Vespaholic
Ridden
Taylor Tech Port timing
custom PX
the master
not hidden
secrets from
Gran Tourismo
Spanish Scomadi
scooter tours
#371 May 2017
PLUS
c i m o t A rs m o t s cu m Drea g n i k a m e in th
a e y 0 3
OUT OF LINE LAMBRETTA PRO FRAME STRAIGHTENING VESPA TECH
MALOSSI 210
DYNO PLUS CARB &
EXHAUST UPGRADES
MDM EXHAUST WIZARD TUTORIAL
Rothmans custom GP ■ DTC Vespa GTS tribute ■ Exiled Scooters chop ■ Spitfires interview ■ DNCC Mad Max Vespa ■ Readers’ rides ■ Scooter resto guide ■ BSSO Croft ■ Scooter Trader ■ Events guide ■ Your scoots and more…
WELCOME Editor: Dan Clare Email: dan@scootering.com Publisher: Dan Savage Designer: Charlotte Turnbull Picture desk: Paul Fincham and Jonathan Schofield 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 42 for offer): (12 months 12 issues, inc post and packing) – UK £49.20. Export rates are also available – see page 42 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 (June 2017) is Thursday, May 4, 2017 On sale in newsagents Thursday, May 25, 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 May edition of Scootering
W
ell it’s been a joy getting this month’s magazine ready, and we’ve been all over the place doing it! Big Stan was getting wet on a 600 mile round jaunt to Teignmouth with the SWSC, Paul was up at Croft for the first BSSO race of the season, I was enjoying the YSA ride-out, and Stu was over at the Southport VFM pre-season rally. We’ve also received the Clacton ride out report from VCB head-honcho Robin Quartermain, and overseas correspondence from the Antwerp custom show. Not content with getting the UK miles in, Stan has been Scomadi touring in Spain, as well as covering miles on dealer visits to unearth some Spanish gems. It doesn’t stop there either… as soon as the Scarborough rally is over (which it will be when this hits the streets) we have plenty of miles lined up for the team, and a few secret missions lined up for Stan. I can’t say too much now… but think Karl Pilkington on a scooter! We will also have Jamie lined up for WSM, me riding up to Kelso, and Stu over at Phoenix nights. But wait… there’s more! After that Stan will be out to Italy for a month on his Lambretta during the Lambretta 70th celebrations, and then straight on over to Germany on his Vespa for the Vespa World Days in Celle. Amid all that mileage listed above, did I hear any of you pause for a second to say ‘a month in Italy? That seems a little bit excessive!’ Well it would be usually, except for the fact that we have the release of the much awaited new Lambretta to report on, and some exclusive interviews set up for it. However, due to us being sworn to secrecy on that one, we cannot reveal any further details on that… yet.
It’s also been nice for me to resolve the fuelling issues I encountered on last month’s Malossi 210 dyno session for the mammoth Vespa Tech feature we’ve had running, as well as road test the gearing on my own Vespa. We also brought Stu’s Lambretta restoration series to a close, and reintroduced Darrell to the Tech write-ups after a winter break doing the sprinting coverage. That gives us a refreshing new start next month on all those fronts. Last but not least, I must make mention of our cover scooter ‘Atomic’. If ever there was a visual delight which makes me look at a scooter and mouth the words ‘I want that one’… this is it. There’s a ton more stuff besides, but I’ll let you unearth it all at your own pace. Anyway, it’s another belter this month… enjoy the issue. Dan
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 Paul Green Hard-riding, rally 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.
Vespa & Lambretta scooter enthusiast, BSSO professional and general good egg. Our Paul has a long history of scootering both on the road and on the track, with the breakdown bills and crash scars to prove it.
CONTENTS 03Letter from the Editor
95MDM: The exhaust wizard
06Kickstart
100Tech Torque
14Atomic custom scooter
104Pure esSEX
A warm welcome to the May issue of Scootering. The front section with all the latest news, views and product reviews!
This is what 30 years of planning waiting and wanting looks like. Gorgeous.
report: SWSC 22Rally Teignmouth
Stan’s 600 mile trip for a day out… worth every yard.
report: VFM 28Rally Southport
Stu is on site for the pre-season shakedown.
33
Rally report: LNSC ride out
36
Show us your scoots
Dan is out on his Vespa to support the YSA ride out.
The best of our readers rides as sent in by you.
44
Letters
47
Dealer spotlight: Ricambios Motos Clásicas
Feedback and full throttle responses from the readers.
Stan goes on tour to check out this Spanish classic scooter dealer.
52
Lady custom scooter
This Rothmans custom is a perfectly understated street racer.
59
Gran Tourismo
Escorted tours of Southern Spain by Scomadi – Stan puts the miles in.
Christian Giarrizzo looks into expansion chamber design by the Italian masters MDM.
Dan sorts fuelling and exhaust issues on the Malossi 210 kit.
Dave O tells us about Exiled Scooters’ latest creation.
111Tech Torque
Stu Owen brings us the final part of his Lambretta Restoration Guide.
115Tech Torque
Darrell Taylor shows us a thing or two about port timings.
120Tech Torque
Bent frame? No problem, take a look at our frame straightening guide.
124Race anticipation
The Mallory test day for BSSO pre-season testing offers some insights.
126Sprint report
The 2017 Straightliners Championship gets under way.
128BSSO Croft
Paul Green brings us the thrills and spills from Croft race track.
131Scooter Trader
Your sales and classifieds section – including Specialist Services & At A Glance.
144DNCC
Dave O brings us another classic blast from the past: Mad Max – Road Warrior Vespa.
67Vespaholic custom scooter 146Reader’s Ride Nik Skeat takes a look at this ridden not hidden classic.
A scooter that’s more than Okeh.
73The Spitfires
Moving on up – the interview with Simon Wells.
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.
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KICKSTART JO IS THE NEW VCB CHAMPION!
C
ongratulations go to Jo Turner from Edwinstowe in Nottinghamshire who has just become the 2016 Vespa Club of Britain attendance award champion. She shared the title with Adam Collier from Scarborough but won the female award outright. This is the first time a woman has won by attending 100% of all events. Similar to the best supporting member championships of the LCGB and BSRA, the VCB championship is equally hard. Covering a total of 21 different events from VCB rallies to the Nationals as well as track racing, it’s a gruelling task for anyone to take on. With the events spread over the majority of the country covering three of the four nations (Northern Ireland is due to be included in 2018) Jo covered a distance of 8500 miles in total. This was done using two different machines, a GTS 300 for the long distance events and a 150 sprint for the more local rallies. Though she had no breakdowns as such, a total of eight exhaust gaskets blew on the GTS. There were no accidents but there was an embarrassing moment where Jo fell off in the mud at Cadwell Park race circuit. Not content with winning one championship, Jo and her husband Darren also won best supporting couple for the VCB and the BSRA as well. Having achieved so much in 2016 Jo is not one to shy away and plans a busy year in 2017
Jo Turner posing with her Vespa 150 Sprint and GTS 300 which helped her become the VCB 2016 attendance award champion.
with the prospect of defending her title. Strangely enough, the original idea of entering the championship started after a bet on a drunken night out with a member of the Mansfield Monsters Scooter club. Upon reflection Jo is proud of what she has achieved and rightly so as it can be a long and at times tiring journey to win such an accolade. Jo said she wanted to thank all of her family who put up with her being away most weekends of the rally season as well has husband Darren who constantly made sure both machines were serviced and ready to use.
She also wanted to thank the Mansfield Monsters SC who gave continued support, as did the Olympics SC. Jo highlighted how rewarding it was to venture around the country and in doing so make many new friends along the way, making it a thoroughly rewarding experience. On a final note, she said she would like to see more women entering these types of championships to take on the men in what she sees as a male dominated part of the scooter scene. So there you have it all you female scooter riders, take up Jo’s challenge and become a champion.
CEZETA: THE NEXT GENERATIO ON After a 50-year gap the iconic scooter is back in production, redesigned as a sleek, contemporary electric motorbike. The Type 506 Electric is a hand-built, electric sports scooter. Produced in Europe, it offers advanced technologies yet is said to be simple to drive and own. According to the company, in Czechoslovakia between 1957 and 1964, one scooter came to symbolise fun, freedom and adventure for young Czechs. The long torpedo shape, seat and running boards of the Čezeta caught the eye and made room for a partner riding pillion too. More than 100,000 examples were sold and many still survive today. The next generation Čezeta retains the iconic
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1950s design but simplified and with cleaner lines for a more contemporary style. Developed and built entirely in the Czech Republic, the scooter delivers 11kW output giving a suggested top speed of 80mph and 0-30mph in a fairly swift 3.2 seconds. Other new and original technologies include the Dynamics torque selector, providing improved control in all
riding conditions. Up to 600 Type 506s will be hand-built to individual customer specifications at the Čezeta Motors facility in Prostějov, eastern Czech Republic in 2017. Each will be marked to celebrate the occasion of the 60th Anniversary of the first Čezeta, the Type 501. From 2018, the company has plans to expand production and distribution of the 506 beyond Europe. Pre-orders are being accepted now at www. cezeta.com
NEW PRODUCTS TO MARKET NEW
ALLSTYLES CANDY STRIPE TRIM Allstyles scooters have just released a new legshield candy stripe trim for Lambretta Series 2 and 3. Remade to genuine spec and priced at £39.95 a pair. For more info see: www.allstyles-scooters.com
NEW
SMALL FRAME VESPA GEARBOXES
Malossi engineers have developed new racing gear clusters for the Vespa four-speed gearboxes small frame series. The clusters are fully interchangeable with the original part and require no machining to the housing. The ‘Racing’ version features a tooth count of 10-15-1820, and has been machined to allow full compatibility with the existing gears resulting in significant reduction of noise through careful profiling of the teeth. Also available for the same models is a ‘Sport’ version of the gear cluster with a tooth count of 10-14-17-20 for owners who are looking to harness the extra torque provided by mild tuning of their machine. The gear clusters are heat-treated to give the required strength and durability for engines that have been heavily tuned, and finally checked for quality and tolerances using a Zeiss 3D testing machine. For more info call VE on: 0115 946 2991
NEW
SIP VESPA T5 CYLINDER HEADS
SIP now has cylinder heads available for the Piaggio original cylinders, the Malossi 172cc and the Polini 152cc cylinders with the two for the tuning cylinders also being equipped with O-ring gaskets. SIP states that the motors will remain reliable with these cylinder heads fitted, and their endurance and mileage will not be negatively affected. The specification is: aluminium, die cast, long thread spark plug compatible, squish band: 1.2mm, compression ratio : 10.5:1 – 12.5:1, includes O-ring. For more info visit: www.sip-scootershop.com
Imminent rally, ride and race dates
April 21-23 Bangers & Mash MFN Club, Shipley Gate, Ilkeston, Derbyshire NG16 3JE. April 21-22 South II BTC Sports, Stoneham Lane, Eastleigh. 150 mile tour of the south’s finest scenery, hosted by the Solent Cougars SC. Please check Facebook, LCGB forum and Scooterotica as details unfold. April 23 Vespaholics SC St George’s Day Rideout. The Forester Public House, Burrow Road, Hainault IG7 4NH. April 23 York Inset SC and Bikes & Bits Annual Mods and Rockers Charity Ride. Starting from Clifford’s Tower, York. Suggested donation £5. Food available at destination. April 28-May 1 Weston-super-Mare – National Rally. May 5-7 Phoenix Nights Hinkley RFC. May 6 Doncaster Hunters SC 47th Anniversary Rally. Parklands Sports & Social Club, Wheatley Hall Road. May 6 SIP Open Day Mare-Curie-Str. 4, D-86899 Landsberg am Lech, Germany. www.sip-scootershop.com Pizza from the Ape oven, free dyno runs, food and drinks, vintage scooters for sale. May 13-14 BSSO – East Fortune.
SPEAK UP OR PAY THE PRICE IN LONDON As we were going to press the Mayor of London announced his intention to extend London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) to include motorcycles (and therefore scooters) that do not meet Euro 4 emission standards. If the plans are implemented a daily charge of £12.50 will be levied to enter the capital from Monday, April 8, 2019.
It’s almost certain that the ULEZ will proceed as planned, however Transport For London’s own data shows that motorcycles account for 0% of harmful nitrogen oxide emissions. If enough people object to the inclusion of motorcycles in the plans, perhaps pointing out that the charge is both disproportionate and unnecessary to the
harm caused versus the potential two wheelers have for reducing congestion, the Mayor of London MAY just change his mind on that point. You have until June 25 this year to raise your objections or wonder forever if you could have made a difference… www.consultations.tfl.gov.uk
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KICKSTART
Long Term Tests With the new season upon him, Stan realised that his riding clobber was in need of an update, so we asked him to report on some popular riding equipment options. Throughout the season he’ll be putting some equipment supplied by Oxford Products through its paces and reporting on his findings. Given Stan’s propensity for high-mileage, all-season riding… we will soon know if the kit is up to the job!
MONDIAL 3 JACKET Already tested in Spain was the Mondial 3 season jacket which promises to be “three jackets in one”. There’s the mesh ventilated main jacket, a waterproof layer which can be worn inside or out and finally removable, thermal ‘puffa’ jacket which can also be worn on its own when off the bike. From Southern Spain to rainy Devon, Stan’s already pushing the jacket to its limits. As he’s decided to wear it for a planned Italian mega trip the test seems to be going well! RRP £199
SR8 JEANS
Bull-it’s SR8 Jeans promise to keep a rider warm in winter, cool in summer and safe in the event of a spill. In the spring-like weather of Spain the jeans proved to be comfortable but we’ll be interested to see how a pair of black jeans fares in warmer climes. RRP £239.99
HJC FJ-ST
One area no-one should compromise on is safety, particularly where a helmet’s concerned. HJC’s FJ-ST is one of only 56 helmets (most of which are no longer available) to be awarded a five-star rating in the UK Government’s independent SHARP safety testing programme. With sun visor, air ventilation and moisture wicking liners it should more than cope with Stan’s UK and European trips. It’s available in a number of schemes including several inspired by Marvel comics, Stan’s sports a distinctive ‘Punisher’ livery. RRP £229.99
LIDLOCK
The Oxford Lidlock is supplied as a three-part kit comprising a carabiner fitted with a combination lock that snaps onto a rack or grab rail, a T-bar for use with quick release helmet buckles and a coiled length of security wire that’s ideal to secure either luggage or a jacket when threaded through its sleeve. Compact enough to keep inside a pocket it’s the ideal solution to avoid carrying riding gear around on a hot summer’s day and at £12.99 it won’t break the bank. www.oxfordproducts.com
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Clacton Ride Out – April 2017
Back in the early 90s Chelmsford Scooter Club used to head up to Clacton for a ride out before the start of the Nationals, and over the last 25 or so years friends have tagged along. Now the number taking part has grown to over 500.
T
he first meeting point was Boreham Services and with 100-odd scooters just for starters, we hit the A12 and snaked up to Colchester United Football Ground to the next meeting point. By the time we left Colchester we were more than 400 strong in numbers, bringing the A12 and A133 into Clacton to a standstill! With more scooters and riders joining us on the way into Clacton, it was estimated that over 500 scooters hit Clacton
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Seafront where the local council had coned off the streets near the pier for the scooters to park. Once parked, people headed off for a cheeky pint or fish and chips and what scooterists do best – a catch up with old and new mates on the scene. Not only did everyone have a great day but from the sale of the patches raised £250+ for The Bobby Moore Fund/Cancer Research. Robin Quartermain Chelmsford SC Guvnor
Luca Zani Casa SS200 Smallblock kit
Mike B Mik Bonnett Casa SS225 Largeblock kit
Tom Russell Casa SS225 Largeblock kit
THE POWER OF TEMPTATION
Stu Owen reflects on scooters, two-stroke engines, and the power of temptation...
A
scooter engine, no matter what make it happens to be, controls the engine revs or power by the throttle on the right-hand grip. With a movement of no more than half a turn, or even less on a quick action setup, the temptation to rev the engine never leaves the rider. What is this great desire that somehow takes over once the engine is started? Why do we seem obsessed with revving the living daylights out of it the second it is fired up, regardless of the inevitable consequences? I always recall the ferry docking on the way to the Isle of Wight scooter rally. Even before it had stopped there would be a cacophony of exhaust noise and a huge cloud of two-stroke smoke rolling out over the island. If it was the grid at the start of a MotoGP race then fine, but the reality was just a 10mph trundle down the exit ramp of the ferry. Is there any need for this extravagant fuel burning exercise? Remember, all engines come equipped with a tick over screw. The idea is, it allows the engine to idle without stalling while it is stationary. So does it really matter if we choose to rev the engine like crazy the moment it starts? Well, to a certain degree... yes. If your cylinder is set up with a close piston to bore tolerance, and on a tuned engine then those tolerances can be much finer, especially when the engine is cold. The idea is to warm the engine up first to allow the components to expand evenly up to operating temperature. It must also not be forgotten that the lubricating oil needs to work its way round the top end to
ensure it’s doing its job correctly. By not warming the engine up first you are ignoring these two important facts. At the same time, you are unnecessarily straining and wearing each individual part, a pointless exercise as you are not actually going anywhere. The question remains though, why do we do it? There is no doubt that the noise of a two-stroke is exhilarating. From a The throttle and engine tachometer lures us standard factory exhaust to rev the engine, even while stationary… to a fully blown expansion pipe, the noise of one revving makes the hair on when it comes to the revving your engine the back of your neck stand up. to death syndrome. To be honest, a rally, Then there is the rev counter or engine ride out and any other scooter group tachometer. The excitement of watching activity would be a much quieter and the needle or readout increase creates a somewhat subdued affair if this practice mind-blowing attraction like a moth has to didn’t take place. While I might have a bright light. Even so, the main reason mentioned all the negative points, it’s has to be the feeling of a sense of power. more a case of trying to understand With that blip of the throttle you know you why we as scooter owners do it. As an are in control and as the noise of the experiment maybe it should be put to the engine revving increases so does the test, so next time you’re out in a group on adrenaline. To be honest it’s not just a your scooter be the first one to fire your scooter based phenomenon but one that engine up and calmly let it tick over. You seems attached to any type of twocan guarantee someone will look at you wheeled vehicle. The strange thing is rather oddly, presuming you either have a though no one seems to carry out the mechanical problem or you’re becoming same type of practice when getting into slow in your old age. The answer though is a car; we just turn on the ignition and let neither; you’re just protecting your engine it casually idle. and helping its longevity for the future. Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t a moan, Stu far from it – I’m as guilty as anyone else
From a standard factory exhaust to a fully blown expansion pipe, the noise of one revving makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up.
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