SCOOTER DETAILS

Name of scooter & reason: Talk Talk (the 80s band, not the phone company). Scooter model: A rusty 1993 PX200. Inspiration for project: Like the old style Vespas, I wanted to do something which had a ‘hot-rod’ look to it.

Time to build and by who: Built over two years of spare time and weekends, 99.99% by me. Technical machining, hand pinstriping/lettering and seat covering I’ve had done.

Any specialised parts or frame mods: The frame has been lengthened by four inches. Front body widened one and a half inches. The rear body I hammered the PX corners out, hammered the old style under seat shape in, and also narrowed by two inches. Top of the body is lowered and moved forward by two inches, I’ve then remade the curve up to the seat horn to make the body lines flow smoothly. New legshields and floorboards made from new steel four inches wider to give it a ‘fatboy’ look. The front mudguard is PX, reshaped with longer sides added. The horncast made from flat steel, copied from a picture, as close as I could, then added the ‘moustache’ ends were made to flow round the front mudguard. Front fork is ET2, handlebars are 50s Vespa, widened one and a half inches each side. The glovebox is PX. I altered the top and added a longer curved lower front. The side panels have been stretched by four inches, widened at the front by two inches, and made two inches lower at the back. The false sparewheel cover is made from an old front mudguard. The flyscreen and rear number plate surround/bumper combination have been made from scrap aluminium. The rear light is VBB but I have had to cut and alter it because the back is has such a curved shape. The seat base is PX but has been altered to fit and line up with the new body shape. The rear disc is an Aprilia part (I think), which is mounted on a custom made hub (I didn’t make the hub though) with custom made calliper mount, worked by a cable over hydraulic master cylinder.

Engine spec: 180 T5, reed valve, auto lube, electric start. Barrel and piston: A custom made steel lined T5 aluminium barrel with a reworked Yamaha 200 piston. Case: Welded and machined to take LML reed valve, fitted with Malossi petals, and a PX starter motor. Autolube using PX200 drive. Flywheel: Machined to take PX starter ring gear. Exhaust: Made from stainless steel. I have had to alter it to give more clearance from the lower side panels. Clutch: Cosa 20 tooth. Gearbox: Cosa 200. Carb: 26/26 Dellorto in a standard air box, with a cone filter.

Barrel/piston and engine machining: This has been done by Jim Morley at JME Boston.

Is there anyone you wish to thank: JME Boston, Ragbag Trimmers, The Croft, Skegness seat covering, Phoenix Gears, VRS Ltd and Neil Forster (Seaside Neil).