SCOOTER DETAILS

Name of scooter & reason: ‘What’s the matter with you?’ from the song by Oasis, ‘Stand by Me’. I went through a very, very dark time in my life and if it wasn’t for the people named on the scooter I would be dead, so I dedicated it to them.

Scooter model: Lambretta Li150 Special. Date purchased & cost: Spring 2020 by a friend, Gary Hawes, who bought it for me when it was in a pile of bits.

Inspiration for project: Helen Speak, Colin Ellison, Laura Cuerden and Emma Crook. Time to build & by who: Three months by Helen and me, but to be fair she left it to me after a week or so!

Engine spec

Kit: GT 186.

Carb: 30mm Dell’Orto.

Exhaust: JL3.

Clutch: Five-plate.

Gearbox: SX 200.

What brand of oil do you run: 4% SIP.

Chassis spec:

Tyres: Dunlop.

Rims: SIP.

Suspension: BGM front and rear. Speedo: SIP.

Cable brand: BGM.

Seat: Pegasus replica.

Fuel tank & tap: Fast-flow SIP tap, Oiltek tank.

Is the scooter reliable: Second kick every time.

Paintwork by: My son, Dale Parkinson, who’s a sprayer and Gatch completed the artwork.

Powder coating by: Ste Sumner, a good friend.

Overall cost of work and components: About £1000-£1500 max.

Hardest part of the project: I’m not good with wires but I managed this one.

Tech tip or advice for anyone starting a project: Make sure you have the correct parts and don’t be afraid to ask for advice. In hindsight, is there anything you would have done differently: No, nothing... it’s come out exactly as I imagined it.

Thanks to: My son Dale for the paint (who I lean on to get it done ASAP), Gatch for his talents (I do his head in, but nothing beats him), Keith Newman at K2 Customs for the trick bits and Ste Sumner for the powder-coating.