Old key ring from Pirelli

Just bought this old key ring from Pirelli. It will suit my Lambretta TV 175 nice. Especially as I have found some Pirelli 3,50 X 10 tyres for it. Fairly new and made in Brazil, well you can't be choosy...

Rabbit for sale in Argentina

My Argentian connection Raùl sent me this picture of a Fuji Rabbit 150 cc for sale in his country. The asking price is 8 500 pesos, or  €1 200. Then you have to ship it if you live outside Argentina...

Nice one! 

Hobbyroller, Manhurin or NV?

Stefan Zenker on his NV-70, single saddle.

I happened to stumble on the nice picture above. From a family history published on the internet. The young man sitting on his NV 70 Hobby, yes it's a badge-enginenerd DKW Hobbyroller. A 70 cc big engine with automatic gearing.

The occasion is the graduation day from college for Stefan, before going to the university. This happened in May 1958. Stefan had got the scooter two years earlier through an uncle. The uncle had promised Stefan, then 8 years old, a motorcycle when he was old enough. Stefan always remembered the promise, and when he was 16 the uncle, a teacher, bought the NV Hobby from one of his students. After giving the NV to Stefan, the uncle bought one for himself.

- There was always trouble with the transmission, had to fix it several times. I used to have a spare belt where ever I went. Once I went to a workshop and got the reaction "Shit, one of those", Stefan tells me when we get in contact.

(Here I liked to say that no one in Sweden during the late 50's used the expression "shit").
Stefan also remember that the pull string, instead of a kick start lever, went bust the day after the graduation.

In Sweden the DKW Hobbyroller was sold by Nymans Verkstäder (NV) as the NV 70 Hobby and the NV 72 Hobby, the first with a single saddle and the latter with two saddles. NV was at the time one of Sweden's leading manufactures of bicycles, mopeds and motorcycles.

The DKW Hobbyroller was also built under license in France, by Manhurin, the french arms company. They in their turn sold it in the UK, first through the Frazer-Nash company as the Manhurin Hobby. Then by around 1960 by the Diana Conncessionaires as the Manhurin Concorde.

Mighty celebration when Stefan graduated from college.

Stefan's relatives is in the old Mercedes behind him.

An early ride in the autumn of 1957.

Manhurin Concorde in the UK.

The Swedish firm NV from Uppsala had the NV-72 and the NV-70.

La primavera, finalmente!

Vespa GS 160 1963.

Yes. spring at last! Today it was sunny and about 10-11 degrees C here in Stockholm.
I took out my Vespa GS 160, don't think I started it last year. Some fresh petrol, and it fired up! But the clutch was stuck, so I rode around the block again and again. When the engine got warm the clutch plates loosened. So, time to order a MOT.
Next in line was the Lambretta 150 D, which also requires a MOT before I can ride it legally. This was trickier. The spark (scintilla, I like the italian word) was there, maybe the petrol is a bit slow-flowing, and the filter is dirty. Replacing the filter can solve it, but the petrol tank might need a thorough cleaning.
Anyhow, it was great riding again!

Lambretta 150 D 1956.

The accessory saddle to my GS

Found at a veteran fair in Sweden.

Five or six years ago I found this battered saddle at an veteran fair. Of course I bought, not knowing which Vespa it would suit. Then one year later I acquired my Vespa GS 160, mark 1, from 1963. The saddle had been upholstered in a non-original fashion, so I immediately thought of my accessory saddle.
I choose some vinyl from one upholsterer but gave the mission to another. The light blue is slightly lighter than the original. On the other hand, the old vinyl is approximately over 45 years old.

I judged this as beyond repair, although original is nice.

Even the seat frame was blue, and got an respray.

Done! Slightly líghter blue than the original, the dark blue is spot on!

Roman goddess and Gemla

I can't find any information about a "Lambretta Club Citta' del tri colore". I acquired this "lucky charm" some years, but no clues from the vendor. It's very well executed so it must be at least from the 60's. About 35 mm in circumference. Does the inscription "Victoria" incline that this was awarded to a winner in the "Moto Rally Internazionale Reggio Emilia"? I don't know...

The mod geezer below, with no arms, is from the Swedish toy maker Gemla, established in 1866. This three-wheeler of wood is from the 50's. The front fender is missing here. Well, is it a Vespa or a Lambretta? I have faint recollection of seeing a yellow one like this, marked "Vespa", I have to check with a friend.

A scooter stroll about town

Spirou? On some kind of Lambretta...

The kids are on leave. Forced them off their electrical devices and in to the Old Town in Stockholm. Buildings from the 13th century and lots of restaurants and tourist traps. And the royal castle.
In one shop I found the yellow scooter above. With the cartoon character Spirou riding it. Lambretta LD-ish apart from the front fender up front. At the back more of an Iso Milano (or Diva or Piccolino).
Rather big, about 20 cm high, and well executed. A limited edition at a price, approx €230...
Below is a Vespa 50, outside a small salumeria/restaurant. Not a customer's, I think it's there for a strategic purpose. Well, I at least discovered the shop.
Last but very least, a rather tacky t-shirt with a cat and kittens on a Vespa!

A Vespa 50 outside a deli/restaurant.

Yes, it's a t-shirt! Cute?