Robbo's TV200
Since 1969 Dave Robinson, or Robbo as he’s known to his friends, has been into scooters. Until now he has always done all the work himself, but for his latest ride Robbo opted to approach things differently.
A classic in every sense of the word.
Robbo takes up the story: “Basically, last year I nearly died from a serious condition, as I’m now retired, and am still here, I fancied getting and building another scooter. First I needed to find one; I went along with fellow Ready Steady Go club member Vince to visit Andy Francis to see what he had or could source for me. Initially it was to have a chat with Andy about a TS1 engine. As we chatted, it resulted in Andy saying, look I’ll build the scooter for you exactly how you want it.
“Now, there’s always those who complain and criticise when something goes wrong or is wrong. It’s rare that when something is good, something is right that praise is given. I’d like to do my small part on redressing that, by saying not only did Andy Francis deliver what I wanted, he bent over backwards to help me out with this scooter. Andy more or less did all the work as a favour. I want people to know there are decent people on the scene, and Andy is without any question one of them.”
Andy Francis said: “Robbo came to me with a friend; I know he’s had lots of scooters over the years, and he has always done all the work on his own scooters, what’s more, he’s got a high standard that he works to. He’s a well-known scooterist in Cumbria, he’s represented Great Britain playing Rugby (league) as well as obviously having had a career as a rugby league professional, and he’s a good lad. I found him the scooter. Let’s say there was no expense spared on the extras and upgraded parts he wanted, it has an expensive Pegasus seat from Italy and SX panels, although it’s a TV.
“The paintwork was to Robbo’s own design. It wouldn’t have been my choice of carb and exhaust, but as I was working to Robbo’s requirements, I went with the 30mm Dellorto and Clubman exhaust that he specified.” Other goodies fitted to Robbo’s Lammy are listed on the accompanying spec sheet.
Robbo adds “It was a bit strange not working and building a scooter of mine, though the missus really didn’t want me lying on the garage floor. She of course was right. Although I am reasonably fit, that goes back to my rugby playing days, laying on a cold floor wouldn’t have been the best thing to do. It’s a toss of a coin between the SX and TV200 Lambretta as to which one is my favourite. I went for a TV, because it’s a little bit different, and Vince was building his SX at the time. I always liked how the (60s) SX200 Supertune looked, as well as an appreciation of the early Arthur Francis S type. Paintwork design and combination on my scooter was inspired by both of them.”
Catching Robbo for a chat coincided with him arriving back from his first weekend away in two and a half years. He’d been to the Isle of Man with mates from his scooter club, and had a brilliant time. Especially as his scooter didn’t miss a beat. Understandably tired, Robbo was nonetheless in great spirits: “I’ve had a great weekend, I’m still here, and enjoying riding Lambrettas.”