Mobility scooter has arrived!

[Orcade-Ian]

Following the departure of the 'Wing and the BM, the new 350 Forza arrived by Ferry late on Saturday night. We arrived at the Hatston terminal in Les's van with trailer to wait for the Hrossey from Aberdeen.  I rode the bike off the Ferry, up the slip and around to the waiting trailer.  As it was just past midnight, I had decided that a ride back in the dark for 20 miles on an unfamiliar machine was not the most sensible plan, hence the trailer!
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We had other things planned on the Sunday, so I had to eagerly await the first proper ride

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This was on the road back to Birsay, overlooking Kitchener's Monument which was erected following public donations when the HMS Hampshire was blown up by a mine with the loss of over 700 lives.

So far I'm really impressed with this new bike but the mirrors are typical offerings for small Asians riding with bare arms!  The under-seat storage is unbelievable!

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Ian

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Neat looking Scooter I have to say.
I still have a trace of ancestral Scooter DNA in my body  having owned a lovely Maico Letta 250 2T single back in the 1960's.

[Johnny4428]

Nice looking handy scooter type bike there Ian. What’s powering that is it a single cylinder?

[Orcade-Ian]

I remember Maicolettas from mates who had them back in the day Ted, is that the same company as Maico?  Lots of those here.  This engine is a 330 single cylinder 4 valve (hell, they must be like 6"nails!)
Has a balancer shaft so dead smooth and belt drive CVT.  Showing 88mpg on the fairly careful 50 mile run yesterday.  Just rev and go and both brakes on the handlebars.

Ian

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Yes Maicoletta were made by Maico in Germany - foot operated gearshift pedals (Heel &Toe) & rear brake . Hand lever for clutch & front brakes. They were iirc a 4 speed gearbox there was a coloured gear indicator integrated with the clocks - matching  speedo & electric clock full screen etc. Most I have seen up for sale are missing the full upright windscreen.

Nice ride as it had large wheels - my mates Triumph Tigress was quicker to about 50 mph but then my Maico would keep going to an indicated 70 mph with superior ride as the  tiny wheels on the Tigress found every pot hole.

Mine was Black with Yellow side panels & front mudguard - sadly the only photo I had of her was lost in our house fire. It was iirc an early 'A' suffix vehicle supplied by a dealer in Manchester area - registered sometime in early 1963.

The bike shed at our local Technical College had a typical 1960's selection of bikes Gold Stars, Velocettes etc top of the aspirational tree was the Honda Benly 125 Sport but my dream was the last version of the Heinkel Tourist.

[Oddjob]

Lots of Heinkel Tourists seen around London in 1940 I believe Ted. They even left presents.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Different Model Ken that was the Heinkel Greif 177 - that had full weather protection but was heavy on fuel.

[Rozabikes Tim]

Different Model Ken that was the Heinkel Greif 177 - that had full weather protection but was heavy on fuel.

Yeh. I believe that model wasn't very good. It bombed.

[MCTID]

Ref: 'Lots of Heinkel Tourists seen around London in 1940 I believe Ted. They even left presents'.

As my dear old Mum and Dad could vouch for......she was on the Searchlights in the ATS during the Liverpool Blitz and he was an Auxiliary Fireman, also based in Edghill, Liverpool during the Blitz. I often reminded my Scouse pals in my TA Regiment (based in Scouseland) that my Folks had staunchly defended their City....and they were free to buy me a pint in acknowledgement of my Mum and Dad's courage.

I never did get a pint though !

[haynes66]

welcome to scooter world!  it took me a while to just accept the lack of input,  just twist and go. always felt like i hadnt done something that i should

[Orcade-Ian]

Thanks, Haynes66,
I realise these machines aren't everyones idea of a motorcycle but I am really impressed with it so far.  I've done about 180 miles so far and it cost £11 to fill it back up.  I won't be getting rid of any of the classics or my Super Cub 125 but this Forza is ripe for a long tour South.

Ian