective, the GoXtreme Rebel comes bundled with a 30m waterproof protective case, shield mount, bike mount, helmet mount, switch support, tripod adaptor and USB cable.

Info: www.goxtreme-actioncams.com

JD SPORTS ACQUIRES PRETTY GREEN

The Pretty Green boutique men’s clothing brand has been acquired

by JD Sports and taken out of administration after the collapse of the House of Fraser. Pretty Green was founded in 2009 by Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher and named after a song by The Jam. The sale includes the business, brand, online and wholesale business as well as a flagship store in Manchester, securing the future of 67 employees. The remaining 11 stores and 33 House of Fraser concessions have now ceased trading.

York Inset raise funds to support Veterans

The Detours: John Entwistle, Doug Sandom, Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend

RIP Douglas Albert Sandom Feb 26, 1930 – Feb 28, 2019 On Friday March 15, 2019, the funeral took place of Douglas Albert Sandom, former drummer for The Detours and The Who. Doug, along with Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey and John Entwistle, originally performed as The Detours, but changed their band name after it was discovered that another group was also performing under the same name. The group eventually re-emerged as The Who, with Doug performing on the drums. He was older than the other band members and this, coupled with his wife’s objections to him being away at gigs a lot, partly contributed to him leaving the band before a record contract was signed.

Consequently, no recordings of Doug playing with The Who were ever released. Within a month of Doug’s departure, he was replaced by Keith Moon and the rest is history.

A few of the scooters in attendance

Doug Sandom drumming for The Who The funeral courtage left from Doug’s home in Greenford on Friday morning for the journey to Breakspear Crematorium in Ruislip. The hearse was escorted by 15-plus scooterists on his final journey. The Crematorium was full, with many more people standing at the back and outside.

The funeral service included songs from Frank Sinatra, Mike and the Mechanics and ended with ‘Won’t Get Fooled Again’ by – you guessed it – The Who. It was a great send off for a very humble, lovely man.

Martin F Heath Mad Mods and Englishmen SC

A few of the flower tributes

This year is a hugely significant one for the York Normandy Veterans, being the 75th anniversary of the D Day landings and Normandy campaign. York Inset SC recently held a Soul music and general knowledge quiz evening in order to help raise funds in support of the veterans and their brilliant verbatim play ‘Bomb Happy’, written by Helena Fox. Nick Beilby presented veterans Ken Smith and Ken Cooke with a cheque for £200, and this was followed by a superb buffet provided by

Angela and Paul of the Walnut Tree public house.

York Inset are immensely proud to be involved with the veterans and thank everyone for their ongoing support.

Nick Beilby for York Inset SC

SIP Black Edition Sportseat Cover £ ask SIP‘s Vespa GTS hand-made seat covers provide the scooter with a more sporting, racy appearance. The seating surface is made of a vinyl material in a quilted cross-hatched design, with its flanks manufactured from an artificial suede. The various elements are stitched together using a black thread.

The artificial materials are easier to take care of and also last a lot longer than sea ats covered with ge enuine leather.

Info: www.sip-sc cootershop.com

MAUSPENCER@CLASSICSCOOTERIST.COM

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SCOOTERAMA!

B Beware fake f helmets!

Buying quality kit at bargain prices sounds ideal, but what will you end up with?

Mikko Nieminen investigates Browsing the internet, I was amazed by some motorcycling items at mouth-wateringly low prices. Not just the used stuff, but brand new items in online ‘bazaars’ such as Wish.com.

One rich vein of discount kit on this particular website was helmets. Arai and Shoei were well represented, with prices starting from as low as £40 per lid.

EARLY DOUBTS

Wondering how it was possible to pay such a small amount for helmets usually sold for threefigure sums and a closer look at a Shoei helmet that was listed on Wish.com solidified my suspicions. The snappy helmet was titled: ‘2018 SHOEL Motorcycle Helmets Men’s Helmet Four Seasons Full Face Helmet Kart Racing Off-road Double Lens Locomotive Anti-fog Style.’ The Shoei logos were in the right places, but there were clues it had never been near a Shoei factory. For a start, the visor mechanism and the vents didn’t look right. My curiosity stirred, I decided to buy one

anyway. The purchase process was equally unconvincing. The helmet’s price depended on size, and the cheapest (£40) was an XXXXS. Quadruple XS! Not a size you often come across, but I went for it. The website took me through the purchasing process, but moments after the sale was confirmed I received an email saying the item was out of stock and that I’d be refunded (presumably this very small helmet had been listed so the seller was able to show an even lower price than what the actual products went for).

Anyone in their right mind would have walked away here, but I selected a helmet size M, paid £73 and waited patiently…

SUSPICIONS CONFIRMED

When the helmet arrived from China, my heart sank; it had been covered in bubble wrap and placed in a jiffy bag with no protective cardboard box.

Unwrapping the helmet, it wasn’t just the visor mechanism and vents that looked shoddy;

Left: a genuine Shoei helmet.

Right: the no-so-clever fake version

Fake helmet with external ECE safety label…

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the chinguard was crudely made, the lining was thin and there was no Pinlock lens or even pins to secure one. Everything about the helmet looked cheap and unShoei like. Even the Shoei logos were wrong on closer inspection – the last two letters were at a different angle to the rest.

Companies like Shoei are fiercely proud of product quality and something like this wouldn’t ever see the light of day, so I thought I’d better run this by the Shoei UK.

IT’S OFFICIAL!

I sent the helmet to Shoei UK and received a call from their marketing department: ‘Yep, definitely a fake. This thing is nothing like a real Shoei. Come and see us and I’ll get one of our product specialists to talk you through it.’ On the one hand I was smug I’d spotted the fake, but on the other I was disappointed that the good deal I’d found was not so good after all.

My visit was an education.

Shoei product specialist, Martin Thorne, confirmed my suspicions and also revealed other problems.

The helmet was missing a crucial ECE safety label; there was an ECE sticker on the outside, but this isn’t enough to certify the item is safe to use. When Martin removed the lining, it was clear the EPS layer (the polystyrene foam) didn’t have the standard Shoei multi-density structure.

Instead it was made from lower quality polystyrene foam than you’d find in a real Shoei and …a real Shoei helmet, complete with ECE safety label

there weren’t any ventilation holes to let the air in from the top vent; you could open or close it as much as you liked, but with no holes or air channels, no air was going to get through. For some bizarre reason, the exit vent holes were in place and even if the holes had been there, there was a good chance that not much air would actually come through.

Also, the visor mechanism was unlike the patented flush-fit system Shoei uses, and there was no emergency removal system for the lining. The paint job wasn’t up to standard, with overlaid lines and rough finish, and Martin naturally spotted the wonky letters in the logo, too.

Overall, there wasn’t much that was up to scratch.

WHO TO TRUST?

I complained to Wish.com who were sorry I hadn’t been entirely satisfied, but didn’t answer my questions about why they were selling fakes? I asked to speak to their media department, but nobody would talk to me. They never directly admitted the helmet was a fake, but my purchase was refunded and the helmet removed from the site.

If blatant fakes are being sold on – and presumably off-line too, how can you dodge the scammers? If a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is.

You’re better walking away than risking your health.

Shoei has a Shoei Assured scheme to protect customers, so be sure to visit a Shoei Assured store for the best possible service and peace of mind. You can find the official Shoei dealer details on www.shoeiassured. co.uk.

There are plenty of other products being faked and sold online, so the next time you consider buying cheap gloves or boots, think before you part with your hard-earned cash.

Arai Renegade V Outline Helmet PRODU CT

RRP: £529.99 Reviewer: Roger Jones I’ve got to admit, I usually only wear all-white helmets – but I reckon the ‘retro’ painted Arai Renegade V full face helmet looks the business.

For comfort on those balmy days (do you remember them last summer?), the four slots in the front of the helmet, and another total of four slots in the sides and back contributed to good ventilation. The top vents are easily opened and closed with a gloved hand, but sadly it’s not so simple to access the vents on the chin.

The chin curtain, which works to reduce the amount of air entering the helmet, makes it almost impossible to open the vents from the inside when the helmet is on. Even the visor has adjustable vents at the top for a demist option, although I did have a Pinlock fitted for the ultimate demist.

Arai state that the latched mechanism on the visor operates with an intuitive, fluid, one-finger operation. In reality, I found that opening the visor could be a bit of a pain; the visor had to be pulled outwards of the helmet aperture for it to unlock – not always easy, especially with

REVIEW

winter gloves on. Its strap is the double ‘D’ ring type and simply pulling the fitted tab is enough to loosen the fastener.

Internally, the noise-reducing foam works to keep the helmet quiet when air passes through the air channels – and there’s even speaker cut-outs for intercom systems. A nice touch, and a far cry from my first Arai some 35 years ago, when I was cutting out padding with a Stanley knife. As a matter of interest, I still have that Arai helmet with a special paint job (no longer used, of course). There is absolutely no comparison between today’s helmet and the old one.

A major move forward for me is that the complete interior can easily be removed and cleaned

TCX Mood GTX Boots RRP: £149.99 Reviewer: Mau These new Mood GTX Boots are an upgrade of the TCX Street Ace boot range.

Constructed of full grain leather with a Gore-Tex allweather breathable, waterproof membrane, they come with a grippy re-designed rubber sole plus ankle, toe and heel reinforcements to provide added malleolus protection. They also have flexible and replaceable anatomic insoles, which conform and flex in line with the natural movements of your foot. As a sufferer of plantar fasciitis, this is good news for me, as these boots fifitt perfectly in line with the sort

with lukewarm water and mild soap – no excuses for smelly old sweaty interiors these days!

Plus, interiors of different sizes are available for a custom fit for every rider. Oh, don’t let’s forget the helmet bag supplied.

For me as a contact lens wearer, the helmet is draughtfree (with chin curtain fitted), and it sits within my level of expectations on the noise front.

Ok, so there are a whole range of helmets to choose from in the market place, but the name Arai is amongst the most prestigious and is backed up with a superb pedigree. This Arai model is right up there with the best of them, and I think it’s priced fairly reasonably, too. Sizes XS to XXL. Colours White/Black, White/Red. Info: www.whyarai.co.uk

PRODUCT REVIEW

of footwear that my physiotherapist recommends me wearing; the lacing system can be tightened to give the necessary ankle support without being to overtight, and they are so comfortable, with the soft and supple leather uppers providing stretch and flexibility when needed. If you’re looking for a boot that has full-on foot protection, then these probably won’t be for you, as they’re more aimed at the lifestyle market.

From a design perspective these boots look spot on! I chose the Vintage Brown full grain leather style over the optional Blackk colour and personally think I mad de the right choice. They work just as well when being used as an everyday stylish fash hion footwear item, as they do when out riding. They are currently my ‘go to’ footwear for regular use – I love them!

Info: www.nevis.uk.com

BLOWING AWAY THE COBWEBS Here’s a picture of scooter mates Geoff, Chez and Titch looking pleased after blowing away the cobwebs on a ride to Southwell Minster and then returning to Newcastle before it started to rain – nice one, boys!

HEVIK MADSEN JACKET RRP: £147.59 Reviewer: Ross Mowbray I’ve been wearing Hevik’s Madsen short waxcotton jacket right through the winter on my short commute into the office, and I’ve been very impressed with the comfortable, lightweight and casually styled bit of kit.

It’s by no means a serious winter jacket, and if I was travelling more than a few miles each way, I’d probably opt for something a little more substantial. But for a simple and straightforward waterproof jacket, which looks smart both on and off the bike, I reckon it’s spot on.

It’s surprisingly well-equipped, with a removable thermal lining to keep out the cold; zipped air venting on the shoulders and back for when the weather finally warms up; and leather detailing at the neck and cuffs, too.

To help keep you safe on the road, it comes with CE level 2 protection at the elbows and shoulders, with a pocket provided for a back protector.

The Madsen jacket is a great alternative to a traditional leather jacket. It’s stylish and comfortable, but also surprisingly versatile. It’s kept me warm and dry through the winter, and I have full confidence that it’ll look after me just as well when the weather warms up. And I think it looks great. Don’t you?

Info: www.hevik.com

PRODUCT REVIEW

MAUSPENCER@CLASSICSCOOTERIST.COM

13

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N O G N I O G S ’ T A WH GOING, GOING – GONE! GOING

If you'd planned to go to the Messy#5 Scooter Rally taking place at Lucarly’s in Cleethorpes (DN36 4AW) over the weekend of August 9-11, then it looks like you could be out of luck, as the tickets are all officially sold out. The only ray of hope might be that someone has a few tickets tucked away somewhere in a private stash.

Remember, this was always planned as a ticket-only event – there are no day passes – so you can’t turn up on the gate and expect to get in!

For those that are going, there are seven live acts performing over the weekend, plus DJs playing scootering sounds. Headlining on Saturday night are Oaysis, arguably one of the best Oasis tribute bands in the UK. Supporting them, in no particular order, are Forever Mod, The Ex-Kittens, The Moggies, Suki Soul and Skaburst. And, just announced, The Spectre will be playing

for you as well – surprise!

Add to that a second room of music, where S-Compass Entertainment will be playing Northern Soul favourites so you can dance the night away.

There will be the usual array of scooter games during the Saturday afternoon, plus a ridden custom show.

The organisers would like to point out that this is a ‘field’ scooter rally and there are no electric hook-up facilities on site for caravans or motorhomes.

Toilet facilities and showers will be available all day.

A full English breakfast will be available Sat/Sun morning and hot snacks will be served throughout the weekend. If you want to eat out, Cleethorpes town centre is 1.5 miles away.

Alternatively, the local Tesco supermarket is located only a half-mile away for other provisions, including fuel.

Event info: www.messyscooterrally.co.uk

3 KEYS MOD WEEKENDER RETURNS TO SKEGVEGAS The 3 Keys Modernist Weekender returns to Skegness on the weekend of May 24-26.

The event kicks off in the Imperial Ballroom at the Grosvenor House Hotel at 7pm Friday night. An Open Decks session starts at midday on the Saturday and carries on until 5pm. There’s also a vintage market and scooter parts stalls running concurrently.

Saturday evening entertainment commences at 7pm, again running

into the early hours.

Sunday daytime is very much a repeat of the previous day, with the addition of a Best Lambretta and Vespa Competition, plus a local scooter rideout. The weekend’s proceedings culminate on Sunday night with another full evening of entertainment, which will include trophy presentations for the Best Lambretta, Best Vespa and Best Groover.

Event info: www.3keysweekender. co.uk / 07796 795573.

LCGB BSM EVENTS 2019

The season is already underway. Here is a list of the remaining events for this year:

■ MAY 18: LCGB Seahouses rally, (N/E - rideout + extra points) ■ MAY 25: BSRA, Kelso ■ JUNE 1: South Downs Ride (Solent Cougars) ■ JUNE 15: EuroLambretta (Zakopane, Poland) ■ JUNE 29: BSRA, Big 7 (Sevenoaks, Kent) ■ JULY 13: Wearside Wanderers Rally (Sunderland) ■ JULY 20: BSRA, Llandudno ■ AUG 3: Lincoln & Newark SRC (Collingham, Newark)

■ AUG 17: LCGB Derby 15 (sign-on start/mid/finish for points) ■ AUG 24: BSRA, IoW ■ AUG 31: Mersea Island (S/E) ■ SEPT 7: LCGB Cartmel (Cumbria – ride-out for extra points) ■ SEPT 21: BSRA, Woolacombe ■ SEPT 21: 4 Nations (Scotland) ■ OCT 26: BSRA, Southport Visit www.ilambretta.co.uk for more info

MANSFIELD SOUNDS OF THE 60S The Sounds of the 60s comes to Mansfield Town FC on Saturday, July 13 and playing live will be Ready Steady 60s. There’s also the chance to listen to some of the best original 60s music being played on vinyl. Advance tickets are £5, or £6 on the door.

Email mansfieldsixties@gmail.com / Phone 07477 618005 or 07814 680600 for details.

SCOOT TO THE WATERFRONT Lincoln Knights SC will be hosting their annual Scoot to the Waterfront charity event on the Brayford Waterfront, Lincoln, on Saturday, July 19.

YORK MULTI-MEET

York Inset have organised a scooter multi-meet at The Walnut Tree, Heworth, York YO31 1AN. It will take place on Saturday, July 27, from 12pm to 5pm. Visit York Inset SC on Facebook for further information.

MAUSPENCER@CLASSICSCOOTERIST.COM

15

WHAT’S GOING ON?

MAYHEM IN MILLPORT Millport, Isle of Cumbrae, is the location for the 2019 Millport Scooter Rally – and it promises to be a fun-packed weekend. Taking place from August 23-24, there will be live bands, guest DJs, custom show and scooterist market.

Full info on the Millport Scooter Rally Facebook page.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

BEAT THE BIKERS

Sunday, August 11 is the date for the annual Beat the Bikers event organised by EMSA. The rideout leaves the Hurt Arms, Ambergate DE56 2EJ at 10am for the ride-in to Matlock Bath, then it is on to Cromford Meadows DE4 3RQ, where there will be a parts fair and custom show, plus a raffle. Food and drink will be available, plus music.

AON EVENT BREWING

November 2 is the date set for the AON’s Scooterists Charity Night with Special Brew providing the live music.

Info: matthew.benson966@gmail.com

BSRA NATIONAL RALLIES

■ MAY 24-27 (Spring Bank Holiday): Kelso ■ JUNE 28-30: Kent (Big 7) ■ JULY 19-21: Llandudno ■ AUG 23-26 (Aug Bank Holiday): Isle of Wight ■ SEPT 20-23: Woolacombe ■ OCT 25-26: Southport MORE INFO: Facebook www.facebook.com/bsra. greatbritain Instagram @bsra.uk Twitter @Bsra_uk

E&OE: All events subject to change. Please check with the event organisers before booking accommodation or travelling.

16

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■ MAY 24-27: Margate Mod Weekender. Info: www. newuntouchables.com ■ MAY 31-JUNE 2: Muttleys ‘All or Ruthin’ Weekender #4 at The Centre, Mwrog St, Ruthin LL15 1LE. Ridden Custom Show, three days of entertainment, parts fair and Llangollen Sunday rideout. Tickets £10 (adv) or £15 (OTG); additional charges for cars, campers, etc. Info 07872 953780 ■ JUNE 1-2: Race the Waves at Bridlington Beach.

Invitation only event with pre-registration. Email paul.backfire@outlook.com or call 07718 420630 ■ JUNE 7-9: The Great Skinhead Reunion (Brighton) celebrates 50 years of Skinhead. Info: www.subcultz.com ■ JUNE 8: English Rose SC present ‘The Halfway House’ one-day event of old skool scooter fun. £10 OTD. See Facebook for details ■ JUNE 14: Sleaford All-Knighters Rally No3 at Sleaford Rugby Club, NG24 8SP. www. allknighterssc.co.uk/2019-rally for updates ■ JUNE 14-16: Rally on the Common 3 at Crookham Common Road, Thatcham RG19 8EA. Bands, competitions, rideout. Weekend ticket £20 (or £10 per night). More info on the ‘Scooter Rally on Common’ Facebook site ■ JUNE 15-16: Clwyd Veteran & Vintage machinery Society Annual Vintage Rally at Oswestry Showground SY11 4TB. Family fun day out. Info: Joan.glyn@talktalk.net ■ JUNE 21-23: Warwickshire Scooter Alliance presents ‘Summer Nights 3’ at Sheldon Bosley Hub, Pittway Avenue, Shipston-on-Stour CV36 4DQ. Bands, DJs, camping, custom show. Tickets: £15 (weekend), £10 (Saturday), £5 (day tripper).

Info: paulmarshall445@gmail.com / www.twsa. co.uk / 07554 074601 ■ JUNE 28-30: Newark on Trent SC Rally at Newark Showground NG24 2NY. See club page on Facebook for details ■ JUNE 28-30: Bridlington Northern Soul Weekender at Bridlington Spa, organised by East Coast Soul Collective Soul Club. Weekend ticket £30. Info: www.bridsoul.com / Ticket hotline: 01262 678258 ■ JULY 5-7: Devizes SC Scooter Rally at Sands Lane Sports Field, Rowde, Devizes SN10 2QW. Live bands, camping, rideout. Weekend wristband £25; Sat day pass £5; Sat night pass £12. Info: 07702 557913

■ JULY 5-6: The Vale of the White Horse Scooter Rally. Camping, raffle, live music. Tickets: £15 (advance), £20 (OTD), £10 (Sat day pass). Info: Mark 07801 532981 / Mona 07880 622144 ■ JULY 12-14: Guernsey Scooter Rally. All events take place in the St Peter Port area. For ferry code discount please quote GUSCORA19.

Various local accommodation available. See our Facebook site for more details ■ JULY 13: ‘Sounds of the Sixties’ at Mansfield Town FC, Mansfield NG18 5DA. Tickets £5 advance, £6 OTD. Email mansfieldsixties@gmail. com / Phone 07477 618005 or 07814 680600 for details ■ JULY 13: Lincoln Knights SC present ‘Scoot to the Waterfront’ charity day. See Lincoln Knights Facebook page for details ■ JULY 13: Scunthorpe Silhouettes 3rd Annual All-dayer at Heslam Park, Scunthorpe DN16 2AG. Free daytime entry; night do £5 (ticket only). See Facebook for details ■ JULY 13: Up the Junction All-nighter at the Underwood Club, Underwood Lane, Crewe CW1 3JT. 9pm to 6am. Various DJs. £10 OTD ■ AUG 1-4: Euro Yeye, Gijon, Spain. Info: www. newuntouchables.com ■ AUG 2-4: Rally on Regardless at Manor Farm, Newton Lane, Tattenhall CH3 9AY. See Salford Knights Facebook page for more info ■ AUG 2-4: Oddballs Rally at Abingdon Rugby Club Oxfordshire OX14 5TJ. Ticket only rally (£20).

Info: oddballs.rally@aol.co.uk ■ AUG 9-11: Messy #5 at new location: Lucarlys, Cleethorpes DN36 4AW. Info www.fostours.co.uk ■ AUG 11: Beat the Bikers 2019 leaves the Hurt Arms Ambergate (DE56 2EJ) at 10am for the ride-in to Matlock Bath, then on to Cromford Meadows (DE4 3RQ). See EMSA Facebook page for details ■ AUG 16-18: Watlerstock Scooter Rally at Chesterfield Panthers RUFC, S41 9BF. Weekend ticket £10; Sat night £7.50. See ‘Watlerstock Scooter Rally’ on Facebook for details ■ AUG 23-26: Brighton Mod Weekender.

Info: www.newuntouchables.com ■ AUG 23-24: Millport Scooter Rally, including custom show and scooterist market. Check out Millport Scooter Rally Facebook page for info ■ SEPT 14-15: Rhyl Weekender at Lyons Robin Hood Holiday Park, Rhyll LL18 3UU. Details on Facebook

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