TWO WHEELS OR FOUR?
THE SPANISH
TV175
1000 MILES OF MEMORIES Th
e scooter cog badges th at mapped out your life
‘JUAN PABLO’ Paul’s ‘rusto’ Lambretta
NEVER SAY NEVER
PROJECT TIGRESS PT3 ROUND THE WORLD ON A VESPA SS180
The modified Sunbeam is slowly taking shape
SCOOTERAMA! – A FELICITOUS FANFARE OF FACTS, FEEDBACK & FACES
ISSUE 120 APRIL/MAY 2018
A look back at the Scunthorpe Road Rats
SUBSCRIBE TODAY SEE PAGE 16
Issue 120 April/May 2018 Founding Editor: Mau Spencer 01507 529408 mauspencer@classicscooterist.com Publisher: Dan Savage Contributors: Rich Addison; Gill Beecham; Jon Betts; Pete Davies, Dave Dry; Miguel Angel Fernández; Pete Newbold; Nippa; Unax Silva Oñez; Mike Pacey; Jim Rose; Chris Wainwright; Andy Westlake. 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 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 (121) published: May 16, 2018 Editorial deadline: April 16, 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 either party.
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Back when we had hair Nostalgic memories from times gone by
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Scooterama A felicitous fanfare of facts, feedback and faces
12 Mailbox Reader’s submissions, reviews and opinions
16 What’s going on? A look at the scooterist calendar
18 Scooter World Arguably the largest scooter custom show in the UK?
22 Gathering of the clans LCGB AGM
24 Special brew Burton Brewers event The Professional Publishers Association
Member
Having trouble finding a copy of this magazine? Why not Just Ask your local newsagent to reserve you a copy each month?
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CONTENTS
26 ‘Scunny’ Road Rats Mike Pacey brings the memories flooding back
28 A true Spanish rarity The Eibar-built TV2
30 Badges that mapped your life Memories of times gone by
32 ‘Penelope’s Pit Stop’ Brydie Carrington’s Super Starstream Lambretta
36 Getting down and dirty in the desert The trials and tribulations of the Moroccan Nomad Rally
30 Badges that mapped your life Memories of times gone by
46 Back in the day Edinburgh & District LC in action
48 ‘Betsie’ Joe Curran’s Lambretta LD 150 Mk2
52 Simon’s Maicoletta 250 Undoubtedly one of the stars of the 1955 Brussels Show
56 ‘Juan Pablo’ Paul Sanderson’s rustoration project
60 Trials & tribulations Round the world on a Vespa SS180
62 D Dynasty
An unusual development for the Model D Lambretta
66 Two or four wheels? Robert Fenn’s project turns out to be a Vespa 400 car
72 A lifelong dream Frank Wood’s Lambretta TV200
76 Project Tigress pt3 The build continues
80 Racing on a budget A new direction for the BSSO race classes
81 Scooter sport alternatives Planning the action for 2018
82 Scooter clubs Meet and greet your local club
86 Scooterist classifieds For all your wants and needs
Enjoy yourselves (it’s later than you think)
O
n a personal level, 2018 didn’t get off to a good start, with it being overshadowed by two ‘passings’, both close to my heart, with one seeing me at a funeral over 200 miles away instead of helping to set up Scooter World. Luckily I had a good crew supporting me in my absence. Support like that is a wonderful thing in a scene where things often get a little ‘focused’. Maybe that’s the nature of the beast, with
many of us being so passionate about scooters. But does it have to be so intense? I see and hear of things happening that make me cringe – and over the past year, some have even tried to drag me into their personal disagreements. C’mon guys! Our scene is supposed to be enjoyable; let’s not turn it into a back-biting, multi-divided camp where no-one will end up being winners. Let’s just all enjoy ourselves and the scooters we love so much.
TIGHT AS…
A lack of articles is not something we’re experiencing and as a consequence we’ve had to reduce the length of some features and ‘bounced’ some articles back to appear next issue. We hope this doesn’t spoil your enjoyment, but we thought it would be the best thing to do under the circumstances,, rather than compromise any included article es further than we need to. Sorry.
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
Exmouth ’91
A selection of pictures from the Exmouth rally of 1991. Clare Wardle
Scooter service for under a £1
A work colleague gave me these items knowing that I was into scooters. He found both of them in a house clearance some years ago. I’m assuming that as they were found together, the receipt is for workk carried out on the scooter in the photo and that the gent on the scooter is Mr Coppin. To think that in 1964 you could get your scooter serviced and buy a tin of chrome cleaner for less than a pound! Joe C
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Messing around with dad’s scooters GGearing i upp
This picture is of my kids, Adele and Jac Le Gallez showing them messing around with dad’s GP125 as usual. They’re aged 21 and 26 respectively now. Mark Le Gallez
I used to love looking around these shops – where are they now? Alec Gough
Sixties Camber Sands outing
These photos were taken on an Instamatic camera in 1966 and show the Hadlow Mods plus Rocker Wally on our outing to Camber. Our group consisted of Brian ‘Bonehead’ Graves (Lambretta Series 1), Trevor ‘Cobby’ Cobb (Lambretta GT200), Lenny Ball (Lambretta LD), Ivor Lawrence (Vespa Sportique), myself (Lambretta Li150 Series 2) and my future wife Susan and her sister Vickie. Last but not least was Graham ‘Wally’ Walker, our tame Rocker on his 250cc Royal Enfield – no aggro between us though, despite the newspaper stories of the time. Roger Stanley
80s Antwerp
My friend Phillipe Golbert has kept hold of these pictures for years – they portray what thee Mod scene was like in Antwerp in the Eighties. Johan De Quick k
Getting back on the road
When I was 16 I got my first scooter to go to school on – it was a 1953 Lambretta LD125. After passing my test, I bought an early Sixties BSA Sunbeam 250 twin that I kept until 1967 – the scooter was cream and red and was local to the city. Having started work, I upgraded to a 1965 Vespa Sprint 150 bought from Furneaux Motorcycles of Aberdeen and became a member of the Flying Scotsmen SC. We took part in scooter rallies all over Scotland and in Aberdeen we ran a hill climb event on what’s known as ‘The Broad Hill’. In the summer of 67 three of us travelled on Vespas to Lands End on holiday and our bikes ran like a dream. I kept the Sprint for about a year before moving to an Austin Mini in 1968. At 17 I became the youngest RAC/ACU Instructor in Scotland. Riding two wheels started again in 1998 when my son gave me a Christmas present – a 1978 Honda CB400/4 that he’d rebuilt from a box of bits he had purchased from Breaking Point in Aberdeen. That bike has been laid-up in my garage for 11 years. At 67 I’ve decided to go back to my youth and I’m awaiting the arrival of a Vespa P200 DN from Spain. Hopefully, I’ll be welcome in Aberdeen’s classic scooter scene and I hope to rekindle some of my memories of the Sixties. David Hekelaar
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
MAUSPENCER@CLASSICSCOOTERIST.COM
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Alan Cooper’s love of scooters My scooter background might not be as illustrious as that of the Ronald brothers, but there is some history there. The pictures you see here were resurrected recently whilst helping Norman Ronald converting cine film to DVD. They mainly come from my scrambling days, but there is a picture of some of the trophies I’ve won over the years. But how did my scootering history start? Well it all began a long while ago; when at home from school during lunchtimes, my dad taught me how to ride his Royal Enfield motorcycle in the garden. This involved practising various manoeuvres, balance, starting, stopping etc. Maintenance training also became an essential part of my school day evenings. Eventually I purchased a scooter (with dad’s money), passing my riding test in May 1959 (a few days after my birthday); I later won a motorcycle and scooter road safety event held by Nottingham City Council. The first scooter I owned was a Vespa 125, the only scooter I’ve actually fallen off (this was while being towed in icy conditions following a breakdown). I immediately joined Nottingham Outlaws Scooter Club (all makes) who were predominantly a mixed scooter/ social event type club; I attended many UK scooter rallies with them, being a member for six years before eventually joining ‘The Bowmen’ Nottingham Lambretta Club in 1965, as they had a more competitive attitude. It was John Ronald who persuaded me to join ‘The Bowmen’ and along with his brother, Norman, we’ve all remained close friends since.
Other scooters owned whilst in The Outlaws were a DKR Dove and a Heinkel Tourist, followed some years later by an Ovetto ‘twist & go’ scooter that I won in a magazine competition. This was sold after a year, as it was considered too slow to be safe in modern fast traffic. I also owned a BMW Isetta 4-wheel bubblecar - great fun to drive. During all this time, I never owned a Lambretta. During the 1960s I attended some prominent events: ■ Ostend Belgium Scooter trial (as a navigator) for Norman. ■ Cambrian Scoot (1964 and 1965) on my Heinkel with Jean Cresswell as navigator (another close friend to this day). ■ Belle Vue (Manchester) scooter rally. ■ Esso Scoot to Scotland in a Messerschmitt bubble car with Ralph Hyde, also in a Lambretta and sidecar with a member of The Outlaws. ■ ACU National Rally – an endurance ride over 24 hours non-stop starting from various locations around England, culminating in a common ‘Finish’ and checking-in at as many controls as possible in exactly 600 miles. I achieved the Gold Award for zero penalties. ■ Snetterton 24hr trial (as co-driver with John) where I invented the onboard timing box to complement the visual pit signals. ■ Isle of Man 1967 in various events: Manx 400 (on a Lambretta loaned by John). Druidale Trial (also ridden on the Lambretta). Night Navigation Trials (riding alone and navigating for John). I gained a Silver Award over the week. I took my wife Janice over to the IoM when she was expecting our daughter in 1970 and to the horror of our landlady hired a Lambretta for the week for trips up Druidale and around the Manx TT course. She told me off in no uncertain terms about ‘ear holing’ and grinding the under floorboards rivets down to the metal.
In 1970 I joined a motor club for competitions on Road and Stage rallies, including the Caravan Club Road and Stage Rallies and the RAC International Rally. I was also Team Manager for the Welsh International Rally and the RAC International Rally for Swedish entries over three years and Team Manager for a relative’s private entry. For over 20 years I was, together with two friends, running the National Lorry Driver of the Year Competition sponsored by ‘Commercial Motor’ magazine which involved an observed road route, highway code questions and manoeuvring tests, mainly on Newark Showground. But all that’s another story... My recent interest in scootering was rekindled when John and Norman asked me to take over the design of and running of the ‘teamsequipe.com’ website. With my interest in scootering rekindled, I became involved in the Newark Scooter World Show organised by Classic Scooterist magazine where I ran the Gymkhana for two years and also the Tombola for this year. I do not currently ride on two wheels - but who knows about the future Alan Cooper
5400 miles in three weeks
The article in the December edition regarding fitting an engine tube gusset prompted me to send this photo of my Li 150 which my friend Gerry and I rode from Dublin to Rabat and back in September 1967, covering 5400 miles in three weeks. We had to have that same frame gusset installed in southern Spain just before this photo was taken. We still made it back home on schedule though. John Power
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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 Scooteristt, PO Box 99, Horncast
Quadrophenia Q d h i 40th anniversary i Patron gloves RRP: £169.99 These new Alpinestars Patron gloves feature CE level one protection, with a new viscoelastic PU foam compound knuckle guard with a hard cover, suede reinforcements, a TPU palm slider and a third/fourth finger bridge. Alpinestars claim they have better dexterity and tactility thanks to the Gore Grip membrane, which also offers weatherproofing. They come in sizes S to 3XL. Info: www.oxfordproducts.com
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the making of the film Quadrophenia and to tie-in with this a website has recently been launched featuring the only scooter used in the original film to have stood the test of time with the ‘Union Jack’ machine still being owned and ridden by Royston Edwards. Royston was involved in the actual filming for over three months and has become a bit of an expert on the subject of Quadrophenia. As such, he is frequently questioned about both the bike and the film. “I’m being constantly asked when I’m going to show the bike next,” he said. “The scooter always draws a crowd; they just can’t leave it alone, and of course everyone bombards me with
questions; it makes me feel like a politician, but it’s all good fun! It’s the 40th anniversary of the making of the film this year and next year will be 40th anniversary of the film’s release, so the next couple of years are going to be busy and as a result, I’ve actually set up a website featuring the scooter.” The website has sections explaining what happened before, during, and since the film was released; it also includes details of how you can book an appearance of both Royston and his ‘Union Jack’ scooter. It is well worth a visit for anyone who has an interest in anything and everything to do with Quadrophenia. Royston can also be contacted direct from the site: www.unionjackscooter.co.uk
Phil Brown, RIP Classically-styled luggage RRP: £ various The SIP ‘Classic’ bag and suitcase lines are designed to fit both new and classic Vespa scooters. They come in different sizes and material finishes including Nylon, imitation leather, or genuine leather. The waterrepellent bags are tailored to fit on either the front or rear luggage rack using four mounting straps; they come complete with a matching rain cover. Embroidered with a ‘Classic’ logo, storage space is taken care of by a large main compartment, which is supplemented by expandable side storage. There are attachment points on the bottom and back of the bag. Info: www.sip-scootershop.com
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Of all the people that we meet during our lifetime only a few become special to us; and to me Phil Brown was one of those special people. “Ere Mau, I’ve got a young lad here who wants to come with us – can you give him a ride?” one of my scooter mates asked – and that was my first introduction to a pimply-faced youngster, who at that point in time, wasn’t old enough to ride. But the scooter passion was there, I could see it in his eyes. Phil eventually got his first scooter, a purple and white SX200 and from that point on he
SIP makes €7000 charity donation
Scooter mail order shop SIP donated a total of €7000 to its two chosen charities at the end of 2017. The first recipient, the SOS Children’s Village in Landsberg, received €4000 euros, while the second, the ARCHE Foundation received €3000.
was able to ride with us at his leisure – and did so whenever he could. We became friends and rode together through the 60s and into the 70s. Even when we both moved on in life we remained firm friends and I was privileged to be asked to act as best man at his wedding (although like me, neither of our 1970s marriages stood the test of time). In 1997 Phil and I, along with our respective eldest sons, went to Milan, Italy, for the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Lambretta – an event that remained burnt into both our memories for different reasons (not necessarily for the right ones in my case, as my TV200 broke down during the scooter parade through the centre of Milan). And even when I eventually left Kent for pastures new, we still used to meet up whenever we could, especially at the IoW International Scooter Rally. I can’t remember the exact timescale, but around four years ago Phil was diagnosed as having a brain tumour and
Phil, pictured with his GP outside the Innocenti Factory in Milan in 1997 from that point on, he fought a brave battle for life, supported to the end by his partner, Julia. He eventually passed away on December 15, 2017. His funeral took place on January 5, 2018 at Barham Crematorium in Kent and was attended by his family and friends – including myself, along with fellow members of the 1960s Dover Saints SC and other scooterist mates Phil had met along his way. On behalf of myself, Classic Scooterist, Dover Saints and all Phil’s scooter mates, we send our condolences to his partner Julia and to all his family at this sad time.
Mau
Out of the Blue – The Ronald Brothers Self-published by John and Norman Ronald Price: £15 Available via the LCGB shop Reviewer: Dave D
TCX RUSH BOOTS RRP: £99.99 Reviewer: Mau
a diverse record of events at home and abroad alongside reproductions of scooter sporting ephemera. The final page lists the siblings’ sporting successes, sadly without dates. If there’s a downside to this book, it’s the obvious fact that it lacks a potted history of the brothers Ronald, and the volume must remain, from this point of view, slightly disappointing. Perhaps modesty prevailed in this case, but – if that is the problem – scooter fans will, no doubt, see this defect as a lost opportunity to record a remarkable family history. However, most will overlook this omission and purchase the volume for the wonderful information and images that are recorded within its pages.
BOOK REVIEW
Out of the Blue is a 35 page, mainly photographic history, of John and Norman Ronald’s heyday as two of the most successful and best-known scooter track riders of the mid to late 1960s. Although some of the pictures have been in the public domain previously, there are, within its pages, some spectacular, unique and evocative images of that era and focus. This book has a very interesting and occasionally amusing section reporting on the 6th Motogiro D’Italia in some detail, but the rest of the content consists mainly of captioned photographs featuring
Performance control cables RRP: £ various These SIP performance control cables introduce a new level of operational control, riding dynamics and handling to any vintage scooter. They are manufactured to exact lengths for specific scooter models with no further modification or adjustment necessary – just ‘plug and play‘. All outer cables are lined with a PE material and inside these are rust-free stainless steel cable inners. Gearbox control cables are individually marked (1-1, 2-2) at both ends and are prestretched to ensure precise operation. Throttle cableinners are extremely flexible due to their ‘7x7’ single strand manufacture, even when sharply bent. Clutch, brake and gear control cable-inners are made using 19 single strands to give increased durability. Both brake and clutch cables also come pre-lubricated. Info: www.sip-scootershop.com
PRODUCT REVIEW
Old Lambretta meets new Whether you like the new Lambretta shape or not, it’s here to stay. And former Lambretta Concessionaires man Maurice Knight was spotted at the recent Motorcycle Expo Trade Show trying one out (seen here with VE-UK MD, Norrie Kerr).
Small frame drive kit
RRP: £ ask A new Malossi primary drive kit for the Vespa small frame is now available through VE (UK). This new 27/69 (2.55:1) kit VM676313, is completely rebuildable, giving easy access to the springs. The included clutch bell has six cutouts for the clutch plates ensuring mechanical play is minimised while reducing vibration and wear to both the clutch bell and clutch plate locating tabs. Available to buy separately, are 26 (2.65:1)VM677267 and 28 (2.46:1) VM677268 tooth gears, allowing further tuning, and flexibility possibilities. Info: www.ve-uk.com
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 sneaker-like design which also offers comfort and some protective reinforcement for the user. 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 user who likes a bit of flair to their riding apparel – 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, 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 liked 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. And 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 boots come in sizes 6.5 to 13.5 in Black/Red or Black/Yellow. Info: www.nevis.uk.com
MAUSPENCER@CLASSICSCOOTERIST.COM
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SCOOTERAMA!
AO Musical transfers to AON Ambassadors Theatre
Green Park jacket
RRP: £299 The Green Park jacket is constructed from technical cotton outer with a HYDROSCUD treatment that makes it totally waterproof and windproof without compromising on breathability – and all seams are perfectly sealed too. On the inside, there’s a removable polyester lining and CE level one protection on shoulders and elbows – and there’s a pocket for back protection too. It features a waterproof inner pocket in the chest area that also has a microfibre cover to store glasses without scratching them – and is equipped with different-sized inner and outer pockets too. There’s a multitude of adjustments on the waist, cuffs and hood (removable and with detachable faux fur trimming). It comes in sizes S to 3XL. Info: www.tucanourbano.co.uk
Tournee 3.50x10 tyre RRP: £ ask The Tournee 3.50x10 tyres is part of the new generation of tyres manufactured by Anlas. It features a new ecofriendly compound claimed to offer superior grip when cornering in both dry and wet conditions. The aggressive tread pattern has been designed to resist aquaplaning when used on very wet road surfaces with standing water, thus increasing rider safety. The tyre is rated at 59M with a reinforced sidewall and can be used with or without an inner tube. Info: www.ve-uk.com
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Following a sell-out five-week run at the Arts Theatre, London, the AON Musical will transfer to the Ambassadors Theatre in London’s West End for a 10-week run. It will begin on Wednesday, March 28, 2018, with a gala night, and will run until Saturday, June 2, 2018. Tickets are now on sale. The musical tells the story of four charismatic young kids from East London who were to become the group Small Faces and would go on to discover that the path to success is paved with exploitation, betrayal and, ultimately, tragedy. The cast at the Ambassadors Theatre will be led by former East Enders star Carol Harrison, who plays Kay Marriott, and Chris Simmons (The Bill) playing Steve Marriott. The show is endorsed and supported by many of those who feature in its storyline, including singer PP Arnold and Steve Marriott’s daughter, Mollie Marriott (the show’s vocal coach and creative consultant).
A 29-track cast recording, as well as a limited edition 15-track blue vinyl LP, is available now from the show website and is also available from the Arts Theatre during the show’s run, and then from the Ambassadors Theatre during the show’s run there.
SHOW INFORMATION
March 28-June 2, 2018, Ambassadors Theatre, West Street, London WC2H 9ND Performances: Monday-Saturday 7.30pm, Thursday/ Saturday matinee 3pm Running Time: 2 hrs 35 mins, including interval Tickets: From £27.50 Box Office: 0207 395 5405
CONTACT INFORMATION www.allornothingmusical.com @AONTheMusical
The AON GS160 Classic Scooterist has been given exclusive access to one of the stars of this brilliant show – a ‘classic of the classics’ of the scootering world, in the form of a Vespa GS160. The stage set features a visually stunning early model GS160 machine that actually belongs to the All or Nothing Company, not a loan item. This GS features a pre-suffix number plate, has a round tail and the signature rear ‘butty box’ toolbox lid of the original Series 1 production GS (the legshield tool box is obviously an accessory, or a later bolt-on addition – often allowing that conversion to the Series One to be given the very unofficial ‘Series One-and-a-half’ moniker); these factors would date the GS as a 1962 or early ’63 model. Being an early vintage allows the addition
Recorded in Reading If you wondered what was going on in Reading a few months back, don’t worry, all has been revealed. The Woodley Scooter Boys, along with Reading Comedy Mods were out on the streets filming action video shots for Allan Stewart’s new music video All The Same. A total of 23 scooters took part in the filming. If you want to hear Allan’s song, it can be downloaded for free at the following link: http://starmp3.download/download/allanstewart-all-the-same/
of the myriad of chrome accessories and lights, as this style concept reached its high point in 1964 – spot-on the money for the AON GS and the Small Faces topic. The accessories are among the more mouthwatering aspects of this scooter and include the entire available catalogue of bolt-on chrome bits, plus the lights and mirrors theme. The standard factory white paint has been immaculately contrasted with chrome-plated sidepanels and front mudguard, with the headset having the same finish as an extra, but as a far more unusual, key note to the design. Try to see the amazing stage show live before the run ends.
Dave D
Hevik Rainstop Waterproof Oversuit RRP: £89.90 Reviewer: Mike Baumber The wet weather arriving brings the opportunity to arrive at work from the commute with a wet backside and damp patches dotted all over in difficult to explain areas – that was until I was given the two-piece Rainstop HRS110 from Hevik to try out. Lightweight, breathable, stylish and with a water resistant PVCfree pressure of 8000mm it makes my excuses for awkward wet patches obsolete (until later in life, when I won’t care anyway).
The outstanding waterproof protection offered by the Rainstop suit soon outweighs the minor inconvenience of donning a third layer. The fully adjustable waist, wrist and ankle straps enable you to put the trousers on while still wearing your boots and gloves. Off the bike it has a hood which folds into the collar and its own bag for under seat storage. Two months dry and counting; that’s a new record for me. It comes in sizes XS to 3XL in a Black/Flue Yellow colourway. Info: www.hevik.co.uk
PRODUCT REVIEW
The cost of riding in London
Chris Rainbow, RIP It is with sorrow that I write of the passing of a one-time Ringwood Mod, Chris Rainbow, who had been living at St Ives. Although originally from Barnet, Chris’s father had tobacconist shops in Bournemouth. Most of us Mods of the time had Lambrettas (although a few owned a Vespa). We all use to meet up at the Trappers Café (behind the former cinema), or at Pillys’ in the market place. When, we were younger, it would have been Greyfriars Youth
Club where I used to organise Mod Reunions and Chris would often be there. He was a loudspeaking person with a good dry sense of humour. I had not seen him for a number of years and was told that he was not too well, so was sad to hear of his passing.
Richard Grant Former organiser of the Ringwood, Burley & Fordingbridge Mods Reunions
Vespa GTS designer gear RRP: £ various Vespa has teamed-up with design specialist Rizoma to create a range of accessories for GTS scooter owners. Starting from the front, Vespa GTS owners can opt for the Rizoma Front Shield/ Horn Cover (£185) and Mudguard Crest (£53). A short, stylish Flyscreen (£239) adds practicality and can be accentuated with Rizoma's alloy Rear View Mirrors (£124.99 each). Finishing off the look is the Engine Oil Filler Cap (£40), Transmission Cover Cap (£80) and Grab Hand Support Cover (£53). Vespa GTS Premium Sport Accessories are suitable for both 125 and 300cc versions and are available through Vespa's Genuine Accessory range. Info: 0117 972 5552 | www.fowlersparts.co.uk
It may have escaped the notice of scooterists living away from London, but Transport for London (TfL) have designed and will be implementing their ULEZ (Ultra Low Emissions Zone) to try to offset the city’s air pollution problems. This is understandable, but the intention is to charge motorcyclists and scooterists a daily rate to use the roads that fall within the boundary of the North and South circular ring roads.
THE SAME PRICE FOR ALL
This central London ULEZ scheme will commence in April 2019 – and somewhat counter intuitively, the two-wheeled road user will be charged the same rate as cars, which will be £12.50 per day. Additionally, from October 25, 2021 a larger area approximating to but not including the North and South Circular roads will be subject to the same rules (see map). So in other words, if you own a scooter that was registered before July 1, 2007 you are going to be subjected to these daily charges per day every day of the week. The ULEZ scheme will, however, allow for an exemption on vehicles that were registered before January 1, 1973.
Carbone shocks
RRP: £ ask These new Carbone shocks for Vespa PX/T5 and LML scooters are constructed with an aluminium body and feature a dual action gas/ oil damper. The chrome plated spring is adjustable via a threaded collar, allowing full control of preload to achieve your desired feel. What makes these dampers stand out is their ride height adjustment feature, which is achieved via a second threaded adjuster that increases or decreases the length of the body, without affecting suspension performance or feel. The 25mm overall height adjustment for the rear, and a 15mm height adjustment for the front, allows for further suspension tuning to customise your ride. Info: www.ve-uk.com
MAUSPENCER@CLASSICSCOOTERIST.COM
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Old school Hi Mau, I visited a Vespa/Piaggio workshop in Wandsworth Bridge Road, called Chelsea Scooters, to have my Piaggio looked at. The way this scooter shop is run, is old boy school, which makes me think that this shop must be derived from a Sixties scooters shop like the one Gill Beecham mentioned in her Harlequin article. The service I got from these guys was excellent. I’ve been involved with all types of motorcycles all my life and most workshops, well nowadays anyway, I just avoid them. The one on Wandsworth Bridge is like a house knocked into a shop that’s had the
life knocked out of it – no frills, just two workstations, as I could see. It must have been there for years. Is it the same shop? They took my brief and ran the bike on their dyno while I popped down the road. When I came back they had solved the problem, and knowing how far I had come, they even told me how I can fix it myself. I had total trust in them. They are all mature guys that have been in the game for years – real old school service. I need a townhouse in Chelsea! It would be nice to live near a good Piaggio/Vespa shop like this one.
Tony Brooks
THE HARLEQUIN
IN MEMORY
My first motorised transport in 1967 was a 200cc Lambretta Eddie Grimstead Imperial, registration number MLP 28D. I was a young lad in what was then a country village, too naive to look beyond the motorcycle shops I passed going to and from school. Then, just half-a-mile away, this scooter turned up as a trade-in – it was meant for me. I purchased it as a Lambretta SX200 (and later advertised and sold it as a Lambretta SX200), but days after the purchase a more knowing friend told me it was a GT200. I did not care or understand. I sold it one cold winter night about 18 months later as mum lent me money to buy a car to bribe me off two wheels. Later on, I learned more about w th he TV/GT200. The SX200 had replaced th he TV200 and to get rid of old stock, my scooter gained a fancy paint job, extras, and SX sidepanels. I think this is what a Harlequin really was. H
Hi Mau, I’ve been looking through the December copy of Classic Scooterist and on page six (top left) is a picture of my old mate George. I haven’t seen him since 1982/3. In his letter he mentioned Steve Jones, who was also a pal of mine – sadly he passed away 13 years ago. After he burnt his Sportique, he bought a Vespa SS180 and used it for years until it fell apart. I have restored a Vespa SS180 in memory of my old matey – see image enclosed of the SS180 and also of a SX200. I would love to get in contact with George and I wondered if you would kindly pass on my details?
Jim Lyons
George, if you read this, send us your contact details and we we’ll ll pass them th on.
S Sorry Richard, we’ve checked with th he British Lambretta Archive and the Harlequin model was specifically painted/ H built by the dealer who clearly advertised itt as such – and they didn’t (as far as we’re aware) change the panels. w
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