A cut above the usual documentary about scooters… avoiding most of the clichés, and featuring Scootering magazine’s Sticky (whatever happened to him?), I don’t know how I missed this Channel 4 documentary ‘back in the day’ but I’ve got absolutely no recollection of seeing this before. Just watch it, it’s brilliant.
Look what turned up at EuroLambretta in Avignon. I’ve seen it all now.
I’m not going to comment much on this, and the guys at Lambretta Club de France are going to post a full picture set soon… so just sit back, check out these few images and have your mind blown.
I think the technical term is Paramotor. Powered paragliding (PPG). Powered by an open framed Lambretta. My gob is smacked. My ghast is flabbered. Amazing. I want a go… I think!
I’ve written about a scooter photographer before, Paul Hart, at Vespamore. His blog constantly features beautiful scooter imagery, a lot of it of V#spa’s though… oh well, you can’t have everything. Paul has recently published a book of his photography, which you can get hold of here. And of course, the other side of the channel is that talented frenchman Laurent Callot, whose work I’ve featured a couple of times.
Back in blighty, there’s a new kid on the block, and he’s giving Paul a run for his money. Domonic Hindle is a 17 year old student, with a penchant for scooters. Well, the whole mod lifestyle, the clothes and the music really, but mainly the scooters. And boy, can he take a decent snap. I reckon he’s got the eye of a scooterist too… focusing on what you really want to see, and bringing out things you’ve missed. As well as featuring on many blogs, Domonic’s work has featured on the Fred Perry and Rimini Lambretta websites.
If you’re a regular reader, you might recognise the rather lovely Series 1 in the top pick. It’s a scoot I featured in a post called ” Lovely Series 1” funnily enough.
If you like the images I’ve posted, and if you read this blog, why wouldn’t you… you can order prints. Some of these shots would look fantastic on your wall, I bet!
Or why not book Dominic to take some classy shots of your pride and joy. If you’ve spent a fortune restoring a scoot, aren’t some quality images worth spending a few quid on?
For details, availability and prices, contact Domonic by email on: domh@sky.com
His website is here: http://cargocollective.com/Scootographer
Found this great shot of an Israeli Police scooter with sidecar. I’m digging through my archive shots, as I think I have a line up of Israel Police on TV 2’s… without sidecars… somewhere. If any Lambretta enthusiasts over in the holy land can help me out with any more information or pics, I’d appreciate it.
The boys from the Ulster Lambretta Club (otherwise known as the Banshees) are well on there way to Avignon. Have a great trip fella’s…
I’m posting this, because when I finally decided I needed to get a scooter again, I nearly bought a V#spa from Dave O’Hare from The ULC. If I had, this blog would probably never have existed, but it does, because I bought a Series 2 Lammie instead. Dave send me some bits and bobs from the 4 nations rally anyway… including a ULC keyring, what a gent. One day, I will get to buy him a pint!
I’ve been seeing a lot of fully laden lammies getting ready for Avignon. It’s pretty amazing how much luggage you can carry on a standard Lambretta with a bit of ingenuity! Now, I’ve seen a few classic scooter trailers over the years, but if they come up for sale, they’re not cheap. So when I saw this article on building your own trailer over at instructables.com, I thought it may be of interest. There is a certain amount of fabrication skill needed, but not so much it would be beyond many Lambrettisti. You would need a scoot with a bit of power… but if you are doing any long distance touring, you’ve probably got one of those. And it would look better behind a Lambretta!
UPDATE: If you fancy tackling something a little more ambitious than a trailer, why not go for a full blown “teardrop”?
Here the link again.
Via Scooterfile.
Well done all scooterists, bikers and others who turned out to honour the memory of Drummer Lee Rigby, horrifically and brutally murdered on the streets of our capital city. An emotional day for many, marked with due respect.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Dskw2PK1Lk
Want to do something positive? Visit Help for Heroes.
Help for Heroes Statement:
United in support.
There has been an extraordinary public reaction to the brutal murder of Drummer Lee Rigby last week. Hundreds of thousands of people, revolted by this dreadful crime carried out in full view of other innocents, have united to show that they will not be intimidated.
For many, that desire to show support has been focused on doing good to counter the bad. H4H was created in 2007 out of a simple desire to ‘just do something’. We were distressed at seeing so many young men and women with dreadful injuries and wanted to help. Over the last five and a half years that simple desire to ‘do our bit’ has enabled thousands to benefit and has proven that we are not helpless; we can and have done something very good indeed.
I think they’re TV’s anyway. Unusual sidecars too! I expect they are a bit of a mobile toolbox! I’d love to see a colour pic of this… I’m guessing the scoots and sidecars were finished in RAC colours… a dark, navy blue! I bet the AA were jealous!
These days, when I’m out on my Series 2, I get more “thumbs up” from riders of BSA and Triumphs than modern auto scooters… funny how things change. Anyway, this video raised a smile. After yesterdays horrific events In London, I need something to make me smile.
I think that’s a Cezeta… I don’t think Innocenti had much to worry about on the design front! And a petrol tank built into the front fender? Who’s bright idea was that!?
Saimbrettas, as you probably know, are the Lambretta variants build under licence from Innocenti by SIAM Lambretta, in Argentina.
SIAM’s relationship with Innocenti dates back to 1954, and the Model C… affectionately known as the Pochoneta in Argentina. Apparently, even General Peron was a fan. A Model D equivalent soon followed, known as the “Siambretta 125 Standard” which was the equivalent of the Lambretta Model D… (with the 125 Deluxe being the equivalent of the LD). If you’re Argentinian, or a Siambretta aficionado, and I’ve got any of these facts wrong, please put me right in the comments.
So, history lesson over. What I never expected to see was a Model D Twin… I’m assuming, as my Argentinean Spanish is rather rusty, that it’s two 125cc cylinders, giving a total of 250c. In a D frame. That must go like a rocket! This is the maddest thing I’ve seen for ages.
I’d love to know more, and I’m trying to dig out more details, so hopefully this post will be updated as I find out more. But what a scooter!
Found via the Lambretta Club USA’s Facebook Page.
For a more modern take on Lambretta twins, see my previous post on the 344cc Twin from PM Tuning here.
Your Studio for Books, Business English, and Beyond
Towards a catalogue of London’s interdimensional gateways
Musings and books from a grunty overthinker
Specialising in Lambretta restorations, repairs & parts
independent scooter magazine
High quality ads for WordPress
They've done the hard work. Can YOU finish it?
Business & Marketing Consultant
Classic Motorcycle Restoration in Scotland
You’ve earned it. You deserve it. Buy it now.
1979 to 1986
lambrettista.net 