scooter tuning

From Racetrack to Road: The 45bhp Lambretta Rotax Special That Looks Almost Standard

by

Mark Lancaster

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12th November 2026

There have been many great Lambretta race engines used on the track, but what about creating a road-going version? Stu Owen reports… There is no denying that the scooter racing scene in the 1980s saw huge development of the Lambretta engine. Anything from pistons to cranks, exhausts to ignition systems, and much of it made…
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How Lambretta Tuning Took Off in Britain – and Why the Official Importer Changed Its Tune

by

Mark Lancaster

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5th November 2026

The early days of Lambretta tuning in the UK were frowned upon by the official importer; that was until they realised there was money to be made from it! Stu Owen reports… Buying a Lambretta in the UK during the 1950s centred around cheap, economical travel for the masses. A decade later, that philosophy had…
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Marlboro: Red, white, and rapid… – A custom Vespa PX street racer inspired by McLaren F1

by

Mark Lancaster

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14th October 2026

A distinctive-looking Vespa street racer paying homage to the McLaren Formula One cars of the 1980s and 1990s. Stu Owen reports… Even if you aren’t a fan, you can’t help but notice the iconic livery of the Marlboro McLaren Formula One car. The dynamic red-and-white design was graced by one of the most talented drivers…
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Ask the expert: Aztec Oils answers your scooter oil questions

by

Mark Lancaster

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13th October 2026

We took the opportunity to ask Aztec’s Technical Expert, David Burton, the questions that fox most scooterists… Q: A common view on social media is that cheap ‘groundsman’ oil is fine. Is it? What are the downsides of using cheap oil (carbon deposits/plug fouling/use in tuned engines)? A: Most low-cost garden and utility two-stroke oils…
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Sons of Valhalla

by

Mark Lancaster

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8th October 2026

A Viking-inspired Vespa built over decades… Sons of Valhalla blends detailed custom work and engineering into an unforgettable masterpiece. Stu Smith reports… Tony Wilbraham’s connection with scooters dates back to 1978. At the age of 13, he was playing football on a field near his home in York when members of Bootham Tavern S.C. turned…
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SIP’s new 177 all-rounder

by

Mark Lancaster

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1st October 2026

A new aluminium cylinder kit aims to give Vespa Largeframe owners usable road performance without sacrificing everyday manners. SIP has added a 177cc performance cylinder to its Vespa Largeframe range, developed around broad power delivery, touring reliability and scope for further tuning. Although the company classes it as a racing cylinder, the stated brief is…
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Quietly Brutal: Inside Richard Frank’s RB225 Lambretta Street Sleeper

by

Mark Lancaster

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10th September 2026

Subtle looks and serious performance, Richard Frank’s RB225 street racer proves that you don’t need noise to make a powerful statement. So we asked Stu Smith to find out more… Sc: What was the original idea behind this build? RF: I wanted to build a Lambretta that delivered proper performance but didn’t rely on looks…
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What’s editor Dan been up to? Dyno time with a 221cc Polini Vespa

by

Mark Lancaster

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9th September 2026

This month in the garage, Dan puts the Polini 221cc reed-valve engine through its paces on the dyno… One of the things I enjoy most about working with Sean Brady at the garage is that neither of us can ever seem to leave well enough alone. Most people build an engine, bolt it into a…
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72bhp Lambretta Sleeper: David Krayem’s Stretched SX150

by

Mark Lancaster

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1st September 2026

From a humble Series 2 Lambretta in 1968 to a collection of classics today, David Krayem’s return to the marque has gone well beyond nostalgia. His latest SX150 may look fairly standard at first glance, but with a stretched frame and a heavily developed 270cc Casa SSR engine producing 72bhp, this is one Lambretta pushing…
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Inside Polini: 10 years of Project Polini and a visit to the factory

by

Mark Lancaster

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15th August 2026

Incredibly, it’s been 10 years since we began ‘Project Polini’, our longest-ever road test. What better way for Stan to mark the anniversary than with a visit to Polini HQ… Full disclosure: I’m a big fan of Polini. My relationship with the brand began back in 2016, when my previously trusty PX blew a hole…
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