After hearing about Mark Baker’s custom TL 200 cut-down Scomadi street-racer, we asked Stu Smith to find out more…
Sc: How did you first get into scooters?
MB: I was originally into motorbikes, but after giving them up, I wanted something more laid-back. That’s when I bought a TL 125 Scomadi to ride with my brother-in-law. From that first trip out, something just clicked, and what started as a hobby quickly spiralled into a full-on obsession; the community, the freedom, the creativity; scooters ticked every box.
Sc: What’s your best rally experience?
MB: The Isle of Wight 2023, it was more than just a rally; it was a full-on experience. The vibe, the music, the people; there’s something about the camaraderie at those events that sticks with you. It’s not just about the scooters; it’s about feeling part of something bigger.
Enjoy more Scootering Magazine reading every month.
Click here to subscribe & save.
Sc: Where did the inspiration for this project come from?
MB: Funny enough, the real spark happened when I was at another scooter rally that year. In the custom show, I saw a slick automatic cut-down win Best Auto, but when someone asked the owner how he built it, he couldn’t answer, because he hadn’t. He’d just bought it. That didn’t sit right with me. I didn’t want a showpiece with a receipt; I wanted a story, something that was entirely mine from the ground up.
Sc: Where did it all start?
MB: On Facebook Marketplace, I found a Scomadi TL200 for sale in Birmingham from a top bloke named Chris. He couldn’t ride anymore and had decided to part with it. After I’d bought it, I brought it home, already imagining what it could become.
Sc: How long did the project take, and who was involved?
MB: It was an 18-month journey that I tackled with my son, Danny, who was instrumental in helping me bring the vision to life. We did everything ourselves, no sending it off to paint shops or builders; just a father and son who shared an obsession in the garage.
Sc: Tell me about the modifications?
MB: I cut the rear section of the frame down and reshaped the handlebars so it sits lower, giving it a more aggressive stance. The rear suspension’s been moved forward and there’s a support bar for a rear hoop, which was all about trimming the fat without losing functionality. Cooling was a big challenge; these models tend to overheat, so I added extra air scoops and widened the radiator grill mesh, which is both a design statement and a practical fix.
Sc: Did you have a specific look or feel in mind for the finished scooter?
MB: Absolutely. I wanted something street-racer inspired; raw, sleek, but with quality and intent behind every detail. The paint, for example, is Rover Trophy Blue, which Danny and I sprayed and completed over Christmas in our shed, so it’s ours, and it tells a story.
Sc: What’s going on under the panels?
MB: The engine has been upgraded with an ECU RetroTech Racing re-map. The fuel-injection setup is paired with a PM Tuning exhaust and Dr Pulley clutch, which offers a good balance of grunt and reliability. It’s not a full-blown race engine, but it’s lively and more importantly, fun! Suspension-wise, I replaced the stock setup with RFY shocks front and rear, which really tightened things up on the road. The brakes and gearbox are standard, but they hold up well with the lighter frame.
Sc: What’s it like to ride?
MB: The dropped bars and cut-down frame give it a low, aggressive stance, which connects it to the road nicely. The ride’s all about attitude; it feels like something you’ve built and not something you’ve pulled off the shelf.
Sc: What was the hardest part of the build?
MB: Painting, without a doubt. We didn’t have a spray booth or professional gear; just dedication and a lot of sanding. If I could go back and do anything differently, I might have handed that part off to someone with a better setup. But then again, it wouldn’t have the same story behind it.
Sc: What advice would you give to anyone starting a similar project?
MB: Take your time and don’t rush anything. A mistake in the early stages can haunt you for the whole build. Also, don’t be afraid to try something different. The best scooters out there are the ones that reflect their builder’s personality, not just the current trend.
Sc: Is there anything left to add to the scooter?
MB: No. This is exactly how I pictured it. Every detail, every line; it’s about creating something that’s authentically you.
Stu says: Mark’s scooter is more than a custom cut-down; it’s proof that passion, patience and a bit of grit can turn a simple frame into a rolling reflection of its builder. Every aspect of the build was done with care and for the love of the build. In a world populated with a lot of bought-not-built customs, Mark’s creation stands as a stripped-back, perfectly designed shed-born statement.
Words: Stu Smith. Photos: Mark Baker. Original article in Scootering Magazine. To subscribe: https://www.classicmagazines.co.uk/scootering
MAN & MACHINE
Name: Mark Baker
Scooter club & town: Band of Brothers, Corsham, Wiltshire.
Scooter model: Scomadi TL200
When purchased: 2023
Kit: RetroTech Racing (ECU Re-map)
Crank: Standard
Carb: Injection
Exhaust: PM Tuning
What’s it like to ride? Great fun!
