Did you know the Flandria ever had a scooter model?

Currently, we are still in Belgium, which turns out to still have other stories about unique scooters that have been made by this country manufacturer, apart from the Aldimi Prince de Liège scooter. Well, this time we will discuss the scooters that have been made by Flandria, a brand owned by a Belgium well-known manufacturer which originated from a blacksmith workshop located in Zedelgem near Bruges owned and managed by the Claeys family since the 19th century.

Flandria Fabrina scooter model produced from 1954 to 1960 and uses a 175cc 2-stroke single-cylinder JLO engine coupled with a 4-speed manual transmission system. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2RbHmGg)

This family business continued to grow rapidly until in the early 20th century, Leon Claeys formed an independent company that produced agricultural machinery with hundreds of employees. And in 1910 the company started producing bicycles and managed to sell more than 250,000 units by 1927.

Meanwhile, the manufacture of motorcycles began in 1933 by building the first four motorbike prototypes with the JAP OHV 500cc engine, but it was never produced. Shortly after the 2nd World War ended, the Belgian manufacturer decided to start making mopeds in addition to motorcycle production. And since then many models of two-wheeled vehicles (mopeds, motorbikes, and scooters) have been produced by the Zedelgem-based company.

1961 Flandria Kingline De Luxe. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/35j1aA0)

As quoted by Cybermotorcycle, the Flandria was one of the biggest motorcycle, moped, and bicycle companies in Belgium. It was a Claeys family business but they made a lot of other things (stoves, children's three-wheelers, buggies, invalid cars, scooters, and even a prototype car. They delivered all over Europe, also the north of Africa, and the US.

1962 Flandria Amazone. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3ihMZ1K)

During its production period, Flandria produces many moped and motorcycle models included Amazone, Galet Luxe 2T, Velomatic, Floride, Princesse, Caravelle, Mirage, Comet, King, Parisienne, Sportif, Ultra Sport, Atlas, Record, etc.

1962 Flandria Record V. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2ZmHlUu)

Especially for the scooter model, Flandria started making it in 1954 which was named Flandria Fabrina. As quoted from OTTW.ES, this scooter model uses a 175cc 2-stroke single-cylinder JLO engine coupled with a 4-speed manual transmission system. And it is likely that this is the only scooter model had ever produced by this Belgium company.

1964 Flandria Ultra Sport. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3bMSAuE)

The physical appearance of the scooter, which was reportedly produced from 1954 to 1960, looks like a combination of Italian designs using a German-made engine. Yes, on the front it looks similar to the Lambretta scooter model with a large-sized headlight attached to the front shield. While the rear look like a Lambretta scootasp-tail such as the Vespa scooter model.

Unfortunately, there is not much information that we can collect about these Flandria Fabrina scooters, so it is not known how many scooters had been produced by Belgium manufacturer. Besides, there is only one picture of the Fabrina scooter model that we can get from several sites on the internet.😓

1965 Flandria King. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/329zueY)

That's it, and if the article above is still considered inadequate or inaccurate, or if you have additional information related to this unique scooter, please don't hesitate to let us know via the comments column below this article.

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.COM | OTTW.ES | WIKIPEDIA]

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2 Rare Switzerland scooters

The development of the motorized vehicle industry, especially scooters after World War 2 ended, has contributed significantly to the growth of the economy and industry which was destroyed when the war broke out. At its peak, the growth of the scooter manufacturing industry also experienced a heyday around the 1950s to the 1960s.

The unique Mako 125 scooter made by a Switzerland manufacturer in the 1950s. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3lQtWOa)

It can be seen by the number of companies that make scooters (especially in mainland Europe). Maybe they were inspired by the success of two scooter manufacturers from Italy, Piaggio, and Innocenti. No exception to the manufacturers from Switzerland. Well, maybe not many people know that from this beautiful country, have been born ever unique scooters. Let's see two of them as follow;

1. Mako Scooter
As usual, when surfing in cyberspace we came across a picture of this scooter. The figure of the scooter at first glance looks like a Lambretta LC scooter and it turns out that the scooter is not one of the models made by the Italian manufacturer, Innocenti.

The unique Mako 125 scooter uses a 125cc 2-stroke JLO engine. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3h2LeE9)

After several attempts to dig up information about this scooter, it turned out that very little was obtained, namely 2 pictures of the scooter without any additional information. In fact, the Mako 125 scooter brand was made in a limited number by a manufacturer from Switzerland in the 1950s (around 1953 to 1955). But unfortunately, there is no data that explains the name of the manufacturer from Switzerland.😭

The obvious design difference between the Mako and Lambretta LC models is on the front. Where the Mako scooter model looks to use an exposed double shock absorber system with springs, while the Lambretta LC model with the telescopic suspension system. Furthermore, this Mako unique scooter uses a 125cc 2-stroke JLO engine. At that time the machine was known to be reliable, supported by the availability of adequate spare parts by the German machinery manufacturer.

Besides it is not known how many scooters were made at that time and whether the manufacture of these scooters was done under license or at least with the authorization of the Italian manufacturer, Innocenti, who is known to be the Lambretta scooter brand owner if the Mako is modified based on the Lambretta LC model. What do you think?

2. Mowag Vroller
Besides the Mako scooter above, it turns out that there is another scooter made by a Swiss manufacturer in 1958 called the Mowag Vroller. However, there is not much information that can describe it in detail.

The unique Mowag Vroller scooter made by Switzerland's military vehicle manufacturer in 1958. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2R18VlN)

This unique scooter is said to be made by Mowag GmbH, a military vehicle manufacturer from the mentioned country (since April 2010, the name of this company has been changed to General Dynamics European Land Systems - Mowag GmbH). It seems this scooter only made in a limited number.

That's it, and if the article above is still considered inadequate or inaccurate, or if you have additional information related to the unique scooter models, please don't hesitate to let us know via the comments column below this article.

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 | CLASSICBIKEHUB.UK | CYBERMOTORCYCLE.COM]

Note: This blog  can be accessed via your smart phone

The Spanish Rondine scooter had died prematurely since it first launched

For a moment we return to Spain, a beautiful country located on the Iberian peninsula that has a history of automotive, especially scooters that are quite classy and are not inferior to other countries in the world. After some time ago we discussed scooters made by other Spanish manufacturers such as the Reiju Isard, Husor 201, Iruña 202, Cimera Turismo, and others.

This Rondine 125 scooter made by a Madrid-based manufacturer called Moto Scooter SA. and now sat on display at the Museu de la Moto de Barcelona. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2Z5MOiF)

So this time, we will discuss a quite unique scooter called the Rondine 125 made by a Madrid-based manufacturer called Moto Scooter SA. As quoted from OTTW.ES, the company was founded on October 8, 1951, which started producing scooters with a brand like the one above that used a 125 cc 2-stroke engine.

1951 Rondine 125 scooter uses a 125 cc 2-stroke engine and was not distributed by the maker due to not competitive price. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2Z5MOiF)

But then this scooter was not distributed widely to the market by the company, considering its fairly expensive price and exacerbated by the appearance of Vespa, an Italian scooter brand in 1953 which was offered at a lower price but had a more attractive appearance.😢 

After that, the manufacturer shifted to the other motorized vehicle production, by launching a three-wheeler model named "Titano." Again, this model is also not succeeding in the market, as the three-wheeler has a major disadvantage that it is not equipped with a rear differential drive, which makes it very unstable during cornering.

1951 Titano Motocarro is a substitute model of the Rondine 125 scooter which built shortly after the maker decided not to distribute widely the scooter model. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/330DVYO)

Today, You can be seen this Rondine 125cc scooter on display at the Barcelona Motorcycle Museum (Museu de la Moto de Barcelona). As a reminder, the Rondine brand belonging to this Spanish company is not associated with the three Italian homonym brands such as Rondine (Melegnano), Rondine (San Martino Siccomario), Rondine-Copeta, and Rondine Motor.

The first version of the Rondine Sport motorcycle featured a single-cylinder 125 cc, 2T, 6.2 hp engine and launched in 1952. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2DtlzqB)

At the end of 1952, its first motorcycle named "Sport" appeared on the market, designed by an Italian designer named Bruno Hettore. The motorcycle is inspired by the MV Turismo Lusso motorcycle and using a 125cc single-cylinder 2-stroke engine (which is capable of delivering up to 6.5 horsepower at 6,000 rpm) and built on a simple frame and stands made by the transalpine company GUIA.

Hettore then left the company to form his own brand, Aster (Madrid). During 1953, other motorcycle versions appeared which were still equipped with the same engine, but had undergone technical improvements with new frames and suspension. In both versions, the maximum speed is 85 or 90 kph (with a passenger or alone).

The next version of Rondine Sport is launched in 1957 featured with the same engine of the first but has applied a new frame and suspensions. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2DtlzqB)

Unfortunately, the crisis in the motorcycle sector in the late 1950s meant that the new model they were preparing at the time, the Poker 250, was unable to enter the market. Then in 1958, the company chose to produce Trimak brand motorbikes belonging to another manufacturer which was equipped with a 25,250 cc 2T CAM engine capable of delivering up to 14 horsepower.

The Spaniard Rondine 125 classic scooter had died prematurely since it first launched. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3hYuj73)

It turns out that the crisis continues, which makes this company worse and worse. In the following year after being declared bankrupt, the company was acquired by another Madrid-based company named Trimak SA, which is the owner of the Trimak motorcycle brand as well.😭

That's it, and if the article above is still considered inadequate or inaccurate, or if you have additional information related to the Spanish rare unique scooter models, please don't hesitate to let us know via the comments column below this article.

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.COM | OTTW.ES | ULTIMATEMOTORCYCLING.COM | MILANUNCIOS | CLUB DE MOTOS ANTIGUAS GRANADA]
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A mysterious American classic scooter today

Indeed, there were many scooter models had been built by various manufacturers in the world in the early 1950s to 1960s. They seemed busy dominantly passing through the urban traffic at the world's major cities because that time was also known as the scooter heyday. But on the contrary, if we look at it today, maybe most of their existence becomes mysterious (due to has become a part of private collections and/or museums) even some are extinct swallowed up by time.

A classic American scooter called Globester is designed by Brooks Stevens in 1946. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/32Mlmax)

Of the many models, one example is the American scooter model under the Globester brand. This scooter brand is known to be produced and owned by a manufacturer based in Chicago, the United States in the late 1940s. Some sources said that the scooter design related to Brooks Stevens, a famous American industrial designer of home furnishings, appliances, automobiles, and motorcycles as well as a graphic designer and stylist.

But, we can not find out much detailed information about Globester scooters on the internet, besides several old advertisement brochure pictures scattered on several sites out there. Literally, we could not be seen one proof of the Globester scooter has been survived and still exists up today.

An old advertisement leaflet of the Globester 2nd scooter model. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/32Mlmax)

Well, from the existing pictures, it can be concluded that there are 2 Globester scooter models that ever been made by the Chicago-based manufacturer. And the first model looks like has a similar style to the average American scooters that existed at the time.

As quoted from Lambretista, this Globester scooter model was made around 1946. When you think that Innocenti’s  Model A, on the face of it a much less sophisticated design, dates from 1947, you get the impression that American scooters had a definite head start on those from Italy.

The 2nd model of the Globester scooter is built with a one-piece aluminum frame powered by an air-cooled 2-stroke engine capable of producing up to 2 horsepower. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/32Mlmax)

Let's take a look at the second scooter model, in the advertisement brochure, it states that this Globester scooter is built with a one-piece aluminum frame powered by an air-cooled 2-stroke engine capable of producing up to 2 horsepower. With the engine power, this scooter can run up to a top speed of 35 mph with fuel consumption of 95 miles per gallon of gas. At that time this scooter model was offered in several color choices such as flame red, metallescent gray, bright yellow, and metallescent brown. One thing that stands out from all of these pics is that they are so ahead of their time.

The 2nd model of Globester scooter is offered in several color choices such as flame red, metallescent gray, bright yellow, and metallescent brown. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2EZU2xu)

The ad pictures mentioned above do come from the 1950s, and the one thing that strikes me from that is the price. The Globester doesn't look like a cheap scooter, but we don’t know why the Globester couldn’t gain success in the market. There're many factors, maybe it comes down to engineering, reliability, fashion, or price, but it’s certainly not as well known as that other iconic US brands, the Cushman or Salsbury.

That's it, and if the article above is still considered inadequate or inaccurate, or if you have additional information related to these unique scooter models, please don't hesitate to let us know via the comments column below this article.

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 | LAMBRETTISTA.NET | CUSTOMRODDER | ULTIMATEMOTORCYCLING.COM]

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Here's the unfamous short-lived Belgian scooter called Aldimi

Just like other rare scooters we have discussed before. Yes, it all started when we were surfing in cyberspace and found pictures of unique and rare scooters on several websites out there. And the images of the unique and rare scooter seem to have been circulating on the internet for a long time and are directly linked to one Belgian classic scooter brand, known as 'Aldimi.' This then makes us curious to try to find out the 'what' and 'who' behind this Belgium scooter brand.

1953 Aldimi Prince de Liège designed and built by Albert d'Ieteren and his son, André in collaboration with René Milhoux. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2QOHtaN)

The birth of this classic scooter is also taken inseparable from the success of the scooter brands from Italy, Vespa, and Lambretta, which then inspired many parties to try to make their fortune by producing scooters including to this Belgian manufacturer which related to the Aldimi and Belgian-Cushman.

The company was founded by Albert d'Ieteren, a coachbuilder for cabins and later automobiles that were famous since from the turn of the century until the late 1930s. And when he saw the success of the two Italian scooter brands mentioned above, he wanted to launch his own scooter. 

1953 Aldimi Prince de Liège using a Saroléa 125 Oiseau Bleu engine from 1950 with Miller ignition and Amal carburetor.  (Picture from: https://bit.ly/31IV0ab)

Then he teamed up with René Milhoux, a famous motorcycle racer when started designing a scooter which was later called 'Aldimi Prince de Liège' and at the end of the process, they were also assisted by Albert's son named André. And the brand's name of Aldimi is taken from the abbreviations of the names Albert d'Ieteren and René Milhoux.

The brand's name of Aldimi is taken from the abbreviations of the names Albert d'Ieteren and René Milhoux. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3btrzMv)

This unique scooter is built with a rigid frame that supports the rear wheels and using a Saroléa 125 Oiseau Bleu engine from 1950 with Miller ignition and Amal carburetor, this scooter is said to have a good balance and offers excellent handling as well. The Aldimi scooters were built at the d'Ieteren workshop in Brussels has characteristics such as cantilevered wheels, Neiman rings front suspension, and a rear with a cone creating a variable set of flexibility.

1953 Aldimi Prince de Liège's unusual body curves that said to contribute to its good balance and excellent handling as well. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3btrzMv)

That's not surprising, because René Milhoux is actually a reliable designer who also known ever designed the Belgian-Cushman scooter in 1951. Well, the Cushman scooter was originally made in America which was later made derivative in Belgium after completely revised by him so that it weighs 55 kilos lighter than the American version.

1951 Belgium-Cushman was originally made in America which was later made derivative in Belgium after completely revised by René Milhoux. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2QOHtaN)

After the Aldimi scooter prototype was completed and appeared with sexy body curves, something happened that made the model not appear in the motorized vehicle market. As it turned out, the domestic market at that time was not supported due to the potential for scooter purchases in Belgium is not what was previously thought, and Aldimi was slowly dying after only made about ten copies of the Aldimi 125 Prince de Liège scooter in 1953.

After making about ten copies of the Aldimi Prince de Liège, the company decided not to proceed with the model into mass-production due to the weary market condition. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3btrzMv)

The company decided not to produce its own brand of scooter and changed moves.😢😢😢 They were thought the real-business must go on and left behind the dream and idealism. Yes, they took a proper shortcut by taking over the license of Piatti scooters which were also dying at that time. Although, both have not survived at the end. Literally, we could not be seen one proof of the Aldimi scooter has been survived and still exists up today.

That's it, and if the article above is still considered inadequate or inaccurate, or if you have additional information related to this unique scooter, please don't hesitate to let us know via the comments column below this article.

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.COM | MOTO-COLLECTION.ORG | WIKIPEDIA]

Note: This blog  can be accessed via your smart phone

Scoot on with the Venus of Germany

Still in context with the subject of discussion about the vintage scooters. Might be You ever see and know the fantasy poster of 'Scoot on over to Venus' by Aaron Johnson, Joel Anderson, in 2018 which appeared in the 1950s vintage nuanced style. It can be seen as if the poster invites us to scoot to outer space. Whether it's a coincidence or not (but there seems to be nothing to do with it).🤔 It turns out that in Germany in the 1950s there was a scooter with the Venus brand.

1950s Venus DS 100 looks more compact and simple with a single-seater. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2FXJdfM)

Like the others in the time, this brand also inspired by the success of selling scooters from Italy such as Vespa and Lambretta, as well as several other German major brands, such as the DKW Hobby, Heinkel Tourist, Zundapp Bella, Maico Mobil, Glass Gogo, Bastert Einspurauto, and others. 

1953 Venus MS 175 with a single-seater. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/31tr95B)

The scooter models made by a German manufacturer named Venus GmbH. Fahrzeugbau. As quoted from Cybermotorcycle, the first model is named Venus DS 100 which uses a 100cc 2 stroke single-cylinder Fichtel & Sachs engine. The design influence of the Italian Vespa Faro Basso scooter which was booming at that time is could be seen clearly in it, such as the rounded front fenders which look like separated from the shield, then the curved-back resembled a wasp's tail.

1954 Venus MS 175 on display at the museum Auto & Uhrenwelt Schramberg, Germany. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2QnkB1G)

In our opinion, the overall design of this scooter is more similar to another German scooter model named the IWL SR59 Berlin. Although have an almost similar shape, but the Venus scooter model has a simpler front shield than the IWL model. 

1954 Venus MS 175 made with a longer seat so that can accommodate 2 people on it. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2QrPBhm)

The next model is the Venus MS 150 which uses a larger capacity engine, namely 150cc which able to spew power of up to 6.5 PS and is capable of making the scooter to a top speed of 70 kph. While the last model is known as the Venus MS and MSA 175 which uses a 175cc engine powered up to 9 PS so that it can carry this scooter to run up to 90 kph.

1955 Venus MSA 175. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2FSuvqn)

There is a slight difference from the previous scooter model if the DS 100 model is only equipped with one seat but on the next Venus scooter models, the company is also made with a longer seat so that can accommodate 2 people on it.

The Venus MSA 175 instrument panel attached to a simple dashboard right under the handlebar. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2FSuvqn)

However, all of the Venus scooter models put the headlight on the shield so made it a real differentiating factor from those Italian scooters. Reportedly the machine was stodgy but reliable, and handling may not have been optimal.😔

1955 Venus MSA 175. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/31syPES)

This Donauwörth-based scooter manufacturer is produced all of the above scooter models in a fairly short period of time, less than 5 years around 1950 to 1955.😢😢😢

1955 Venus MSA 175. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2YzMAA5)

That's it, and if the article above is still considered inadequate or inaccurate, or if you have additional information related to this unique scooter, please don't hesitate to let us know via the comments column below this article.

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.COM | MOTOR-LIT-BERLIN.DE | TEMPO]

Note: This blog  can be accessed via your smart phone