After yesterdays contreversial post, which is splitting the scootering, blog reading nation even as I type (The internet is in meltdown, literally nine people have voted). I thought I’d post something nice, safe, and uncontroversial. So, Hot on the heels of this German NSU video… here’s a nice American chap, who owns and rides a Lambretta. A German one.
This films been around since 1991, and I’ve only just noticed that the main character, Topper Harley is probably a scooter reference. Duh! Now, I was sure I’d written a Harley Topper before, but I was probably thinking about the other indigenous US Scooter, the Cushman (post here… worth checking out… oh, and this one). Anyway. I hadn’t.
Topper Harley
Harley Topper
The Topper was the only scooter Harley Davidson every produced. Made between 1961 and 1965, and despite it’s squarish, “50’s American Refrigerator” lines, it’s certainly not a bad looking scooter. (That last sentence just shows how much my aesthetics have changed over the years… I remember when I first saw a picture of a Topper I thought it unbelievably fugly!). Let’s just say it’s “of its time”.
There’s an owners club, with a ‘virtual website’ (a tautology surely? perhaps an ironic one) here.
In a postmodern twist, Topper himself has his own Facebook page, here.
Anyway. Back to Hot Shots, and my favourite line:
Topper Harley: You’re the only one that knows how to get to the ‘copter pad. If I’m not there in 15 minutes, you know what to do…
Colonel Walters: Yeah, get the hell out of here!
Topper Harley: No! Wait another 15 minutes!
So… the second New York post of the week… This one is a blog about the purchase and restoration of a Lambretta DL in “Mexican Ashtray Blue” in New York CIty. An image heavy blog, said images being really evocative of NYC… often shot with a twist of wry humour… it’s a great read, with great imagery. Check it out here, and added it to my growing Links page.
Harley Davidson… you’ve got some competition. The japs have tried, but, Honda Goldwing aside, have never quite puled off the big cruiser thing. I’ve been keeping half an eye on Indian motorcycles over the last few years, and it looks like 2014 might be the year they’re back with a bang.
They’ll certainly turn a few heads. But what’s this got to go with Lambrettas? Nothing really. I’ll occasionally post about another marque that catches my eye. They’ve got a cool logo. And my Grandad used to ride one, way, way back. Enough reason for me.
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