Classic Scooterist Oct/Nov 2017

THE LI SERIES 4 MYSTERY

CALIFORNIA DREAMING

A much talked about scooter

American spec GS160

IoW

INTERNATIONAL SCOOTER RALLY

FULL EVENT REPORT INSIDE

ISSUE 117 OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017

FRENCHING A EUROPEAN ADVENTURE

CONSIDERED DOING IT?

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

Issue 117 Oct/Nov 2017 Founding Editor: Mau Spencer 01507 529408 mauspencer@classicscooterist.com Publisher: Dan Savage Contributors: Rich Addison, Gill Beecham; Jon Betts; David Brown; Terry Brown; David Carmona; Jock Dewars; Pete Davies, Dave Dry; Nicholas Eyes; Rod Gillan; Steve Tasker; Chris Wainwright; Phil Walker; Andy Westlake; Roy Workman.

Apologies to anyone we’ve forgotten.

Some of the articles within these pages express the opinions of the contributors and are not necessarily those of Classic Scooterist.

Design: Fran Lovely and Charlotte Turnbull Production editor: Dan Sharp Picture desk: Paul Fincham, Jonathan Schofield and Angie Sisestean Divisional advertising team leader: Zoe Thurling 01507 529412 zthurling@mortons.co.uk Advertising: Emma Buxton-Rockley 01507 529410 ebuxton-rockley@mortons.co.uk 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 www.scooteristscene.com General queries and back issues: 01507 529529 (24hr answerphone) Archivist: Jane Skayman 01507 529423 jskayman@mortons.co.uk Next issue (118) published: November 15, 2017 Editorial deadline: October 13, 2017 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 48 for offer): (12 months 6 issues, inc post and packing) – UK £22.80. Export rates are also available – see page 48 for more details.

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70 CONTENTS 4

Back when we had hair Nostalgic memories from times gone by

8

Scooterama A felicitous fanfare of facts, feedback and faces

14 Mailbox Readers’ submissions, reviews and opinions

16 Isle of Wight 2017 Full event feature inside.

Were you there? Did we take your picture?

30 California Dreaming David Carmona’s Americanspec Vespa GS160 – fun to build, but a long drawn-out project

34 Behind the Iron Curtain Cezeta 501/502 – ‘the three pigs’

38 What’s going on?

A look at the scooterist calendar

39 Event round-up

R

ecent publicity surrounding the new Lambretta has produced the expected comments over whether it’s just the latest Chinese clone, or a true Lambretta.

Of course, the hard-core classic response will be that it isn’t! These comments are nothing new (I experienced similar back in the 60s when buying one of the first GP200s: “Not a real Lambretta – too much plastic” still rings through my head).

50 The Lambretta Li Series 4

Keeping on track

74 Trials and tribulations London to Milan on a Vespa 90SS

More mystical than Egyptian mummies

54 The Brockhouse Corgi A lightweight runabout

56 The Vikings

76 Nice things come in small packages An awfully pleasant Lambretta Lui

78 Custom Corner

Les Wraight’s memories of the West Essex Lambretta Club

60 Lambretta Super Starstream The sum of its parts

62 Mark’s Agrati Capri All is not as it appears with this rebuild…

I’m likely to be crucified for saying this, but realistically with the latest homologation legislation, we’re never going to see another Lambretta (or Vespa) designed like they were 50-60 years ago. The classic scooter scene has undergone dramatic changes in recent years and although some may not agree with it, Dragsters, Runners and GTS Vespas are now on the way to becoming classic scooters in their own right. In the 20s/30s scooters were

An epic adventure on a Zundapp Bella

70 Project Dirt Quake pt2

A glance at events that have taken place since last issue

Back to the future...

66 EPV 954

Frenching your rear light

82 Scooter clubs Meet and greet your local club

86 Scooterist classifieds For all your wants and needs

90 Blast from the past How far at 25mph?

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SEE PAGE 48

mostly autos (let’s be honest, that’s the main argument over the new Lambretta) and the scene now looks like it’s going full circle.

So in 30 years’ time when every new bike is electric or fuel cell, will the new Lambretta be considered as a classic? I reckon it will.

If anyone disagreeing wants to contribute nails or wood for the coffin I’ve probably just created for myself, please send them to…

MAUSPENCER@CLASSICSCOOTERIST.COM

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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

BLASTS FROM THE PAST A few of my scooters from the past.

Des Lund

ROTHWELL CRUSADERS

A MOODY SCOOT

Mine circa 1982 – temperamental, but I loved it at the time.

David Tootell

ON TOUR

This picture shows the Rothwell Crusaders SC (Leeds).

It was taken in 1979 on the way to Skegness.

Paul Wood

WILD BOY ON A WILDCAT Me (in 1972 I think) on my Li 150 with a Wildcat 175 conversion.

Steve Berwick

Bradford Night Owls on tour during 1980 – complete with backup van.

Steven Ashley

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SCARBOROUGH 1977 My Li 150 outside the Scarborough Arms.

Martin Robson

LATE 70s SCARBOROUGH

Remember some of the faces – Frank Westerby, Martyn Scully, plus Leeds Central SC members John Worsnop, (camera shy) Gary Ellison and Paul?

Phil Speak

COLWYN BAY Taken in 1984.

Frank Allison

B52s

Me and my mate Debbie – B52s – around ’83-ish.

Helen Moore

SCARBOROUGH 1978

Scarborough 1978, chin strap,dropped peak, parka when it was cool for scooterboys to wear them, copper/brass plating... perfect... someone will know who it is.

Geoff Stott

DISC ’86

At least I think it was; 31 years ago and we still haven’t grown up.

Christopher Jones Reg

EAST COAST CRUSADERS

A rare pic taken outside the Blundeston Sixties Night... organised by me on behalf of the club, East Coast Crusaders.

Martin Bullard

SAME LOCATION – DIFFERENT TIME

Me and my better half Kath on our P125X in July 1984; the second photo shows us on our P150X and was taken 32 years later in March 2016, at the same location Eric and Kath Blackburn

MAUSPENCER@CLASSICSCOOTERIST.COM

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Kath, aged 10, on her brother’s Triumph Tiger Cub.

First wheels – a Honda Scooterette.

It wasn’t long before Mod tendencies started to show…

Kath and her boyfriend in 1967.

The Lambretta Series 2 which Kath later owned.

THE MOD PASSION LIVES ON Kath Buckden lived in Grimsby during the 60s; her older brother Ian was into riding and repairing motorcycles and perhaps this is the reason why she developed a passion for two wheels from a very early age. Aided by her brother, she purchased her first set of wheels at the age of 16, a Honda Scooterette.

It wasn’t exactly your average Lambretta or Vespa, but it wasn’t too long before her Mod tendencies started to surface. Her next purchase was an ageing Lambretta LD. Kath began to get sucked-in by the whole Mod thing – the music, clothes, and the scooters. For her it came at the right age and the right time. She wasn’t in a club and mainly rode around locally with a group of six or seven friends. Their local music venue

was the Jazz Club in Dial Square, Grimsby. Originally the venue opened in 1957 as the South Bank Jazz Club (later shortened to the Jazz Club), it became the home of local Mods in the 60s with die-hard jazz fans begrudgingly accepting the different styles of music. The building was actually an old warehouse.

Local rockers used to lie in wait for them when they came out – so they used to sneak out the back door to escape. All sort of bands used to play at the Jazz Club (some now famous names like Long John Baldry and Fleetwood Mac for instance). Bass guitarist Andy Fraser also appeared regularly before becoming more famous as a member of the band Free. A local group, the Rumble Band, became the resident house band in 1965 and are still around

Grimsby’s Jazz Club – where it all used to happen.

playing today. On occasions Kath and her friends ventured further out to venues like The Gliderdrome, Boston, where they watched the likes of Geno Washington and other groups perform.

Kath met her boyfriend through scootering and when they got married, they went on honeymoon on his scooter. They had it packed, ready and waiting at the church, riding from there to Buxton in the Peak District for their honeymoon – it rained all the way.

Kath’s still a Mod at heart and it looks as though she may have transferred that passion to her daughter. They both attended the recent Cleethorpes national rally, bringing back memories to Kath and sowing a seed with her daughter, who is now considering buying a scooter…

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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A M A R E T O SCO

CK & FACES A FELICITOUS FANFARE OF FACTS, FEEDBA ooterist.com ☎ 01507 529408 ✎ Classic Scooterist, PO Box 99, Horncast

le, Lincs LN9 6LZ ✉ mauspencer@clas

sicsc

Another successful Show & Shine ‘Scooter Boots’ RRP: £40 pair (plus P&P) ‘Scooter Boots’ are individually-made stand feet that replace the standard manufacturers’ items.

Sprayed individually, with the stitching painted on by hand, they’re manufactured from cast aluminium and come with a stainless grub screw to secure them to the stand. Lambretta fitment is 16mm diameter, while the Vespa option comes in either 20 or 22mm sizes.

Info: johntravell@hotmail. co.uk

Davida Shorty gloves RRP: £51.50 There are two new colours for Davida’s retro-styled Shorty glove – grey and tan – said to evoke the biking aesthetic of the last century. The grey is said to be reminiscent of the leather gloves created for the Luftwaffe in the 1940s which went on to be used by post-war motorcyclists; the tan evokes ranchers’ gloves of the American mid-west.

They’re made from cowhide with Kevlar stitching and a fleece lining. They come in sizes S to 3XL. Info: www.davidahelmets.com

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York Inset SC held their annual Show & Shine event in Grape Lane, York, on Saturday, August 5. Around 40 scooters and bikes were on display, ranging from a Lambretta Model D and an Ossa trials bike to a modern Royal Enfield and various Piaggio scooters.

Prizes were awarded for the best scooter and motorbike chosen by the public. The event raised £1150 for the local Alzheimer’s Society and the event was also attended by the Lord Mayor and Civic Party.

Several thousand members of the public visited the event including a Lambretta Concessionaires trials rider from the 1960s. A York Normandy Veteran (and honorary scooter club member) recalled his wartime service riding a Matchless.

This is the fourth time that York Inset has held the event and planning has already commenced for 2018. All in all, a great day, thanks to the support of riders and the efforts of York Inset members.

Kev and Nick, York Inset SC

VCB President stands down

In a statement from the VCB committee, it has been announced that long-time Vespa Club of Britain stalwart, Robin Quartermain, has stepped down from his role as VCB president in an amicable agreement between the two parties. At the time of going to press it is not known who will be stepping into the role.

Quad sequel on the cards?

Received too late for the last issue, it has been revealed in the press that a sequel is to be made to the film Quadrophenia. Announced by the Daily Mirror, the story goes that ‘Quad 2’ will star many of the same actors as in the original film, including Toyah Wilcox (‘Monkey’), Mark Wingett (Dave), Phil Daniels (Jimmy) and Trevor Laird (Ferdy). Filming is due to start in London shortly. Set in the present day, the sequel is based on the book To Be Someone by Peter Meadows.

Bowling shoe competition winners The two winners of the Bowling Shoe Competition we ran in the last issue were Janet Haylock from Herts and Alistair Hart from Norfolk – congratulations to both of you.

Thanks to Delicious Junction (www.delicious junction.co.uk) for providing the prizes.

Tuta Nano Plus rainsuit RRP: £74.99 Reviewer: Mau If you need somethingg small and compact to o use in wet weather then this Tuta Nano Rainsuit could be the solution to your problem – it certainly is for me. It packs away into a nea at little carrying pouch that ta akes up little or no room for storage e; it will easily fit under the se eat of your scooter (or it could be e put into a backpack or luggage rack on your motorcycle, or even sq queezed into your jacket pocke et at a push.

I’ve used one of these e for many years, but it had beco ome a little old and tired over time; so when this latest version cam me into the office for review, I snapped it up pretty quickly. Myy old one was all black, but the latest version comes with contrasting fluorescent yellow insert on the arms, making you much more visible on the road.

This 100% Nylon Hydroscud Rainsuit has a breathable, windproof Polyamide outer shell with taped seams, which TU claims has been ‘rain tower tested’ to ensure a high waterproof rating; there’s also

Now that’s a really smart car!

So what do you do if your Smart car breaks down? Simple; you just get some alternative transport out of the boot and off you go again…

PRODUCT REVIEW

a storm flap over the central zip running all the way up to the collar, thus providing even more weather protection. Other features include Velcro ankle straps, a side zip fastener and an ‘accordina’ opening at the ankle (to make them easier to put on over your riding boots.

It is available in sizes XS to 3XL. Info: www.tucanourbano.com

Craig Walker – ‘Little Lam’ Well-known scooter rider Craig Walker unexpectedly passed away on Sunday, July 2, 2017, after collapsing at a local venue. Craig – only 4ft 6in tall – became a wellknown figure on the national scooter scene after he and his mates constructed a special-size scooter to suit his stature; Craig and his scooter, ‘Little Lam’, went on to win many custom show trophies (see issue 82 of Classic Scooterist for his full story).

Organisers of the annual ‘ride-in’ to the Cleethorpes national scooter rally dedicated the event to his memory and members of Craig’s scooter club – Dinnington SC – led the procession.

Craig’s funeral took place at St Leonards Church, Dinnington, on July 11,

Photo courtesy of Rich Addison 2017, with a large number of scooterists in attendance; one of the floral tributes was a life-size replica of Craig’s scooter.

MAUSPENCER@CLASSICSCOOTERIST.COM

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SCOOTERAMA! Polette P l jacket PRODUCT REV Helios and Shamal summer gloves RRP: £26.90-£59.90 (INCL VAT) The Helios and Shamal glove ranges come with Touch Screen technology (so you can use tactile devices while wearing them).

The Helios range is designed for touring use and long distance summer season riding and is constructed in a combination of Spandex, leather and mesh that helps protect the hand in all areas of possible impact. Inside, they feature a polyester mesh lining, adjusted by hook and loop fastening. Available in grey/ black and yellow/black in sizes S to 3XL. The Shamal has large ventilation areas to keep hands dry even on the hottest days and its EVA injected fabric provides knuckle protection. The palm is constructed from microfibre and the lining is polyester mesh; they adjust in the same way as the Helios gloves. They are available in fluo yellow/ black/grey and white/ grey/black.

Info: www.hevik.co.uk / 01327 706220

Bullit Stealth jeans RRP: £249.99 New Stealth biking jeans from Bull-it feature a singlelayer construction which incorporates Covec yarn into the denim to make them look less ‘bike’ when socialising. The jeans come with low-profile 7mm thick CE Level 2 Phantom armour which is said to be extremely flexible. Available in sizes 28 to 38 waist in Dark Blue Raw Denim.

Info: www.oxprod.com

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£144.99 Reviewer: Viv King If you’re a female rider looking for a jacket that doesn’t compromise on safety or style, this is the one for you. Tucano Urbano prides itself on combining suave Italian tailoring with practical safety details, making this woman’s cut jacket the perfect summer wear.

This jacket comes with some rather nice features such as reflective detailing on the wrists and neck which fold away, giving you visibility on demand and a more civilian look when off the bike. With armour at the elbows and shoulders and pocket for a back protector this classic biker style short jacket doesn’t compromise on safety or style. I found TU’s sizing very good and the fitting adjustments on the sides and wrists enabled me to get a comfortable fit.

After several weeks of wearing this jacket, it has become a firm favourite for summer wear. I found the breathability on hotter days was good and on the more showery days it kept me dry and comfortable, having a waterproof zip and being totally windproof.

The zip-up pockets made sure I never lost anything

IEW

and it has a good size inner pocket for your mobile phone. I found there was nothing I didn’t like about this stylish jacket, all in all this is a high-quality jacket that is definitely worth the money.

Info: www.tucanourbano.com

Bull-It Envy ladies leggings

Armadillo bike covers RRP: 159.99 TO £189.99 Many riders don’t have the luxury of a garage or shed to keep their bike in, but need a solution to keep it clean, dry and out of sight. The Armadillo bike shelter comes in three separate sizes and features a ride-in, ride-out design, allowing you to simply pull the metal frame (fitted with a 600D waterproof cover) up and over to help keep your scooter safe from the elements and prying eyes.

Plus it allows bikes to be stored without any material contact.

There’s also two security locking mechanisms, which enable the shelter to be locked shut (with padlocks which aren’t supplied) – and it can be permanently fixed to a concrete floor using the included expander bolts. Sizes are: Small (270cm x 105cm x 155cm), Medium 283cm x 105cm x 155cm), Large (345cm x 137cm x 190cm) Info: www.bikeittrade.com

Got a valid MOT? Think again…

Most people are aware that you can have your vehicle MOT’d up to a month before your existing MOT expires. But what many people don’t realise is that if the vehicle fails its early MOT, the vehicle cannot then be used on the road legally, despite the fact that it already has an old previously valid MOT – this old MOT becomes immediately redundant and the new (failure) MOT takes its place.

RRP: £149.99 Bull-It’s armoured Envy leggings are fitted with Covec's new Webtech liner, offering high abrasion resistance and a low profile design. Covec is a laminated construction consisting of around 300 to 750gsm knitted textiles made of high performance fibres. The leggings are constructed specifically for bike use with a four-way stretch outer. There’s also reinforced stretch knee panels with pockets for additional armour, triplestitch seam construction and high visibility black reflective side seams. They are available in black is sizes 4 to 22 (Short, Regular and Long).

Info: www.oxford products.com HAVE YOUR PRODUCTS REVIEWED WHERE IT COUNTS. PHONE 01507 529408

The Monster Forge While putting together Project Dirt Quake, Jon Betts had the opportunity to visit Phil Appleyard at The Monster Forge. Quickly becoming one of the ‘must use’ artists of the moment. With his unique style and imagery we thought it would be a good idea to find out a bit more about the man behind the brush.

How long has The Monster Forge been trading? Under that name, around three years; prior to that I worked through a commission-based art/illustration approach before taking the business into a wider scope of illustration including signwriting, and custom graphics for vehicles and apparel, etc.

How did you start in the trade?

I got my first real break when I worked at a safari park/fun fair in Stukenbrock near Detmold, Germany, restoring facias and billboards on rides and buildings.

This meant that I had to adapt to a different approach to signwriting and colour usage, also an expenditure of typeface styles and font use, as Germany has another view on how signs are presented. Before this, I used to paint images and wording on friends’ scooters and jackets after being kicked-out of art school!

How much business is scooter related? Probably between 6070%, especially in the summer months when the competitive fever of the rally season really takes hold on folks psyche!

Over the winter months, I mainly paint the odd hot rod, signage, gloves, jackets and helmets etc. I always intend to paint a level of stock for shows and such, but never get the chance.

Do you have a favourite design style? My favourite is horror and

BUSINESS PROFILE

comic style illustration and signwriting, as it was my intended career path to join the comic illustration cadre. British comic styles always had better artists and impactive styles in my opinion. I kicked around for a while doing a few freelance inking jobs for a Comic Press Company but ended up drifting into industry and the void of ‘normal life’ for a while.

Do customers need a completed design for you to work with, or are you able to assist with all job aspects from start to finish?

Not really, as I can work closely in developing a customer’s idea into a solid design that is transportable onto the project – although often the customer has a very fixed design concept in mind and then we can just work together to nail the ideas into ready to paint pieces very quickly.

I can pretty much replicate most graphic styles, typefaces and fonts; it’s just a matter of producing a solid agreement on the final look of the project.

Get in touch with Phil Appleyard at the Monster Forge Facebook page, or email themonsterforge@gmail. com – he is currently building a website, which will be launched in the near future.

Eddy Grimstead Hurricane SS If you squint hard enough, it’s just possible to make out the ‘Hurricane’ badge on the righthand side of the legshield of the Vespa SS pictured when it posed at the wedding of Audrey and Bernard Lawlor at Sutton in Ashfield, Notts on August 27, 1966 – a happy day and the couple are still around to tell the

tale in 2017. There is a very sad postscript to this story, however…

The Vespa actually belonged to a friend of the happy couple, Neil Rickers. Neil, aged 19, was riding to work as a trainee draughtsman at SA Monk Ltd in Sutton-in-Ashfield in Nottinghamshire when, a short distance from work, he was involved in a w ccollision with a van.

The accident tragically rresulted in Neil’s death.

Neil, uncharacteristically N ffor the time, was wearing a ccrash helmet, as his club, tthe Sutton Snipes SC, operated a rule where this

was compulsory, despite it not being a legal requirement back then. He suffered multiple injuries however and was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.

Somewhat unbelievably the scooter, despite being extensively damaged, was repaired and sprayed all over in the Hawthorne White of a standard SS; it was later ridden by an acquaintance of Bernard (the new owner had no idea that the machine had a previous illustrious two-tone past). So, one Grimstead Hurricane was lost from history, as was its owner. On a personal note, I’m not sure I’d like to ride a scooter that someone was killed on – bad Karma!

Many thanks for the kind permission of Bernard Lawlor of Mansfield for the use of the pictures.

Dave D

MAUSPENCER@CLASSICSCOOTERIST.COM

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SCOOTERAMA!

Shoei NXR helmet RRP: £469.99 The Shoei NXR features a newly designed shell with a slim and light form achieved by redesigning the shell baseline. Ventilation is by three straight-hole intakes in the forehead and four outlets located inside.

Wind noise reduction has been improved by the wind beading and utilising larger cheek and ear pads. It has a new removable visor with Pinlock lens and base plate system. The base plate is adjusted by rotating a dial.

Advanced fabric with high moisture absorption is used throughout all interiors.

Size availability is 2XS to 2XL in 23 colourways Info: www.shoei assured.co.uk

Nitro N2000 Pioneer helmet

RRP: £59.99 The Pioneer N2000 features a dual-position chin bar ventilation, dual brow ventilation and dual rear exhaust vents (fully adjustable), along with the Pinlock prepared, injection moulded anti-fog 3D visor with an antiscratch coating. It has a micrometric fastening buckle offering adjustability over fit. Available colourways are Black/ White/Silver, Black/White/ Blue, Black/White/Red, Black/Yellow/Red in sizes XS to 2XL. Info: www.nitrorider.com

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Brid Custom Show entries

SIP JOYRIDE

Around 130 Vespas and Lambretta gathered at SIP headquarters back in July for the 15th annual Joyride. Their 80km ride through a selection of picturesque villages in the Bavarian countryside with various stops being made for fuel, barbecues – and of course, pizza.

TCX Rush footwear RRP: £99.99 Reviewer: Mau Motorcycle footwear might well be functional, but it’s not always known for being stylish – until now.

Italian company TCX has come up with a stylish ‘sneaker-type’ design which also offers comfort and some protective reinforcement for the wearer. These boots are part of the TCX ‘Urban’ range, so they aren’t designed to offer full-on armoured protection; they are aimed at the more casual rider who likes a bit of flair to their riding kit – and in that respect, they certainly look the part. The reinforcement used is fitted to the toe, ankle and heel areas; it is CE certified to meet the new EN 13634:2015 regulations.

From a construction perspective, the boot upper is made from various materials, including matt soft-touch microfibre combined with suede leather gear shift pad. The internal lining is claimed to be waterproof (and given that it rained all day while I was out on the road, my feet remained dry at all times).

The boot is fastened using a classic lacing system, coupled to a Velcro band with microinjections for easy opening, so they are quick and easy to put on.

Wearing them for the first time,

PRODUCT REVIEW

I half expected to experience some form of discomfort (as quite often happens with something new), but this wasn’t to be the case; and it was if they had been tailored specifically to fit my feet – the sizing was spot on. I particularly like the way the boot is cut away at the back to help avoid any ankle skin chafing that might occur due to frequent ‘up and down’ gear changing while out on the road.

Walking around in them when off the bike, they felt as supple and flexible to wear, almost to the point that it would be easy to forget they aren’t actually trainers. I could – and did – walk around in them all day.

The Rush boots come in black with the option of either red or yellow flouro flashes; UK size availability is between 6.5 to 13.5 fitment.

Info: www.nevis.uk.com/

The annual Bridlington Custom Show takes place at The Spa, Bridlington, on Saturday, October 28, 2017, as part of the last national scooter rally of the year.

As in previous years, the Custom Show is being run by the LCGB and the decision has again been taken not to accept ‘on the day’ entries – thus all completed forms must be returned no later than Saturday, October 14, 2017.

The LCGB states: “While it is accepted there are always going to be scooters that are only rebuilt days before the show, or scooter owners that make a last minute decision to enter, ‘on the day’ entries cause immense difficulties at such a large event – not only for the show stewards attempting to find a space for them, but also for the judging which has to be organised in advance of such an event.”

Entries will be limited to the first 100 scooters that apply to enter to allow sufficient space for the scooters to be displayed adequately. In 2016 there were a handful of late entries received in late October that had to be declined due to the 100 entry limit/closing date being reached. ‘Club display’ entries are restricted to a maximum of five scooters per display.

Pre-entry also enables the LCGB to produce a free programme, including details of all the scooters entered.

Consequently, the LCGB asks that all entrants provide some interesting information about their pride and joy when completing page 2 of the entry form.

Further information on the LCGB’s website at www.ilambretta.com, LCGB Facebook page and the public viewable area of the LCGB Forum ‘UK Rallies and Events’ section (http://www. ilambretta.co.uk/forum/ viewforum.php?f=15).