I have loved custom scooters since my early-mid teens, being the perfect age for the mod revival in 79/80, and when I went to my first scooter rally in 1982 I was amazed by all the incredible scooters that were there. I just wish I’d owned a better camera, but it probably wouldn’t have survived all the shenanigans we got up to, even if I had! So although the photo quality in this blog isn’t great, it will hopefully be an interesting trip down memory lane for many middle-aged scooterists out there.
The first 80s custom scooter is Enchanted Dream, a P range Vespa with fantasy murals. I loved it at the time but looking back I do wonder about the upholstered seat!
Next is Clockwork Orange which won a ton of trophies back in the day.
This is Freeze, a lovely Lambretta chopper. I love the random seat in the background with a beer can sitting on it!
Vegas were popular scooters in the 80s and I think they are so cute. This is Little Darlin’ which I think was owned by John Barnett from A5 SC.
This is Rob Godden’s Undertaker Lambretta with coffin sidecar. It was also called the Stiff Shifter!
This is Exile, a Lambretta chopper which won lots of custom shows and was owned by Russell Mitchell. He is now based in the US and builds custom motorbikes and I actually met him at the Las Vegas rally in 2007. Well, when I say I met him, I had my photo taken with him briefly! His custom bike website is here if you’re interested to see what he’s up to now.
Another Lambretta chopper from the 1980s, this is Dave Oakley’s Iron Maiden-themed scooter.
This is a Jackie Wilson scooter which looks like it was taken in Exmouth, probably 1985 or 86.
This is Illusion which is still going strong now! See how lovely it is still in my Isle of Wight 2017 blog.
Sweeter Than Wine custom Lambretta. I think these were taken at DISC 85.
This was a Jam-themed Vespa, the photo taken at Brighton 1982, my first rally.
This is Little Rascal, one of my favourite custom scooters.
I loved Mytho Poeikon, probably as it was a smallframe scooter, but the murals were great.
This is Gary Brice’s Lambretta chopper which had lovely metalflake paintwork. Gary is in the background looking at it, with a classic 80s Alien helmet.
Photo from Dizzy
A couple more choppers. I do love how there are so many different styles of scooter on the scene, both then and now.
The Worlds Apart P range had great murals, another fantasy theme.
Some full frame Lambrettas, the first being an AF Rayspeed scooter with metalflake paintjob.
And this pair look very pretty, parked together!
A cutdown.
And a racing scooter with sidecar outfit.
Italian Stallion, one of the most well-known 80s custom scooters.
Scooter racing was big in the 80s, and this example was owned by Kegra’s Graham Best.
Photo from Dizzy
This is Nick Jolly’s Hall Of Fame Lambretta. Paintwork by Nick, murals by Keith Barnes from Bognor, built by Nick and Mark Halsall.
Jeremy Howlett’s Dazzle, the green version, which has been restored and updated, and can also be seen in my Isle of Wight 2017 rally blog. I love how the old custom scooters are still going strong!
Ian Cleverley’s Sunset Warrior was painted by Dave White, I think. Dave was an amazing artist who lived near Chichester.
If you need to work on your Lambretta then Sticky’s new book is your bible. CLICK TO BUY from SLUK
Another Arthur Francis, Burnin’ Rubber. I love how a tuned scooter has L plates on it!
This is a scooter painted by the late Mick O’Donoghue, famous for Micx Paint Shack. He painted many custom scooters for Bedlam and if you’d like to see more then there is a Facebook memorial page here.
And finally, this is me! Around 1986 on my PX200E, Dangermobile. I did every rally on it in 1985 and although it isn’t a full blown custom scooter it got me from A to B and I just wish I had better photos of it.
I would love to hear your stories so do leave a comment at the bottom, and join my mailing list as I have many more scooter blogs planned – with better photos!
If you’re interested in 80s scootering then you might like to read my First Rally series, featuring some great stories from well known scooterists I’ve featured
- Norrie Kerr, Vespa legend
- Sticky, scooter builder, author and adventurer
- Sean Robinson, chief Garagista
- Lee Richards, owner of Meat Is Murder and the unfortunate guy who is married to me!
- Jo Jackson, psychobilly queen and original Alcoholic Rat
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Great blog…keep it up ?
Thanks! If you subscribe then I’ll keep you posted on new content. I have lots of scooter stuff in the pipeline…
Keep up the good work Ali
Thanks for reading Stacey! I may need to raid your photos too, soon!
Grest memories m8 keep them coming ive got a few more different pics back then
Thanks so much for reading! I’ve got so many others I can write about so watch this space 🙂
Great blog Ali, keep up the good work! Ann x
Thanks Ann!
Just stumbled across this on Pinterest. Great to see some of the old custom scooters. I used to covet “little rascal”. If you have any pictures of the Vespa “revenge”. It would be great to see that again!
Hi, thanks for your comment! I will be posting more 80s scooters and will look out for Revenge! Thanks again, Ali
I’m pretty sure I’ve got one of Revenge from DISC 85. I will dig it out and send to Ali
Thanks Hazel, that would be great! I have a new 80s scooter blog about to be posted this weekend so can add it to that one.
Yo keep it real good 2 see a blast from the past still feeling them daze luv 2 all from me on my narrow boat off grid taking it eazy
Wow, thanks for getting in touch! Great to hear from you Ian. Enjoy the narrow boat…
Cool blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from
somewhere? A design like yours with a few simple adjustements would really make my blog jump
out. Please let me know where you got your theme.
Appreciate it
Hi, it’s a theme by Pipdig and really easy to use in WordPress. Thanks for reading!
I read some where little rascal is being re furbed and should be back on the road soon ,Jackie wislson was rear ended in Llandudno 1992 ,it was owned at the time by jimmy (pigeon ) lazy aces sc ,not sure what happened to it
I’ve seen pics of the redone Little Rascal and can’t wait to see it in person! Thanks for reading
Keep up the good work! Thanks.
Loved it and brought back so many happy memories….. well done
Fantastic blog that brought back some wonderful memories. Mytho Poeikon being one of them. Shame the legendary Vespa Revenge isn’t featured here though.
I’m not sure if I got a photo of Revenge, I’ll have to check. I so loved Mytho Poeikon too!