Dealer Spotlight: K2 Customs He's contributed to almost every prestigious scooter project of the past decade but as Stan discovered there's more to Keith Newman than ‘scooter bling'.
He’s contributed to almost every prestigious scooter project of the past decade, but as Stan discovered there’s more to Keith Newman than ‘scooter bling’.
Open any edition of Scootering printed in the past decade and chances are that there’s at least one example of Keith’s craftsmanship. Among the projects to benefit from his artistry are Stellify, Route 66 and Rattler. However the headquarters of K2, much like Keith himself, could not be more unassuming.
Although he’s had a few motorcycles and more than one Messerschmitt three wheeler over the years, Keith’s always had a passion for Lambrettas. Part of that attraction is the Lambretta’s seemingly endless scope for alteration. It’s been called ‘the engineer’s scooter’ and if that’s true then Keith is a logical convert. For almost four decades Keith earned his living in engineering, eventually becoming one of Britain’s leading experts on magnetics. When Keith decided it was time to shift life into a lower gear he’d already laid the foundations for a second career, this time in bespoke scooter engineering.
Going solo
“Like many scooterists I’d always had a ‘big project’ burning in the back of my
mind. In my case I wanted to build a Lambretta where every single part had been modified. The result was my GP, ‘Animal’. Thankfully it was well-received and when people realised it was my own work orders for parts began to come in. This began as a trickle, then a flood and in 2014 I built my own workshop. Finally, in 2016, ‘K2 Customs’ became my full time job.”
A visit to Keith’s workshop is a joy. From the outside it looks like a 1950s country garage with enamel advertising signs adorning the walls and two-stroke oil dispensers waiting for scooters that will never pass by. Inside it’s a mixture of the latest technology and old-school machinery. Scooter parts line the walls, while prototypes of components that now grace show winners are scattered on the workbench. Most excitingly there are also glimpses of projects yet to be realised. All of which begs the question, ‘How does a commission come to life?’
Building a dream
“It’s different for every part,” Keith replied. “I often collaborate with Dave Dickinson. He usually sends me some artwork, a list of parts that are needed and leaves it to me. Others have very specific ideas of what they want. In either case the hardest part is drawing things out and that might take 30 hours. Once the design’s agreed I work out how to fabricate the piece, for example a sprint rack may be divided into 40 individual components.”
Although most of the work is conducted in Keith’s workshop, his engineering contacts give access to the most up to date machinery, be that laser, CAD or 3D. Obviously plating is conducted off-site but Keith is able to produce cold enamelled pieces in-house. “I do this with a special coloured epoxy,” he explained. “This gives a result that’s almost indistinguishable from fired enamel and is much more durable than enamel paint. It’s a process that’s suitable for restoration projects, not
I try to bring something different to the show. There are plenty of people selling spares and performance kits, that’s not something I want to get involved with.
just custom work.”
Although he’s selective about which events he attends, Keith is a regular and welcome w sight at rallies around the country. “I try to bring something different to the show. There are plenty of people selling spares and performance kits, that’s not something I want to get involved with.” w Instead Keith stocks a range of components that can’t easily be found elsewhere. While most of these are of his own design, others are imported from sources in the States. A much-neglected part of his offering is fully refurbished alloy components such as headsets and horncastings.
Pick a favourite
It’s like asking a parent to pick a favourite child, but when I quiz Keith as to which,
of all the projects he’s been involved with is his favourite, he paused before answering: “Stellify. That holds a special place in my heart as all the modified parts are mine. In that respect it’s like Animal, and without that scooter K2 wouldn’t exist. That said I give all my commissions 100%. Knowing that I’ve helped an owner to win a trophy is something I never get bored of.” His wife may jokingly refer to Keith’s products as ‘Scooter bling’ but whether it’s a bespoke item for a potential show winner or simply a tool to make life easier in the workshop, there’s much more to K2 than many realise. www.k2customs.co.uk
Words: Stan
Images: Gary Chapman/K2 Customs
Stellify. That holds a special place in my heart as all the modified parts are mine. In that respect it’s like Animal, and without that scooter K2 wouldn’t exist. That said I give all my commissions 100%. Knowing that I’ve helped an owner to win a trophy is something I never get bored of.