JANUARY 2002

31/01/02 : Italian company Ariete have various accessories and components on offer which will fit the Dragster, these and the product codes are:
 
11913 - Transmission cover (Dragster 50) (clear, transparent blue, transparent red, transparent green, transparent yellow)
 
10969 - Carburettor stubs (Dragster 50)
 
10962 - Drive belt (Dragster 50) (standard or kevlar)
 
11928/K - Drive belt (Dragster 125) (kevlar)
 
111928/K - Drive belt (Dragster 180) (kevlar)
 
Furthermore, a selection of grips, fan covers, upgraded fans, engine oil seal kits, pro-plug caps are also available. Check out the Ariete website for more info and pictures.
 
UPDATE: Dragster Gallery Collection 14 is now on-line.

25/01/02 : I really have to share with you this shot sent in by Jonas Erasmie, it's called the Ducati-Dragster and is the handy work of Pelle Plast in Sweden. The bike is currently being exhibited by Hojladan at the aforementioned motorcycle show On Two Wheels in Stockholm.

23/01/02 : As some of you will know, scooter racing is popular throughout Europe and the Malossi International Scooter Cup looks set to be one of THE biggest scooter racing events for 2002. The date is 20-21 July and the place is Spa-Francorchamps in southern Belgium. Thanks to Inne at Scooter Tuning.net for sending in the flyer. More precise details on the event to follow...

14/01/02 : Hojladan the Swedish importer of Italjet will be exhibiting at the Stockholm motor show On Two Wheels in Sweden on the 24th January. And by the looks of things they will have some very impressive custom bikes on display... So if you can make it to this show you be advised to visit Hojladan at stand C15:59.

08/01/02 : Continental have a new tyre in development called the 'Twist' which boasts stickier rubber for better traction. Lambretta sprint-master Stuart Owen is due to get a pair of the tyres from Continental for testing on the drag strip, we'll let you know the results.
 
A chance to scoop some business... Jackson's Scooters of Knebworth along with JASScooters displayed their wares at last year's SANTA POD HIJACK. On August 3rd this year it could be you, a mere £30 is the cost for dealers, any interested parties please contact the venue (Santa Pod Raceway) or Team 100mph Lambretta.com for more details. You'd be advised to book your space now though since the number of dealers may be restricted.
 
Broken crankcases... A number of you have experienced this 'problem', I went and asked Paul Melici at PM Tuning for his thoughts on why this has been happening - "the cause's are just poor design, bad road surfaces don't help, the importers are aware of this problem but are keeping it under their hats. Perhaps if enough people complain they may decide to do something - "recall" them? Who knows... Time will certainly show lots more showing up, there does not appear to be any distinction between stock or modified machines as we recently had a 4000 miles stock machine with the same problem, luckily the bike was still under warranty. Rumours of a Malossi strengthened version is a misunderstanding amongst some dealers as they don't exist. Late disc-type cases so far seem to be the most problematic perhaps because of the increased twisting/lever ratio forces generated. When the cases do crack the only thing holding the back half of the engine from parting company in a different direction is the crankcase cover so make sure all your bolts are in place and checked regularly. My advice is to check cases regularly and hope your warranty has not just run out".
 
UPDATE: Dragster Gallery Collection's 12 and 13 are now on-line! Gallery 13 has some piccies of my own scoot along with Ivan Illesh's custom Dragster in Moscow (some of you will have seen this bike featured in my article in Twist & Go (issue 09).

07/01/02 : Yep, it's 2002 and so begins another year of Scootering... So what have I been upto over the festive period? Well, the usual Chrimbo here in the UK for me i.e. consuming large quantities of ale and eating too much turkey... So on January 4th a trip to the National Motorcycle Show at Manchester's G-MEX was in order to brush off those winter cobwebs (though the weather was still bloody freezing...) So what did the show have to offer? Well, if you need to get kitted out with a new set of leathers or a new helmet perhaps there were some good deals to be had, but being pretty much a trade show there wasn't much on offer in terms of 'eye candy' (not counting the UK centrefolds) and to much disappointment there wasn't a single Dragster to be seen... A few Aprilia, Peugeot and MBK dealers made it to the show but Italjet dealers? Where were you? Maybe next January eh? Being a big fan of Streetfighters I was surprised to see just a small handful of bikes on display at the Streetfighters stand. Not to worry though, there's the Sheffield show to look forward to this Spring... Being an aspiring 'stuntster' myself the stunt shows as performed by the likes of Dave Coates, Sonnie Ferguson and Jason Finn never fail to amaze the crowd.
 
Modding news... Ian at JASScooters is looking into selling some funky silicone water hoses for the Dragster (and possibly some silicone fuel hoses). So that he can plan a production run and get a costing he needs to know how many of you would be interested and also what colour you would desire. Ian's set-up an email address SillyCone@jasscooters.co.uk for those interested (don't forget to mention what colour hoses you'd want).
 
And now a bit of news exclusive to Italjet Dragster.com : New for 2002 the PM Tuning boys have been quietly busy in developing a new performance exhaust for the Dragster/Runner 125/180 code named 'PM59 X-Tech Pro', yep, it's the PM59... The new system maintains the looks and styling of the now discontinued PM58 X-Tech Pro, but with the following new features:
 
1. Newly developed two-piece rear baffle cone/centre section construction for improved exhaust harmonics and sharper looks.
 
2. New 500 Grand Prix-styled polished stainless steel end cap with one-piece bend rolled end pipe edge and laser engraved PM Tuning logo.
 
3. Revised quick release chamber rubber mounting system for improved durability and ease of mounting.
 
4. Revised muffler stainless steel strapping to chamber mounting to allow for greater expansion tolerances and improved long-term duty cycle.
 
5. Last but not least an additional 0.5 hp power increase across the entire speed range over the PM58.
 
All sounds good, pictures (and pricing) of the PM59 to follow...