Latest new products

Julia Urbano

Julia is the name Tucano Urbano
of Italy have bestowed upon their new ladies calf-length cut trench coat that is apparently ‘perfect for women who ride scooters and motorcycles but still want to look good’. Lightweight and compact, 100 per cent waterproof and breathable, Julia is available in chocolate brown, pink and black, in five sizes (38/46) and features anti-flap closings, taped seams, reflective safety inserts and polyester lining with ventilation system in the back. Tucano Urbano is distributed in the UK
by Scootergear Ltd (0208 8766805), for further info visit www.tucanourbano.com

Miles Ahead

It’s always good to learn that someone has spent the winter doing something constructive,
and today that person is Miles, who has been busy developing
and manufacturing a whole host
of new products in-house.

First we have these Snetterton style seats, in stock as is but can also be covered to order in any style or material, including leather, snakeskin or tartan etc. They retail at £96.95.

Next there’s this oil tank (toolbox mounted) made from quality stainless steel with instructions and fittings and a retail price of £98.95.

And finally this month are these carb panel embelisher/grilles in stainless steel. Available in three different grade meshes, they come complete with instructions and fittings for £25.95.

Also in the pipeline are front mudguard luggage racks and an inside legshield mounted auxillary fuel tank/spare wheel carrier, details of which we’ll bring you soon. For more info call Miles Ahead on 01652 635141.

Alpinestars Rodeo Denim Pants

Described by the Italian motorcycle clothing company as ‘comfortable and protective riding jeans, ideal for summer sport riding and touring’, I’ve been interested in getting something like these for a while now, liking the idea of some protection when riding without having to dress up to the nines to get it.

According to their blurb, the ‘Rodeo’ jeans boast ‘multiple panel, sturdy, abrasion resistant denim construction’ and also feature stretch panels for comfort and Velcro strap adjustment at the lower leg for a good fit. Extra protection comes courtesy of removable CE certified knee/shin protectors.

So what are they? Well very comfortable, just like wearing a pair of jeans really, which is of course nice. I’m not sure the colour is blue as regular jeans wearers would know it, but that’s down to personal taste. The stretch panels enhanced the comfort, although I did notice on colder mornings a breeze through those areas, undoubtedly a bonus during summer months I’d presume.

However, while everything seems fine and dandy at the moment (I have no desire to urgently test their robustness), I do have one criticism and that is while sizes available are (US) 28-38, the inside leg measurement available is a standard length. As such, with a 31in inside leg, the fixed position and lower leg adjustment can be awkward, especially when not riding, and therefore Alpinestars Rodeo pants are looking good, but only if they fit you! That aside, for £119.95 and the protection they offer they don’t seem a bad deal. Definitely one to try before you buy though.

Andy
For more information see www.alpinestars.com

Spanish Badges

New and exclusive in the UK from Buzzsolomoto in Halifax are these remade Eibar horncast badges for the discerning Spanish Lambretta owner.

The perfect finishing touch to your scooter, helping to retain its originality, Buzz say they’re finished to a high standard, are available for both Series 2 and Series 3, and are priced at £15 each plus £1.50 p&p. For more info call 01422 385818.

Taffy's badges & Pipes

Following their successful open day earlier this year, Taffspeed have, as promised, begun to send us news of new products they are producing. The first in the list are these rather snazzy TS1 legshield badges, an ideal cherry on the proverbial cake for Lambretta owners boasting an engine from the South Wales tuning emporium. They retail at £14.99 each and we are reliably informed that RB22 versions are also available.

And Vespa owners will no doubt rejoice in the news that Taffspeed exhausts will be back in stock shortly and available in chrome, stainless or black painted finishes with prices starting at £275. For further details call Taffspeed on 01633 840450.

Previous reviews

Tempting stuff

With 2008 well and truly upon us, MB Developments have a number of new products they would like to entice you with. Stainless steel featuring highly on the list, first we have a Lambretta horn bracket, locating screw and rubber grommet (£10.52, £2.48 and £0.38 respectively). Next up there’s the shortened and machined stainless steel rear shocker nyloc nuts, priced at £6.89 each. MBD tell us: “With most heavy duty gas shockers the bushes are slightly shorter, which means the frame is longer than the mounts. This nut is machined so the nyloc works on the thread and is recessed inside to nip up the shocker eye making for a safer more reliable set up. We recommend to tighten the nut, then back it off one-eighth of a turn to allow the shocker bush to pivot.”

They also have a thick stainless spacer washer to prevent the rear shocker hitting the rear mudguard.

Finally, they have just had a new Race-Tour rear hub bearing made, which they tell us are (as expected) “a very high quality part” which retails at £22.82 inc VAT, plus postage. For more details call MB Developments on 01709 869756.

Rear brake conversion

These pictures were sent to us by SSP and are of their new rear hydraulic disc brake conversion for the Lambretta. They tell us that included in the kit are new stainless brackets and machined parts, Nissin caliper and master cylinder, stainless braided hose, brake micro switch and everything required to fit the kit. They say that it’s easy to fit and remove and you can even use the existing brake pedal. The kit costs £450 and is available from Stainless Scooter Products on 01553 811514 or 0781 8071033 or via www.stainlessscooterproducts.com

The Drystar Suit

New from Italian firm Alpinestars
is this 360 R Drystar Suit, a one-
piece (all-in-one) waterproof and breathable textile touring suit
that if it’s as good as their Drystar jacket I’ve been wearing for the last three years or so should not disappoint. Constructed from 500 denier nylon fabric it features reinforced panels on shoulders, elbow, knees and back, a two-way full-length main front zip with an over-flap (as well as two-way access zips on both legs), pre-curved sleeves plus stretch panels in knees, elbows, shoulders and lower back for comfort, and removable CE certified soft elbow, shoulder and knee protectors.
For the tourers out there it also boasts a couple of large external chest pockets and one concealed pocket (for documents, telephone and wallet etc) and a clear thigh map pocket with a zipper for security and water resistance. Retailing at around £349.95 (remember, it is in effect jacket and trousers), it comes in black in sizes from small to 4XL. For more information visit www.alpinestars.com

New Cam Lam pipe

In our (fairly) recent test for the Lambretta the prototype of this expansion pipe from Cambridge Lambretta did very well in both the fitment and power stakes. And so the new CL4 race exhaust is now available, fitting all Series 1 and 2 Lambretta without having to cut the floorboards, and apparently with an improved bracket setup. You get all this for just £220, the same as the Series 3 JL exhausts and you need to call Cambridge Lambretta on 01223 516662 or visit www.lambretta.co.uk for more details.

Ox Socks

Winter time is cold riding time, although areas of your body (namely your feet!) can be kept warmer I’ve discovered with these thermal socks from Oxford Products. Yes thermal products
are not new, but equally I have
bought some in the past that
seem to be little more than ‘thicker’ than normal. While these socks from Oxford will reduce space in your boots, I have also found them to be effective at keeping your toes toastie on winter nights. They’ve got padding on the shin and sole too, which is nice. Sold in packs
of two and available from all good dealers, a recommended piece of riding gear for the British scooterist. www.oxprod.com
Andy

Schwalbe scooter tyres

MB Developments are pleased to announce they have become the UK’s first sole supplier of Schwalbe scooter tyres.
Schwalbe is a long established German tyre manufacturer, producing tyres for over a hundred years apparently. Now a modern tyre company, they’ve addressed
a number of issues overlooked by other scooter tyre manufacturers, namely speed ratings up to 112mph – the highest of any scooter tyre apparently, a safety factor worth thinking about.
They have a selection of tyres suit all Lambretta, Vespa, mini and maxi scooters, from race to sport to standard and beyond.
Pictured (left to right) are the Classic, Raceman, Weatherman, Paceman and Powertrack and you can find more information about each one online from www.mbdevelopments.co.uk/schwalbe or www.lambrettaspares.com or phone MB Developments who also welcome trade enquiries.

Goggle Kit

Davida UK are proud to announce their new WRS MK1 Goggle kit which consists of wraparound goggle/sunglass comprising frame, arms, headband, smoke lenses fitted with additional yellow and clear high definition lenses – “A stylish way to keep out grit, projectile insects and anything else your high-speed pursuits may throw at you,” according to their press release. The kit has a RRP of £24.99 and is available in all good stockists. Tel +44 (0)151 647 2419 or visit www.davida.co.uk for info.

S&S Racing Pipe

New at www.scooter-center.com you will find what they refer to as ‘the ultimate racing exhaust for all 210cc Malossi kitted Vespa scooters’. The Scooter & Service racing pipe is, they claim, the most powerful pipe on the market with ‘fitment and workmanship second to none’. The downpipe is sealed by high quality Viton O-rings at the exhaust flange as well as at the entrance to the main body for a perfect seal and they tell us that the exhaust can ridden with wide rim tyres, but not with the main stand.
Originally developed for completely opened up Malossi 210cc engines, on tests featuring the 210 Malossi, race crank and SI 24/24 carb Scooter Center tell us it produces
nearly 20bhp at the rear wheel. Not only that but to me it looks gorgeous too!

 

MB Goes Prog Rock Shock!

Erm… sorry about the confusing headline, but it made me smile as I typed it. Most of the headline was simply a gag, although the ‘Prog’ part relates to the new MB Developments’ triple rated progressive fork springs that have been computer designed and extensively tested by Mr Bee. They are made in England from special spring steel and cost £27.68 including VAT.
For more information about these springs, or to discuss whether Emerson, Lake & Palmer were better than Yes with Mr Bee or Slacker, call 01709 869756, or save them the grief, visit www.mbdevelopments.co.uk

Clever cables and RB cowlings

Southend’s JB Tuning are pleased to offer you all some quick action rear brake cables for the Lambretta motor scooter. The idea behind them is that they are easy to fit, easy to adjust and easy to remove.
They're nylon lined, feature a return spring in the gaitor and can be made to fit your bike, from a standard frame to five or six inches longer for example, that may be required by those with a cutdown or chopper (Lambretta Limo owners please contact them for details!). They also allow room for the RB22 and TS1 carbs. (ie stopping them from being pushed off by brake cables with original length outer cables).
Never one to release a product on to the market without testing it first, JB has been using one on his road and race bikes for 12 years, so they must be proven by now!
Also new from JB are these Lambretta cylinder head cowlings, which have been pre-cut to suit the carb manifold and exhaust of either a TS1 or RB kit and are finished in black powder coating (the next batch may include silver too). The cowlings retail at £32.99 each and the
brake cables at £19.99, both plus postage. Call JB Tuning
on 01702 545952 for more info.

RB flashes

Hot off the mark is Karl Russell at Quality Chrome who has already produced these RB 225 panel flashes for Lambretta GP owners with the latest in go-faster engines under their side panels. They sell for £47 a pair with fixings and you need to contact Karl and the gang for info.

Stocking fillers

Scooter Products have pretty much got the lot with regards to Christmas from presents to gift wrap, and here’s just a brief selection.

Top of my list every year is the Casa Lambretta Calendar, probably the best scooter calendar in the world. With classic images from the Innocenti archives, Vittorio has done himself proud again for 2008, classy and useful. This will set you back £12.50 (inc UK p&p).
There’s also a range of official Vespa merchandise available too including perpetual calendars featuring classic Vespa advert images from over the years at £17.50 each (inc UK p&p), ceramic mugs at £7.50 featuring a similar range of images plus Vespa logos, and some wall clocks at £40 each (inc UK p&p as always). Yes, they sound a bit costly but these clocks are actually quality items with a metal frame and do look more classy than some others out there.

Also available is the new Scooter Revolution DVD. To be honest it’s pretty much a ‘best of...’ taken from two other DVDs, ‘In Search Of Vespa’ and ‘In Search of Lambretta’, with a piece on the Suzuki Burgman 650 at the end that although is supposed to be a test of the biggest new scooter available at the time of filming, could almost be an advert for the company!

It comes as part of a three DVD box set with the two ‘In Search Of...’ DVDs I’ve already mentioned for £16.50
(inc UK p&p) or all three are available on their own at £8.99 each.

To be honest, not at the top of my list for entertainment this Christmas, but if you’ve not got the other two Scooter Revolution on its own will give you a good idea, and of course this will be a must for the scooter fan that collects everything!

Finally, to wrap it all up, there’s Vespa wrapping paper at £2 per sheet. There you go, the total scooter Christmas!
For further information, or to find out more about the rest of the Vespa merchandise available, call 01934 417834 or visit www.scooterproducts.com

Visor wipes

Arriving on my desk just in time for winter riding (and more importantly a two-up trip to Holland in November!) come these handy visor wipes. What you need to know is that they will help keep your visor clear in all seasons, shifting bugs in summer and grimy road spray in winter, without, they tell us, damaging the visor itself. Each pocket sized sachet contains a wet wipe that you simply lay on the visor and allow to soak for up to a minute, then polish off with the dry wipe that’s also supplied.
The Sdoc100 Visor wipes sell for just 78p each and scooter shops may be interested to learn that they come in a neat presentation cardboard box containing 10 of them. Call 01256 704909 or visit www.motohaus.com for more info.

Return of the Pegasus

Now available, from a short production batch, are the English 60s type ‘Pegasus’ aftermarket dual seats for the Lambretta. Howard Chambers is the man responsible and he tells us that these are faithful reproductions of the originals featuring pressed metal pan flat body with contoured foam topping and finished in beige or dark blue. Originally popular for the TV175 Series 2, these seats will also fit the Series 1 and Series 3 models. Priced at £200 each, you need to call Howard on 0238 0550270 (daytime only please) for further details.

Use the Light Bar, Luke…

Ever had the urge to play ‘Star Wars’ in the garage? Well thanks to Black & Decker and their new range of automotive products you now can. And if you should ever get bored of that (although I don’t know why) then there’s always the chance to use B&D’s new light bar as a… light!
The light bar is cordless and uses LEDs, which drain less power than conventional bulbs and so last a lot longer, B&D claim seven hours’ running time and over 10,000 hours of use, guaranteed. It’s lightweight, fits into the toolbox of a Vespa PX and is fitted with a swivel hanging hook to make using it easier. It has a three-way switch offering the choice of using all or half of the bar of LEDs.
B&D claim that the “polycarbonate break resistant housing means that it’s very durable when in use.” In fact the packaging even shows an image of a hammer hitting the light without damage. Now while I’ve not yet tried this (I’m not that stupid!) I can confirm that the bright white LEDs are in fact pretty damn useful when working in and around scooters, generally illuminating and offering a degree of directional light too. It all comes with a charger and plug for when it runs down, and all in all seems a neat piece of kit to me and one which would prove dead handy should you need to be changing clutch cables at the side of the road late at night.
The light bar retails at £29.99 and is available from Argos and possibly Halfords.
For stockist enquiries contact 01753 511234.

2008 Scooter Calendar

Yes it’s that time again, the first scooter calendars of 2008 are becoming available. This is the now familiar Infocado calendar, which features 13 pages, one being a 2007/09 date grid so you can extend the life of this calendar for a little at either end. The variety of scooters featured are all shot by our Sticky or our Richie, and Scooter Products are the nice people selling it. It measures 305 x 305mm (when shut), is staple stitched and has a RRP £9.99 plus postage (£1.50 UK, £2.50 rest of world). Visit www.scooterproducts.co.uk or call 01934 417834 for info

Too tired to think of an amusing title this month…

…For the new Lambretta front brake adjusters from MB Developments. Sorry, it was a long weekend! Anyway, these are in stainless steel and for the drum brake models and the retails price is £26.37. To go with it MB have the front brake arm shim at £0.58 and the front brake arm circlip at £0.36 (both stainless), and for more info either call 01709 869756 or visit www.mbdevelopments.com

Repro IoM scooter badges

Not so much a new product, rather a remade product. Or in fact, a remade, remade product. Let me explain...

Back in the day, those attending the Isle of Man scooter rally were given a commemorative brass plaque to attach to their scooter, presumably because they already had a legshield banner depicting the event or their club's name, and Paddy Smith was still in a pram!

Well a few years ago the chaps at Rimini Lambretta Centre had some exact copies remade as an ideal accessory for anyone building a period racer, or indeed who may have been there at the time but since lost the badge. Proving popular for anyone with a Grimstead Hurricane to an AF S Type, they've had a limited number remade again, for the last time, and invite you to get one while stocks last. They look like this and are available with any year from 1959 to 1976, 2003 and 2004 (or blank without the year) engraved on them, depending on which rally you attended (on indeed which era you are building a replica around). The cost is GBP £10 plus p&p each from Rimini Lambretta Centre. For further info visit www.riminilambrettacentre.com or call 0039 0541 947492.

Dynastar II jacket

Manufactured from 100per cent DuPont Cordura®, which resists tears and abrasions, the Dynastar II is fitted with genuine Knox CE-approved protectors at the shoulders and elbows plus a CE-approved back-piece, too. Neoprene inner cuffs and collar make for a comfortable fit, Velcro bits here and there making it snug too. It also boasts a waterproof, windproof, breathable drop lining, enhanced by the unique WRS® (Water Release System), which “allows water to escape from the base of the garment and ensures that the jacket does not become waterlogged.”

The other neat feature is one developed by none other than young Sticky and is the WCS or Water Channelling System. He explained: “My idea is a rain gutter for the sleeves of a bike jacket that prevents rain running down the arm and soaking into your gloves. Instead, the rain gathers in a sewn-in rubber gutter and drips off.”

Available in three colour options, black/gun, black/blue and black/red, in sizes XS-XXXL, the Dynastar II is Weise’s top-of-the-range jacket, but still only priced at £199.99 and I’ve got one to test and see if it really is as good as it suggests on the tin. Although I’ve yet to test it in real bad weather (Wol in Tewksbury should think about getting one of these!), in the summer heat it really is too hot to wear. I think I’ll be leaving it for another rainy day before trying it on again – so any time now then! Contact 0800 369 537 or visit www.weise.co.uk for further info.

TirePro gauge

Fed up with inflating your tyres at a petrol station while on the way to somewhere, and discovering your scooter still handles like shopping trolley with a wheel missing simply because the gauge attached to the compressor is as reliable as a politician at election time? Well CruzTOOLS of California claim that their TirePro gauge offers “regular riders the same level of performance as the kit found in the toolboxes of professional mechanics or in the race pits.”

Dial-type tyre gauges are particularly popular in motor sport because they're accurate and easy to read and this one here has a 50mm diameter face with markings up to 60psi (and also to 400kpa) for easy reference. They also claim it’s easy to use thanks to its 12in flexible hose that can twist and turn into the most awkward positions, while a built-in valve lets you ‘bleed’ down to the desired pressure. They also tell us that thanks to its robust metal-bodied dial, protective rubber boot and sub 250 grams weight, its not a problem to carry on your scoot ether. £11.71 inc VAT is the price, which includes a lifetime guarantee. Call 01306 885111 or visit www.venhill.co.uk for more info.

Don’t get lost in Devon!

From the team behind the London Bike Guide comes this handy little map book full of a useful map (obviously), but also other information that us folk who ride powered two-wheelers appreciate. This includes the location of bike parks including car parks with bike facilities, bus lane rules in the area, speed camera locations, and also bike dealers and service centres as well as biker friendly places such as pubs and restaurants. Stretching from Gloucester to Newbury to Winchester to Land’s End, a useful piece of kit if you plan on visiting that area. The retail price is £6.99 and you need to call 0870 4445435 or visit www.parkingforbikes.com

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