On the island of Jersey, Gary Leatt’s small-frame Vespa, named Honey, has been creating quite a buzz so we sent Stu Smith to find out more…
Sc: Gary, let’s start at the beginning. What first got you into scooters, and how did your journey lead from a PX in bits to a collection of small-frames?
GL: I first got interested in them after watching Quadrophenia in 1982, and then seeing a mate’s big sister’s boyfriend wearing his Parka on a kitted-out accessorised scooter; all of it just looked so cool. That must have remained with me because the funny thing is, I didn’t actually ride a scooter until about ten years ago, when I was made redundant and moved jobs. After that, I took the plunge and bought a Vespa PX in bits for £400. I had it rebuilt with a 177 kit and later upgraded to a Polini 225. It had a Ghost flame paint job, but unfortunately, I came off it when I was on a Normandy ride, so it’s a bit mismatched now. On reflection, though, it was probably a blessing in disguise because after that came a 50 Special, which got me hooked on small-frames, and Honey is my sixth.
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Sc: You’re part of Jersey’s 79ers Old Timers S.C. What are rallies like for you, and do you have any standout events?
GL: It has to be Guernsey, a few years back, where my red 50 Special won Best Vespa. I love the atmosphere of rallies, the people, the banter and riding there and back with the rest of the guys. However, in my scooter club, I’m called the “junior member”, because (at the moment) everyone’s older than me! As well as that, I’m often in need of their support because I’ve got a reputation for forgetting to turn the fuel on!
Sc: Let’s talk about the scooter’s name, Honey, what’s the meaning behind that?
GL: As a hobby, I’ve been a beekeeper for 25 years, and bees have pretty much funded scooters along the way, so the name made sense. There’s also an irony of giving a Vespa, which is the Italian word for wasp, a bee/honey theme, but the theme felt natural, and the flake paint is my nod to 80s custom work.
Sc: The performance side of Honey looks like serious business. What went into the engine build?
GL: The engine is all down to Scooter Steve here in Jersey. It’s a 144cc Quattrini M1L-60-GTR kit with a 54mm full-circle crank pushing it to 154cc. I’m running through a 30mm Dellorto carb, with a Fabbri clutch and a short fourth. The cases are black SIP ones, and it’s got an Egig MAMA exhaust, which has been cerakoted in bronze to match the colour scheme. Steve did all the porting work, and if anyone knows how to make a small frame sing properly, it’s him. Style-wise, we also added a 50 Special headset, because I prefer the look; simple, but deliberate.
Sc: What are the riding characteristics of the scooter now that it’s complete and on the road?
GL: It’s incredibly responsive, lively, quick and wants to go. The shorter wheelbase means it feels a bit less stable than my PX did, but it’s nothing I can’t handle and let’s put it this way, it gives it character.
Sc: Tell us about the paint, it’s obviously a big part of the scooter’s personality.
GL: Absolutely. Colin McKay at Airbrush Art did the paint and artwork; there’s no engraving and no chrome, which keeps it clean and sharp, and suits the overall styling.
Sc: Being a Jersey-built scooter, how important was it to keep the build local?
GL: That was very important. This was a Jersey scooter waiting to be developed with life and energy. Steve’s workshop runs on its own version of time… scooters go in for “a couple of weeks” and emerge a little while longer, but the results speak for themselves and even so I wanted the whole thing, as much as possible, design, mechanics and history to stay island-connected.
Sc: What was the hardest part of the project?
GL: Waiting. Definitely waiting, and hiding it because my wife only realised I had six small-frames when Honey turned up in the garage!
Sc: Have you got any advice for readers thinking about taking on a similar custom project or performance build?
GL: Be prepared to change your plans, nothing stays fixed once you start, and buy the best parts you can afford because it always ends up cheaper in the long run; as the saying goes, buy cheap – buy twice.
Sc: Finally, what’s next for you and Honey?
GL: I’m looking forward to getting some miles on it, going to rallies and on island rides, and maybe a return to Normandy. I just want to enjoy the scooter; this one’s different from anything I’ve had before, and the Quattrini engine was something I really wanted to try, which means it needs to be ridden with enthusiasm.
Stu Says: Built on Jersey soil, buzzing with Quattrini power and wrapped in a paint job that blends 80s sparkle with subtle nods to its beekeeper owner. Honey is a scooter with identity and with Gary’s passion and Steve’s engineering behind it, not only is it a project that gives off a sweet vibe, it’s one that delivers a ride sharp enough to remind anyone that even Honey comes with a sting.
Words: Stu Smith
Photos: Courtesy of Gary Leatt
Article originally appeared in Scootering Mag April 2025 issue. To subscribe and grab some Meguiars cleaning freebies visit https://classicmagazines.co.uk/scootering?offer=SCOME2026
