MARTIN COOK ON T HI S I S T HE L I F E

This Is The Life is powered by a Chiselspeed built and tuned motor that is, without question, a bit trick. Martin Cook the man who built it, gives a brief overview of what makes this engine so special. “I’ve got it back to replace the blown crank. It appears that it put out more power than expected, just a bit too much grunt for the crank to take. Frank’s choice was to use a Quattrini M200 top end, which is intended to convert small frame Vespas to 200cc, the barrel is made and intended to work with Quattrini casings.

“It has a bespoke Chiselspeed water jacket head. If it had been down to me I’d have mounted the radiator on the front, it was a pain trying to not scratch the paint when connecting up the cooling system. The original modified P200 crank with a long stroke Yamaha con rod turned out to not be man enough. A modified T5 crank with stronger webs and a long stroke rod should be capable of dealing with the power.

“It’s fitted with a Pinassco close ratio gear cluster, which gives a good power spread throughout the rev ranges. Carb and exhaust are a 35mm Keihin air striker and a one off DS Engineering system, which has been modified and works well. At Chiselspeed we’ve been too busy making Lambretta exhaust systems; though this winter the plan is to start making Chiselspeed exhausts for Vespas. Frank’s motor is running a Variotronic ignition; there’s a modified Malossi digital temperature gauge and pump set up to suit. Tuning and porting has all been done at Chiselspeed, the readouts, pictured to the right, show the good grunt the engine puts out.”