OWNER DETAILS
Name: Jason Wheeldon Job: Construction project manager. Scooter club & town: Leeds and Bridlington. I ride with three mates and we call ourselves Johnny No Mates Old Gits Scooter Club. How and when did you first become interested in scooters: I’ve been into the scene and music since I was a lad but I could never afford to own one when I was younger. I have been going to rallies on and off for over 20 years and living in Bridlington was a bonus. What was your first scooter: Vespa PX 125. What is your favourite style of custom scooter: Lambretta custom street racers. First rally or event: Cleethorpes was my first ridden rally with Gaz Sharples, Scott Crow, Whitey, Jarvo and Kyle Morris. Gaz might as well have just taken a caravan he had that much stuff, kitchen sink and all that ha ha. How did you get there: On my Vespa 125 PX. Favourite and worst rally/event: Favourite Cleethorpes, worst Scarborough. What’s the furthest you’ve ever ridden on a scooter: Isle of Wight 2008. What do you like about rallies/ events: I love the people who never leave their roots and live the scene regardless of age/gender or status, they just make it what it is. What do you dislike about rallies/events: People that just don’t get it and slate the people who love it for apparently living in the past!
It was the last Rapido 250 in stock. I’ve clocked up a few more miles since I filled in the spec sheet, it’s been hard to avoid the temptation to open her up while running in, I’ve managed to resist. Only about 50 miles to go until I’ve finished running in, then I can find out what it can really do!”
Many hands make light work
For the physical, hands-on build, the intention was for the process to be a collaboration between Jason and his good friend Denno. Denno is Neil Denton, owner, builder and rider of the full-blown Lambretta custom Spirit of ’73. Denno lives just over an hour away from Jason, which, given Jason’s indecisiveness was a good thing, certainly in terms of actually getting the work done!
“We were supposed to be building Autobiography as a joint project, with me being 75 miles away, Denno got on with the job, in the main on his own. He only got in touch with me regarding the design and decisions that needed paying for, apart from which, he told me to stay away! I was the intention for Autobiography to be ridden – it’s the only scooter I own.
“I went for a number of improvements to the 55-year-old plus scooter designs. Long range fuel tank for more fuel capacity riding distances, BGM adjustable shock absorbers front and rear to help make it a smoother ride, and disc brakes front and rear which vastly improve the stopping power. The Casa anti-dive front disc brake set up really is an amazing bit of kit.”
Why an S2?
A couple of questions come to mind about Autobiography. Given that Jason, eventually, decided to go down the route of a street racer, albeit as it turned out more of a street sleeper, what made him opt for a Series 2 over a more streamlined Series 3 or GP? Also, though asking this could be one to regret, are there any changes or for that matter additional improvements planned for Autobiography in the future?
“Compared to Series 3 Lambrettas, the Series 2 outline appearance is visually so much better. I love the curves of the Series 2 scooter, doesn’t everybody? As for any changes, honestly, I can’t make my mind up. At the moment it’s pretty much everything I wanted. I may have some more powder coating on a few parts, maybe I’ll add a few gold and copper parts, and I’m not sure about any changes yet.
“I think a good custom scooter is something of a reflection, an extension of its owner’s personality. Autobiography has so many of my personal stories subtly captured in its makeup.” Words: Sarge
Photography: Gary Chapman