MAN & MACHINE

Name: Phil Duck Scooter club & town: Few old mates from the York Saxon SC. How and when did you first become interested in scooters: 1979 with my mates at the local fair watching the scooters come and go. What was your first scooter: White GP125cc. What is your favourite scooter model: Lambretta Jet 200. What is your favourite style of custom scooter: German-engineered Vespa PX. First rally or event: Knaresborough pre-season local event 1979/80. How did you get there: Very slowly on my GP. Any stories: A gang of us went touring in Europe last year, on the ferry were a lot of big bikes choppers etc. As we docked the bikes started revving the engines; one of our group who was on a large auto decided to rev his while stood at the side of it. It then decided to catapulted itself into the air, taking out three of our scoots. We laugh now but not then. What’s the furthest you’ve ever ridden on a scooter: Last year’s tour around Holland, France, Belgium and Luxembourg. What do you like about rallies/events: Having a laugh and a catch up with faces that have been around forever.

Name of scooter: Northern Powerhouse Scooter model: Vespa PX125. Date purchased & cost: 2016 £350 in bits. Time to build & by who: Four months, by me. Any specialised parts or frame mods: Rear end taken off cradle made by Rick at EDM Race Paints, Barnsley, indicators welded up, SIP seat, rear disc, wide wheel kit, YSS shocks. Engine spec: Malossi 166 kit. Crank: Mazzachelli 60mm crank. Carb: Tillotson carb with internal fuel pump, manifold by Chris Cook at Chislespeed. Exhaust: RZ Mk1. Clutch: Cosa 22-tooth. Gearbox: Standard PX125. Porting & Dyno: Chiselspeed. Describe engine performance, power delivery and scooter handling: Very smooth with not having any jets etc. With having just a light butterfly it responds instantly, at 50mph the fuel pump keeps it going – no throttle required – which takes some getting used to. Handling is stiff but comfy. I’m not a knee-down type of guy as my mates keep reminding me. Overall cost: £2200. What was the hardest part of the project: I had the engine done first which gave me the idea of a race theme. To be honest Rick turned the frame around in two weeks, Adam turned the base coat around in 10 days then over to Col who pulled out the stops and I got it back in four weeks. I have done two others like this so dry build was not required, waiting on a few parts held me up but say four months overall. Is there anyone you wish to thank: Martin and the team at Chislespeed for the engine, Rick for the frame, Adam for base paint and Col for another outstanding job.