The classic scooterists club magazine

DREAMWEAVER

Since finishing my 98 Special (which seems like years ago, although really only last year), I’ve had a project eating away at the back of my mind. Little side projects have distracted me, but I eventually got my head straight and decided to set to work on my new passion – my new dream – and that’s where the scooter’s name came from... Dreamweaver.

It’s been in my head for ages, as well as in my dreams. To make the finished scooter, I’ve woven an NSU scooter, Vespa parts, car parts and some custom pieces in too. Also in the mix of the grinding, welding, painting and assembling, I’ve added some tasteful carpentry finishing touches which I think give a sophisticated end result. Now I feel I can call this one a bit of a hot-rod!

Some of the parts used include the petrol cap from an Aston Martin, rear lights from a Mini and the bonnet from a Mazda, which helped me in the welding of the bodywork and extending it by 10½ inches. The list of the Vespa parts is way too long to list here, but let’s just say it would make this scooter a suitable candidate for the Vespa museum.

Having the NSU in its original state, the first job I wanted to attend to was the motor. It started life as a slow-poke 80cc and I upgraded it with the Malossi touch to a 139cc goer! Added to this the exhaust started as a Polini side power pipe and with a bit of work and sweat, I modified it to wrap around the motor and come out the wheel side instead, which I feel gives it a different aesthetic feel and balance. Next I blended the handlebars form the original NSU and those from a Vespa GL, which again I think worked well to give an individual characteristic.

As I looked at my work in progress and considered the colour I would use to finish it off, it occurred to me that some wood (teak in particular) would give this modern upgrade a sense of the period it was made and also another elegant touch of style. Therefore I added teak to the centre of the running board and also as strips, the surround of the clock (which is the centrepiece and focus of the headset), the toolbox door and finally, the spare wheel holder. I was also mindful, that given the NSU started life in the same factory as the VW Beetle that it was taking on a Beetle-esque appearance. The scooter even starts like a car with the turn of a key in the ignition.

Now I’m aware that this finished scooter isn’t one for the purest, as it’s neither fish nor fowl; but as all who know me will testify, I do like to be different when it comes to my scooters. As I look at the rear of the scooter with twin pipes just peeping out from beneath the back bumper, the sheen from the woodwork inserts, the recovered single saddles and the colour co-ordinated trim items, I feel proud of my work. I was lucky that most of the original NSU trim parts were usable and only required a little TLC, which saved me loads of time sourcing replacements.

All in all I have loved building this scooter, although I’m not so sure the other half would say the same with the long hours I spent on it and the shouting and cursing at all hours of the day and night. I had help from my kids as much as they could and it kept them out of her hair. Love ya babe

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