chairman`s chat - Maico Owners Club

Winter 2011
www.maico.org.uk
CONTENTS
1 Committee
2
Chairman’s Chat
3
Gems of Transport
4
Secretary’s Report
5
Coninuous Insurance Enforcement
6
The Auto Ped
7-9
Forgign Trave with the Maico
10
Voltage Regulator for Classic Vehicles
11
Maico Mart
12
Extract from Motorcyclist Magazine
13
Diary Dates
COMMITTEE
Chairman/ Stafford Show Coordinator
Malcolm Oliver (Olly)
8 Knightscroft Avenue
Rustington
Littlehampton
West Sussex
NBN16 2HN
Tel: 01903 773598
Email: oliver.pando@talktalk.net
Secretary / Editor
Martin Plummer
Dryad
Jubilee Road
North Somercotes
Lincolnshire
LN11 7LH
Tel: 01507 358132
Email: martinjplummer@tiscali.co.uk
Membership Secretary
John Humphreys
158 Barry Road
Barry
South Glamorgan
South Wales
CF63 1BD
Tel: 01446 400166
Email: john.humphreys3@ntlworld.com
Treasurer / Spares Custodian
Kenneth Graeme Logan*
3 Station Road
Kemble
Gloucestershire
GL7 6AT
Tel: 01285 770768
* Prefers to be called by his middle name, Graeme
Spares Custodian
Phil Higston
No Elms
Goosey, Nr Farringdon
OXON
The views printed in this newsletter are not necessarily the views of the club or the
committee.
1
CHAIRMAN’S CHAT
First off, unless my calculations have
gone all to pot, this is my 25th Chairman’s
chat, a sort of silver anniversary. At
about four sets of writing a year, you can
see how long I have been here. But that
is not a moan. It has been a pleasure
from the very beginning. And, subject
to members agreeing, I am happy to stay
here a bit longer. Well you know what
they say – one volunteer is better than
ten pressed men.
Over these last six or so years, many
members have put in their four penny
worth of contributions and this is what
keeps the Club viable. So on behalf of the
other members I wish to say “thank you”.
We have spread our wings so to speak over
the years, not just restricting our views,
opinions and information to that of just
the Maico marque. There has been quite
some diversity of articles which hopefully
have kept all of us interested. So with those
thoughts still in mind let us continue.
This Chairman’s Chat has been calculated
as potentially quite lengthy; as I proceed
you will see why. On the back page of the
last issue, Martin put the cut off date for
the following issue at December 20th. Well
I started just a couple of days before and
off course the sole topic of conversation
throughout Great Britain was the weather.
There has been a great deal of moaning
by many people that we, as a nation, have
not been able to cope, and so we have not.
Never in my life have I heard so many lame
excuses from various senior executives of
companies and members of Parliament. But
we are not alone. The trains are slow all
over Europe as are the roads and it is not
just the British airports that are closed. By
the time this little ditty comes through your
letterbox I really do hope that we are in the
middle of a heat wave!!! And on that very
subject I would like you to spare a thought
for one of our poor suffering members. Ian
Robertson (Robbie) from way down under
has had a very rough time recently having to
suffer the ravages of the Australian summer
with temperatures of around 30-35 degrees
C with the odd day at well over that. I am
sure that you feel for him at this time!!!!!
By now you would have gently peeled off the
sticky tape from the inside cover holding
your MOC key ring in place. Hope you like
it and will use it. Our member Andy Moore
sent a few of these to me back in September.
However there were not sufficient for all
members, so I made enquiries as to where
he got them from. Now I do not make
apologies for putting in an advertising plug
at this point. The first set of key rings came
from Andy’s nephew who has a trophy
shop. Enquiries suggested that more could
be made. So a further order was placed for
another supply and one has been sent to each
member with a few over for new or returning
members. If you are associated with other
organisations which perhaps would benefit
from a small gift like this or for sale, ours
are not being sold, then contact Dean at
Ultimate Trophies on ultimatetrophies@
googlemail.com Any problems with contact
come back to me. There are one or two other
gifties in the pipeline.
Next item on the agenda is Stafford 2011. It
is sad to report that on this occasion I will
be unable to attend. This has been brought
about by Pauline and I being invited to
(you WILL attend) a wedding in Charlotte,
Carolina on that very weekend. Yes I am
organising the Stafford weekend and can
confirm that we have been booked in with
our usual stand on the balcony of the main
hall. And yes it will be me that sends out
all the details to those members putting
their bikes on show. If you are interested
in joining us then please contact Martin. As
usual it should be a good show. Subject to
confirmation the AGM will also be held at
the show. I do realise that it is looking very
far forward but it is necessary these days, if
you do not you lose out.
Now for the next bit. And again I make
NO apologies for the content and cannot
guarantee 100% the accuracy, but I have
gone through various bits of legislation and
have come up with the article entitled –
“Continuous Insurance Enforcement”. So
2
please look at the list of contents for this
issue and read carefully. However, the
contents of this section do not apply to our
members overseas, but you might like to
read it as it could put you off emigrating to
GB!!!
12miles by 7 in the English Channel. It is not
only one new member but two. Also welcome
John Rooney from Bury in Lancashire. To
you both, the committee hopes that you
have a long and happy association with the
Club.
Last but by no means least an apology to
our member Paul Cowan (see a Mobil from
Germany in the last issue). For one reason
or another a Mc got put in his name. You
could not get anything as far away as a
Scotsman than Paul. He has the strongest
Liverpool accent I have heard, which is
strange as he lives on the Isle of Wight. I
wonder if the inhabitants have a problem
with that? Nice to see you Paul just before
Christmas and both Pete and I look forward
to going to Kempton next year. No not the
horses, its motorcycle jumble day.
In my article in the last issue regarding the
Amberley bash in 2010 and that which is to
be held in 2011, I mentioned that the show
date is cast in stone and will be on the 7th.
August. Well unknown to me management
at the museum broke the stone and the bash
will now be held on Sunday 31st. JULY.
That’s it for now. I will finish by hoping that
you had a good Christmas, cheers Martin
for the special Christmas card, and that you
will have a happy, healthy and prosperous
2011. Oh yes, nearly forgot, please do not
hesitate to renew your membership to the
Still on the subject of the Isle of Wight, Club as this is likely to be your last issue of
may I take this opportunity to welcome our magazine.
new member Trevor Jones. That’s good,
two members on a small piece of chalk just
Olly
GEMS OF TRANSPORT (Not necessarily two wheels)
1915
The Lusitania is sunk by a German ‘U’ boat.
The first aerial bombing raid on Britain takes place, carried out by three German navy
Zeppelins.
The Auto-ped, a precursor to the motor scooter, hits the streets of New York. (See article
in this issue)
1916
Windscreen wipers are introduced to some US
cars.
Tanks are used in war for the first time by
Britain at the battle of the Somme.
The government appeals against the use of
cars and motorbikes for pleasure.
1917
Women are permitted to become taxi drivers.
(Could say something here but dare not!!!)
The first landing of an aeroplane onto a
moving ship takes place.
London’s bus drivers go on strike.
3
SECRETARY/EDITOR’S REPORT
Before I start, has anybody told you that
it’s cold? Yes I know some of you have
had extremely cold weather for weeks
on end, and here on the East Coast was
no exception, in fact not only has it cost
more in heating but it set my winter
work programme back about 4 weeks.
Still it’s now January and I resolved to
work even harder to catch up-----when it
gets warmer!
Despite the cold spell I have managed to
get some work done and when Carole is not
about I have used the kitchen (humph not
to cook in or wash up) (CP). You will see
elsewhere in the magazine photos of my new
Letta main wireing loom, not badly priced at
55 euros, I decided on inspection to solder
all the connections, a bit OTT you might
say, but 45 years in the motor trade with
countless hours spent trying to find obscure
electrical faults, which were eventually
traced to poor connections meant that I just
had to solder. Only took 1 hour and now I
am happy. Those of you wanting to invest in
a new loom contact me and I will source one
for you from a friend in Germany.
Club continues, with your help to prosper,
we have gained some members and lost
some, but overall ended up on the plus side.
The spare parts situation has never been
better for both Mobil and Maicoletta, so
there is no excuse for you not to start that
project, both scooters when restored can be
an immense source of pride and enjoyment.
Member and friend Perry Lewis has taken
over running of the Clubs web site and I
am hopeful it will be updated more often
and expanded to include perhaps a gallery.
Ideas and suggestions gratefully received.
Soon you will be getting a small present
from your Club, with Olly’s help, something
you have always wanted will be popping
through your letterbox.
Also included in this magazine are some
pictures and narrative on one Letta owner’s
experiences, it makes anything that I have
ever done pale into insignificant –read and
enjoy.
Stafford is looming on the horizon, so come
on step forward and be counted, help is
required to set up and man (or woman) the
Club stand. It is hoped to have a partially
assembled Letta with the starter working, to
show how the engine oscillates.
Well that’s all for now—stay warm
Martin
Stafford 2011
I need your help in setting up and running
the Club stand, even if you can only spare
an hour or two, please contact me.
Martin
4
“Continuous Insurance Enforcement”
A large piece of legislation entitled
“The Road Safety Act 2006” was passed
and came into force in that year. Like
many such pieces of legislation various
proposals were made and were left to
be implemented at a future date. One
of these was “Continuous Insurance
Enforcement”. So what does that mean
to you and me? Well, there has been
much publicity about the number of
persons/vehicles that are on the road
and NOT insured. And this section of
the legislation is designed to do it’s best
to overcome this but as usual goes to
penalise the honest motorist. Sorry, am
I being cynical here? The following is an
extract taken from a website.
The Road Safety Act became law in November
2006, and introduced a new offence which is
aimed at overcoming the problem of vehicles
not specifically covered by any insurance
policy (even a blanket policy) being used by
drivers who claim cover under their “driving
other vehicles” extension. The requirement
for insurance will apply to vehicles whether
they are being driven or not.
for immediate real-time straight through
processing.
The upshot of all this is as follows:This section of the legislation would appear
to be coming into force at the beginning of
2011 and will apply to all those vehicles that
have been issued with a V5 or V5C.
(i) If you have a machine(s) that is/are
MOT’d, taxed and insured, you have nothing
to worry about. Just keep up the good work
and keep taking the pill.
(ii) If you have a machine(s) that is/are
officially registered as being on S.O.R.N,
[Statutory off Road Notice] you have nothing
to worry about.
(iii) If you have a machine(s) that have not
been issued with a V5 or V5C but only
have a buff/green logbook or NO logbook
at all you still have nothing to worry about
because as far as the DVLA is concerned
such machines do not exist.
(iv)The time to be concerned is if you have a
machine(s) that has/have a V5 or V5C but is
NOT on S.O.R.N because it was off the road
before S.O.R.N. came in. It would appear
The new approach will also have the
that in order to beat the system, put those
added benefit that, like continuous vehicle
machines on S.O.R.N. The only thing you
registration, it can be enforced “from the
have to remember is to renew the S.O.R.N.
record”, and vehicles need not be seen on
even if the DVLA fail to remind you. And we
the roads before action can be taken.
all know the penalty for that - £80
Once the necessary regulations are drawn
There is of course nothing to stop you having
up, it will be an offence to be the keeper of
insurance for (ii) & (iv) or even (iii) for the
a vehicle which is not covered by a specified
purposes of protecting the machine against
policy or by a blanket policy (“open cover
fire or theft or perhaps third party where the
contract”) covering vehicles owned by the
machine is being displayed at a show.
policyholder or other party named in the
policy. There will be specific exemptions, It is possible that by the time you have received
the main two of which will be that the vehicle this issue and you have already a machine
has been statutorily declared off the road insured, you would have received from your
(SORNed) or a change of keeper is in the insurance company an explanatory letter.
Or even better a threatening letter from the
process of being completed by the DVLA.
DVLA!!! Be guided by this.
Complete control over Britain’s highways
and byways has taken a step nearer to it’s I believe that the above a fair representation
Zenith with the joining up of the Motor of situation, but only time will tell.
Insurance Database with The DVLA,
Automatic
Number
plate
recognition
systems and Police national computers Olly
5
THE AUTO-PED
It has been well documented over the
years that the first scooters emanated
from the States. Although it was not very
long before these early crude machines
arrived in Britain and the continent. The
Auto-Ped or Motopede of New York came
out in 1915.
It was powered by a single cylinder 155cc
producing 1.5 horse power. The motor and
the fuel tank sat over the front wheel. The
rider, for the want of a better description, after it’s entry in the States it was then
stood on it just like a child’s scooter. To go licensed to be made in Germany by Krupps
forward the rider, having started the engine, and there was a copy made in Britain. It was
only four years later that British engineer
Granville Bradshaw created the ABC
Scootamota initially powered by a 147cc
two-stroke and a little later by a 110cc four
stroke. The where many variations of this
pushed the handle forward, which engaged
via a friction plate a small cog, which in turn
was connected to the integral inner teeth of
the front drum. Conversely to slow or stop
was accomplished by pulling the handle
towards the rider. The throttle was by twist
grip on the handle cross bar and the whole
handle unit was collapsible for easy storage.
Top speed was 18m.p.h. (30k.p.h.). It was
reasonably successful even down to some
postmen being issued with them. Shortly
style of scooter but it was not until 1936
that a new wave of scooters, of a variety
that you sat on, started to be produced and
these were again from the States. But more
about these in another issue.
6
Foreign travel with Maico
Martin asked me to write this item to
accompany a series of Maicoletta photos
that I have, taken during 24 years of
riding the marque.
Loch Maree 1967
Came into Scootering in a somewhat
roundabout way having started on a
Coventry Eagle 150 in 1948; National
Service ‘50-’52 in an old cavalry regiment,the Royal Dragoons (where NO m/c was to
be even started under pain of death.) Bulk
of time in Egypt, which gave me a taste for
foreign travel. Upon de-mob purchased a
‘47 Speed-Twin followed in Feb.’55 by a new
Thunderbird (£206), first of the coil-ignition,
swinging-arm series.
This was the
only brand-new bike I’ve ever
The Kilt Rock, Isle of Skye 1974
My name is Pete May and I was for some
years in the late 1960’s a member of the
Surrey Maico Club. However, my “main”
club is the International Motorcyclists’ Tour
Club, of which I’m a life member and was
President from 1997-2000; the club’s aim
being primarily foreign travel.
bought, and a superb iron it was. Sold it
regrettably to buy a car-(couldn’t afford both
in those days.) Parking problems soon told
me I needed a cheap bike to go to work on,
so consequently on the 1st Jan.1960 bought
a ‘57 Grey/Silver 250 Maicoletta. Swiftly
realised that this was the sort of bike you
could do 300mls a day upon if you wished.
Turkey 1973- Dirt road as wide as M1
Turkey 1973 Denezli - Hotel cost 9s each!
7
In Oct.’62 a six-month old model (same
colour) was advertised nearby with only
1,050mls on the clock. This one (No2) I
subsequently (and deliberately) pensioned
off reading 101,050mls in 1979. I’d decided
to take up foreign touring, eventually doing
18 tours on No2 plus four more on later
Maico’s.
LaMancha Windmills - Spain 1975
High Atlas Mountains 1975 Morocco
Morocco 1975
Morocco 1975
13th Tour!
Brian, being in the motor trade, had by this
time re-sprayed No2 “Rolls-Royce Regal Red”
and silver; (you could only get the former
by showing your Brian’s own No3 was done
in Jensen Aquamarine. Some years later he
did mine in it’s final scheme, - black with
white lines to take the mickey out of the
Bee-Emm mob. R.R. logbook!)
Eventually bought eleven, mostly crashed
jobs for spares, one costing the princely
sum of £2.
In ‘76 slotted the engine out of this into
No2’s frame for a second trip to Turkey; went
beautifully! Sold No1 to Brian Muckle whom
I’d known since schooldays; he finished up
with seven, 2 of which bought from me. In
1975 we went on an IMTC group tour to
Morocco, myself on No2 and Brian on his
No3. Everybody else had things like BMW
R90’s & Norton Commando’s.
8,500 ft high in the Sierra Nevada,
Spain 1975 (road blocked)
8
Brian gave up foreign touring, but is a
compulsive restorer currently working on
Ariel’s WNH and Huntmaster.
Middle Atlas Morocco 1975
Puncture, Spain 1975
Some statistics for No2:- farthest north,
Nordkapp, Norway; farthest east, Diyerbakir
on the River Tigris, Turkey; south, Bou
Izikarn, Morocco; and west, Akureyri,
Iceland.
Longest tour, the second to Turkey in 1976,
5,374mls - a 3-week trip. Longest non-stop
run, 587mls Brindisi to Nogara in Italy; I was
in a hurry to get back to work after a ferry
delay in Greece. Thirty countries visited
on the old No2 including pokey ones like
Monaco and the Republic of San Marino.
Turkish South Coast 1976
Turkey 1976
Longest tour 5,374 miles we reached the
river Tigres at Diyarfakir. Battery failed,
photo shows scooter and Turkish mechanics
Col de Restefond, French Alps 1975
Didn’t use Maicoletta’s exclusively in some
years, 1979 being the most mixed with four
tours; short trips to France, etc.with Speed
Twin,M.Z. and Suzuki GT750. Last Maico
trip was Easter ‘83 to Brittany, but I’d already
changed to BMW’s by 1980, having bought
an R75/6. This one did 126,000 before
selling. In ‘96 changed to Honda PC800; of
which I have two plus one in bits. Two years
ago a 3-year old Honda Silver Wing was
advertised locally with only 872mls on the
clock,- so I’m back to Scootering!
All the best to the Club.
“rollers” rolling.
9
Keep the
VOLTAGE REGULATORS FOR CLASSIC VEHICLES
As original spares dry up, it becomes
more difficult to rectify faults on our
classic vehicles. Mechanical items can
always have new bits made, but with
electrics it is difficult. Fortunately today
it is possible to get Electronic Voltage
Regulators.
Until recently I have used a German firm,
but as you probably all know they are
expensive, typically a regulator for a scooter
will cost just under 100 euros including
postage. Discussing availability, suitability
and resolving problems can be a problem
unless you speak German, so when I found
a British firm able to supply the unit much
cheaper I was delighted. I have not used any
of their products yet, but I have talked to
them and I am confident that their products
will function.
If you have a regulator problem visit their
web site or ring them up. Any feedback very
welcome so I can advise members further
Martin
AGM NONTIFICATION
The AGM will be held on the club stand at midday on Sunday April 24th,
bring your sarnies with you and coffee or tea will be available.
10
MAICO MART
WANTED
CLAUSS STUDIOS
Good Maicoletta back body
I have a 277cc piston to swap
Does an excellent replica badge for
the handle bar.
Ring Trevor Jones
01983 760151
ClaussStudios@aol.com
8938, Camphor
Ave, Hesperia Ca 923456553 USA
WANTED FOR
MAICOLETTA
Genuine screen Watsonian
sidecar wheel disc 10”
Genuine 50/60’s Folding
bar end mirror
John 0151 348 0027
walkington1@aol.com.
TONY ETHERIDGE
Specialist tyres for vintage &
collectors vehicles
Tyres available for Mobil and Letta
classic pattern 3.25 x 14
118 Oaklands Avenue, Oxhey Hall,
Watford, Hertfordshire, WD19 4LW
TeL 24 hr Ansaphone: 01923 231699
PAUL GOFF
Brighter quartz halogen up grades,
led bulb replacements & much,
much more
AT LAST!
Seat Pans for Maicoletta
in glass fibre.
No more rot!
Paul Goff 01494868218
WWW.NORBSA02.FREEUK.COM
ELECTRONIC - DATE
KLEIBER GMBH
Electronic voltage / current
regulators to build into
your black box
www.EdkNet.de
Call John on 01406 701550
EBAY EDUCATION
Try going on Ebay.de and clicking on einloggen to log on then Maicoletta or
Mobil and see what there is- best of luck. Indeed try USa or even Holland,
the world is you oyster!
11
12
DIARY DATES
31st Carole Nash Bristol Classic Motorcycle Show
Date: Saturday 19th/Sunday 20th February 2011
Location: The Bath and West Showground,
Shepton Mallet, Somerset, BA4 6QN
31st Carole Nash International Classic Motorcycle Show
Date: Saturday 23rd/Sunday 24th April 2011
Location: Stafford County Show Ground, Staffordshire, ST18 0BD
AGM to take place at Stafford Show
on club stand on Sunday 24th April 12 midday
5th German Scooter Weekend
20th to 22nd May 2011
Clover Farm, Main Road,Langrick PE22 7AW
in Lincolnshire 15 miles NE of Byards Leap
Tel 01205 280037
Amberely Museum Classic Microcar and Scooter Rally,
Sunday 31st July 2011
Amberely , Arundel BN19 9LT
VMSC Rally
Tywyn 17th to 19th June
MAGAZINE CUT OFF DATE : 8th April
Happy New Year
to you all from the
Committee
13