SCOOTER DETAILS
Name of scooter: The Great Space Race. Keith came across some great artwork and logos for it, the scooter needed a name and this fitted the theme spot on.
Scooter model: 1962 TV175.
Inspiration for project: Space travel, Jetsons, period sci-fi TV programmes.
Time to build and by whom: Around a year by Keith Newman of K2 Customs.
Any frame modifications: Extensive subtle trick bits, you really need to study it to find them all, side panel scoops, runner board vents, trick back light, scooped front mudguard, radio antenna horn-casting and many more details. Loads of air venting to get fresh air in and out of the engine bay for the local extreme heat conditions.
Sp ecialised parts: Small trick stainless bits everywhere, headlight and tail-light grilles, brake and kick-start pedals, inline wheel with hinge-up console, storage box and oil tank incorporated. Dashboard houses rev counter, voltage meters, switches and fuses, clock, GPS speedo, all made in-house at K2.
Engine spec: TV engine case with RT195 kit, MEC crank, cassette clutch and GP gearing, AF Clubman with ceramic coating and 30mm Dell’Orto with big foam filter for local dusty road conditions.
To p speed and cruising speed: 60-70mph.
Is the scooter reliable: Absolutely, always starts second kick and never lets me down.
Paint by: Daniel Windle of WRC Autobodies.
Murals by: Colin Fitzgerald of Garage Artwerks.
Powder coating: Yellow Candy by Two Brothers Powder Coating, Sheffield.
Any advice or tech tips for anyone starting a project: Dream big and get the right builder on board. K2 Customs kept asking the right questions and coming up with the right ideas based on my pipe dreams. The scooter ended up looking better than I ever imagined.
Anything to add to the scoot: Maybe a back disc set-up but the brakes are awesome and it doesn’t need it.
Anything you’d like to be different: Maybe in hindsight the speedo in kms but it’s not hard to work out.
Favourite dealer: Scooter Centre Bayswater, Sam Fufarro. He’s a top bloke and very quirky, has coffee for his mates and mates’ rates.
Thanks to: Keith Newman at K2 Customs, Colin Fitzgerald Garage Artwerks, Daniel Windle, Corky for the seat covering, Two Brothers Powder Coating, Rocket Ron and Phil Green (keeping me running), Ann, my mum RIP.