Feature Scooter: Stray Cat Strut
The path to customise a scooter these days can take on a totally different look, one that is an eclectic mix of both old and new
The path to customise a scooter these days can take on a totally different look, one that is an eclectic mix of both old and new. This beauty certainly fits the bill!
The Stray Cats, remember them? The three-piece American rockabilly band who broke into the UK charts 40 years ago. Well, if you don't here is a tribute to one of their most famous songs, Stray Cat Strut. According to the owner of this Eibar Series 2 winter model Scott Durnion, that's what came into his mind when unloading it off the van from Spain. Whether or not it was playing on the radio at the time, or he simply remembered the tune, for some reason it stuck and became the theme for the restoration.
Time to kill
Scott explained that he was at a point where he had some spare time available, which was the main reason for starting the project in the first place. Knowing it was based around both the band and their famous song you would expect lavishsh murals in deep colours aroun nd the entire bodywork. Whe en you look at it from a distance it looks the total opposite… almost like a few images are covering the worn-out tatty paintwork. The reality is, though, when you get up close it is totally the opposite. In what is becoming a more and more pop ular style the old and a tired paint, or in some cases rust, is carefully preserved with fresh and new murals laid over the top. This style has been around for a while and was championed on the Series 1 and 2 Lambretta models, but this one is far more refined.
The base colour isn't anything more than brown, resembling rust, and the original factory paint, because that's exactly what it is. Scott purposely aged the bodywork, allowing the murals to be laid on top. It works so well with strategically based logos of the band, various quotes and a rebel flag. Rather than place perfect-looking murals on aged paint, they are faded, giving the look of a paint job that was done decades ago and over time is slowly wearing away. The results speak for themselves and if this is becoming the new trend then bring it on. The toolbox is quite the opposite with a bright vivid Confederate flag which, though it stands out a bit, almost looks like a gesture to renew life into something old. As Scott put it: “A bit of gloss was required to bring the look of it out more.”
FFast llookingki slow l
The engine is no slouch with a powerful RB22 top end which has also received additional tuning work. The versatile kit from AF Rayspeed, continually proving its reliability over the years, is backed up by the rest of the engine that Scott has kitted out with components from the Maltonbased shop. The beauty of the early series Lambrettas is it's easy to shove a powerful engine in them and apart from the exhaust they remain almost inconspicuous. A bit like, it looks timid from the outside… so don't tell anyone there's a whopping great engine inside. Perhaps the front end with outboard disc and BGM dampers gives it away slightly, but they are a necessity to give adequate stopping power. Combined with the Yamaha R1 shock absorber at the back, the handling is vastly improved and not forgetting the Series 2 is a big old bus us so, once up to top speed, has plenty of momentum that needs slowing down saf fely.
Bits
Like any custom scooter, it's the extras that finish off the project and can be the e making of it. There was no point in going g over the top here as anything would look k so out of place. A few aged accessories, finishing touches like the petrol and cho ke taps complemented with random sticker rs, add to rather than detract from the desir red look. The seat and spare wheel have bee en excellently re-covered but in a brown colour that makes them blend in rather than stand out like a sore thumb.
So, there you have it – rustoration meets customisation, perhaps a ‘rustomisation'. Cleverly worked out and executed by Scott and all the others involved. If this is the new trend in custom scooters, I can't wait to see what is created in the future.