Category Archives: Uncategorized

Scooters at the Peterson Automotive Museum

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There’s some beautiful scooters over at the Peterson Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, where alongside the Americana, historic vehicles and supercars they are running a special Scooters Exhibit until May next year. Here’s a video of what you can expect to see if you go.

There’s a lot here that fits into my own person category of “oddball”, which basically means anything that isn’t a Lambretta or V*spa… please note that is not a derogatory term, I would love to own a Moto Rumi for example… I’m even starting to see the charm of those Cushmans and Salisburys these days!
If you’re in the LA locale, it’s worth a visit.

Video, and heads up from JohnnyScoots 

Lambretta LN Brochure

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It may not be kosher… (see the story below), but here’s the brochure!

Blimey… I’m a poet 😉 Due to the legal wranglings of the parent organisation, it might be a good idea to get yourself a Lambretta LN now, before they get withdrawn from sale. You might end up with a desirable collectors item. Or download this pdf brochure attached for a less expensive memento of what might have been, and what still might be.

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The Owners of the Lambretta name take on the makers of the New Lambretta

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UPDATE: We’re NOT an Imitation, we’re legit say makers of the new Lambretta.

The manufacturers of the new Lambretta LN, Motom Electronics Group Spa, and Clag International Ltd., respond to the allegation that thier new scooter is an unlicensed, illegal “knock off”, saying that they’ve got all the right licenses in place, and a couple of court judgements to back them up. Full story here.

Here’s the original post:

Further to my previous info, and hot from PR Newswire via Sys.con Media

International scooter icon Lambretta Consortium headquartered in Milan, Italy is initiating one of the largest trademark counter-infringement operations in recent history, by preventing the unlicensed LN125 and LS125 scooters entering the world market under the name Lambretta. In a joint international operation with its legal force, customs and police authorities, the consortium is taking international action to protect its brand rights.

The operation is directed against two former licensees; Ireland based Clag International and Italy based Motom Electronics Group Spa.

Additonally, actions are taken against the Taiwanese LN125 / LS125 scooter manufacturers Her Chee Industrial Co Ltd. acting under the name ‘Adly’ and Gamax Moto Corporation.

Finally, Lambretta is taking protective measures against the expanding network of importers and distributors in Europe, Asia, Oceania and America. Even trusted distributors and reputed magazines are involved, not being aware of the illegal character of the introduction of the new LN125 / LS125 scooter models. Cease and desist letters have been sent to all known distributors, to make them fully aware of the implications of their illegal activities.

Lambretta has issued official statements on its global websites (http://www.lambretta.com) to warn the public not to issue pre-payments to the local distributors. Moreover, a list is published on the website of all distributors that are involved in these fraudulent acts.

The consortium together with its lawyers and the authorities have uncovered worrying facts about the infringing activities. Shell companies and trusts like ‘DBM Lambretta International Srl’ and professional appearing websites likehttp://www.lambrettaoriginale.com, http://www.lambretta-italia.it andhttp://www.lambrettamotorcycles.com with changing owners, have been used in an attempt to hide activities and networks from Lambretta.

Lambretta emphasizes that the only legitimate organization to enter scooter licensing agreements on behalf of Lambretta Consortium is Lambretta Distribution ltd. based in Althorp, United Kingdom.

 

Lambretta art

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John the Mod is a striking oil painting by Irish artist Gary Bonner. See more of Gary’s work here… and read about how, and why he came to create this image in The Donegal Democrat
Unlike the Lambretta Cuckoo Clock featured previously, this is something I wouldn’t mind hanging on my wall!

How Lambretta defined 1960’s design

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Great article on the Influx blog by Gary Inman on how the Lambretta, along with the E-type Jaguar and the original BMC Mini, defined 1960’s design. My favourite part is where he compares Lambrettas to their great rival Vespa… “Lambrettas are cool and beautiful. And better. End of.”
Couldn’t agree more Gary. Read the whole thing here.

Oh, and thanks to Vespamore for the heads up… although you no doubt agree to differ, eh Paul? 🙂

Lambretta Cuckoo clock

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Really. This is NOT a wind up. Well, I suppose being a clock, it might be a bit of a wind up 😉 I featured Bradford Exchange Lambretta Egg a while back, and I was a bit uncertain about the concept. Well, I’m not uncertain about this little gem… It’s absolutely crap! Why would you want to style a cuckoo clock of all things with Lambretta trim and branding. 

I can only imagine anybody buying this for kitchy novelty reasons… and £125 is a bit much for a bad joke. it’s sooo bad I initially thought it was a Viz style wind-up. The sad thing is, the quality of the modelling of the actual scooters looks pretty good… I haven’t seen one in the flesh of course. Just flog the scooters as a model on a wooden plynth like this  and forget about making crappy cuckoo clocks. If anybody has the good taste to own a Lambretta, they ain’t going to buy one of these… 
If I’m wrong, (and please tell me in the comments if you think I am!) and you would be delighted to own one of these “mastercrafted wall-hanging tribute showcases’  …would thrill to seeing appear and scooter rotate every hour, accompanied by the authentic, throaty roar of an original SX 200 engine… you can get hold of one here. Or you might want to check that the whole things not a joke.

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Scoot the Thames Rideout

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Family commitments have meant I haven’t been able to make it to any rideouts this year, but I really fancied this one. Family commitments struck again however. What I did manage to do was get to Hampton Court Station to meet up with the contingent leaving from there, and ride the first few miles with them, before heading home. There were a fair few of us, all but one on Lambrettas. A couple of gorgeous Series II TV175’s put my LI to shame! I’d forgotten what a great feeling it is to ride ‘en masse’… the noise, the smell of the two stroke, the smiles and stares from pedestrians and other drivers, and the camaraderie of a great bunch of lads. I’m rubbish with names, but there was Mark, Bill, Garry, Stumpy, Jim the Mod, and a fair few others. Next time I’ll try and make a proper day of it.

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The New Lambretta LN. It’s official. Or not…

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The new Lambretta LN (and LS) models may not be as official as we originally thought…

Official warning statement LN and LS models

Lambretta enthusiasts will undoubted be encouraged by the news of the introduction into the market of the new “Lambretta” LS and LN models as reported. Buyers must however be very careful that they are indeed witnessing the launch of a true, authentic and legitimate Lambretta, approved by the Lambretta Consortium, the international owner of the Lambretta brand.
The two new models, the LN and LS, have been produced by GAMAX Moto Corporation (Charles Huang) in Taiwan under the authority of DBM and two companies, CLAG International Limited (Ireland) presenting itself underhttp://www.lambrettamotorcycles.com and MOTOM Electronics Spa (Giovanni Cottone) in Italy presenting itself under http://www.lambretta-italia.it respectively. Both these models are unapproved and unlicensed for the global market as a full inspection of their authenticity and quality has not yet been conducted by Lambretta Consortium. Additionally contractual issues still remain to be resolved. Our highly valued international consumers (Lambrettisti), distributors and resellers should take care to ensure that DBM, CLAG and MOTOM receive official approval from Lambretta Consortium before entering into any financial arrangements to acquire or distribute these models. Lambretta Consortium obviously cannot afford to allow unlicensed scooter models enter the market that bear the name Lambretta. Lambretta Consortium will continue to take the appropriate legal actions against unauthorized distributors and resellers, like Moof and WKBikes, to prevent counterfeit products entering the market.
Please notice that a general, non exclusive license agreement has been entered with CLAG for the territory resticted to Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, China, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Russia, Georgia, Thailand and Cambodia. Please contact us for additional information. All license agreements with Motom have been terminated.
Lambretta Consortium wishes to ensure that it will do all it can to bring you a genuine, high quality, Lambretta scooter in the best traditions of the Lambretta heritage as soon as it can. We are endeavouring to clarify the situation on both models with both parties in the very near future and hope to issue a statement which ratifies both models. If you require further clarification or information please contact info@lambrettadistribution.com or visit http://www.lambretta.com.
more information
Lambretta Consortium
Lambretta International
Well, that’s clear… not.
C’mon guys, get your act together.

New Lambretta LN on Video

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In Italian, but hey that just adds to the authenticity, right?

Lambretta Helicak

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An unusual Lambretta/Rickshaw type contraption from Indonesia, these Helicaks (because they look like a Helicopter, presumably) are one of the odder Lambretta conversions I’ve seen.

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They were introduced in Jakarta in the early ’70s, but by the late ’80s were deemed unsafe, as in an impending accident, the drivers tended to abandon ship, leaving the passengers trapped in the fibreglass cab to take the brunt of the collision.

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