rare collectibles, pyramids of spare parts,
plus alibrary of shop and owners’
manuals. It’samassive collection. The
showroom displays about 30 scooters and
three mopeds. Harmik’smost rare is an
SX200. He owns three of them, two from
1966 and one from 68. He’sbeen lucky
to stumble over multiple barn -finds, and
usually he comes home with parts and
pieces rather than entire bikes. His
collection covers Innocenti history beyond
scooters. Three films show in the
showroom: one isavideo promoting
Lambretta; the second shows the
manufacturing of the scooter; and the
third features the Lambretta model 48.
All of the scooters in Harmik’sgallery
are for sale, but Harmik won’t sell to those
he feels won’t help keep scooter culture
alive.You’re lucky if he gives you the
thumbs-up, especially so since he backs
each sale with an unbelievable warranty.
“I guarantee my Lambrettas for life. For
that reasonImake sureIlike that person
beforeImake the sale.” Even better,
Harmik will often make house calls to
serviceascooter ataclient’shome.
Two-strokesmoke
The Southern California scooter-preneur
says he feelsagreat responsibility to keep
the iconic Lammy’salive. “Nothing is
unworkable,” he proclaims. If he can’t
repair or restore it, he has an army of
friends in the business to call for
reinforcement. “Weall relyon each
other,” he adds.
To pick up spares and the latest
accessories, he travels to Milan, Rimini
and Imola every year,but notes that “the
hunt has becomea24/7 effort”.
One year while in Italy he bought a
Lambretta scooter.The shipping cost was
based on the size of the crate, not weight.
He decided to stuff the vacant spaces with
parmesan cheese. He and his wife Mickey
lived off that for two years.
Mark Coffman, owner of Scooters
Bellissimo in Monrovia, California,
travelled with Harmik to Italy one year to
scout for parts. Mark says: “Harmik is a
purist. He’ssincere, and I’m inspired with
his impressive collection.”
MarcWiener,arepeat customer living in
Palm Springs says: “Harmik rekindled the
passion in me after many nightmare
experiences with other mechanics. He’s
got agift.”
Subcultureofhoodrats
The scooterist way of life emerges from
damp garages to come alive at events such
as the big ride Harmik put on, on the
second day of my visit. Afteralong work
week, riding with friends seems to be one
of the best stress relievers, and these
hoodrats were up for it. On the other hand,
ridingavintage scooter isalove affair that
can get complicated ona48-mile romp
along the Californian coast. The ride was
sprinkled with breakdowns that provided
plenty of opportunity for the wrenches
among 30-odd riders to help everyone
make it back to the evening barbecue.
Alcoholandcarbs
The party took place on the front lot at
PlanetLambretta, under umbrellas in the
heat of the L.A. sun. Invigorated from the
ride, we were ready for the infusion of
alcohol and carbs.
Kelley Bates was hanging withTwila
Kelley Bates (left) used to pick up
Twila Ingram after high school and
go riding back in 1986. It tookTwila
1.5years before she gota150 Super.
Tweaking the engine.
Riding through the streets
and along the coast.
90 |SCOOTERING|AUGUST2019
