Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2025 i Scootering

For me, being the editor of Scootering isn’t just a job, it’s an honour and from my first day in the editor’s chair, I knew it would always be difficult to pick a suitable time to say goodbye. However, now is as good a time as any. A significant birthday for me, a bit of a health scare for Mrs Stan and a planned house move have all aligned to say, maybe it’s time to go, and for once in my life I’m going to listen to what the universe is trying to tell me. This has been, by far, the best job I’ve ever had and from riding in Vietnam with Pat Joynt to meeting the owners of our feature scooters, there have been so many fantastic experiences. In…

On Saturday, May 9 next year The Crossing in Digbeth, Birmingham, will host a new event by Mods, for Mods in a central location. From revival to soul, 60s to psych, ska to northern and more, the organisers promise to have it covered in the different venue spaces. The Quadrophenia actor Phil Daniels, aka Jimmy Cooper, will be the special guest, meeting fans for photos and autographs alongside the replica Jimmy and Ace Face Vespa and Lambretta scooters which will be on display. An exhibition, called The Jam – About The Young Idea, will be on site and the iconic Carnaby Street Mod store Melanddi will return for a one day ‘pop up’, and Detour Records will be setting up selling the best in Mod vinyl. The live music offering…

The annual pilgrimage of enthusiasts to this year’s EuroLambretta was hosted by Lambretta Club Scotland, 21 years after the last time it was held in the country. The event took place at Ayr Racecourse, an ideal facility in picturesque surroundings with plenty of room for camping and enough amenities to host the thousand-plus attendees. The committee had been working tirelessly since the location was confirmed to sort out the logistical aspects of the rally and ensure everything was ready on time. Value The idea behind the Euro Lambretta is to gather like-minded individuals from around the world who are dedicated to the Lambretta in one place, once a year. That’s easier than it sounds because its popularity means the event is always oversubscribed. The host nation requires a substantial amount…

Having been responsible for forcing Innocenti into producing a 200cc Lambretta, Peter Agg was keen to exploit its potential in any way he could. A significant part of that was marketing it as the GT200, which certainly helped it sell. However, a series of public endurance attempts went a long way to proving its reliability, and the likes of Don Noys and Marlene Parker had helped push the company’s flagship model into the limelight. Another event involved a young man from London, Tony Tessier, who had already been riding a Lambretta for several years. Becoming more involved, he was now the secretary of the Greenford Lambretta Club and subsequently joined the British Lambretta Owners Association committee. 1965 It was in the latter capacity that he came to the attention of…

How to use the guide We’ve divided the market first by capacity, and then alphabetically within each category. We can’t possibly give values for every classic scooter, there are far too many variables for that, but we have included data for three of the most common machines; a Vespa smallframe, Vespa PX and Lambretta GP200. These should allow comparisons between ‘then and now’ and help anyone switching from classics to modern scooters, or vice-versa. We’ve started with models from the usual suspects but over time we’ll be adding more models to widen the range of information available to you. The data Most of the data is taken from manufacturer’s websites, this can vary between manufacturers depending on what methods are used to test their machines. For example the type of…

Returning to Aberystwyth had been on our radar since we attended in 2023. That was the first rally back in the town since 1989 and was a refreshing reintroduction on the Nationals list; it was certainly in our top two for that year. Fast forward two years and there we were, riding down the mid-Wales spine and on our way, via Ruthin, Bala, Dolgellau and Machynlleth and a mere 117 miles to the mid-Wales seaside resort again. Student life Arriving Friday evening, all six of us were soon booked into our student accommodation, rally wristbands purchased and ready to hit the bar. The student accommodation really is first class and a great set-up. You get a lot of scooterists all close to each other, the flats are basic but offer…

Since the age of the properly organised rally scene began, thousands of scooterists have attended them. The Nationals led the way, and while they were free (you can’t cordon off an entire seaside resort), there were some parts we had to pay for. Camping and custom shows, for instance, or entry to the official rally site required an admission fee and rightly so, because it costs the promoters a lot to put them on. That format still exists, and in places like the Isle of Wight, with so much going on, it’s up to the individual where they choose to spend their money. However, the rally scene has changed somewhat from the days of a few Nationals scattered around the country. These days, rallies are congesting the calendar throughout the…

The date and location of what promises to be the biggest Vespa party ever have been announced. In 2026, Vespa will turn 80 and will celebrate this milestone in Rome between June 25 and 28 in what is set to be the biggest party in the history of this legendary brand. On those dates Rome will play host to four days of partying and events for Vespa fans, with the full programme being revealed this autumn. It goes without saying that this will be an incredibly popular event, and the only way to obtain tickets is by being a member of your national Vespa club. Ticket allocations are always limited, so if you’re planning on attending and want to be guaranteed a chance of obtaining a ticket, NOW is the…

According to a report in VnExpress, Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi, has been ordered to ban gas-powered motorbikes from its downtown area. This process will start in July 2026 as part of a sweeping plan to cut emissions and improve air quality. The ban, ordered by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh under a directive issued on July 12, will apply to all fossil fuel-powered motorbikes and scooters operating within a defined area. By 2028, the restrictions will expand to include fossil fuel-powered private cars and by 2030, Hanoi aims to restrict all personal fossil fuel vehicles inside Ring Road 3, which goes around Hanoi’s outer layer. Officials say the plan is designed to transform Hanoi into a low-emission city, with a full shift toward electric vehicles and clean public transport over the…

Regular readers may recall that back in our November 2023 edition, we featured the story of how Mike Shattock brought a British registered from new Series 1 back to life. The feature was special, because the machine had a fully documented history and now another chapter has been added to the machine’s story. In early August, Mike and his partner Kerrie tied the knot and the Series 1, complete with tin cans tied to the rear, was front and centre of the celebrations. We wish Mike, Kerrie, and of course the Series 1, every continuing happiness together.…

Any vehicle brand requires constant development if it is to have continued success. That isn’t as easy as it sounds because each new model must offer improvements over the existing one in terms of styling, performance and the way it handles. That job is down to the designers, and they will explore all avenues to drive the product forwards, even looking at what the opposition is doing. The problem is that all of this takes time and money to get the perfect result. Finally, there can be delays, and once a release date has been set, that must be adhered to as unwanted press coverage would signal that there’s a problem. Bigger and better By the late 1950s the Lambretta LD had been around for several years. Even though it…

Letters&emails&correspondence&questions&personals&thank-yous&comments&more Feedback, Scootering Magazine, PO Box 99, Horncastle, Lincs LN9 6LZ or feedback@scootering.com Message of the month A ‘Kink’ in the story? Hi Stan, I hope you’re well and enjoying the lovely scootering weather. I knew I wouldn’t be the only one to spot the Kenney Jones mistake in last month’s Scootering but couldn’t help noticing the irony of the name of the guy whose letter you printed. Obviously, many other readers will have spotted that Mick Avory was the original Kinks drummer (although apparently not the only one, having left the band in 1984). I was curious as to whether this was actually Mick who wrote the letter or simply a coincidence. Was it missed by the staff at Scootering or were you testing us, trying to find out…

The Chicano lowrider style’s roots go way back to the 1960s/70s, where owners customised their cars using their own cultural styles. It allowed them to express themselves personally by way of what they created. Claims to where it started or where it was based usually quote California as its natural home. Regardless, it is a culture that’s worldwide, and now it’s arrived in France, not as a car but as Cyril Capolongo’s Lambretta Series 2. He’s back again Cyril is no stranger to the pages of Scootering magazine; a while ago we featured his smallframe Vespa ‘Hotwheels’. Having built several Piaggio-based creations, he felt it was time for a switch to the Lambretta. As he applies all the paintwork himself, he knew that the S2’s large panel area would give…

At some stage during that long night two years ago, probably brought on by lack of sleep and reduced inhibition, discussions began on an idea to bring the DeXter team here to race in the UK. When racing dates were announced for 2025, the Whilton Mill eight-hour British Scooter Endurance Championship (BSEC), in the middle of the year, fitted nicely with a gap in the Italian race calendar and an idea became a plan; well, as much as you can plan anything with half a dozen Italians in the group! In the 24 months between these two events, Luca Moscon (DeXter-racing.it) has been very busy. Not only with a move to state-of-the-art workshops and developing a range of brilliant and robust upgrades for the Vespa Ape, he’s also been perfecting…

A flat battery is one of the most common causes of vehicle breakdowns in the UK. That’s not entirely surprising, because very few people check their battery’s health regularly, never mind maintaining it. As a result, they’re blissfully unaware of any problems until their vehicle stops or, more commonly, won’t start. This is a particular problem for scooter owners who don’t ride regularly, since batteries discharge over time, resulting in a non-starter or a breakdown when you finally find time to hit the road. Modern technology also means that there’s a confusing array of battery types out there, so let’s try to make sense of the ‘current’ situation. Q: What are the main battery ‘killers’? A: Whether it’s 6-volt or 12-volt, the standard battery on your scooter will use lead-acid…

If cutdowns are more your style than chrome, the latest addition to Roadskin’s range of rider wear, an armoured vest, may just be of interest. The Austin Vest blends advanced safety features, including CE Level 2 Rheon back armour (included) and the option to upgrade with CE Level 1 Rheon chest armour. In contrast to a denim cutdown this vest offers added protection against impact and abrasion. Available in sizes M to XXXL and either stone or black, the Austin caters to all riders, whether they prefer a snug fit for layering underneath a jacket or a looser fit for wearing over other clothing. RRP: £134.99 For more information visit www.roadskin.co.uk…

Paul McNamee, or ‘Boxer’, as most knew him, was a Bedfordshire scooterist who would go out of his way to help anyone. Loved his family, friends, scooters and Chelsea FC. Unfortunately, he was taken far too soon after fighting a cancer diagnosis for two years. He remained positive all through this, even organising his birthday rideout on July 19 this year. His wish was for this to take place, whether he was there or not. Sadly, Boxer passed only weeks before. We honoured his wish. The day started at 10.30 with a meet up at St. Paul’s Square (Piazza) in Bedford with all four of Boxer’s Lambrettas in attendance. The forecast was for showers, but they held off (thanks Boxer!). About 40 scooters and scooterists gathered from far and wide,…

QUADROPHENIA – A MOD BALLET Depending on your point of view, the Quadrophenia ballet is either an exciting instalment in the Quad’ story, or pure travesty. We asked Stu to pack away his preconceptions and give his opinion. I walked into Salford Quays’ Lowry Centre to watch Pete Townshend’s ‘Quadrophenia: A Mod Ballet’. With the expectation that I was going to see a stage production of the film. I couldn’t have been more wrong. After I’d got over my inner, self-generated preconceived ideas I experienced a new and exciting interpretation of a film, soundtrack album and studio album that collectively I must have watched and listened to hundreds of times. The entire experience transformed itself into an evening that was unforgettable for all the right reasons. Throughout the show, Jimmy’s…

About three years ago Kyle Marshall suggested to his dad, Wayne, that a mining-themed custom scooter that paid homage to his grandfather, Alfred ‘Shy’ Marshall, and the part he played in the 1984-85 miners’ strike would be a fitting tribute to the man. The idea was especially poignant, as old Shy wasn’t in the best of health. The dust that had settled in his chest from a lifetime as a miner was beginning to take a heavy toll. His dad agreed and built a machine that Alfred could be proud of. At this point things could get a little confusing as all three men are known as ‘Shy’, so we’ll stick with their Sunday names. Unity is strength A quick call to the National Union of Mineworkers’ headquarters in Barnsley…

It was one of the hottest summer evenings the city had endured in years. The heat in the small, rented office space in an apartment block on the wrong side of town was unbearable. The only respite was the occasional slight breeze from a rattly old fan which was struggling to cope with the task. The Richardsons were working late as there was plenty still to be done. After several false starts and a reputation to protect, they were determined that nothing was going to prevent them from getting a genuine NYPD Lambretta this time! The word on the street They were acting on a tip-off from one of their regular informants, only known as Missey E. She was a good soul, but moved in a different world from most…

Most scooter dealers have similar stories as to how their business began; they were either scooter racers or had been part of the Mod/soul/scooterist scene and had picked up the required skills working on classic scooters through necessity. Those who are decent with a toolbox full of spanners tend to build up a certain reputation as the ‘go to’ guys for locals who have a scooter-related problem. On many occasions this then evolves into a viable income source and a business is established. Kevin Falconer and his wife Vicki are now the owners of Brighton Moto on the south coast. They entered this scooter business world much by chance, as he states: “I just liked fixing things.” Time served At 46, Kevin was 10 years too young to have been…

After a few weeks of heatwaves, rain was forecast… and lots of it! ‘Bring a big coat and your umbrella’ were the instructions. The rain wasn’t quite as heavy and consistent as originally forecast but at times conditions still seemed to be wetter than an otter’s pocket. The grid was slightly depleted with some riders out due to injury. Gav Gray was present, though hobbling around in a space boot as he recovered from a broken leg sustained at the Pembrey race and Ben Reading was also out with a broken arm following a non-racing road accident. We wish a speedy recovery to both riders! Before the rain started, we had the increasingly difficult noise testing to contend with which is becoming more oppressive every year with the noise police…