FREE
El Bandido amazing Vespa
hybrid
BSRA
Rally #373 July 2017
PLUS
32 page guide to scooter painting!
Kelso
r e k o J The orn reb
le classic Incredib r special e 70s deal
ESSO
GIO GOI
GS VESPA
INTERVIEW WITH CHRIS DONNELLY
STUNNING
EXCLUSIVE
Scootopia parts revolution ■ Polini P2 Vespa Tech ■ BSSO East Fortune ■ Brazilian Love Affair ■ Shocking DNCC Lambretta ■ readers’ rides ■ maintenance tips ■ Scooter Trader ■ Events Guide ■ Vespa Lower Class ■ and more …
WELCOME Editor: Dan Clare Email: dan@scootering.com Publisher: Dan Savage Designer: Charlotte Turnbull Picture desk: Paul Fincham, Jonathan Schofield and Angie Sisestean Production editor: Dan Sharp General queries and back issues: Tel: 01507 529529 24hr answerphone Mon-Fri 8.30am-7pm, Sat 8.30am-12.30pm help@classicmagazines.co.uk www.classicmagazines.co.uk Archivist: Jane Skayman 01507 529423 Email: jskayman@mortons.co.uk Subscription: Full subscription rates (but see page 50 for offer): (12 months 12 issues, inc post and packing) – UK £49.20. Export rates are also available – see page 50 for more details. UK subscriptions are zero-rated for the purposes of Value Added Tax. Subscription manager: Paul Deacon Circulation manager: Steven O’Hara Marketing manager: Charlotte Park Commercial director: Nigel Hole TRADE ADVERTISING Gary Thomas – gthomas@mortons.co.uk Tel (01507) 529417 Emma Buxton-Rockley – ebuxton-rockley@mortons.co.uk Tel (01507) 529410 Divisional ad manager: Martin Freeman 01507 529538, mfreeman@mortons.co.uk ADVERTISING DEADLINES The advertising deadline for the next issue of Scootering (August 2017) is Thursday, July 6, 2017 On sale in newsagents Thursday, July 27, 2017 SCOOTERING (USPS:020-245) is published monthly by Mortons Media Group Ltd, PO Box 99, Horncastle, Lincolnshire LN9 6LZ USA subscriptions are $60 per year from Motorsport Publications LLC, 7164 Cty Rd N #441, Bancroft WI 54921. Periodical Postage is paid at Bancroft, WI and additional entries. Postmaster: Send address changes to SCOOTERING, c/o Motorsport Publications LLC, 7164 Cty Rd N #441, Bancroft WI 54921. 715-572-4595. chris@ classicbikebooks.com SCOOTERING is published by: Mortons Scooter Media, a division of Mortons Media Group Ltd © 2017 All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any way without the written permission of the publisher. ISSN 0268 7194 Distribution: Marketforce UK Ltd, 5 Churchill Place, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5HU. Tel: 0203 787 9001. Printed by: William Gibbons & Sons, Wolverhampton Member of the Professional Publishers' Association
Welcome to the July edition of Scootering
L
ast month we featured exclusive images of the new Lambretta V-Special as our cover scooter; this month we feature a 70s dealer special Vespa – The Joker. The two scooters are poles apart in every conceivable way, and it’s this kind of diversity which keeps the scooter scene fire burning so brightly and helps maintain its longevity. There are diehards who love the history and nostalgia of a classic two-stroke and lust after scooters like the Joker, while others prefer to have ‘the latest thing’ or investigate new channels with an open mind, searching for a scooter with classic looks, but modern performance, reliability and safety. Each to their own I say, and we will endeavour to report on both with equal awareness. One ride around the campsite at Kelso last month, before I pitched up for the night, revealed clearly how strong the blend of classic and modern is now at each rally. The V-Special caused quite the furore last month, as did the Scomadi when that first launched, and as did the GTS when that first arrived. Now look, 10+ years on, some of the scooterists who previously asserted ‘that’s not a proper scooter’ are now proud owners and converts. The Scomadi fan base also grows each month, with many looking forward to the ‘big cc engine’ release. Will we look back in another 10 years’ time in a similar way at the V-Special? Aside from the type of scooters people covet as a personal preference, the SCK custom show and the BSRA Kelso rally which we report on both demonstrated one thing…. they make great canvases for stunning artwork and customisation, should the mood take you. El Bandido, featured in this month’s magazine, is a most unusual blend
of machines, brought together in a fantastic way through quality engineering and the most amazing artwork. I’m not a hybrid fan, but this machine is a real head turner in a very particular way, both the idea and execution of the artwork is phenomenal. But it’s not just ‘El Bandido’ which offers great artwork, or just ‘The Joker’ which offers the nostalgia touch this month, Brazilian Love Affair is snapping hot on their heels and presenting itself to the public once more. And I have to say, in terms of picking a favourite machine this month, which is usually a clear cut decision for me, there was literally nothing to choose between these three and the stunning ‘Esso’ GS which Christian introduces us too in this edition… and don’t even get me started on ‘Lower Class’. This edition has been an absolute treat to put together, great scooters and great rallies… it’s a tough job, but someone’s got to do it! Anyway, enough of my ramblings, it’s another belter this month… enjoy the issue.
S C O O T E R I N G WA S B R O U G H T T O Y O U W I T H T H E H E L P O F. . .
Sarge
With over four decades of riding, rally-going and competing on both Lambretta and Vespa scooters under his belt, he’s still going strong. A key player in the Scootering editorial team since the 80s. Top DJ to boot.
Nik Skeat
Vespa P-range obsessive, well-travelled rally rider since the 80s, and founder of the once notorious Scooterboy World online forum. He’s also a brilliant beer-brewing bearded Scootering feature writer.
Big Stan
80s scooterboy turned long distance rider. Be it local, national or international, he’ll ride anywhere in his quest to bring you the tastiest scooters, best roads, trade interviews and hidden gems.
Stuart Owen
Life member of the LCGB, 100mph LambrettaClub owner and scooter restoration expert to boot. Scooter rider, rally-goer, racer, restorer and author. Reaches the parts other scooter journalists just can’t reach.
Darrell Taylor Dave Oakley Two-stroke tuning guru, scooter engine building maestro, technical aficionado, and dyno tuning specialist. When it comes to a true understanding of scooter engine top-ends, he is THE man.
Riding and building scooters since 1983, Dave has been a contributor to Scootering since the 90s. His builds include chops, cutdowns, street-racers, autos and the most infamous custom of the 80s!
Jordan Lewis Christian Hard-riding, rally Giarrizzo going scooterist representing the Young Guns SC. He might be young in years, but this lad has already covered more miles than most and represents his club at the BSRA meetings.
From Italy to Australia, this man get the miles in and has ridden some serious roads in his time. A dedicated journalist who meets the most interesting characters along the way.
CONTENTS 03Letter from the Editor
A warm welcome to the July issue of Scootering.
06
Kickstart
The front section with all the latest news, views and product reviews!
14
The Joker
One STUNNING old school ride, drool city.
22
Report: BSRA Kelso
28
Report: LCGB Coast-2-Coast
Dan and Fraser bring you all the action from north o’ the border.
Jordan traverses the country on the LCGB C2C.
32
Report: Scooter Center Custom Show
37
Dealer spotlight: Scootopia
A visual feast, brought to us by Christian Bauer at the SC Custom Show.
Stu Owen investigates the manufacturing revolution going on over at Scootopia.
42
Show us your scoots
44
POB Returns
The best of our readers’ rides as sent in by you.
Gary Chapman takes on a night shoot to bring out the best of this fabulous streetracer.
50Subscriptions
Get one now and get your mag delivered to your door, earlier than newsstands, and save money!
Goi – the brothers 69Gio are back!
Rik Bardsley reports on the latest from the scooter loving Donnelly bros and the latest with Gio Goi.
74Lower Class
Want to see how a professional lensman presents a scooter of this calibre? Well look no further…
80Club Do’s & Events
Your essential guide to the scene – What, Where & When!
Words 91Scootering & Sounds
The best of words and music as reviewed by Nik & Sarge.
92Esso GS
Christian Giarrizzo brings us a stunning Vespa and its owner, it an unusual way…
98Tech Torque
Dan’s Vespa Tech series continues, this month with a P2 Polini upgrade.
102Brazilian Love Affair
Sarge explores the uber-cool BLA Lambretta in all its old school glory.
108Tech Torque
Darrell Taylor unleashes the second part of his clubman dyno series.
115Tech Torque
Stu Owen gives us this month essential maintenance tip.
119BSSO Race Report
Paul Green dissects the racing events at East Fortune in a blow-by-blow account
52Spanish Hideaway – Part 2 123Scooter Trader 57Letters DNCC 136 58El Bandido Stan completes his report from this Spanish treasure trove.
Your sales and classifieds section – including Specialist Services & At A Glance.
Feedback and full throttle responses from the readers.
Dave O with another classic blast from the past – Shocking Stuff.
Sarge takes a look at this unusual Vespa hybrid and its amazing artwork.
64
Retro Rage in San Francisco
Penni Gladstone brings us a view from across the pond at the scooter clubs and stores of SF.
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KICKSTART
SCOOTERING, WHAT A CARRY ON
I
t will be well worth riding out to Peterborough on the July 15, the guys who are putting on This is England have added a great charity fund-raiser called Carry on Scootering and no, they don’t have Barbara Windsor flashing the flesh! But they do have a bevy of pretty young ladies who have volunteered to pose on Scoots in a fun pin-up fashion style. They will be looking for male models to pose with the ladies and then create and sell a finished calendar for their scootering buddies. The bevy of pretty local lasses was boosted when one of the ladies, Michelina Autumn Noir Jones, agreed to bring a 20 strong posse of her burlesque dancing babes down. Looks like there
will be lots of stockings and suspenders on display. Organiser Dave Reed said: “Back in the day when I organised some big do’s it was wet shirt competitions and the odd gentleman’s evening as the norm and I thought it would be nice to keep things old school and throw in a bit of extra eye candy for the lads, which I am sure they’ll enjoy! “It’s all for a great charity, Cancer Research, who do a good job fighting an illness that steals some of our best friends. It can take out the toughest skinhead and we need to hit back. If we do our bit and everyone can enjoy themselves I think it will be a job well done. “The ladies, some of whom are professional models are all
popping down for free so fair play to them.” Lads, if you fancy modelling, having your scoot’s photo taken by professional photographers or simply spectating, you know where to head to. The charity shoot will take place at around 1pm, with a top selection of Northern Soul DJs in attendance on the Friday with Dave’s Dedicated Soul Club holding its 35th Anniversary. Things liven up on the Saturday night with Sham 69, among all this there will be ska, reggae, oi, soul all being played on the decks. New kid on the block Cai the Scooter Boy will also be debuting behind the decks. Cai, now nine years old, is famous for getting on stage with the likes of Madness and skanking away. He has been
VAPORS ON TOUR New Wave band The Vapors, who had a worldwide hit with Turning Japanese in 1980, will be playing London’s 229 The Venue on November 10 as part of their continuing 2017 comeback shows. The band, who reformed in 2016 after 35 years apart, were co-managed by Paul Weller’s father John and The Jam bass player Bruce Foxton. They hit the big time in 1980 when Turning Japanese reached number three in the UK charts and also charted highly in Australia, Canada and the USA. After a number of further single releases including News at Ten and Jimmie Jones plus two critically acclaimed albums New Clear Days and Magnets the band parted company. After re-forming in 2016 for the successful Waiting For the Weekend mini tour the band are back out in 2017 with a
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number of shows and festivals in the UK. In addition to their show at 229 The Venue in November, with support from DJ Jacqui Carroll, catch the band on these further 2017 dates… July 29: Ropetackle Arts Centre, Shoreham-on-Sea August 5: Rebellion Festival, Blackpool September 9: Thunderbolt, Bristol October 7: Great British Alternative Festival, Butlins, Skegness December 9: Hercules Hall, Portmeirion, North Wales Tickets available from www.Ticketweb.co.uk Go to www.Facebook.com/Thevaporsofficial for all the latest news.
nicknamed The Dancing DJ and will be making sure everyone is having a good time Lots of fun to be had, for more email: dave.dedicated soulclub@hotmail.com
GRANITE CITY SC – DOUBLE BARRELL SUCCESS
Imminent rally, ride and race dates June 23-25 Buchan Coasters Rally Newborough, Abderdeenshire June 30-July 2 Isle of Man Scooter Social Call Barry on 07940 915190 July 1-2 BSSO Racing – Cadwell July 7-9 9th Cleethorpes National Rally July 14-16 VCB Scottish Rally July 14-16 This Is England, Peterborough Peterborough RFC PE1 5KA For info Dave 07982 258713 July 22-23 BSSO Racing – Anglesey July 21-23 Llandudno National Rally July 28-30 ScootAyr Ayr Racecourse KA8 0JE Swany 07885 931672
The Granite City Scooter Club, Aberdeen, held one of their Double Barrel events in aid of the MS Society. This was held at the Northern Hotel and included a variety of scooter sounds by DJs Keith Fowler, Billy Hutchison and Rich Cowie. The night involved a raffle with some great prizes including a signed Aberdeen Football Team Shirt and football. More than 200 people attended, making it a sell-out and a great success. The MS Society is a charity close to some members’ hearts and Clare Ritchie is a member, so she arranged along with some of the club members to present the cheque to Mark Davies an MS Society fund-raiser. A fabulous £1000 was donated to the MS Society. The Granite City Scooter Club members are very grateful for the support from everyone on the night and delighted it was a huge success.
UNDERCOVER FESTIVAL V – DREAMLAND MARGATE Undercover Festival V is two-day celebration of alternative music including punk, ska, dub, reggae, alternative, acoustic and more. On the Scootering Stage will be a cracking line-up of Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band, The Chords UK, Doctor & The Medics, The Racketeers, Imperial Leisure, The Satellites, Demob, The Lagan, The Sporadics, Paranoid Visions, The Outfit (featuring Jeff Turner from Cockney Rejects), Skaciety, Karl Phillips and The Rejects and so much more. The festival boasts a mouth-watering line-up including the four joint headline acts: Tom Robinson (with band), Angelic Upstarts, Ruts DC, Geno Washington and the Ram Jam Band. Plus: Jilted John, Eddie & The Hot Rods, Subhumans, Inner Terrestrials, The Urban Voodoo Machine Menace. And a lot more besides to whet the appetite of anyone who loves their music alternative.
UNDERCOVER FESTIVAL V FRI 8TH & SAT 9TH SEPT 2017 @ DREAMLAND, MARGATE, KENT CT9 1XJ
This year’s Undercover Festival has moved to the unique setting of Dreamland Margate in Kent, a festival venue and experience that defies all other conventions and festival templates, not only is there a cracking line-up but festival goers can experience many retro rides and amusements plus it is once again held undercover i.e. not outdoors so if it’s
peeing down come September it’s not a problem and your beer won’t get diluted. Leave your wellies at home, and enjoy one of the best small alternative festivals the south has to offer this September. There is a huge line-up and tickets can be bought in advance online of from various locations details from www.undercoverfest.com
S C O O T E R I N G L O S E S A FAV O U R I T E S O N Kenny Radcliffe, the man behind the Isle of Man scooter week, and the inspirational clerk of the course for the event from the mid-60s till its demise in 1976 has died. Kenny was a fantastic guy, always working to give the scooterists a week to remember. He was strong-willed, after all you had to be strong to entertain over 1500 people for a week every year. His passion for the event, for his island, his family and friends, as well as those who visited the island is part of scooter folklore. The dreaded cancer struck our friend Kenny and eventually it took him from us. We send our sympathies and condolences to Anthea and the Radcliffe family. As Kenny would say at the end of the scooter week, “I’m glad that’s over!” RIP chum. Norrie & Janet Kerr
Kenny on his 75th birthday – happy times.
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KICKSTART BILTWELL EXFIL-80 With the Euro Lambretta having been on the horizon for some time, I’ve been looking for luggage. Panniers are a trusty favourite of mine and I wouldn’t go without a pair! With that in mind, I’ve been searching for something that will sit nicely on the rear rack. Cue the Biltwell Exfil-80, with its old school 80 pint capacity and a dedicated tool storage compartment. This solved the initial worry about having enough capacity for clothing storage, while also solving the age old issue of where to store larger tools. The tool compartment holds nine deep sockets plus seven combination wrenches and has a netted compartment. The facility to carry the sockets and wrenches is a godsend, allowing me to carry all the required tools for replacing stator plates and clutches on the roadside. Being made out of ballistic polyester has meant that so far the bag has been more than sturdy enough to cope with the strains of rally riding, while also being waterproof. For those of us who have the misfortune of riding in torrential conditions, the bag has an additional waterproof cover for 100% water protection. It can be worn as a rucksack for added further versatility, particularly useful for those with cut-downs and choppers. All in all it’s a quality piece of kit, with its unique tool storage suiting the needs of the long-distance scooter rider. In addition to this, its classic styling and faux leather coating make it look completely at home on a machine of classic pedigree. RRP: $199.95 (about £155)
DRAGGIN REBEL L JEANS EXCEED ABRASION REQUIREMENTS S As part of its mission to educate riders on the huge variation in protection levels offered by many motorcycle jeans on the market, Draggin Jeans has shared the resultts of abrasion tests carried out by Australia’s Deakin University. Thesee were carried out using identical testt machinery to that of SATRA, the official CE test body for personal protective equipment (PPE). The test, which simulates road abrasion on clothing, utilises a cantilever mechanism with an attached head that accepts sample cuts of material that is then lowered onto a continuouslyrotating, endless abrasive belt at a static pressure of 25kPa. To ensure a level playing field, rather than request samples from manufacturers (including Draggin), the university opted to purchase various jeans from local motorcycle dealers. To pass CE level 2’s stringent abrasion requirements, a material is required to resist abrasion for seven seconds; meaning that motorcycle jeans designed to pass this test are much heavier and bulkier than those at CE level 1 protection levels (five seconds minimum). That is, until now. Draggin’s latest patented Roomoto MR7+ is 20% lighter than previous material, yet offers twice the abrasion resistance. This lighter lining which debuts in Draggin’s new Rebel jeans is also more breathable, making it cool and comfortable to wear for long periods. It was this particular material that topped the abrasion time sheets at 7.91 seconds – the equivalent of sliding on the road for 63.28m at a speed of 65kph. Draggin’s MR4+ material took second place at 5.73 seconds (a 45.84m slide) – a CE level 1 abrasion pass. None of the other jeans tested achieved anything close to this; the highest scored 3.43 seconds, with the lowest achieving just 0.77 seconds. Draggin Jeans distributor for UK: The Key Collection: www.thekeycollection.co.uk
DRIFT SHADOW Drift Shadow is the Caberg full face helmet made from composite carbon, Kevlar and fibreglass. It comes equipped with an integrated sunshade visor and quick release visor mechanism. The lining is entirely removable and washable, including the padding on the chinstrap. Colours are: matt black/ anthracite, matt anthracite/red and Italia (with the Italian flag colors) and RRP is €299.99. For more info: www.caberg.it
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6th CYPRUS VESPA & LAMBRETTA SCOOTER RALLY
O
n May 14, 2017, the Cyprus Scooter Rally took place in Nicosia. The four official clubs Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca and Famagusta were joined by others from Worcester, the 3 Pears Scooter Club and some other groups from Cyprus. All the above clubs met at an area called ‘Daydona Raceway’ for the first stage at 10.30am, the number of scooters totalled over 250. The programme started with instructions to the competitors, and at about 2.30pm all the scooters left for Nicosia to the municipal gardens for the second stage. The event started with music, dancing, prize draws, and a speech from the Italian ambassador. At 5.30pm the day drew to a close and all scooters set off for home safely. Congratulations to the Cyprus Vespa Lambretta Club for the excellent work. Stefanos Papadopoulos – chairman Larnaca Vespa & Lambretta Scooter Club
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DEFINITION OF A SCOOTER:
DOES IT REALLY MATTER?
I recently read a social media post regarding “what is the definition of a scooter”. The responses were interesting to say the least.
One person’s definition of a scooter is never the same as that of the next person. That’s what makes the scooter scene so great...
T
his debate has been played out a thousand times before and probably will be again in the future. The problem is though, who is right? The definition in any dictionary clearly states a scooter is a vehicle with a step through design, fitted with an engine, mainly used for transport. That’s a fair assumption and if you ask any manufacturer I’m pretty sure they will say the same. We must also presume that the majority of people who would discuss this question are either Vespa or Lambretta owners. The best way of looking at the situation is to go right back to the beginning – why did you buy one in the first place? Was it because you wanted a vehicle that was cheap and economical that would get you to work? Maybe your sole intention was one of thrashing round the streets with your mates at night. It could have been the desire to travel the length and breadth of the country to attend rallies. Or it may just be the case that you like the style of them. Whatever you’re real reason or intention for buying a scooter, more than often this quickly goes out of the window.
Chances are you did or will go down one of several paths with your pride and joy: Hide it under a plethora of lights, mirrors and bars, turning it in to some kind of cool mod machine. Paint it in a host of bright colours similar to those of a Formula 1 car with an engine to suit. Perhaps you are a fan of angle grinders and cutting equipment so remove the majority of body work in a haze of sparks. The list could go on and on as there are an unlimited amount of options of which to chose from. However underneath all the changes lies the original scooter you started out with. The fact is we are all so diverse with our choice of how we perceive a scooter and this is where the dilemma starts. The ‘what makes a scooter’ debate may begin at a club meeting or a ride out for instance, where there will be such a wide spectrum of styles and creations on display. This is what makes the scooter scene so great, the range of individualism that is always on show and that is constantly changing. It would be rather boring if we all rode around on scooters that were the same as they day they left the factory. Not that
there’s anything wrong with a standard looking scooter but because the scooter scene is so diverse it’s open to change. It mustn’t be forgotten how it’s intertwined with music, fashion and different cultures that somehow link it all together. Here is where the problem lies though as one person’s dream of a how a scooter should be is another person’s nightmare. Rather than keep these thoughts to ourselves, quite often they are expressed openly – hence the heated discussion highlighted at the begging of this piece. You can never keep all of the people happy all of the time and that is exactly true of the scooter scene. If you look right back to the 1950s, since the point where scooters began to be sold in huge quantities in the UK, owners have been modifying or altering them to suit their own individual tastes. So there is your answer to “what is the definition of a scooter”. It is a million and one things and will keep on increasing. It doesn’t really matter that it can never be fully explained that’s what makes the scooter, whatever the make or model, so appealing. Stu
Under all the changes lies the scooter you started out with
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