SCOOTER DETAILS
Name of scooter: KTMBretta – because its half Lambretta and half KTM Scooter model: Spanish model 1962. Date purchased and cost: September 2015 and £1100 as pile of junk. The KTM 390 was brought brand new at the same time for £45000. Inspiration for project: The reason I built it is because if I’ve got to sit at 60 with a flat out speed of 70mph for more than 10 minutes I’ll lose the will to live, although I like scooters they are so impractical for busy motorways. Time to build and by who: Six months by Gary Hancox in Leamington Spa. Modifications: Rear frame fabricated from scratch, even re-manufacturing the KTM trellis sections and then rejoining them to the front end of the Lambretta frame, rear swinging arm and cush drive made from scratch, rear brake calliper hanger all made from scratch, rear frame loop and panel section now can be removed in one section with only four Allen bolts to release it, radiator mounted under floorr, legshield toolbox turned into petrol tank with alll KTM fuel senders and fuel pump etc. incorporated, LED indicators in front legshieldss and rear panels, original KTM clocks with the KTM screen into the headset, KTM rear led light incorporated into the Lambretta frame andd finally the front grill on the horncover and the rear grille on the frame both filled in flush to look slightly more modern. Any specialised parts: Most of it. But I think thee KTMBretta stainless badges are pretty good made up by Chas of Chas Speed Scooters. Engine: Standard KTM 390 but with power commander and Akro pipe, no cat, no airbox just a foam filter. Top speed: 107mph all day at 80/90mph. Is it reliable: Since shattering a first rear wheel and now fitting a cush drive – so far so good. Paintwork: By my dear friend Julian Gill, Cardifff. Powder coating: Gary Hancox organised the powder coating of the frame and other bits and pieces, wheels swingarm etc. Overall cost: £16,500. Ouch! That’s £5k more than I first thought when I started the project. Any advice: Don’t scrimp on anything, buy the best you can and get the best advise you can from professionals, try and use a local dealer. Bobby and Shaun from Wildcat scooters in Newport were awesome and I tried to purchase as much as possible off them. Anything still to add: Just some luggage. Your favourite dealer: Currently Wildcat Scooterss but back in the day Taffspeed, I am a bit biasedd mind as I did work there for a few years in the early Nineties, but that was when the great Turbo Terry (RIP) was still around. Thanks: Gary Hancox for the build – a truly greaat guy and I couldn’t recommend him enough, great communicator, reasonably priced and delivers on all his promises. Julian Gill from Cardiff for the paint. Chas from Chas Speed scooters for the badges. Loyd Watts and Chalkyy from Rusty Innovations for the handmade seat. My darling wife Joanne for letting me spend our holiday fund on what is in fact a flashy moped!