34 WWW.CLASSICSCOOTERIST.COM
I
f you read the previous article starting on
page 28 thoroughly, you’ll immediately see
a connection between Gibbo’s scooter and
Craig Meers’ PX125 Disc, which is clearly
illustrated by the graffiti paintwork on both
bikes.
But that connection is even more intertwined
than you might think; firstly it’s pretty obvious
that the graffiti paintwork has been done by
the same person – Craig (aka Skema) – and
secondly because Gibbo actually purchased
the Vespa from Craig’s brother, Paul.
Although the Vespa 50 Special was destined
to become Gibbo’s latest scooter project, he
isn’t a newcomer to the scooter scene by any
means – in fact he’s been into it since the
1979 Mod Revival period.
His first scooter was a Vespa 90, which
he paid £90 for (or £1 per cc as he puts it).
His first proper rally was the now infamous
Disc 85, riding there two-up on his brother’s
Lambretta; the event didn’t go too well for him
as he ended-up with food poisoning (by his
reckoning, caused by dodgy rally burgers). This
however, has been offset by happier memories
experienced at other scooter and music-related
events – especially of riding his scooter toNorthern Soul all-nighters and meeting up with
great friends.
One incident from his distant past that
still sticks in his mind was when he saw a
skinhead girl on a red V90 going the opposite
way – he nearly came off trying to catch her up,
whilst having no brakes on his scooter at that
time. Other memorable experiences include
locking-up his 225 at a Galley Island event and
doing a 20-yard skid. He fitted a new piston
and was back on the road next day.THE LATEST ACQUISITION
Getting back to the project in hand, when
Gibbo purchased the 50 Special around 12
months ago, it hadn’t been run for around 12
years, but (even though it was still on old 6v
points) it fired-up on the third kick.
It wasn’t in the plan for the scooter to
remain in the condition it was and Gibbo had
formulated his own plans to address that;
however, around the Wolverhampton area where
he lives, he’s well known for being a bit of a
technical guru, so it took a little while to get
those plans underway, what with having to fit in
building engines and scooters for other friends.
Eventually getting time to work on his ownSCOOTER OWNER
Alan 'Gibbo' Gibbs
Other scooters owned:Mk1 T5,
Jet 200, Jet 225 Street Racer, project
in progress.
Favourite scooter model:SX200 and
Mk1 T5.
Favourite custom style:Like all tastes,
especially cutdowns.
Favourite/worst rally:Like them all,
they’re what you make them.
Rally likes/dislikes:Politics and
snobbery.
Favourite dealers:KNS Derby, Kev
Stannard, great bloke. Vintage Life, Eddy
Cockrane Morris.
Other hobbies:DJ-ing Northern Soul and
Ska.