MAN & MACHINE
Name: Arthur Lewis Scooter club & town: Official Vespa club of Britain, Vespa Owners Club UK, Vespa GS owners club. Beccles. How and when did you first become interested in scooters: Born in ’52 I was an original Mod. My friends started buying Lammies, but I went to Vespas in 1968. Only the coolest people rode GSs. I thought the look, clothes and music better than those greasy rockers! Meanwhile, my twin brother took the dark side and bought a really nice Ducati. What was your first scooter: 1964 GS160 Mk2 purchased from Pride and Clarke in Tooting for £84. It had the best paint job, metallic red when metallic paint was extremely rare. What is your favourite style of custom scooter: Minimal Mod. First rally or event: We used to ride to Brighton or Worthing, but my first was Box Hill in Surrey with around 25 pals, for a pint on the hill. How did you get there: Rode down. Favourite and worst rally/ event: Worst Sudbury Scooter Club, six hours riding in the rain. Best Clacton with the VCB. What’s the furthest you’ve ever ridden on a scooter: 220 miles in a day, but on my GTS touring anniversary touring bike. What do you like about rallies/events: Seeing old friends, catching up and meeting new people, seeing the huge variety of bikes and browsing the second-hand stalls for bits!
Name of scooter & reason: Art for Art’s Sake. My name is Arthur. Scooter model: Vespa GS160 Mk2 VSBIT Date purchased & cost: April 18, 2015, £3000. I had spent two years looking for the right bike. The inspiration for the project: My first GS160. Time to build & by who: Two years by me, eight weeks by Martin Drake at Anglia Scooters. Engine spec: Standard never even re-bored, GOL Milano piston. Case: Standard. Flywheel: Atomic lightweight with electronic ignition. Exhaust: SIP road 2 racing. Clutch: Standard. Gearbox: Standard. Carb: Up-jetted to 110. Describe engine performance, power delivery and scooter handling: Very reasonable for a 54-yearold bike, both the clutch and cush-drive have been replaced so it accelerates well from a standstill with the lightweight flywheel, which frees up torque at the bottom end. Are there any other unique details we have missed: Original mileage and speedo refurbished at Speedoking in California. Paintwork & murals done by: Dean at Dubz Daddy. Hardest part of the project: Finding a professional scooter technician who does what he promises and a sprayer for multiple colours but not airbrushing. Also finding a correct flywheel which matched the GS 160 crank taper. Is there anyone you wish to thank: Martin Drake, Anglia Scooters, Bill Drake VCB, and Dean at Dubz Daddy.