The last Mod

I wanted to put into a page this nice story; I got in touch with Caz in 2000 as for my research on scooter and races; after he sent me some pics he got back to me one year or so later when he saw the pics he had sent were on the site. At the time he was thinking of purchasing a scooter again and I had some for sale so this is the mails that describe his feelings of a lot of good memories related to scooters.  

1964

1967

Hi I was amazed to see 2 of my old scooters from 69 How I wish I owned one of these now... There are 3 in my home town now, & I envy them so much, an LI srs III, a GT200, & a GP in original in yucky blue/green. I've been looking at prices with a view to restoring one - OUCH! Too expensive now.

1968

1969

More so now, the bug has re-bitten, but harder. When I emigrated to Canada in 1977, I left my GP with bent forks with my mother-in-law, & she felt I would not need it again, & gave it away! I returned to England last year, & the Lambretta urge is far stronger. So much so, that I wanted to locate our last 3 scooter friends, so I put a picture in our local paper. My wife (then girlfriend) thought it would be great idea, so the pic of our 3 friends was ran in local paper. I had just got in from work, & the phone rang... All 3 located, 2 still have scooters!  

I want one! - but I am not paying the price they are asking. So I will keep my eyes open for a cheap series III to restore; LI,SX,TV, or GT

 

This was my offer: Caz - I have a Lambretta Special 125, needs restoration but no rust at all, engine turns over. I have this Lambretta, only needs a pair of side panels cos they were missing. Let me know if you would be interested in it and if I'm asking too much, I was thinking to use it for spare parts, as any time I need something for my own scooters they cost me a lot, but if this price is reasonable for you I will take some pics and will send them to you.

 

I am interested, but I m not sure about money at the moment, I will have to wait until Friday to see how much bonus I will be paid. I will have to run it past the boss too (wife), to see if I can squeeze it to my budget. I would certainly like to see some pics of it. Special 125, is that the same as the SX125? You really have me hooked now. As spares cost a lot, are you still willing to part with it? I am interested.

 

Looking good; I believe my Christmas bonus will help... Will know for sure on Friday when I get it, & look forward to seeing pics. Thanks again, for making me realize my dream.

   

The front mudguard was removed for painting, as all the paint started falling off. I was never successful in matching the 'Eddie Grimstead' electric blue paint, although I came close. It was at this point I completely changed the colour to burgandy, outlined in pale blue. A plain chrome front mudguard looked odd to me. Thanks for your e-mail Paolo, it is really nice chatting.

 

Just to let you know, my wife gave me a 'parka' for Christmas! I guess she agrees with my decision; yippie...

 

I was just wondering if you managed to take any photos yet. Sorry for asking - I'm like a kid! excited...

 

Hi Caz  I was thinking you could be interested also in this SX150 I have for sale: the engine has been already overhauled by me and needs run in, the body needs repainting to have a shiny bike, but has no rot rust or whatsoever. I also changed cables and overhaul the carburettor, the engine runs like a dream. The side panels were missing but I can give you an Li pair. I am asking for the bike a little more, but if you think it's too much no problem I will take pics of the special 125 this week end.  Sending this mail because I think it's an interesting project for a very sought after bike at the right price.

   

When I saw your e-mail I was excited... when I saw it had attachments, I was even more excited... But when I read your e-mail - my my... I think you have sold me on this. It would sure save me a LOT of extra work, I would have needed to search in the closed vaults of my grey cells, to remember how to strip an engine. You have done so much work on it, and it would save me a lot of time also. I like what I see Paolo.

 

Caz I am now scheduling you next three months: next week you reach the bike.   Monday 27 January - evening - First spanner on the bike again after a few time. Hour you go to bed 2,00 am. Tuesaday 28 - same Wednesday 29 - same Thursday 30 - same  Friday 31 - missus starts saying "Hey man..... tonight too??? There are some dishes to wash before you go!" And so on until you have the bike completely stripped and you sand blast it ant take it to the painter. He tells you he would need two weeks to have the paint job done. Two weeks later you go and the bike sits exactly where you put it. He assures you it will be done for the end of next week, then you go and you hear the same story for about 3 months when he has really finished any excuse and at the end he does it. But the paint is not exactly that you choose. Anyway you pick it home because summer is arriving and you can't stand having a go on your Lambretta. Late nights for about two weeks your wife telling you she will move if you ain't it finished very soon, and in the end you have a very nice bike, sitting in your garage because missus' gives you no time to running it! LOL same old story for everyone LOL. Little joke; I hope you'll have it finished soon, I will give you some tips about the job you have to do; in May (2nd to 5th) there will be a very big event in the Isle of Man for the 50° Anniversary of the L.C.G.B. I have already booked, I can't miss it!

 

HA HA HA OH YOU'RE FUNNY I THINK I WOULD BE LIVING IN THE GARAGE WITH IT EITHER THAT, OR MY WIFE WOULD HAVE HAD ME COMMITED TO THE FUNNY FARM.... THX PAOLO FOR THE FRIDAY LAUGH YES - I WILL BE LOOKING FOR ADVICE FROM YOU YES - I WILL KEEP YOU POSTED WITH PIX & UPDATES I AM THINKING OF MY FIRST SX COLOURS - METALLIC PINK MY WIFE THINKS I SHOULD COPY MY VERY LAST SCOOTER - AN "EDDY GRIMSTEAD" GP200/225 - ALL CHROME WITH METALLIC ELECTRIC BLUE OUTLINED IN YELLOW. I TOLD HER IT WILL NOT SUIT THE SX HOW SOON WE FORGET WHAT IS THE MIXTURE RATIO? IN THE 60'S 2-STROKE WAS AVAIL AT EVERY GARAGE I KNOW IT'S NOT NOW, SO WILL HAVE TO MIX MY OWN...

   

First I must complement your packing job. Secondly the great & amusing guys at Schenkers Well Paolo - now "a new beginning starts" - the first pix of it in the UK. I am happy that you have helped me realize my dream. This weekend a list will be made of requirements to enhance. It look even better than I had expected, & thats at night. In the garage I stated it momentarily - A REAL SCOOTER... We had little time to start it at Schenkers, as my son had to get back for a special evening with his partner. My wife said as she saw it for the first time in the van "it brings back a lot of good memories

 

Just been out to the garage to try & start the bike... I could not get it going! Could it be because it's cold here at the moment? It started for a moment when I unloaded it last Monday. Any suggestions?

   

Some pix of what the bike looked like yesterday; very sad. I have many new parts ready to put on when fully painted. All body parts are being picked up tomorrow for the painting process to start. It WILL be as my SX200 in white, with metallic pink trim. The bike now has a name "Halcyon Days", & this will be on it somewhere! Paolo; I still can't start it, although I have come close. No throttle has been used. What am I doing wrong???? It has been very, very cold here. I have cleaned the plug - yes it was wet... I have tried leaning it but nothing. There is still some fuel in it, I saw it in the tube, & in the tank. It's frustrating, can you advise me on what I am doing, or could it be the cold?

 

Caz if the engine tried to start, then this means there is a spark and the bike will do it. When you hear it trying to start, then go with half throttle opened and no choke. It will, don't give up, it's just a matter you have flooded it. Dry the plug until you are able to start it and when you have it started, keep it alive for a while, warm the engine, put it in gear, have a little ride around house but keep it alive, the engine needs to turn a little because it's flooded.

 

B I N G O ! Y E E    H A! A VERY SWEET SOUND INDEED PAOLO... 1/2 throttle - no choke - second kick... 1,000 thank you's for sticking with me. I think I will make up some fuel first Sorry; how much 2-stroke oil per gallon?? I know you did tell me - I also have a measure GOD - I'm so excited

 

Just touching base. All parts are at the painters now, & hopefully back this week, or early next week. Som e pix of most of it stripped, and one of all the new nuts, bolts, screws, rubber, bulbs, locks etc etc. I have put all in individual bags so I don't have to go hunting for what I need. I did not get the main bodywork off the frame in time, in fact I never got the seat off in time either. I was also halfway dissmantling the rear light assy. You can see what I mean in the attached pic. Due to my mates son having a window to get the painting done, he said leave it, lets get it in the shop, & we will do it all here. It was funny; when my mate came to pick up the bike, he wanted to know if I could bring it round from the garages, as he was not sure how to get there. I said no problem I will ride it round... Wow! My mate commented with a big grin on his face - much like mine was - ooo now the memories come flooding back - he commented on how good it sounded to.

 

When I was showing Lorrie your site, she reminded me of an amusing moment after I had started it. It was just after all the panelling was removed, & before my mate picked it up. I was so eager to ride it, after all, it was ticking over beautifully. Now you got to understand, it was the evening after work, so it was dark, there are no lights near the garages, & I so wanted to ride it... I had no lights, as they were all partially dismantled & hanging out! I put a flashlight in my mouth, so that I could see a little, & not hit a trailer with the tow hook in my intended path. There I was, flashlight (sorry, torch, thats 23 years of living in Canada) in mouth, in first gear, going around in circles. My grin won! I dropped the torch, my jaws were aching so much through the smile & hanging on to the torch, it just fell out of my mouth & had to stop riding it... I rode it every night like this until my mate picked it up... Does this mean I am hooked?

   

A bit of time passed without hearing from Caz, but in September 2007 I got this pictures from him with the finished scoot. He is now fully back into scootering so if you see him riding around, tell him is not the last mod in town!

 

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