Its name was Bond, a classic Brit automotive brand...

Ever heard of the Bond brand before? Does it have any relationship with James Bond? Of course, it has no related to the famous fictional figure of James Bond, but they have similarities, both are the same coming from England.

1958 Bond P1 scooter powered by 148 cc engine. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2qGqUVf)

Well, the owner of this brand is a British company named 'Sharps Commercials Ltd.' which was founded by Paul Sharp in 1922 and based in Preston, Lancashire. The company at the beginning known as a retail motor trading company.

This British manufacturer began its work in the automotive world by producing an economical three-wheeled vehicle in early 1949 which was named Bond Minicar due to the machines initially were designed and produced by Lawrence Bond. After that, the mass production of the minicar was carried out from 1949 to 1966 with a total production of 26,500 units (ranging from Minicar Mark-A to Mark-G).

1949 Bond Minicar Mark-A. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/33plJGb)

Once the minicar project was turned over to Sharps Commercials Ltd., he turned his attention to the design and manufacture of a series of small lightweight motorcycles and scooters. Finally, the first motorcycle named Bond Minibyke was launched at a motorcycle show held in September 1949.  

1949 Bond Minibyke powered by 98 cc engine. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2OXElbs)

This uniquely shaped motorcycle originally used a 98cc Villiers Mk1F engine. Due to construction problems on the front fork. Then a number of improvements were made, but at least partially successful and a De-Luxe version was soon introduced powered by a 125 cc JAP engine and in November 1950 the design and manufacturing rights were sold to Ellis Ltd of Leeds who continued production until 1953.

1952 BAC Liliput powered by 98 cc engine. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2qLowfV)

The following year, the company changed its name to Bond Aircraft & Engineering Company (BAC) and further expanded its range of motorized two-wheelers with the scooter called Gazelle and Lilliput. Unfortunately, these machines were not successful in the market. The Liliput ceased production in 1952 with only some 200 machines built overall. While the Gazelle scooter production was short-lived and in late 1952 the project was sold to a Blackburn based company, Projects and Developments Ltd. later known as Oscar scooter.

1952 BAC Gazelle scooter powered by 122 cc engine. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2QYKZk3)

Lawrence Bond astride one of his
lesser-known designs back in 1955
called Sherpa scooter. (Picture from:
http://bit.ly/34xiLAV)

Lawrie Bond's final two-wheeled vehicle offering was announced in November 1955 named the Sherpa, with lightweight construction, and applied fiberglass bodywork. But despite initial interest, orders failed to materialize and the project was abandoned, with only the single prototype believed to have been made.

Bond refused to give up and present new models of scooters including P1, P2, P3, and P4. The P1 scooter model powered by a 148 cc Villiers Mk 31C engine and featured fiberglass bodywork, was rolled out in 1958 shortly to be followed by a similar-looking 197 cc Villiers Mk9E engined sister the P2, but sales were slow.

1958 Bond P1 scooter powered by 148 cc engine. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2qGqUVf)

1959 Bond P3 scooter powered by
197 cc engine. (Picture from:
http://bit.ly/2R2vSGm)

Both models continued in production until superseded in late 1959 by two improved models the P3 and P4. The new models were powered as their predecessors but featured improved engine access, a redesigned frame, but most noticeably a redesigned front apron with a now fixed front mudguard. The sales remained low despite vigorous advertising, including entries in 1958, 1959 and 1960 Isle-of -Man rallies with limited success.

Once again, the success is not at the rendezvous and the manufacturer decides to cease its two-wheeled vehicle production in 1962. However, the brand continues its activities as a car manufacturer until the mid-70s (in 1964, the company renamed to Bond Cars Limited) with more or less successful before disappearing altogether.😢

Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of the two-wheeled monster and stay alive with true safety riding. May God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops...... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SCOOTERHOOD | GRACEGUIDE | BONDSCAR.NET | WIKIPEDIA | LE REPAIRE | FLICKR | MOTORBIKE SEARCH ENGINE]

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A beautiful 1950s Sci-fi styled custom motorcycle

Custom motorbikes made by Japanese builders are not excessive. Well, Custom Works Zon has a cool reputation in its home country, Japan. Now they brought something different more like a beautiful 1950s Sci-fi styled custom motorcycle called Zonkern.

2017 Custom Works Zon 'Zonkern,' a Buell-powered custom motorcycle from Japan. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2q2CvgX)

According to our eyes as outsiders, this is an extreme modification, but to Zon's standards, this is quite practical. In Japan, builder names such as Yuichi Yoshizawa and Yoshikazu Ueda are known for their excessive motor modifications. But, this time, Yuichi and Yoshikazu had slightly refined their work.

2017 Custom Works Zon 'Zonkern,' a Buell-powered custom motorcycle from Japan. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2L5FQD0)

"We want to make motorcycles that meet basic performance, such as spinning and stopping, while still being fun to ride," Yuichi said.

Initially, Zon more considered using a Japanese motorbike as the raw material for its work but later decided to use the 1998 Buell S1 Lightning motor. "If you talk about sporty machines with good responses, there's only Buell," he said.

2017 Custom Works Zon 'Zonkern,' a Buell-powered custom motorcycle from Japan. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2L5FQD0)

Yuichi and Yoshikazu had built the motorbike's trellis frame from scratch. They were inspired when modifying one of the Ducati Monster of theirs in 2015. They also took the opportunity to work as freely as possible with bodywork.

"I want a chassis that is small and lightweight, and with good agility. The goal is achieved, even though it is not a chassis that should be seen on a motor modification. I only pursue its function," said Yuichi.

Look detailed-parts of 2017 Custom Works Zon Zonkern (all pictures taken from: http://bit.ly/2q2CvgX)

Making a completely new frame is quite difficult, but Zon has gone further by installing a veiled spring-type front end. Springer settings are also their own designs. Zon also makes a one-sided swingarm, which is configured for mono-shock suspension settings.

Its wheels are mounted 18 inches by using the Performance Machine's alloy wheels. Then Zon wrapped the wheel with Michelin Scorcher 11 tire in the front. While in the back, the rear tire is an unexpectedly wide 240.

Yuichi acknowledged that the most difficult part of the modification was the bodywork that was entirely made of aluminum. This is a great piece of work made of metal, with the front end completely closed, with the addition of the 1950s sci-fi vibe that immediately reminds us of the work of artists like Frank Kelly Freas.

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

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The first Yamaha's scooter

At the end of the 1940s, which was spearheaded by the appearance of a series of Vespa (Piaggio) and Lambretta (Innocenti) products which became known as the most revolutionary two-wheeled vehicle figures in the world. Piaggio and Innocenti through their scooter creations that are strong, tough, comfortable to drive and have an affordable price tag.

The 1st Yamaha scooter product launched in 1960 and named Yamaha SC-1. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2pTfMUm)

And in its development then managed to make the scooter to develop in such a way that it became a figure of two-wheeled vehicles whose existence at that time was even able to change the face of the automotive world and shake the existence of motorbikes in general.

No exception in Japan, which later also to follow the trend of scooters in the 1950s through several pioneering manufacturers such as Mitsubishi with the Silver Pigeon, then there was Fuji Heavy Industries with the Rabbit turned out to also feel the sweetness of success in the market of two-wheeled vehicles, especially scooters. Whether it's recognized or not, this also seems to inspire other Japanese manufacturers such as Yamaha Motor Company to join into the scooter segment.

Front view of 1960 Yamaha SC-1 scooter. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2XZSysx)

At that time, Yamaha was just starting to be active in the world of the two-wheeled vehicle industry, after launching its first motorcycle product namely the Yamaha YA-1 in 1955 which was followed by a series of other models such as YD-1 & YDS-1 until 1959. And then in March 1960, the three-tuning forks-logoed motorcycle manufacturer then released a scooter product named Yamaha SC-1 and is believed to have the meaning of Yamaha Scooter 1 or the first scooter from Yamaha.

The Yamaha SC-1 is presented not as a 'trial and error' product, this can be seen with a variety of the latest technology at that time deliberately installed on this scooter by Yamaha. Then from the SC-1 scooter design, Yamaha tried to display slightly different designs and styles from the top Italian scooters such as Vespa, which at that time carried more rounded shape design with the headlight placement on the handlebar. While Yamaha presented a taper, boxier-shaped design pattern with the headlight placement on the front body (like most German and British scooter designs in the 1950s).

Right side view of 1960 Yamaha SC-1 scooter. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2R0PmLo)

Then the chassis has applied a strong and sturdy monocoque chassis system. For the suspension is somewhat special, by using the single-sided suspension model on the front and rear wheels. With such those suspension system applied certainly makes it easier for its users, especially when they replace the rear wheels.

The Yamaha SC-1 scooter produced only for the Japanese domestic market (JDM) has a size that is arguably small, with a length of 1,770 mm. However, it has fairly hefty ie around 123 kg, this is due to dominantly use of the metal materials on its monocoque chassis. Then other sophisticated features that were also installed on this scooter include the use of an electric starter with the help of a dynamo in the engine.

Meanwhile, for the engine, Yamaha equips its SC-1 scooter with an air-cooled 2-stroke single-cylinder 175 cc engine. And Yamaha claimed that the engine is capable of producing power of around 10.3 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and a maximum torque of 15 Nm at 3,600 rpm. Then all those power is channeled to the rear wheel through the shaft with 2-speed manual transmission systems.

Yamaha sold its SC-1 scooters at a price tag of around ¥150,000. By the presence of the Yamaha SC-1 is apparently able to attract many consumers so that the scooter sales also reaped success in the Japanese domestic market at that time. So no wonder, if in the next following era, Yamaha Motor Company always launches its reliable scooter products to the domestic market up to worldwide.

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

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Scootavia, a short-life fancy scooters of France

Might be the emergence of various designs of scooters at the beginning of its development in the 1950s can be connected indirectly to the large numbers of aircraft designers who suddenly lost their jobs shortly after the 2nd World War ended. At that time many manufacturing industries were closed because many of the plants were destroyed into pieces affected by the war or as economic downturn results.

André Morin in person on one of the first advertisements for the Scootavia AMC 175 where the new hull does not have its gills of aeration of the engine. (Picture from: Motor-Collection)

The economic downturn also coincidentally resulted in also lowering the financial capabilities of a large number of European societies in the time, even making them can't afford to buy a car so that it encouraged some of them (who previously designed the aircrafts) to make a vehicle that was as reliable as a car but had more affordable price, then was born the scooter-typed vehicle.

One of the first Scootavia built models on display at the Vittorio Tessera's scooter museum in Rodano near Milan. (Picture from: Motor-Collection)

Are You still remember to Corradino D'Ascanio? An Italian gentleman who previously worked as an aeronautics expert, aircraft designer then succeeded in making the legendary scooter design for Innocenti and Piaggio that globally changed the face of the world of the automotive industries at that time.

Sales brochure of the 1948 Aerocar, a three-wheeled vehicle designed by André Morin. (Picture from: Motor-Collection)

It can't be denied, many of the scooter designers are those who originally worked in the aircraft industry as aeronautic experts, engineers, technicians, and others. So it is not surprising that many of the designs and use of materials inspired by the world of the aircraft industries.

The Scootavia AMC 175 shown off at the 1952 Paris Salon de l'Auto. (Picture from: CyberMotorcycle)

This is not much different from a scooter produced by a French manufacturer called Scootavia. This French scooter brand founded by André Morin. He known as an aeronautical engineer who has a passion for engineering and design was unmistakable, even at a young age. It made him able to work in the design office of Devoite Arado and Farman in Paris on a seaplane project capable of crossing the Atlantic.

The 1950 Scootavia uses the Ydral's 125 cc engine, combined with the 4-speeds manual transmission system. (Picture from: CyberMotorcycle)

Shortly after the war ended, he designs a single-seat airplane that leaves due to a lack of means. Then in 1947, he started in the construction of automotive wheels rims removable light alloy. It continues from the wheel to the microcar in 1948, he designed a three-wheeled vehicle named Aerocar dressed with dural sheets or plastic but the project was unsuccessful in the market, due to considered too expensive at the time.

The 1951 Scootavia uses the AMC's four-stroke 175 cc engine, combined with the 4-speeds manual transmission system. (Picture from: CyberMotorcycle)

After the Aerocar project stalled, then in 1949, he switched to the scooter project which was named Scootavia. The Scootavia name is taken from the combination of the words of Scoot from 'scooter,' and Avia from 'plane.' Most of the scooter design was inspired by the Bernardet A48 scooter had been launched a year earlier. The construction of the Scootavia scooter-designed by André Morin is entirely using light alloy materials, apart from precisely this large fixed nose welded sheet.

Sales brochure of the Scootavia AMC 175. (Picture from: CyberMotorcycle)

Scootavia were luxurious and innovative scooters fitted initially with the Ydral's 125 cc engine, it first time advertised in 1949 then started to production probably early in 1950. In 1951 there was a design change along with a new engine, the AMC's four-stroke 175 cc combined with the 4-speeds manual transmission system. Then there was an association with M. Petigat, who made the scooter under license from 1952 until the end of production in 1954. 

1950 Scootavia Tripousse on display at the Lane Motor Museum. (Picture from: LaneMotorMuseum)

During the manufacturer's production period, it is known that the company has been built approximately 140 units of scooters and only 18 units known to exist today including a very rare (and possibly one-off) triporteur styled vehicle, the Scootavia Tripousse.

André Morin (87 yo.) in December 2010 posed along with his two scooter-creations, the Scootavia AMC 175 (left) and the Scootavia 125 (right). (Picture from: Scootavia.Over-blog)

Scootavia ended production in 1956 and Morin went back to his aviation roots, designing light aircraft, the M31, M81, and last and better-known creation, the M85 were offered to homebuilders for construction.😢 The plans are still available for purchase today. André Morin pensioned in 1982.

Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of the two-wheeled monster and stay alive with true safety riding. May God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops...... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SCOOTAVIA.OVER-BLOG | DESKGRAM | CYBERMOTORCYCLE | MOTO-COLLECTION.ORG | LANE MOTOR MUSEUM ]

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It wasn't the mythical box, just the 1950s Japs scarce scooter

The presence of many new scooter models today does not necessarily make classic scooters lose their prestige. Likewise, the classic scooters presented by the Japanese brands from around the 1950s may still be few who know of its existence. As has been known and been presented in previous articles about the existence of several early scooters made by Japanese companies from the era of the 1950s.

1959 Tosho Pandora 125 cc scooter. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2XT3ZlL)

Now on this occasion, we still discussed one of the unfamiliar Japanese-made scooters of the 1950s. Maybe some of you are not familiar with the Tosho brand that we will discuss in this article. The Japanese manufacturer with the formal name 'Tosho Auto Industry Co., Ltd.' is known for its two-wheeled vehicle products only for the Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) in a relatively short period of times, namely 1958 and 1963. So this is probably why the company's products are only known in Japan.

1958 Tosho Echo 50 cc moped. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/37CkzKM)

From a source we found in cyberspace which later quoted by us, namely www.oldjapanesebikes.com, this company is a joint venture company between a Japanese pioneers Tohatsu and Changwon so that's known as Tochang (while other sources mention that the company collaborated with Showa).

The company has a base in Chiyoda, Tokyo. And during its time in the world of the two-wheeled vehicle industry, the company was recorded to have ever produced a moped in 1958 named Tosho Echo, which uses an engine of its own-made with the capacity of 50 cc.

1959 Tosho Pandora 125 cc scooter. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/37CkzKM)

Then in 1959, the manufacturer was later launching a prototype scooter that was named Tosho Pandora or Pandra, in contrast to a moped powered by a machine with a displacement of 50 cc, then this Pandora scooter used a 125 cc engine displacement. Interestingly, both of them turned out to apply the pull-starter system to start their engine, instead of the kick-starter like most motorbikes at the time.

1959 Tosho Pandora 125 cc scooter. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2OKneK5)

Then no less unique, the Tosho Pandora scooter was looked pretty cool with a tailfin shape that at a glance similar to one that pinned on the American car-made at the time such as the Chevrolet Bel Air and others. At that time, the existence of the tailfin was believed to be a 'stabilizer' to place the 'pressure center' as far as possible behind the vehicle (if it's applied to cars). But if it is applied to a scooter, what should the function of it? What do you think?

Finally, in 1963, the company was taken over by Yamaha Motor Company, one of the Japanese motorcycle manufacturers after being unable to survive the harsh business competition in the two-wheeled vehicle industry and since then this brand was disappeared.😢

1959 Tosho Pandora 125 cc scooter. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2XGJ2KD)

Hence, the existence of the Tosho Pandora scooter today is very rare, even in Japan too. This is indicated by the rarity of pictures from this scooter in cyberspace and even some of the images that were later displayed in this article were also coming from those few sources.

Due to its rarity, it made seem like a mysterious figure like the mythical box Pandora's box. If you have additional information regarding this unique Japanese scooter. Don't hesitate to comment in Our comments column below. We really appreciate all the information you submit.

Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of the two-wheeled monster and stay alive with true safety riding. May God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops...... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | PICUKI | OLDJAPANESEBIKES]
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Paul Vallée scarce scooter

Whether we realize it or not, in reality, that the presence of the scooter that begun in the early 20th century has given its own color and style to the automotive world. How not, a type of vehicle that initially only has a very simple construction, which is a board, two wheels, and a handlebar in such a way then can develop into a vehicle with various shapes (while maintaining its basic characteristics) and made by many manufacturers around the world. For example, look at how's unique the scooter below...

1954 Paul Vallée's SICRAF BO 54 175 cc 'Grand Luxe' scooter. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2D7nehF )

This unique scooter was made by a French company named SICRAF in 1954. The company founded by a Frenchmen named Paul Vallée in 1949. Paul Vallée was a wealthy industrialist with a complex and interesting personality. He could anticipate novel ideas before others, yet sometimes he did not carry them through in practical ways. Known, he ran a successful transport business, married into wealth, and opened a mechanical shop called SICRAF (Société Industrielle de Constructions et de Réparation des Automobiles Francaises). 

1949 Paul Vallée's SICRAF S 149 scooter. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/34jGJ2I)

Besides that, he founded and ran a successful Grand Prix team named the Écurie France, which fielded the magnificent Talbot-Lago T26 racing cars driven by legendary drivers like Louis Chiron. However, he regarded the Grand Prix team not as an end in itself, but as a way of promoting his other businesses, scooters included. That's proved shortly then he's left and abandoned his racing team and gets more seriously involved in his business.

1954 Paul Vallée's SICRAF BO 54 125 cc 'Grand Tourisme' scooter. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2OFtjYd)

The company produced commercial three-wheeled vehicles, light motorcycles, microcars, and two-stroke-engined scooters by using 125cc and 175cc engines from Aubier-Dunne and Ydral. And the company's early scooters have similarity styled with the early Lambretta, but there was apparently no contract related to the Italian company.

1954 Paul Vallée's SICRAF BO 54 125 cc 'Grand Tourisme' scooter. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2OFtjYd)

Sales brochure of Paul Vallée Triporteur.  
(Picture from:  http://bit.ly/2Dl47Rz)

The company's first scooter was the P.Vallée S 149 appeared at the 1949 Paris Salon de l'Auto fitted with a 125cc Aubier-Dunne 3-speed engine and bore a resemblance to the first Lambretta 124M (A) scooter.

While the next version presented at the 1952 Salon de l'Auto had a 4-speed Ydral 125, and the following year the P.Vallée BO 54 model appeared in the 'Grand Tourisme' and 'Grand Luxe' versions with 125 or 175cc engines. Later the scooters were made in a different style with two-tone paint.

The company-made S 149 scooter then evolved into a three-wheeled utility vehicle and about 5,000 examples ever made at the time. At the 1952 Salon de l'Auto, besides shows off the S 149 scooter,  the company also showed off the Chantecler, a very cute microcar. Unfortunately, it did not enter production lines until 1956, and only around 200 units were produced ever.

1956 Paul Vallée Chantecler microcar. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2XIXPEG)

But his business journey did not go smoothly. The scooter's relative failure in the market was far from devastating loss to Monseigneur Vallée. He simply shrugged and moved on, buying into ownership of a large Rolls-Royce and Ferrari dealership. But who can avoid death? On April 3, 1957, Paul Vallée unexpectedly died. Left everything behind and once again sad-ending happened.😢

Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of the two-wheeled monster and stay alive with true safety riding. May God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops...... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CYBERMOTORCYCLE | GRAMHO | RM SOTHEBYS | GOOGLE SEARCH]

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