Retro Archives

Lambretta LD with series 3 engine, frame mods by Ferdy, Insane Innovations.

Lambretta LD Quattrini hybrid | CUSTOM

We featured Gary Northgate's eBay chopper project 'Manufactured Romance' (above) during the first lockdown and it seems like he's got itchy fingers again and has bought another project on a whim. Here's what he has to say about his recently completed Quattrini-powered LD. You know how it goes, you finish…

iggy-grainger7 August 2023

Two very wet young Lambretta riders arrive at the gate at Big 7 scooter rally in Ardingly.

Retro Retro Events

BSRA #4 Big 7 scooter rally 2023 | RALLERY

So here we are at Big 7 National Scooter Rally, it’s the middle of June and we’re at the Hop Farm in Kent... except it's not June, and we're not in Kent. There's a change of plan (more of that later), the rally date and venue have moved. New location Now…

iggy-grainger2 August 2023

Hammer wielding thug stealing a Vespa GTS.

Modern Modern Products Modern Reviews Retro Retro Reviews

StopMyEngine anti-hijack device/immobiliser | REVIEW

It’s a sad day when we even have to think about fitting products like this anti-hijack/engine immobiliser to our scooters. With an ever-growing motorcycle theft epidemic and thieves taking to bike jacking with increasing frequency that time has come, I’m afraid. As an example a Vespa GTS rider was hijacked…

iggy-grainger31 July 2023

Grey original paint Lambretta Series 2 parked on a campsite.

Retro Retro Events

South West Scooter Club’s Farmyard Party | RALLERY

Those folks from the South West Scooter Clubs sure know how to put on a good party and a little moisture couldn't dampen spirits at their Farmyard Party Sometime in the dim and distant past (June to be precise) we were enjoying a great summer, sadly for yours truly it…

iggy-grainger31 July 2023

1990 Aberystwyth scooter rally campsite in black and white with scooters, old cars, vans tents and Welsh mountains in the background.

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Aberystwyth Scooter Rally ticket & patch – COMPETITION

Competition now ended: Our winner is Alan Legge Oh to be that age again, that was me (flat top on the right) at Aberystwyth 1990, not a care in the world - other than making the HP payments on my new T5 and having enough cash left over to get…

iggy-grainger26 July 2023

Vespa T5 headset with new replacement speedo from SIP Scootershop.

Retro Retro Products

New SIP speedo for Vespa T5 | NEW PRODUCT

This is something Vespa T5 owners never expected to see - a brand new replacement speedo for their classic scooters. One of the original T5's weak points was its speedo, or at least the electrical components that powered it, which meant the rev counter would burn out. Original spares are…

iggy-grainger26 July 2023

Group of scooter boys and girls on the Isle of Wight campsite in the 1980s surrounded by scooters, tents and litter.

Retro Retro News

VFM/Red Funnel Isle of Wight competition winner | NEWS

Thanks to everybody who took part in our recent Isle of Wight scooter rally photo competition. It was kindly sponsored by VFM and Red Funnel Ferries. We had some fantastic images sent in depicting many decades of this prestigious event. Our winner is... After much deliberation, the lovely Tori from…

iggy-grainger26 July 2023

Vespas riding The Alps with mountains in the background.

Retro Retro Events

Part 2: Vespa World Days: Switzerland | RALLERY

If you missed part 1 of Shaun's trip to Switzerland you can catch up here. Furka Pass Friday morning dawned and throwing open the shutters to be greeted by the Eiger, Jungfrau and other snow-capped peaks took your breath away. Rather than do any organised tours on these trips we…

iggy-grainger18 July 2023

Head-up display for motorcyclists by Tilsberg, shown here in a crash helmet.

Modern Modern News Retro Retro News

Heads up for Tilsberk/Sygic rider navigation | NEWS

This kind of tech was once only available to fighter pilots and sci-fi characters but now we mere mortals can use head-up display in our own motorcycle helmets for about the price of a bike sat nav. Developed by Tilsberk and using Mobile SDK tech from Sygic, this head-up display…

iggy-grainger13 July 2023

Retro Retro News

Photo comp: Win IOW tickets and ferry with VFM & Red Funnel | COMPETITION

Next month thousands of us will be pointing our scooters towards the Isle of Wight once again for the annual Isle of Wight International Scooter Rally. We've teamed up with the rally hosts, VFM to offer a pair of weekend tickets (worth £60) for the scooter rally. Red Funnel have…

iggy-grainger13 July 2023