Who’s a Cheeky Boy?
Langy’s quest to open England’s premier folding moped museum takes a step closer
I’VE GOT A THING for folding mopeds so when I heard there was something called a Moto Graziella Cheeky Boy, complete with Sachs 50cc two-stroke motor, handlebars that fold down with internal wiring, a bell, colour coded squidgy grips, sumptuous saddle, over complicated front suspension and pedals to aid progress on steep inclines I was intrigued. Best part for me though is the ingenuity. It can be stored upright and need never get nicked because you can take it in the pub with you. Made from the early sixties to the midseventies by Italian firm Carnielli, it was editor Wilson who spun me tales of this mystical ped, but we’d never actually seen one for sale until one Monday morning when, like a fly-fisherman casting a particularly juicy fly, he shouted across the office, ‘Langy, check your email’. I read the ad, phoned the number and was riding down to Maidenhead, from Peterborough, for a viewing the very next day. The M25 was shut so I had to ride through the middle of London and the 150 miles took three and a half hours. That’s dedication. Outside an unremarkable three-bed semi I was greeted by Andy wheeling the unicorn of scooters towards me. I didn’t need it, but I so wanted it. Awkward haggling ensued before we settled on £1200. During the long ride home, and over the next three days and sleepless nights, one thought never left me – what the hell have I done? Having picked it up (literally) by car I garaged it next to my Honda Motocompo (though I could store both of them in a wardrobe). And I smiled. I own a couple of little crackers and I don’t care what people think, my folding ped collection is growing and it feels great. An initial test ride suggested the short
wheelbase and tiny wheels may result in dangerous instability at 18mph, but that seat is a lovely thing. Next job is to get the it registered then hit the Queens highway and find out why the hell it’s also referred to as a Cheeky Boy!