Just Sammy Davis Junior. On a Lambretta. But sometimes that’s all you need. Trying to collect the set. Somewhere in London by the look of it. Nicked from this blog.
Sammy Davis Junior. On a Lambretta.
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Skelly style
A proper “Skelly” out of Thailand, from the YouTube channel of Motosyndrome Area 755. I don’t know much about the shop, but from this video it looks like they know their Lambrettas, and do quality custom work.
While not to everbody’s taste – when a skelly is done properly, they are a thing of rare beauty, and a real head-turner. With the custom headlight an chopper bars, chopped legshields, sidewinder seat to the twin megaphone exhausts, plus lots of other little touches – this one ticks all the boxes for me. Good job.
EV’s in E17
I got down to the Retrospective Scooters open day at their workshop/showroom in Walthamstow – London E17. The event was well attended with some nice Vespas, Lambrettas and even a Heinkel Trojan in attendance.
The theme of the day was ‘beating the (forthcoming) Ultra Low Emission Zone’ and there were lots of Electric scooters on display, both from the world leader in electric scooters, NUI, and with a couple of classic demonstrators – a Vespa and a Lambretta, both converted by Retrospective to run clean and green on electricity.
Both machines look very assured, and ‘sit’ like the classic scooters they are. Retrospective had a range of Royal Alloy scooters in attendance too… a modern auto clearly modelled on the classic GP (by way of the Scomadi of course), but The Electric GP next to them looked just like any other classic Lammy.
So what does an electric Lambretta ride like? Full disclosure, I didn’t ride one myself, but I spoke to a couple of people who did. The overall impression of everybody I spoke to was overwhelmingly positive. Everyone that rode one dismounted with a massive smile on their face. I was told that power comes on extremely smoothly, acceleration is fantastic and the whole ride feels very ‘natural’. From a bystanders point of view, it’s bizarre to see a Lambretta startup, move off, and accelerate away all without any noise, smoke or smell. Some might think these are key elements of the whole Lambretta experience – but I’ve seen the future, and it doesn’t smell of 2stroke! There is something really weird about a Lambretta zooming past you in almost complete silence – all you can hear is the noise of the tyres on the road. One issue that as a rider you’ll have to be even more aware than ever of pedestrians stepping out in front of you – as they won’t hear you coming! Retrospective are investigating including a noise generator as part of the conversion.
There is going to be a huge majority of Lambretta owners who will always prefer the traditional 2-stroke powered internal combustion engine of the classic Lambretta. And while the ‘nostalgic side of me sympathises, and agrees, I can see the way the world is changing. There are more and more places where we won’t be allowed to ride a traditionally powered scooter. Or, if we are, we’re going to have to pay handsomely for the privilege. An electric conversion for your Lambretta (or Vespa) isn’t exactly a cheap option, but I for one have started saving up!
Something for the Weekend, April 6th –7th
So, I’m going to try and keep this running as a regular feature. Here’s a couple of things to keep you occupied this Saturday and Sunday…
Gingers Easter Egg run weekender – 5/6/7 April
Leigh Miners, Kirby Road, Leigh WN7 4EF, Ride out to Manchester Children’s Hospital at 13 00 hours, Music and fun Friday night till late, cheap beer, food, Saturday morning from 08 00 stalls refreshments, Saturday night from 19:00 music fun raffle food til very late. Don’t forget your Easter eggs!
Retrospective Scooters Open Day – 6th
I did a big post about this yesterday, so I won’t repeat myself – here’s the link, or just scroll back 🙂
Vintage Motor Scooters Extravaganza – 7th
Run To The Island 15 – 7th
If you’re planning further ahead, check out the EVENTS page for a more comprehensive list.
Retrospective Scooters Open Day
Beat the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) – Go ELECTRIC!
If you’re in London this weekend, get yourself down to our Retrospective Scooters workshop/showroom in Walthamstow for their open day. The focus of the day is the forthcoming London Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) and how you can get around paying the £12.50 a day that you’ll get charged for riding your nasty dirty old ‘non-compliant’ scooter. One of the options is to convert your classic Lambretta (or Vespa) to an electric one – I featured the kit in a post, here, a little while ago. They’ll have lots of electric scoots charged up and ready to test ride.
On the day there’s;
- Test ride one of the many electric Vespa’s and Niu scooters.
- Get advice from the Retrospective Scooters team of experts – ask how to convert your classic Lambretta with a custom conversion kit
- Freshly cooked food from local stalls
- Craft beer from a neighbouring brewery
- Listen to DJs spinning the decks all afternoon
So get yourself down to Unit 1, Lockwood Way, Walthamstow, London E17 5RB from 1pm this Saturday.
While we’re on the subject of Electric Vehicles, rumours are reaching Lambrettista Towers that the new Electric Lambretta Vendetta, (as well as a very exciting sounding 325cc petrol variant) is due to come to market shortly. Stay tuned. When I hear more, you’ll hear more. That’s a promise.
Government unveils plans for extra Channel crossings in event of No Deal Brexit
We try and stay away from politics here at the Lambrettista blog. But this is something that affects all Lambrettisti! Rumours have reached Lambrettista Towers that after seeing some archive footage of a Lambretta Amphi-Scooter on this very blog (see original post here), HM Government are buying up vintage Lambrettas at a premium, and converting them to amphibious capabilities.
Jacob Rees-Mogg testing a modified Lambretta scooter
Although not the obvious choice as a sea-going vessel, a converted Lambretta is seen as being more than capable of the short Dover to Calais route, and is being touted as “Just the sort of forward-facing, out-of-the-box innovative thinking this country needs”. A breakaway faction of the government is said to be carrying out experiments in converting Triumph Tigress scooters, claiming the British build scooters are better suited to the task than any ‘Italian Rubbish’. Rumours that the mastermind behind this project is the Secretary of State for Transport, Chris “failing” Graying have yet to be substantiated.
Capacity
Although the storage capacity of these machines is somewhat limited, it’s thought that with enough converted Lambrettas, the UK can avoid shortages of Camembert, Brie, and several other European kinds of cheese. With the addition of front and rear racks, baguettes and croissants can also be accommodated.
Something for the Weekend, March 30th –31st
The Sun is shining (where I am, anyway!) and the forecast is good. The “scootering season” is kicking off in style. In what’s becoming a regular Friday feature, here’s a couple of fun things to do this weekend!
Teignmouth Scooter Rally 2019 (Official SWSC)
Annual Clacton Rideout 2019
And don’t forget it’s Mother’s Day… so if you’re going out on your scooter on Sunday, maybe arrange a bunch of flowers for Mum, eh?
If you’re planning further ahead, check out the Events page (and keep checking back, new events are being added all the time). And if your event isn’t listed, please get in touch and I’ll add it for free.
RIP Ranking Roger
A unique voice, and part of the sound of my youth, and a whole generation. RIP Ranking Roger. Taken too soon.
Vintage Mobility Scooter
Let’s face it, none of us are getting any younger. And while hopefully, we can swing our legs over a Lammy for a little bit longer the day will come when we won’t be able to. But you may still be able to ride around with a certain panaché. I think this vintage electric mobility scooter, dating from 1948 trumps your modern plastic mobility scooter in the style stakes, and probably in speed too. If you’re an ageing goth, into steampunk (I can see someone riding round in this in a stovepipe hat, steampunk goggles and a silver skull-topped cane), or maybe John Cooper Clarke, you could pull this off. It’d be a strong look. On eBay for £5,989.00
Something for The Weekend; 23-24 March
It’s Thursday – nearly the weekend, and if you’re at a loose end, here are a couple of ideas.
March of The Mods – Birmingham – SORRY – SOLD OUT
Planning further Ahead?
29th – 31st is The Teignmouth Scooter Rally, down in Devon
Check out the EVENTS page my comprehensive list of 2019 Events.
If you’re running an event, get in touch and I’ll list it for free (If I deem it appropriate – oh the power of being in charge of your own blog – it’s going to my head!)
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