YORKSHIRE Pride

The original Rosa Bianca featured in Scootering’s first edition. Four hundred magazines and 34 years later the breed is still strong.

Often imitated, but never equalled, Maca’s classic Rosa Bianca schemes have timeless appeal. They also seem to attract a certain type of owner – one who likes to ride their machine hard, and Mick ‘Grebo’ Robinson’s no exception to that rule. Having grown up in Leeds, the spiritual and physical home of DTC, Mick had grown up with the sight and sound of Maca’s work. “I’d always wanted a DTC,” began Mick, “but it’s only recently that could I turn the dream into reality. The ‘New Breed’ schemes are smart, but in my eyes the originals are pure class.”

Having secured his place in Maca’s diary, Mick had some decisions to make. His would be Rosa Bianca number 19, but there’s no ‘cookie cutter’ approach to Maca’s work. Each example is unique and Mick was in no doubt how to go about that. “I’ve lost three good friends over the years and wanted to remember them, hence the tool box lid tribute.” There are other subtle enhancements to the classic design, including the classic white rose mudguard which now reflects that of the Rosa Bianca Elite Scooter Club, of which Mick is a longstanding member.

Anyone fancying their chances against Mick’s DTC at the lights is in for a surprise. In a nod to the base machine’s origins as a 1971 Innocenti built 125, Mick asked Maca to badge it accordingly. Under the panels it’s a very different story, with a 225cc TS1 providing the necessary power for Mick to travel the country in his role as VFM crew. Keen-eyed readers will notice that the carb hole is slightly misaligned. This is due to Mick’s ongoing love affair with both Amal and Mikuni carbs. The hole is cut for Mikuni, but at the time of our shoot he was in an Amal frame of mind. One thing that sets Mick’s DTC apart from the crowd is the seat.

“I get a lot of stick about that,” laughed Mick. “The truth is that my wife travels almost everywhere with me and we’ve yet to find a sports seat that’s comfortable for us both. I keep telling people the plan is to go full 1980s and fit a flip-over back rest!”

It’s taken a long time for Mick to realise his dream of owning a DTC racer, and now it’s a reality he’s lost no time in clocking up the miles. “I’ve even had to break the news to Maca that there are a few stone chips!” he grimaced. The DTC owners’ club is a select band. Not only do they own some of the most iconic scooters ever produced, but they aren’t afraid to use them. Thankfully, Mick’s no exception to that rule.