Lambretta's winding history

For true scooter enthusiasts, the Lambretta name is certainly not strange. Yes, we are knew that Lambretta is the name of an Italian company which in its heyday was a rival for its compatriot scooter manufacturer Piaggio.

Innocenti Lambretta scooters, reliable and fun transportation that was affordable and revolutionary in design. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2MsV6Kh)

Ferdinando Innocenti, the
founder of the Lambretta 
manufacturer. (Picture  
from:  http://bit.ly/35rwOZy)

But then the Lambretta scooters had disappeared of the world scooter market in quite a long time span. So it could make the Lambretta scooters as a figure of two-wheeled vehicles that are quite rare. Which then analogous by the world scooter fans as a diamond among the pile of gold, aka something very valuable.

At the beginning of its development, the Lambretta scooter manufacturer could not be separated from the compatriot manufacturer which was at the same time its rival Piaggio who later produced the Vespa scooters. At first glance, there are seen a similarity design between Lambretta and Vespa scooters. This can be seen directly in the physical form of the scooter produced by those two Italian manufacturers. This is not a coincidence, but there's a story that is quite interesting in it. Are you curious?

Lambretta's design was inspired by an American-made scooters 

Corradino D'Ascanio, the
designer of Lambretta and 
Vespa scooters. (Picture 
 from:  http://bit.ly/33jwL0a)

Before making a scooter, Ferdinando Innocenti first established an engine manufacturer named after his name, Innocenti SA. in the 1920s. 

Initially, the factory producing components for the Italian Air Force since 1922. When the war raged that factory was bombed to the ground by Allied forces. After the war, Innocenti needed to find a new product in order for his business to survive.

In the midst of the debris of his steel tube factory, Innocenti got an idea to create a cheap and resilient transportation ride, and then a scooter concept was born!! When the company decided to make a scooter, Innocenti knew if he had to find someone who could make the design of his dream vehicle.

The first Innocenti scooter designed by Corradino D'Ascanio. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/35puO4d)

Then Innocenti handed over those design work to an aeronautical engineer named Corradino D'Ascanio. It's strangely and funny as well, actually D'Ascanio doesn't like motorbikes due to previously he worked for Piaggio's aircraft manufacturer before and during the war.

The Innocenti Lamborghini scooter history. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2IIuPGy)

At that time Innocenti told D'Ascanio if he wanted the design of a simple, resilent and affordable two-wheeled vehicle, so it was easy to drive by men and women also it wasn't easy to dirty the clothes when ride it.

1947 Lambretta 125M (A), the first Innocenti-made scooter. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2MxiAxD)

In the process of the design work, D'Ascanio took the figure of the Cushman scooter that was made before World War II in Nebraska, the United States became one of the design references for the vehicle he was going to make. These American-made scooters were in Italy in large numbers, ordered originally by the United States military as field transport for the paratroops and marines.

1943 Cushman Airborne Military was one of the Lambretta scooter design references made by Corradino D'Ascanio for Innocenti SA. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1zct9Yf)

It's known that the American soldiers had used those scooters to get around German defense tactics of destroying roads and bridges in the Dolomites (a section of the Alps) and the Austrian border areas.

1949 Lambretta 125M (B). (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2OFlvqH)

In order to fulfill Innocenti's desire for a good two-wheeled vehicles that able to keep the rider and passenger clothings in clean condition when riding it, then a protective part in front called a "shield" is deliberately formed.

1953 Lambretta LD 125 Mk.2. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/315xr7V)

Since then the company produced the Lambretta scooters over the years, and regarding to the scooter's name, it's taken from the Lambrate district name of Milan in northern Italy, which is near to the steel tubing factory location. 

The spar frame concept dispute made D'Ascanio turn back to Piaggio

In the development of the company, there was a dispute between Innocenti and D'Ascanio about the concept problem. Because Innocenti wants the spar frame to be produced from the steel tube plant of his. Before the problem found a solution, Innocenti revived his two steel factories in Milan which previously destroyed to the ground by Allied forces.

1959 Lambretta LI Series 1. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/311JuDj)

Somehow, then the dispute bears the separation. Which then makes D'ascanio finally turn back to collaborate with Enrico Piaggio. And in 1946, the results of his collaboration with Piaggio produced Vespa spar frames. On the other hand, after D'Ascanio left the company, the final design of the Lambretta scooter was completed by another engineers named Cesare Pallavicino and Pier Luigi Torre.

The first production of Lambretta scooters favored by the Italians 

Lambretta has a good milestone when starting marketing its scooters. Their first products named the Lambretta 125M (A) launched in the 1947 and were favored by the Italians so that the Lambretta's scooter riders population increased significantly in the country.

The first production of Lambretta scooters directly favored by the Italians. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/326Q2lk)

And a year before, Piaggio had launched their first Vespa 98 models. Then the first model of the Lambretta scooters came with two options, ie the seats for passenger or a compartment to store goods at rear.

This Lambretta 125M (A) scooter uses a 125cc engine with three speed transmission system and then its gear shift was on the foot where only the Innocenti Lambretta models have such thing.

1960 Lambretta TV175 Mk.2. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/316WAiD)

The front shield is made of aero metal materials which develops into leather. Uniquely on the storage drawer that is similar to a car dashboard. And by the late 1940s the Lambretta scooter was sold overseas. Innocenti became one of the new industrial giants of post-war Italy, and the scooterphenomenon was on its way to becoming a legend.

1967 Lambretta SX 200. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/315znNJ)

The scooters continued to produced in Italy until 1971, then the company did a massive expansion with the scooter production abroad under the full license, such as to Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, India and Spain, making it a worldwide brand.

1970 Lambretta GP 200. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/35pMOLE)

Lambretta scooters were also manufactured under licence by Fenwick in France, NSU in Germany, Serveta in Spain, API in India, Yulon in Taiwan, Pasco in Brazil, Auteco in Colombia and Siambretta in Argentina.

Lambretta had a long sleep before finally being reborn 

This Italian scooter brand had disappeared from circulation in the world scooter market. As it is known that in the 1970s The British Leyland Motor Corporation (BLMC) acquired shares of Innocenti. After experiencing a financial crisis and industrial strike at BLMC. By 1972, Innocenti had stopped production.

2018 Lambretta V-Special. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2IIuPGy)

They had been bought by a large company who did not foresee the changes to come in the motor industry. Strikes and falling sales did for Innocenti, even in emerging markets like India, where cheaper Japanese motorcycles were better choices for consumers.

In 1972, the Indian government bought the machinery of the Milanese factory, creating Scooters India Limited (SIL) in order to produce the Lambro three-wheeler under the name Vikram for the domestic market and made them until the late 1990’s.

They seen never gave up and continue to struggle. Recently a Lugano-based Switzerland consortium purchased the Innocenti SA. which then directly owned those famous scooter brand. Now, we can see the Lambretta scooters back to enliven the competition in the world's scooter market by launching its newest Lambretta V-Special models with two engines options 125cc and 200cc. Will they be able to survive?

Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of two-wheeled monster and stay alive with the true safety riding. May God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops...... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | LAMBRETTA STORY | LC | ACE SCOOTERS]

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Two classic French-made scooters

It turns out that a lot of scooters have been presented by manufacturers around the world. Noted, besides the Italian which until now is considered as the first country to popularize the scooter cultures throughout the universe by their famous companies like Piaggio and Innocenti and then there're several companies in the Great Britain, Germany, Russia (in the time of the Soviet Union) and then cross the sea in the United States and even farther in Japan.

A French scooter known as the 1956 Manurhin MR75 on its heyday was ridden by a French couples somewhere in the country. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Mz4DzA)

All scooter manufacturers in the countries mentioned above have been discussed in several articles previuosly. And now we will discuss about the France which had also been recorded in history as one of the classic scooters producing countries. Here are two scooter manufacturer companies of the French:

1. Manurhin

This French manufacturer apparently did not want to miss in producing a scooter. Manufacturers who have the full name Manufacture de Machines du Haut-Rhin or abbreviated as Manurhin are also known as weaponary manufacturers.

At that time they were producing Hobby scooters with a license from the German company DKW. The scooter production by the Mulhouse-based manufacturer began in 1956 by using a proportion of French-made parts and later its scooter product been known as Manurhin MR75.

1958 Manurhin MR75 uses a single cylinder engine 74cc. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2nx1kjH)

The scooter was constructed to a high standard and also been known as one of the first motorcycles to be painted electrostatically, a process commonly known as powder coating. In its development, this French-made scooter was marketed to England under the name Manurhin Concord.

1961 Manurhin Concorde was a scooter model marketed in England. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/33ohBHb)

Compared to the scooters of its two Italian rivals, Manurhin's scooter has a longer body and bigger wheels so it is more similar to ordinary motorcycle wheels. In 1957 the MR75 model was relaunched with the new label of Manurhin Beltomatic SM75, this scooter used the 74cc single cylinder MR75 engine, but the sidepanels replaced the grilles over the rear wheels and the scooter was now a full automatic with no gear changes.

1957 Manurhin Beltomatic SM75 uses the same MR75 engine but, the scooter in a full automatic with no gear changes. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2OBODz5)

When DKW decided to stop the Hobby scooters production in 1958, and turning all production over to Manurhin included its sale. The results are truly astounding! At that time Manurhin managed to occupy the third rank behind the Italian famous scooter giants, Lambretta and Vespa in the best selling scooters in Europe.

And finally, a bitter period arrived in the early 1960s, when the production of the Manurhin SM75 model was ceased. At the time, the over 50cc scooter market had collapsed in France, mainly due to changing regulations. It sadly then Manurhin stopped all scooter production and returned to the weaponary producing to date.

2. Peugeot

The next French manufacturer who also made the scooter was Peugeot. Maybe now, they are better known as car manufacturers. And incredibly, this French manufacturer can survive until now in producing and marketing scooters to all corners of the world with its newest flagship product Peugeot Django.

The first Peugeot scooter named Peugeot S55 is started on production the 1953. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/322ynez)

Peugeot's journey in the scooter producing has been done since the 1950s, at that time they decided to experiment in the cars and scooters designing. In the 1953, they launched a new vehicle namely a scooter named Peugeot S55 which was equipped with an engine adopted from its P55 small motorcycle.

1955 Peugeot S55. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Mv8ldg)

And in 1954 they also marketed new models namely S57, S57AL and S157. With a number of new innovations offered on their production scooter variants, ie the use of a new gear system where the pedal is replaced with a handle-bar selector.

1967 Peugeot S57. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2pVTVLC)

Then in 1957 the French manufacturer re-released the latest model of the S157 variant with front fender changes that can move independently of the body. Overall, Peugeot seemed to have succeeded in developing a scooter design that was different from its competitors at the time, namely the Italian Vespa or domestic WFM works with the "Osa."

3. ACMA
In addition to the two French companies mentioned above, there's still another scooter-making company named ACMA (Ateliers de Construction de motocycles et d'Automobiles). The manufacturer has a factory in Fourchambault, near Dijon and beside produces several Vespa scooters under license of Piaggio up to renown to produce the scooters in special shaped for military purposes called Vespa 150 TAP or Bazooka Vespa.

Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of two-wheeled monster and stay alive with the true safety riding. May God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops...... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | RETRO RIDES | ARDOR AUCTION]

Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.

A unique three-wheeled vehicle built of the car named Krakatoa

Various unique customized motorcycles and cars on display at the Kustomfest 2019, one of the largest annual automotive events in Indonesia, held on October 5-6, at the Jogja Expo Center, Jogjakarta. And seen many visitors who came to see the event which was held just for two days, ie on Saturday to Sunday.

A three-wheeled vehicle named Krakatoa by a Bandar Lampung-based workshop, Satan Soul Custom on display at the Kustomfest 2019. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2AN07Yq)

The strict selection system created by the organizers is intended there're no old works ever come back on display at the following year event. This seems to make the public always curious, what kind of custom vehicles will be presented by the Automotive builders who come from various regions in Indonesia.

Of the many cars and motorbikes appeared at the event, one that made the visitor astonished was the work of a Bandar Lampung-based automotive custom workshop, named Satan Soul Custom. On this year event, Wuriyanto thus the name of the workshop owner brought a three-wheeled vehicle named 'Krakatoa' in a hot rod styled fierce looks. Those vehicle creator said that the vehicle was built from a 1982 Toyota Mark II with 2,000 cc engined.

This unique three-wheeled vehicle 'Krakatoa' built of the 1982 Toyota Mark II. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2LRClAX)

As quoted from Tempo, the builder also claimed that the three-wheeled vehicle was made in a relatively short time, which is four months and was specifically built to appear at this annual automotive event. Although it was done in a short time, the results were practically good and neat.

The Satan Soul owner whose its works have passed several times during the 2014 and 2017 events, also explained not only once they were built a motorcycle based of a car. Yes, at the Kustomfest 2017 event, the Soul Satan ever displayed a motorcycle based of the Mazda B600 and managed to sold on Rp.60 million after the event end. 

The Krakatoa three-wheeled vehicle intended to sell at a price of more than Rp.100millions. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/33b5yNb)

And now what about for the Krakatoa three-wheeled vehicle. According to Yanto, thus the owner of Satan Soul is usually called, he intended to sell the Krakatoa at a price of more than Rp.100 million due to the complicated level of workmanship.

The Krakatoa three-wheeled vehicle was built from the front to the rear. Although the gas lever remains in the hand while the clutch and gear are placed on the foot. For the front, this vehicle applies an independent drive taken from the Datsun 3S.

Meanwhile, the connecting handlebar and rear wheels are also given an intermediary. Furthermore, the front shock absorbers use components taken from the Harley Davidson Softtail while for the back of the Daihatsu Hijet 1000.

Then the radiator of the three-wheeled vehicle is placed at the rear while the whole body is remade by using the 1.2 millimeter thick iron plates. Furthermore, the Satan Soul owner said that the three-wheeled vehicle 'Krakatoa' able to run more than 100 km per hour. Do you want to try it?
Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of two-wheeled monster and stay alive with the true safety riding. May God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops...... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SATAN SOUL CUSTOM | TEMPO]
Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.

The most incredible custom motorcycle ever in the 2019

This motorcycle does look a lot different from the custom motorbikes built by motorcycle builders in the world. Yes, the unique-shaped custom motorcycle is called 'The Killer,' which was built by an Australian expatriate who lives in the US named Craig Rodsmith of Rodsmith Motorcycle. The difference can be significantly seen ranging from the motorcycle shaped to its engine.

Rodsmith Motorcycle 'The Killer' by Craig Rodsmith for Haas Moto Museum and Sculpture Gallery at The Handbuilt Motorcycle Show 2019. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/31OnxIQ)

The making of this unique motorcycle began when Booby Haas of the Dallas-based Haas Moto Museum surfed the internet and found some grainy photos of an art deco-style motorcycle made by a group of German engineers in Munich back in the 1930s.

Then he was inspired to make it, and immediately thought of Craig Rodsmith and contacted him right away. Soon they met to talk about the possibility of making the motorcycle.

The Killer features the integrated amber headlight, bars, and the thin seat are all similarly crafted from aluminum. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/30M21mW)

As mentioned above, The Killer shape heavily inspired by the 1935 Killinger und Freund Motorrad. You might still remember the figure of the German art-deco styled motorcycle found by US soldiers during the 2nd World War. If forget or not know yet, you can see it in here. 

Front view of Rodsmith Motorcycle 'The Killer.' (Picture from: http://bit.ly/30M21mW)

Just like the inspiration source, The Killer was also driven by its front wheel. So it uses 3 identical units of 60cc 2-stroke engines which are arranged in radial configuration and then installed on its 19-inches front wheel. Those engines were built by Rodsmith, himself.

The Killer completed without a central motor, chain, or driveshaft keeps it minimalist and utterly stunning to behold. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/30M21mW)

Also, the chassis is handbuilt without the modern benefits of 3D design or CNC machines. And could be said it was 'super insane' level of craftsmanship to make it closely similar to the source of its inspiration. The bike features an integrated amber headlight on the handlebars, and the thin seat also crafted from aluminum materials.

To ensure the front-wheel-drive works, he used a centrifugal clutch that fitted to a sprocket, which in turn connected an axle to which the wheel was bolted. The result is a beautiful fluidity that’s unmatched by another bike ever.

Rodsmith Motorcycle 'The Killer' was heavily inspired by this German's art-deco styled front-wheeled drive motorcycle called 'Friedenstaube' (Peace Dove) or Killinger und Freund Motorrad. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/30OLYow)

This bike has been fitted with an electric starter, but there are technically three engines which have to be cranked all at once. Hence, Craig built a Bendix drive so the starter would disengage once the engine was running.

The Killer has three 60 cc 2-stroke identical engines, in a radial configuration, on its 19-inch front wheel. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/30M21mW)

According to its creators, it is a very easy-to-drive motorcycle, though with very different sensations than conventional rear-wheel-drive bikes. Craig Rodsmith said, "It’s a weird sensation of being pulled by an engine rather than pushed."

The Killer is a fully functional bike but the project was commissioned mostly as an artwork to be shown off at the museum. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2MdGjmr)

Bobby Haas is happy. "I know from personal experience that success is all the sweeter when you accept a challenge to do something you think you’re destined to fail at. My role is to enable genius artisans to create a masterpiece that might otherwise escape reality, and just drift away as a pipe dream."

Indeed, We've been heard the Killer motorcycle is a fully functional bike but the project was commissioned mostly as an artwork to be shown off at the museum. See it for yourself on display in the Haas Moto Museum. But imagine, once upon a time when you look at The Killer speeding on the streets - won't that be a sight!

Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of two-wheeled monster and stay alive with the true safety riding. May God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops...... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | RODSMITH MOTORCYCLE | HAAS MOTO MUSEUM | BIKEEXIF | ULTIMATE MOTORCYCLING | ENRG.IO]Note: This blog  can be accessed via your smart phone.

Here's the Kongo, one of the world's most sought after scooters (Part-2)

Now we are know that the Vespa Kongo is a designation for a Vespa special models which assembled in Germany and was a state award for the Indonesian soldiers who have been served in Congo as the UN's Peacekeeping Forces in between 1960 to 1963. So clearly this Kongo type of scooter only exist in Indonesia.

Vespa Kongo has become a part of the history of the Indonesia's participation for world peace. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2pFy4YR)

Distinctive marks of the Vespa Kongo 

One of the features that makes the Vespa Kongo so unique, due to these scooter models were not assembled at the Vespa factory in Pontadera, Italy as other Vespa models in general that time, but at the Vespa GmbH Augsburg, one of the Vespa factories in Augsburg, Germany which was established in 1958 and there were 2 scooter models, ie.  Vespa 150 cc scooters (Vespa Ausburg T150/4 (type 332, 4-speed) VGLB, and Vespa 125 cc scooters (Vespa Ausburg T150/4 (type 332, 3-speed) VGLA.

Vespa Ausburg VGLA/B aka Vespa Kongo has a round front fender without joints and uses 10-inches sized rim on both its wheels. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2oGthFZ)

Vespa Kongo is manufactured by using higher quality steel plate materials and has more complete equipment compared to other Vespa scooter models that were commonly circulating in Indonesia at that time such as the VBB1T or VBB2T models.

The Vespa Kongo scooter models physically have a special characteristic on the body which is not found in other Vespa models, namely:

• It has a Garuda emblem made of brass plates on the left front body (but unfortunately, the logo is rarely found in the remaining Vespa Kongo now).
• On the left handlebar (the clutch/gears section) precisely, there is an oval shaped bulge.
• It has a round front fender without joints.
• It uses 10-inches sized rim on both wheels.
• It has a handlebar with a rather large box-shaped VDO speedometer that is different from the Vespa Type VNA/VNB.
• At the top of the speedometer there is a small indicator lamp.
• It has a machine number that starts with the codes of VGLA1M or VGLB1M.
• And finally in the Indonesian Vehicle Ownership Book (Bukti Pemilik Kendaraan Bermotor/BPKB) there's an 'Ex-Brigade III information' about name and rank of the soldiers who got this scooter.

In addition to the characteristics mentioned above to complete the owner identity such as, the soldier identity numbers who got the Vespa scooter is also embedded in the handlebar (oval handlebar) made of brass and an accompanying awards. Here we provide some pictures that might give a little picture of the characteristics of the Vespa Kongo scooter as mentioned above:

Vespa Kongo distinctive marks as mentioned above, as follow it has an oval shaped bulge, a box-shaped VDO speedometer, at top of speedometer there's small indicator lamp, etc. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2n8KK9N). (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2o0ZOGR)

At present, the existence of thsee Vespa Kongo scooters are difficult to find in the original conditions. Even if there were, they would be very few in number and be in the hands of people who care to maintain their existence. 

The valid authentication marks of Vespa Kongo can be seen in the Indonesian Vehicle Ownership Book (Bukti Pemilik Kendaraan Bermotor/BPKB) there's an 'Ex-Brigade III information' about name and rank of the soldiers who got this scooter. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2n8KK9N)

In addition, at the first place it's also affected by the very limited number of scooters in accordance with the number of soldiers who got it, plus at present the condition of some of its spare parts which have been damaged and cannot be repaired, meanwhile its replacement parts are no longer on the market.

Another Vespa Kongo distinctive marks as mentioned above, as follow it has a box-shaped VDO speedometer, at top of speedometer there's small indicator lamp, etc. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2n8KK9N)

Until now, we don't know yet how much price of the Vespa Kongo scooter in original condition. We're though that were not cheap certainly, or an exorbitant prices it could be. (Some said the price over Rp.50 million or around US $3,5k).

Are you have these special-kind-of scooters? If yes. We can only say 'Congratulation, You are very lucky person due to have one of the most sought after scooters in the world.' 

Today, the Vespa Kongo like a myth among the Indonesian scooter fans even the world. If you have it. Keep the Vespa Kongo scooter as one of the Indonesian priceless treasures..!!  

Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of two-wheeled monster and stay alive with the true safety riding. May God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops...... (Back to Part-1).   

(This article was deliberately created in order to commemorate the 74th anniversary of the Indonesian National Army (Tentara National Indonesia/TNI) on October 5, 2019.)

Remain as the Guardian of Our beloved Indonesian homeland with all the heart. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | KOMPAS | OTOFREAK | MOTOPLUS | OTOMANIA | VESPA]

Note: This blog  can be accessed via your smart phone.