WIN GEAR WORTH UP TO £400!
WORLD’S RAREST SCOOTER, MAYBE? THE MASERATI M2
ERIC BROCKW AY The m
an put Ves who pa the UK on map
THE VERY FIRST
AF ‘S’ TYPE INDIAN GP
THE SCOMADI VITESSE 6 A GEARED SCOOTER FOR THE FUTURE
STEELHEART
THE 1972 NORTHERN HILL CLIMB
Lambretta J Range FRONT WHEEL BEARING REPLACEMENT
SCOOTERAMA! – A FELICITOUS FANFARE OF FACTS, FEEDBACK & FACES
ISSUE 121 JUNE/JULY 2018
SIMON ALLAN’S CUSTOMISED VESPA PX
SUBSCRIBE TODAY
Issue 121 June/July 2018 Founding Editor: Mau Spencer 01507 529408 mauspencer@classicscooterist.com Publisher: Dan Savage Contributors: Rich Addison; Gill Beecham; Jon Betts; David Brown; Pete Davies, Dave Dry; Rod Gillan, Norrie Kerr; Ashley Lenton; Chris Wainwright; John Walklate; Andy Westlake. Apologies to anyone we’ve forgotten. Some articles express contributors opinions and are not necessarily those of Classic Scooterist. Design: Fran Lovely Production editor: Dan Sharp Picture desk: Paul Fincham, Jonathan Schofield and Angie Sisestean Divisional advertising team leader: 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 (122) published: July 18, 2018 Editorial deadline: June 25, 2018 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 16 for offer): (12 months 6 issues, inc post and packing) – UK £22.80. Export rates are also available – see page 16 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 absence of any legal ruling to the contrary – Mortons Media will strive to maintain a neutral position in not disadvantaging any party.
SEE PAGE 16
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Back when we had hair Nostalgic memories from times gone by
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38 Steelheart – from Rod to road Simon Allan’s interest in the hot rod scene has an influence on his Vespa
Scooterama A felicitous fanfare of facts, feedback and faces
42 Quad and the Mod The ‘Modfinder General’ and his Quadrophenia ‘Union Jack’ scooter
18 What’s going on? A look at the scooterist calendar
26 The future’s bright; the future’s... geared? Scomadi Vitesse 6 prototype review
28 Sweeping changes The changing legalities affecting everyone on two wheels
30 Remembering Eric Brockway The man who put Vespa on the map in the UK
The Professional Publishers Association
Member
Having trouble finding a copy of this magazine?
38
CONTENTS
34 French fancy
Why not Just Ask your local newsagent to reserve you a copy each month?
Allen Beacock’s French LD 125
46 Back in the day Alan Kimber in practice at the 1961 Welsh Three-Day Trial
48 The first Indian GP S Type Paul Hastings’ pride and joy
52 Rod’s GS150 VS5 A scooter with an interesting past…
Hitting a stumbling block
64 Series 4 – last Li model More unanswered questions
66 The IWL TR 150 Troll Transport for the masses
70 The AF Super ‘S’ Type 250 A scooter legend
76 Trials and tribulations Whitby panel paranoia
78 Smooth riding Replacing Lambretta J Range front wheel bearings
82 Scooter clubs Meet and greet local clubs
54 Sprint survivor
86 Scooterist classifieds
A Vespa time capsule
58 The world’s rarest scooter? The M2 Maserati
60 Project Tigress pt4
For all your wants and needs
90 Blast from the past The 1972 Northern Hill Climb was tough
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
W
e want to learn more about you and your views on our products, so that we can ensure they are as relevant to your needs as they can be. So we’ve created a survey form at www.classicscooterist.com which should only take you a few minutes to complete and we’d be grateful if you could take a little time to visit our website, click the link and give us your thoughts! By way of thanks for completing the survey
all respondents will be entered into a FREE PRIZE DRAW and will be in with a chance of winning Held riding gear worth up to £400. Many thanks for your participation – and good luck in the prize draw!
CHANGES AFOOT
standpoint. To help steer you through the mire, we’ve published an outline of the main ones on pages 28 and 29. In some areas there’s a lot more detail than we’ve room to publish, so I’d suggest that if you’re worried about them, you should investigate further. Links are provided in our editorial.
This year sees many changes that will affect everyone in our scooter world, as well as in other areas of our lives. Most will be compulsory from both a personal and legal
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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
Crawley SC
Neil Castle
Cheltenham Blue Diamonds SC member Neil Castle on his Vespa PX. John Ricote
Crawley SC taking a break on the way to Weymouth in 1983. Ian ‘Oz’ Osborne
Bob’s scooters
Here ppictures of two of myy scooters.
Yarmouth ’84
This picture was taken at Yarmouth in 1984. Had ridden through the night from Bristol (240 miles) whilst running-in – then blew a piston posing on the sea front. Bert Badger Of all the Lambrettas I’ve owned, this is the only picture I have; it shows my TV175 and was taken after I swapped it – although it had an Elvington seat and no front mudguard when I owned it; also it had cut-down Mini tyres acting as front and rear mudguards. Bob Wood
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Here’s me at Three Sisters, Wigan, in 1985 getting my racing licence signed-off with my 150 Standard Class – first ever race in the Newcomers/Street Class. Dave Trussell
Share your nostalgic pictures with our readers
Mid-70s Hull After selling the TV175, I got this Vespa Rally
Three Sisters ’85
Back in the day, we just bolted on whatever bits we had. Garry Vernon
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
Info on this scooter wanted!
Kevin Peak’s GP – Dorset Modrapheniacs SC – circa 82/83. This photo was taken outside of his house by me. It’s a genuine Italian GP200, originally owned by Paul Parsonage when it was much the same, but yellow. Kev bought it off Paul and had it resprayed by a local guy called Eddie (who painted a lot of scooters and who was a Lambretta man himself). Happy days Does anyone have any idea what happened to it? Any info appreciated. Garry Worsfold
Uncle Dave
Hyperactive
Sitting on this Series 1 Lambretta is my Uncle Dave. The picture was taken in Brixham during the early 1960s. Jim Tuckey
Blackpool 1990
Scooters at Blackpool in 1990 – second from the left is my green chop. Stan Smith
My mate Stevie McDade’s ‘Hyperactive’ GP scooter at Isle of Arran rally. Picture taken sometime in the early 90s Jonathan Hagen
Happy 70s memories
Me, my dad, my mum’s poodle and Andy Baxter. Picture is circa 1971 – loved that SX! Dave Beadnell-Smith
Scooters at the Pod
Pictures taken at Santa Pod Raceway in 1990-ish. Mark Palmer
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Then now and
Same location. My first Vespa 1973/4; and now my Lammie in 2018 James Small
80s Rats and Rodents
IoW; the year is 80-something. The Rat and Rodent SC from Newmarket with me having trouble with an old ratty chop. Both my wife and I were riding scooters back in the day. Darren Kingstree
Derby Central SC
Here’s a few pictures of Derby Central SC taken in the early 90s. Stephen Gregory
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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
B 99, Horncast ✎ Classic Scooterist, PO Box
Anlas Sports Whitewall tyres RRP: £ ask The new Sports Whitewall has a classic tread pattern using up to date manufacturing techniques to give superb performance in all conditions, making it an ideal choice for Vespa and Lambretta owners. The rubber compound used in the construction is claimed to offer excellent tyre life without sacrificing grip. The tyre is rated at 51J and can be used with or without an inner tube. Info: www.ve-uk.com
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Best Supporting Members’ Championship As always the championship is open to all makes and models of scooter. If you’re a VCB or LCGB member competing in your respective club signing on why not sign on for the BSRA as well? All solo riders and clubs (at least four members signing on) are welcome. If you’re a rally-going club or solo rider, have a go; it’s based on mileage and all you have to is choose seven from the nine BSRA rallies (i.e. you can drop the two nearest rallies).
We have fantastic sponsorship and great prizes from Tucano Urbano, SLUK, VCGB, LCGB, SWSC, VFM and our main sponsors, Lexham Insurance (please go to the Lexham Stand for your cards this year). Signing-on is on a Saturday between 9am and 1pm at the custom show unless notified otherwise. Ride safe and see you on the rallies.
Ann & Rick Championship organisers
Simonini Classic Sports exhausts
Hartbury Rouge Ladies Wax Jacket
RRP: £ ask This ever popular Simonini exhaust system for classic two-stroke scooters features an upswept muffler with an aluminium sleeve, and exits on the engine side of the scooter, allowing owners to change the rear wheel with ease. This design also allows the use larger tyre sizes and the retention of the original spare wheel. Designed for use on both standard and scooters fitted with a cylinder kit, the exhaust boosts performance and retains good mid-range power output. Info: www.ve-uk.com
RRP: £179.99 Reviewer: Karen Mowbray I love this retro styled Hartbury jacket from Spada. With its bright red exterior, antique brass poppers, and bespoke Spada tartan lining, it certainly looks the part. But despite its vintage appearance it’s equipped with all the modern technology you’d expect from a brand-new motorcycle jacket. It’s fashioned from quality dry wax cotton, double stitched with a fixed waterproof and breathable membrane with fully tapered seams. And when the weather closes in the Hartbury comes equipped with a removable thermal lining and a faux-fur feel collar. Admittedly, I’ve actually spent most of the year without the lining and collar, because of the jacket’s impressive thermal qualities Thankfully I have not had to thoroughly test the quality of the protection as yet, but with CE approved five-piece armour, in the back, shoulders and elbows, I feel confident it would take care of me, should I take a tumble. If you’re looking for a stylish motorcycle jacket, which promises to keep you safe out on the road, look no further. Ladies sizes are 8 to 20. It comes in Red or Black colourways. Info: www.spadaclothing.co.uk
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PRODUCT REVIEW
Airoh Reverse-Flip Helmet RRP: From £270 Reviewer: Mau I’ve always been a fan of flip-up helmets, especially the ‘twoin-one’ type where the front part flips right over to convert into an open face that’s not only comfortable, but also meets modern dual homologation requirements. So having tried many different makes over the years, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the latest Airoh Reverse-Flip version from their 2018 range. It comes with an impressive range of features including Airoh’s own ‘ACVS’ ventilation system comprising vents in the chin-guard and on the helmet’s top which flow through to air extractors at the rear. An increased field of vision is also provided by what Airoh terms its ‘extra-wide’ visor, which can be removed easily via a tool-less quick release system. The one thing I really wanted to try out was just how well the reverse-flip system worked,
because on other helmets it was sometimes a frustrating task trying to locate the switching mechanism and operate it while wearing gloves. On the Airoh, there’s a simple thumb-operated centre chin switch – just push it and the front flicks smoothly over; then once that’s done, there’s a simple one-click switch on the left side of the helmet which locks it into the open face position; to revert to a full face, just unclick the switch and flip it forward – job done. Of all the different flip system helmets I’ve tried in recent years, this one has got to be up there with the best. Donning the helmet, it fastensup easily via its micrometric retention system and in use out on the road it felt comfortable and functional with a minimum of wind noise. So if you’re in the market for a flip-type helmet, why not check this one out. It comes in sizes XS to 2XL in eight colourways. Info: www.bikeittrade.com
PRODUCT REVIEW
ODDBALL We get some strange things coming in through the door here at Castle Scooterist. We were sent the picture shown here, along with a request to see if we could identify what is was. Well, this 1939 Lehaitre tracked vehicle was nicknamed the ‘Tractor-Cycle’ by its inventor. This novel vehicle was said to be superior to an ordinary bike with its ability to climb steep and rough grades – although its speed on level ground was limited to about 25mph. Steering was accomplished by handlebars which controlled a sideways motion of the drive belt. So now you know!
Have your say and win Held gear worth up to £400! Complete the Classic Scooterist reader survey and help us make the real-world biking mag even better. Oh, and you can win a Held helmet or gloves too!
Held by Schuberth H-C3 flip-up helmet £419.99
Here at Classic Scooterist we like to think that our publication offers the best bike reviews, riding advice and much more for our readers, but we realise we’re a bit biased... And that’s why we want to hear your thoughts. Whether you have been reading Classic Scooterist since its inception, or just picked up your first copy now, we want to know what you think about it. What’s hot and what’s not? What do you want to see more or less of? So, we’ve created a simple online survey at www.classicscooterist.com and we’d really appreciate if you could take a few minutes to complete it. As a thank you for completing the survey, all respondents will be entered into a FREE PRIZE DRAW to be in with a chance of winning a Held helmet or gloves. One lucky winner can choose from either a Held by Schuberth H-R2 full-face helmet, worth £419.99, OR Held by Schuberth H-C3 flip-up helmet worth £419.99. There will also be three pairs of Held Gore-Tex Air n Dry gloves up for grabs, worth £175.99 each h. Many thanks for your participation and good luck in the prize draw! Mau Spencer Editor
Held by Schuberth H-R2 full-face helmet £419.99
Complete the survey: www.classicscooterist.com com Terms and conditions apply – see website for details. There are no cash alternatives available. Closing date is June 30, 2018. The winners will be the first names drawn at random.
Held Gore-Texx Air n Dry gloves £175.99
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SCOOTERAMA!
PRODUCT ‘Tru True Vision’ Welding Helmet REVIEW
Arai Renegade V helmet RRP: £449.99 upwards Sitting in the middle of Arai’s motorcycle helmet range, the new Renegade V (like all Arai helmets) has been designed with safety at the forefront. It meets ACU Gold Standards, and comes with double-D ring fasteners. Okay, so it’s not cheap – but you can rest assured that the new Renegade V is going to look after you. It’s an Arai after all – it’s been tested internally, externally, inspected five times and comes with a five-year limited warranty. It comes in sizes XS to 2XL and a range colours and designs Info: www.whyarai.co.uk
RRP: £ various Reviewer: Jon Betts I’m often asked to give advice to people new to welding and other than ‘practice, practice, practice’ the best advice I can give is to buy a decent welding helmet! Most welding kits include a hand held mask which in my view is next to useless as not only can you not see through them until you start welding but you also loose a hand as you have to hold it. Modern welding helmets have an auto darkening lens so you can see through them to help line the torch up with the work piece and only once the arc has been struck will they darken. This in itself will really help to improve your welding skills and having it firmly attached to your head will mean that you have both hands free to do the work. In the past these helmets have been really expensive but
as with most things the price has started to come down and Sealey currently has its range of ‘True Vision’ welding helmets on offer at just £51.54! We recently tested one of these helmets and were very impressed with its performance. The auto changing lens works quickly and efficiently and as an added
bonus you can also change it to a grinding mode so you can keep the mask on and use a grinder without the lens darkening. The helmet is of very high quality for the price paid and makes a great addition to the workshop. Info: www.sealey.co.uk or call 01284 757500 to find your nearest stockist.
The toughest places to pass a bike test
Hevik Titanium Jacket RRP: £249.99 The Titanium all-season jacket features three layers: an outer fabric constructed from Ripstop 600D and Polycordura, a waterproof membrane inner lining that can be worn independently, plus a fully removable thermal inner layer. There’s DMAX 1000D fabric, Level 2 SW CE protectors in the shoulders and elbows, plus a pocket for Hevik H-Full back armour (optional). As well as ‘hook and loop’ side adjustment straps, there’s double adjustment sleeve straps and button cuff adjustments. There’s also four waterproof pockets (three external, one internal). It comes in sizes XS to 3XL in Black or Grey/White. Info: www.hevik.co.uk
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Analysis of bike test results data by bike finance provider Moneybarn has shown a large discrepancy between pass rates of bike tests across the UK. In the last five years, 1763 riders have lost their lives on UK roads, so effective testing for on-road riding is as important as ever. This is in line with the number of bike tests taken being on the rise – to the tune of 17% in the last three years alone. According to gov.uk data, pass rates vary dramatically across the country by up to 34%, ranging from 87% to 53%. The table (right) shows the best and worst areas of the UK for bike test pass rates.
BIKE TEST CHANGES
This report comes shortly after the Government announced potential changes to the bike test – which hasn’t been updated in 15 years. The changes aim to improve the quality of training and the national average pass rate.
Help bring bike mode to Google Maps
Last year, Google Maps introduced a twowheeler mode for motorcycles and scooters in India – and with talk of it making the move to other countries, insurance specialist Carole Nash has launched a campaign to bring it to the UK. Google Maps currently provides travel routes, navigation and travel time estimates for public transport, bicycles, cars and walking. With many riders now choosing to use their phone for navigation rather than a dedicated bike GPS, a two-wheeler mode in Google Maps makes perfect sense. British riders have already started an online petition to have the twowheeler mode added to their Google Maps. If you want to help the cause, visit: www.change. org/p/google-motorcycle-travel-time-estimatesto-be-included-within-google-maps
Currently the Module 2 bike test takes around 40 minutes and includes: ● An eyesight check ● ‘Show me, tell me’ vehicle safety questions ● Supervised road riding ● Independent riding. One suggestion is to introduce a minimum seven hour training course for riders looking to move from an A2 licence to the unrestricted A category. This means the test for riding a more powerful bike would be done in a less stressful environment, where riders could focus on learning to control bigger bikes to improve confidence and safety.
SERIES 3 – NOT SERIES 2
In the Spanish TV article featured in the previous issue, the headline portrayed it as a TV175 Series 2, whereas it should have said ‘Series 3’. This was not the article author’s mistake, so apologies to Pete Davies for introducing the error into the article. The error came about during the magazine’s production stage and as checking it was down to editor Mau, the blame has been laid on his shoulders. As a punishment he was made to stand in the naughty corner for making such a schoolboy error (we had intended to make him wear his old school uniform as well – but it doesn’t fit him now).
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SCOOTERAMA! June leads Bob Melling at an IoM event
Scooter oil RRP: £ ask High quality oil should be on the top of everyone’s list when servicing their machine. VE (UK) stocks a wide range in both 2T and 4T variants. MALOSSI: Malossi produces a range of 2T and 4T performance oils in both semi-synthetic and fully synthetic formulations that have special additives making them suitable for use in both standard and tuned engines. Supplied in one litre bottles. PUTOLINE: a firm favourite of scooterists over the years, with a range of high quality lubricants covering 2T, 4T, and classic scooters. Popular options include TT Sport, Scooter 4T+ Eco, and Classic Scooter. ENI: ENI oils has for a long time been recognised by manufacturers as one of the market leaders. It’s seen at Formula One races and used by Ferrari, and other top automotive marques. In the 60s AGIP (ENI) was the recommended oil for Lambretta scooters. ENI oils are suitable for use in all 2T and 4T scooter and motorcycle applications. Supplied in one litre bottles. Info: www.ve-uk.com
June Stirrup, RIP She was the most delightful lady you could ever meet. Former Manchester Lyons member June Stirrup passed away recently and we are hurting inside. The ‘we’ I’m referring to here is the Kerr family. From the golden days of scootering in 1967, when I first met June, we immediately struck up a friendship. Janet, my wife, was always known by June as Margaret, why we don’t know, but Janet didn’t mind. June was the most loving lady; she could call us what she liked! I was known as her ‘Wee Norrie’ (she did tower over me). She always
had a cuddle for a friend, as I’m sure others will confirm. June was the Manchester Lyons’ best-loved person. Alongside with Ann Weir, these two ladies were the epitome of ladies in scooter sport, along with Liz Chappell, Jenny Stevens, and Judy Jubb, RIP. They were all admired by everyone concerned, competitors and spectators, for what they brought to the sport. June had suffered years of pain and suffering, but you’d never know it. If you asked her how she was, she’d say “bloody knees are
‘Super June’ (left) and Ann Weir posing with the Vega which went into the LPS museum painful”. June brushed-off cancer as another annoyance. In her case this was mouth cancer; it was predictably debilitating, but she soldiered on – what a tough lady! To all her friends and clubmates we send our sympathies. The world is a poorer place without our June. RIP.
Janet and Norrie Kerr
[June’s funeral was attended by family, friends and members of the Manchester Lyons. On behalf of all our readers, Classic Scooterist sends it’s condolences to them]
June Stirrup
Garibaldi Wax Cotton Jacket (men n and women)
Casa exhaust systems Casa Lambretta exhaust systems are now available from VE (UK). The range covers Series 1, 2, and 3 machines with standard and performance exhausts available. Info: www.ve-uk.com
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RRP: £285 Garibaldi has just announced its latest UK product: an update of its popular Heritage 1972 Wax Cotton Jacket – the Swiss Army Knife of bike clothing. Now certified to the new CE clothing standard, EN17092, the jacket fuses retro style with cutting edge technology. It features a wax cotton style Samtex outer shell and 1621-1 CE Powertector shoulder/elbow protection; plus it’s coated with a Reissa breathable, windproof, waterproof membrane. It also has a detachable Tartan flannel thermal lining, plus an inner holed lining, four sealed frontal pockets and two side pockets. Other features include a double frontal Velcro flap with a double zip lock; the neck and wrist sections are adjustable and the belt comes with a reflective reverse. It comes in sizes XS to 3XL in either Olive or Navy colourways. Info: www.dot4distribution.com
June at the Watersplash on the IoM