Scootering January 2021

First and foremost, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our readers both near and far. If ever we were in need of Christmas cheer, now is that time! Moving on from the festive greetings, I want reflect for a moment on three particular articles in this edition: Tina’s Legacy (Teaspoon Racer), Cornish Legends and Godspeed, Papa. These three articles, for me, epitomise the absolute sentiment of being grateful for what (and who) you have in life. As the editor I always try to take an upbeat approach to the magazine, as I do generally in life, so even though I consider these three articles to have that ‘tearjerk factor’ about them, I salute them individually more in a way of positive respect for those involved in the particular…

Stu Smith Vespa and Lambretta owner, scooter obsessive, amateur home mechanic, rally-goer, Mod sympathiser, music lover and general all round good egg. He writes your rally reports, be nice to him. Nik Skeat Vespa Cosa sympathiser, well-travelled rally rider since the ’80s, founder of the notorious Scooterboy World forum. He’s also a brilliant beer-brewing bearded Scootering feature writer. Paul Green 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. A Vespa and Lambretta enthusiast, BSSO professional and general good egg. Stuart Owen Scooter rider, rally-goer, restorer and author. Reaches the parts other scooter journalists just can’t reach. LCGB ‘life member’, 100mph Lambretta Club owner and scooter restoration expert to boot. Rik Bardsley More flamboyant than Liberace and more manic than a mouse…

There’s no doubt that SIP is proud of its tyre range but how do we know what they’re really like to live with? The answer is to give the full range to a scooter club and ask them for an independent opinion. Last month members of Cheshire Cats SC received a parcel from SIP HQ and are currently busy fitting their scooters with its contents. As we go to press the allocation is: 8in Classic Tyre- Vespa 152L2, 10in Classic Tyre- Lambretta Series 2, 10in Performer Tyre- Vespa T5, 10in Performance Tyre-Vespa PX. Obviously lockdown slowed the start of this group test but one thing’s certain, if anyone’s going to get the miles in, the Cheshire Cats will. If you’re in need of good value, high-performance tyres and can’t wait for the…

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: My solicitor is dealing with my injury claim on a no win, no fee agreement. He wants to take 25% of my compensation at the end of the case. Is he allowed to do that? A: Most cases these days are dealt with on a no win, no fee basis, otherwise known as a…

We’ve had Tino Sacchi’s Lambretta brake shoe cutter in the workshop for some time but until Stan’s end-of-season maintenance programme kicked in we’ve never had an opportunity to try it in anger. In very basic terms it’s a rotary cutter that fits on to the axle of any Series 1, 2, 3 or GP Lambretta. When turned it trims any high spots or out-of-square surface on the rear brake shoes. It’s not a new idea, Innocenti and SIL produced their versions but as these now fall into the category of collectables, Tino’s reinvented the tool for use in a modern workshop. Fitting was easy; hub off, leave the cone on and fix the cutting tool using the rear hub nut. A hex screw key is supplied to adjust the blade, which looks…

MB Scooters is now offering two types of Lambretta drive gaskets. The one on the left of the photo is the company’s remade copy of the original Halite gasket with a steel mesh sandwich. “They work perfectly fine providing everything is correct in the drive bearing department,” Mark explained. But as most of us know, these days not all casings are perfect. “Bearings have been knocked in and out umpteen times. Bearings have been knocked in on angles, have spun in casings and casings have distorted from welding; the list goes on. Also casings on the drive side in particular can be a pain due to drive seals leaking. I’ve seen perfectly good casings with a new bearing leak around the outside of the bearing. “Then throw into the pot some…