SCOOTER SPECIFICATIONS

Name of scooter: Bitter Fingers, chosen by the original owner, Paul Carter. Scooter model: Lambretta Vega (Cometa).

When purchased: First time in 1987 and given back to me in 2019.

Time to build & by who: Second time around (from 2019) three years by me.

ENGINE SPEC

Kit: Kawasaki 140 by Chiselspeed. Crank: Rebuilt standard with Casa con rod.

Carb: 28mm PWK rainbow anodised. Exhaust: Made by myself, no baffles. Clutch: Standard converted to 4-plate. Gearbox: Starstream conversion. Porting work by: Chiselspeed.

Brakes (front & rear): Starstream conversion.

Suspension (front & rear): Rear: Aftermarket adjustable rear. Front dampers by myself.

What’s it like to ride? Like riding a Raleigh Chopper with a death wish!

FRAME SPEC:

Paintwork & murals by: Paint and murals by myself.

Seat by: Seat base and sponge made by myself to my own design and seat cover kindly made by Lee Hazelden (Great job and reasonable price).

Any frame modifications? What & by whom: None.

Are there are any specialised parts:

■ Read valve conversion done by Chiselspeed.

■ Rear shock lowered mounting bolt expertly turned down to adapt to the aftermarket adjustable shocker. (Thank you Wayne Bonsal.)

■ Casa/Ducati Firefly 12v ignition. What was the hardest part of the project: Being patient while trying to source all the parts as all I’d got was the main frame.

Do you have any advice or tech tips for anyone starting a project: Be patient, don’t set a budget because it never works. Buy the best because buying cheap means buying twice. Always dry build before you decide to paint if the scooter isn’t standard.

Is there anything still to add to the scoot: Maybe chrome and engraving.

Is there anyone you wish to thank: Special thanks to my wife for putting up with my need to finish a job I started more than 30 years ago. Grum Coupland for the frame, Wayne Bonsal for the shocker bolt conversion, Lee Hazelden for the seat cover and Martin at Chiselspeed for the Kawasaki 140 conversion and reed valve.