Fan gives THEIR rendition of the Modern Lambretta

(Here we see the modern "Game of Death" and the neo-classic paint schemes)

The details are scant, as is often the case with images picked up amongst the ether, but it looks like Lambretta fan Robledo has put together what he thinks the new CMSI Lammys should look like.

The images have found their way onto the Lambretta Club of Great Britain forum and has kicked up a firestorm of debate. Robledo's design has left no room for fence sitters, the LCGB members seem to either be in LOVE with the modernized lines or they wanna chase Robledo outta town with pitchforks and torches. Well, maybe it's not THAT extreme, but it's definitely got people's attention.

After staring at these for a while I have to say... I can't sit on the fence either. I'm sold! Heck! I wouldn't care if it was made by CMSI, Genuine, Kymco or Sym. The lines are very sleek and clean. Robledo has done nicely with the choice of colors seen here AND there is one other (which you can see by clicking on the title link.)

Are you out there Robledo? Can you give us some more details? Oh, HERE they are.

***UPDATE***
If you're curious what the Italians think, keep an eye on the comments over Here.

WTF!? Scooter of the week - Porsche motorcycle hybrid?

(This is just a teaser. To see Brenda Priddy's actual photo click HERE)

No... this isn't the vile offspring of a Porsche 911 and a sport cruiser. It's a spy photo of a Bombardier 3-wheeled prototype from Canada. The specs are impressive, but I'll let you get the details, specifications and speculations from this site and this one over here.

This last bit may be of interest to you:

The vehicle could be marketed under the Can-Am brand, which, again, is owned by Bombardier. The firm is planning to launch the vehicle on February 7 at an airfield in San Diego, and it will be sold in mainland Europe and the United States, with deliveries starting in the first half of 2007.

You may recall back in October we were talking about a Yamaha powered by a Ball Rotary or Kugel motor. It was the brainchild of Arnold's team over at Peraves.ch.

Well, while sorting through my Holiday cards, I found this one from Arnold that said "Best wishes for Holidays + 2007!"

Details were scant, but from the looks of it, by "2007" Arnold was referring to his plans to manufacture this familiar covered scooter design and then follow up by stuffing the Kugel motor in there for 2008.

I'd like to see how things pan out for the Peraves team and I'd especially like to see what the Kugel motor is capable of. We'll keep you posted, in case Arnold sends a Birthday card.

Mystery scoot of the week - Lambretta's cousin?

While toying around Toms Garage I ran into this little scoot. The only clues I have are that it's a 1963 and that the image says "Mod. Beta Cicogna 48". I also know it's got a 49cc engine. I don't believe I've ever seen one of these in the USA. Who made it? Do these scooters currently exist in any numbers?

It does look pretty sweet and very Lambretta inspired. Any clues?

***UPDATE***

Looks like Bryce would have made a great member of the Scooby Doo gang (Mystery, Inc.). His tips helped to dig a bit deeper and prove, just as he suspected, this scooter is from the same Beta Moto family as the current Trials bikes.

The Betamotor Italy scooter called the "Cicogna", which translates into "Stork", was their first metal bodied scooter made to compete with the likes of Vespa and Lambretta. With a short (2 year) production run, I don't expect you'll see very many of these on the road. That's too bad, I really like the look.

I'd like to see if anyone has laid eyes on one of these lately. Have any readers in Italy seen one? Maybe you could take some photos for us?

LML to be back in business in March '07!?

(Is the Chetak back from the grave? Only time will tell!)

In a very curt sounding interview between the Indian site "Money Control" and LML's Vice President, RK Srivastava, it was revealed that LML plans to resume scooter production in Q1 2007. Could mean the resurrection of the Chetak and the Stella?!

And, how about the Vespa? Are they going to work with Piaggio to reinstate the Vespa P series? Let's see what they had to say:

Q: There was some talk that you might be doing some kind of a deal with Piaggio. Is that on or is that speculation?
A: We have nothing to do with Piaggio.

Q: You will go ahead without a partner?
A: Yes.

Ouch! I don't know if something is lost in the context, but "We have nothing to do with Piaggio." doesn't sound very friendly. Still all this angst SEVEN years after the break-up?

Of course there are many details that need to be worked out. If they manage to get their $#!+ together by March, we might see the return of the manual 2-stroke again. Woot!

(I'm not going to hold my breath)

Fact: Did you know that LML stands for Lohia Machines Private Limited and was incorporated in 1978 to make synthetic yarn? Find out more at Wikipedia!

TSS.TV - S2E1: The Scala Rider FM Review

Here's the latest installment of TheScooterScoop.TV. I feel like it's quite an improvement over the original gorilla pilot we did with the MadAss even if it took just as long to edit. For the best possible video quality I suggest downloading the video using Google Video player. Just go here and look for the DOWNLOAD button on the right-hand side of the screen. Then when you play it, select the "Double Size" option.

Oh, and not to spoil the review for ya, but I really did like the Scala Rider. Too bad I didn't have one when my wife was preggers with baby Max. Much more affordable than the Momo. If you're in the market for a helmet headset solution I'd say that's the thing to spend yer well earned holiday loot on.

We welcome feedback on this episode. If you have suggestions or comments leave them here or shoot me an email at thescooterscoop@gmail.com .

Thanks for tuning in!


Oh, and I found this little bit of info at TechDigest:

The Scala Rider can pair with a GPS device! I've got it communicating with a Garmin Zumo 550 without any difficulty, and Cardo Systems have tested it with a Garmin 2820.

Posted by: bodge | December 21, 2006 11:07 AM

I didn't have a GPS to test that for myself but if it works, Cool!

***UPDATE*** The video has been changed. I originally said the headset could be found on the street for around $100, but after digging around I found that the Scala Rider FM actually goes for a bit more than that. My bad... but I wouldn't want you waisting your time hunting around for a $100 deal that doesn't exist, right?


And if your too cheap for a BT Headset, you could always go THIS route. Thanks to
benandangie for sharing.

Test your scooter knowledge

IMGP3232.JPG
Originally uploaded by ir0g0.

Take a close look at this:
http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=302675524&size=o
Can you figure out what it is?

I did about 8 minutes of Googling to figure it out.
If you give up then click here to find out:
http://wapurl.co.uk/?WY3RP5I

Shots from an Indonesian restoration shop

DSC_0053
Originally uploaded by Philip Sunil.

I found Philip Sunil's flickr collection to be an interesting insight on Indonesian Vespa restoration. Not a WHOLE lot of details, and I didn't see any beer can float bowls, washers made from coins, or fish oil filled shocks, but I don't think Philip was going for an Exposé here.

Thanks for sharing Philip!

PS> I DID however see some floorboard surgery and improper protective equipment in use HERE.

Cushman Motor Scooter Convention 2006

A short documentary about the the 2006 annual Cushman Motor Scooter Convention in Bastrop, TX. Everybody's Bastrop is a series produced by ... all » Bastrop Community Access Television (BCAT) in cooperation with Upstart and sponsored by Bastrop Power and Light. The Cushman Convention is shot, edited and hosted by Jessica Gardner.

Tee hee hee.... Merry Christmas!

moped
Originally uploaded by atomtigerzoo.

This photo, from atomtigerzoo has a little write up that goes with it that goes like this:

brrrmmm... moped!
a christmas present for a friend that likes to work an his Vespa he got - now he can show it with pride :)

I had to chuckle a bit and hope the shirt was made tongue-in-cheek.

The GT60 is nice... but what's in the box?

Shawn in Virginia is a very fortunate man. He is one of 250 in the US who will own one of the most limited edition Vespas ever... The GT60 (and actually, I think he snagged one from Canada's scheduled stock, leaving them with only 49 more... Sorry guys).

Anyway, you've probably seen the GT60, right? It's the 60th anniversary 250cc modern fenderlight that harkens the stylistic callings of the original 1946 Vespa prototype. It's a beautiful machine... and if I thought the wife would safely carry the kids to school on one, we'd sell the CR-V.

Well, when you drop the $8k it costs to score one of these rare babies, you get more than just a drool inspiring collectors item, you ALSO get a gift box mailed straight to you from Italy. What's in this shoebox of the coveted? Shawn fills us in! (Without all the melty face, head a'sploding antics that go along with an Arc opening).

Well, before you click on the title link to see the unofficial unveiling, here's what Shawn had to say about it:

Steve:
I just got my box of goodies from Italy from the folks at Piaggio. These were all the appointments that came with the GT60. The box that everything comes in is quite beautiful in itself, divided into two levels. The top level has the silver satin vehicle cover which looks stunning on the bike. The bottom level has a hand tooled black leather box, lined in tan suede with a neat black leather wallet with the Vespa logo on it, assuming for title, registration and such. A black leather Vespa key fob which is quite nice. A silver plate that that my production number and I will be engraving my initials on it :-) Then there is the book. A special edition (specific to the GT60) of the ultimate vespa historical with EVERY model ever to come out of the Piaggio factory as well as wonderfully written text and more photos to sink a battleship. Quite an amazing package. I'll photo everything for you so you can see what it's all about. Cheers.

Shawn

So go ahead and click on the title link and as you review the images start brainstorming yourself a money making scheme so you can get your own. I wonder how much I could get for a kidney.

Lambretta... Restaurant?!?

Recently I ran into a photo titled Lambretta and it was what you see here. It appears to be Lammy rear ends used as lighting. Nice, though I can feel the groan of a thousand Lambretta owners as they stare on in horror at the misuse of these spare parts. The photographer known as mashimom on Flickr has this to say about the Lambretta photo:

It's a restaurant, in Sao Paulo (Brazil). It's called Lambretta, they serve salads and sandwiches, the bread is baked by order. All furniture and decoration uses pieced of lambrettas, benched, wheels, lights.

Cheers! ;)
Marco

Interesting. If you'd like to see more photos of Lambretta, click on the title link. Sounds like the place to eat if you need some parts, eh?

***UPDATE***
James, here in Austin, makes a good point... Even though the restaurant is called Lambretta... Further ogling shows those ARE Vespa tail lights. I guess since Cafe Vespa is already taken, they went for the "other" Italian scooter. But, now THAT'S outta the bag, I hate to think what they've made their fryer vats out of... Chinese transmission case? Ack!

Winner of the WTF?! Scooter of the year for 2006

Wow! We have a winner! Samuel from Albany, CA directed us to this image from Makezine.com. Shot in South Korea, it looks like NO other scooter mod I've ever seen before. Pinky & The Brain couldn't have done it better (or worser).

We've got some angle-iron scaffolding, and a 2-wheeled drawn cart, and some industrial cart casters (one of which is completely flat), some tarps, some rope, and a man with a dream and a cigarette (which he is smoking whilst at the controls). Speaking of which... HOW he's controlling the brakes and gas, I have no idea... but the REAL question is how long did it survive before crumpling into a pile of waste on the side of the road? Incidentally, if there was a "Scariest Scooter Mod" award, he would be a shoo-in.

Dude's got guts, that's for sure and THAT'S why his makeshift scooter / cargo truck wins the WTF?! Scooter of the year award for 2006!

WTF!? Scooters of the week - 4 Wheeled Oddity

old person scooter
Originally uploaded by brappy!.

This shot from bappy! shows what he calls an "old person scooter" in Taiwan. There was something interesting about this photo, so I thought I'd share it.

More news in a bit... We're just editing Episode 2 of TheScooterScoop.tv show right now. A full review of the Scala Rider FM universal bluetooth headset for Full-face and 3/4 helmets. Stay tuned!

Sad little (not a Vespa) Scooter

DSC09982
Originally uploaded by hugojcardoso.

Did it fool you at first? For like a split second I thought it was some sort of hybrid small frame, but closer inspection shows this is not at ALL a Vespa.

I'll give you a second to think about it...

Give up? Well, here's how someone put it on CyberMotorcycle.com

Fri Dec 30 2005
re_gafdanazmsn.com
casal
Hi, first sorry about my english. i´ll try to be simply in my words, for everyone understand.Im from Aveiro the town where CASAL was. Casal its closed a few years back, theres still some casal motocycles running everyday in the area of Aveiro. I know that when they closed all the spareparts of casal carina(and i bet most of all models) they where burned. Today is very dificult get spareparts for carina. Casal 2 and Casal 4 Boss and one with 6 chances. its the more usual to see running here. so if someone needs parts for this models, maybe i can get it. This is my e-mail: re_gafdanazmsn.com
thers a CASAL CARINA image to see.

Hope this info was usefull.

Gafdanaz then followed up with a photo of what this Casal Carina is (Made in Portugal) SUPPOSED to look like. Click it to see it up close. Thanks to hugojcardoso for sharing the photo of that sad and abused little Carina.

Vespa W-Type

What looks like it could be the latest entry in a environmentally conscious line of Vespas comes this art piece from Studio Groovy in Israel. They specialize in recycled pieces and in my opinion, this baby is HOT! Very well done. Makes me wanna head down to my local Home Depot and pick up some old pallets! Bravo to Danit and Yinnon for to great work and thanks to 2SB for the scoop!

What's so good about a tiny scooter?

You should always lend a fellow scooterist a hand. Here, one young man on a Piaggio Zip tows another sad young chap AND his Yamaha Razz. I don't imagine this going nearly as well with Fred on his Burgman 650 hauling me with my Honda Helix in my lap.

A tiny scooter is definitely on my Christmas list. If not this year, then maybe the next. I could always say it's for the daughter! Sure, she's four now, but one day she's gonna need a little scoot of her own.

That's one SLEEK lookin' Indian!

DSC01703
Originally uploaded by jive t robot.

Ok, I'm not the most knowledgeable guy when it comes to early American scooters. I know a bit about Cushman, Salsbury, the Harley Topper... but I DIDN'T know about the Indian... No, I'm not talking LML Indian, I'm talking Indian Motorcycle Indian.

I took a swipe at their website to see if I could dig anything up, but the "History" wasn't showing up.

One thing that IS showing up is how surprisingly sexy some of the lines are on this American classic. Not what I typically expect when I think about scooter design at the dawn of their existence.

Cheers to jive t robot for sharing. This is just one of MANY classic shots of someone's private collection. Lucky dog!

***UPDATE***
Actually... moving over just ONE frame reveled the secret. It's a 1949 Indian Stylemaster and a little google fu on that reveals:

Around 1949 Indian also sold this Briggs and Stratton powered scooter called the StyleMaster. It was actually built by Lowther Mfg. of Joliette, Illinios. They also offered a Spartan and a Vagabond model. They did not sell well and are rarely seen today.

Vespa S Video

Found this while combing the YouTube and had to share, because the Vespa S is SSSSSo, SSSSexy! Although, now that I've seen the video, I think I'd customize that big honkin' brake light lens. It's OUT there.
Thanks gguiotto!

Oh... and as long as you're wathing gguiotto's videos, check out his shots of the Gilera GP800, The Piaggio Carnaby, and dark footage of the Bev Cruiser. Oh and HERE's a nice little compilation from infomotori.

Now THAT'S a cut down!

Lambretta
Originally uploaded by Crash n Donna.

Don't know if you're a big fan of the cut down, but this Lammy is about as slim as you can get.

As far as cut downs go, this one is nicely executed. Good choice of paint and graphics, lots-o-chrome, drop bars and chrome knuckles on the clutch and brake.

A lot of thought went into this baby. I'm just glad Crash n Donna snapped this photo for us to see. Great job!

Ferrari knows that Scooters are where it's AT!

Speaking of helmets, Motoblog.it, Motor-Infos.com, and many other scooter sites have been smellin' what the Ferrari is cookin' lately, and it's just what you'd expect from Ferrari... Exotic composites, supple leathers, breathtaking design all which PERFECTLY compliment something they don't even make (yet)... Scooters! That's right, Ferrari is introducing their line of Scooter Helmets for 2007 (likely to be found at Benchmark Helmets shortly after).

They come in 3 flavors and a variety of sizes from XS to XL and are expected to retail in Europe for around $260 Euro.

I like how Motoblog puts it with this Google translation (and some tweeking):

You are fan of the rampante little horse but not succeeded to renounce to the two wheels?
A solution today is: The Ferrari Helmet, allowing you to carry the spirit of the "red ones of Maranello" on the back of your scooter.
These demi-jet styled helmets, the Rosso and the Stile, are only available in the classic colors of the automotive house, that is Ferrari Red, Yellow and Black); The interior of all three helmets are Farrari Red.

You can fetch more details on these classy numbers at THIS site.

A REEVU redo... and it's starting to look NICE!

Our good friends at Motoblog.it have revealed to us what the updated REEVU helmet looks like with shots taken during this years Milan show, which in my opinion looks much better than the original REEVU MSX-1 Prototype seen in loitering around European news agencies this time LAST year.

If you don't recall this marvel of helmet engineering, REEVU is the helmet that gives the user the superpower of nearly 360 degree vision... Kinda like Triclops, and the whole system uses NO electronics, but instead a complex array of mirrors to project the rear image to a little mirror sitting at eyebrow level in the front on the helmet.

What's the importance of a rearview system in a full face helmet? Well, through urban legend or actual experience, most riders have heard stories about someone being stopped at a light behind someone else when suddenly another vehicle comes unbridled over the hill to turn the bike and possibly the rider, (though I have also heard stories of a tingly spider-sense saving riders in this situation) into the rich, creamy center of a steel oreo cookie... Well... I'll say a Paul Newman's Newman-O's, since they are transfat free.

The only downside right now appears to be, what Motoblog.it calls, a prohibitively high price of around $490 EURO. Does that REALLY amount to $650 USD when it's all said and done? I guess we'll have to see. Reevu, a UK company, was in the process of selecting a US distributor last I checked and I imagine we'll start seeing them around these parts by Q2 of 2007.

***UPDATE***
The new models are the MSXP and the JET (prototype). You should check out CyberScooter for some more shots and info on these two.

Scooter Apparel - Motovino

If you're one-a those "hip types" that doesn't like to buy their shirts at Target cause all their friends already do, then you've prolly heard of Threadless T-Shirts. All the kids are ravin' about "the threadless", and I'm no exception... well, except that I'm only a kid mentally.

Here we see a a shirt entitled "Motovino", with a stylish couple lounging under a tree, enjoying a glass of wine with their trusty Honda cub looking scooter standing by.

The BEST thing about this shirt, besides the fact that it has a scooter on it, is the fact that it's on sale for $10 BUCKS! If you like it, you better click on the title link and order now... These things don't grow on trees and may end up sold-out or worse yet retired before you know it.

Italian Scooter News Agency talks L-Series

(Thanks to cyberscooter.it for undressing her for us all to see. Those Italians are always so suave.)

I'm going to try and attempt a translation of a Google translation of an Italian report of the American version of an Italian classic formerly known as the Lambretta. (Wait... it seems I lost a couple of you there). Here's roughly what the Italians have to say about the new L-Series from CMSI. Here t'is.

Historically the world has known Lambretta as the alternative to Vespa. Passionate arguments between the pipe-frame loving Lambretta fans and fanatics of the pressed steel framed Vespa linger infinitely.

Today it seems that Lambretta is making a comeback and in a dramatic turn of events, actually collaborating with it's arch-nemesis! (Gasp!)

The American company CMSI, owner of the Lambretta brand (not correct, but could be due to bad translation) is in fact completing the prototype seen at EICMA with an electronic injection Piaggio Quasar 250cc engine.

This unexpected alliance actually has the advantage of bringing back to life the historical Milan brand, with the guarantee that it will not be just some new Chinese produced clone, but instead a scooter that carries on in the tradition and the design originally 'made in Lambrate'.

Unfortunately we don't have the tech specs and details on it's release, but from the images and discussions we had in the booth it seems that CMSI isn't in it just for the business, but also the passion. The design and aesthetics are in fact closely derived from the last models Innocent, binding together this classic look with an updated, more ecologically friendly power plant that is now readily available. It's the same motor that found on the Vespa GTS.

From what we saw it was riding on two 12 inch wheels and had a double front suspension with Disc brake, with a rear adjustable shock.

Nothing too obvious had changed with the handle-bar with the exception of the loss of clutch and shifter thanks to the CVT.

We have yet to see a test drive on a beautiful road, but stay tuned, we may soon have an UPDATE to this old argument.

That's as good as it gets from me. If you wanna see the Babelfish's shot at the translation just click on the title link and if your Italian is good, maybe you could tell us where we got it wrong.

One thing I didn't see is the doubt-laden ramblings normally associated with the L-Series... As a matter of fact, it almost seems as if there was a little pride in the resurrection of the "Lambretta". Had CMSI bypassed Italy and gone straight to China??? It would have been a MUCH different story.

No lack of posts here!

Post-It
Originally uploaded by Kaare.

On the scooter in this picture that is... As for the site, we're taking a hiatus for a few days while this big project gets put to rest THEN will be BACK in business.

Thanks for your patience!

Stay tuned for info on the SUB $1000 scooter from Tomberlin, the TX50! It's broke-a-licious! You can get a whole NEW scooter for the price of a replacement Vespa (LML) engine.

Crazy, huh? I'd love to see what a grand gets ya.

Thanks to Kaare for sharing this image of an office prank that must have broken free and landed on a scooter in the parking lot. I wonder if the rider took off each one by hand or let the wind do the job for 'em.

Mystery scoot of the week

Mofa
Originally uploaded by edsel.

Anyone recognize this scooter? I don't see any markings on it and don't really recognize the body style. What do ya think?

Steve Williams - Scooterist takes his riding experience by the cojones

(I know it detracts from the 'adventure' of cold weather riding, but you can't tell me you haven't thought about it, Steve.)
Scooterist and fellow blogger Steve Williams of "Scooter in the Sticks" is a man of character... a man full of moxie. No, not the carbonated beverage, at least I don't THINK he is, but if I hear an enormous belch from Pennsylvania, I'll know who it came from... anyway, what I'm trying to say is that he doesn't let a little thing like 50 MPH in 28 degree weather stop him for enjoying a brisk ride through the country side on his LX150 (nearly EVERYDAY... with NO windscreen mind you).

One thing Steve has going against him is a pair of genetically "frostbite prone" hands. It's always recommended that you have a fully available and functional pair of hands when riding a scooter. Therein lies Steve's conundrum. He needs his hands to work the gas and brakes, he needs an EXTREME pair of gloves to keep his hands warm AND he is not a fan of electrical doo-dads.

In Steve's latest post he reviews a pair of Black Diamond Mercury Mitts to see how well they do the job. I'd let you know the outcome, but you really should browse "Scooter in the Sticks" and enjoy the prose for yourself. He makes for quite an entertaining read. (Love the image of sitting around the muffler!)

So, what's the deal Steve? You thinkin' about a decked out MP3 with the winter package?