Scootering August 2021

It’s not every day you get asked to be editor of the world’s number one scooter magazine, so imagine my delight when I was asked to be just that, way back in 2016. Unsurprisingly, I’ve remained delighted ever since, it’s a great job! So why the hell am I leaving? Well, I keep asking myself that question every day at the moment… but I guess that’s just nerves. The truth is, I’ve been approached to take on the role as ‘editor in chief’ elsewhere, outside of the scooter scene, and so I’m making that leap of faith. I’ve often had the conversation with people in the publishing industry, and most agree that 5-6 years in one role is enough before you start to stagnate. So, at just short of six…

Shell-shaped speedometers were included with almost all Vespa largeframe models produced during the Sixties. No matter whether the particular Vespa model had a squared or rounded headlight, such as the VBB, the shell-shaped speedometer adorned all of the Vespa largeframe models from the 1960s. For this reason SIP has an enormous choice of speedometers available for universal use, compatible with a large selection of Vespa models. You are spoilt for choice with the range of different colour displays and lettering. Original Piaggio speedometers have the traditional light blue logo and lettering and are perfect for factory restorations. To simplify the choice slightly SIP links the individual speedometer styles to the Vespa models they were actually issued with as standard equipment. Aftermarket speedometers from other manufacturers cannot be sold including the…

Not the top-shelf newsagent type, but no less desirable, is a new range of clothing from Yorkshire-based Scooterporn. Created and owned by local scooterist Adam Ramoth, the new venture features a range of designs, all inspired by Adam’s own riding and rally experiences. Printed on high-quality cotton, the shirts are produced using a water-based system which is both environmentally friendly and hard-wearing. As Adam explained: “I always wanted to do something scooter related in business. I’m never going to be a mechanic as I don’t have the patience, I can paint but I leave that to the geniuses out there. I’ve always been interested in graphic art and during lockdown 2020, Scooterporn was born. “My original designs represent the lifestyle that I’m proud to be part of and I’m always pleased to…

This information is provided by Stephen Hattersley, of WildWood Legal, a firm of solicitors specialising in claims for injured scooterists. Stephen, a qualified solicitor for 25 years, has been riding scooters for more than 30 years and has acted for injured riders across the UK. He knows the tricks and pitfalls that insurers use and pulls no punches in his dealings with them. He rides to work every day and understands the challenges you face out there. Q. I had an accident a few years ago and my solicitor was absolutely rubbish. I am sure I should have got significantly more but various points weren’t raised by him. Can I bring a claim against him or is it hard to get a solicitor to sue one of their own? A. You’re not…

Scootering magazine has followed the exploits of rookie racers over the past two years and now it’s the turn of Kieron Kearney. Making his debut in the production class, he’s under the careful guidance of the team run by Justin Offland. Problems in obtaining the correct expansion pipe meant he missed the first round at Darley Moor, meaning Kieron’s debut would be at Three Sisters race circuit, near Wigan. Unfazed by the track’s tight corners and notorious sharp right-hand bend at the bottom of the hill, he seemed unfazed and keen to get going. Even a walk around the track on Friday night with Justin, who pointed out the more difficult sections, gave him no cause for concern. Thankfully, the weather conditions were good, meaning it would be declared a dry…

New York-based American-Italian soul singer, actor and entertainer Dean Parrish (real name Phillip Anastasia) passed away aged 79 in June. He was best known, especially on the northern soul scene, for 60s recordings such as Skate, Tell Her, Determination and Bricks, Broken Bottles and Sticks, plus of course the record that is synonymous with Wigan Casino allnighters, I’m On My Way, which was the last record played at every allnighter held there, bar the very last one. Of course, Dean Parrish’s records were, and continue to be, popular plays at scooter rallies everywhere. During 2006 he was the singer with Lord Large on the Acid Jazz released single, Left, Right and Centre – a track written by a young Paul Weller, several years before The Jam signed to Polydor Records. The Lord…