a KSA business to business publication telephone: 0191 488 1947 e-mail: ksa@ksa-partnership.com published October.2005

all you need to know aboutgoing to the Fiera Milanoin this issue

see new scooter models - new components- new equipment, clothing & accessories

It’s big. It’s beautiful. It’s waiting for you! Unlikethat one down the road at Pisa, the leaning bits here were allin the original design! Masses of glass, whirling and fluted, lotsto confirm you really are in Italy, writes editor Peter Lumley. The entrance delivers a stunning view from the very momentyou ride the escalator from the Metro station that links thisnew exhibition complex to Milan, the cathedral city. The first-ever show at this new Fiera Milano was the September bicycleexhibition - now I’m looking forward to being there for the 63rdInternational Motorcycle Exhibition.This issue of Scooter Trade &Industry sets the scene so youfind that going to work in Milanis just like being on a wonderfulsightseeing trip. Enjoy!

Organisingyour display tohelp the Christmasshopper spendtheir money withyou can pay realdividends. The key is to generate impulse sales, but sellingsomething that will keep them interested enough to want to comeback again will help your till ring even merrier. From VE (UK) there are books and other little items such as thekey fobs (pictured) that will appeal to Aprilia, Derbi and Peugeotriders - fobs forother makes arealso available. A book for theenthusiasticLambretta owner isanother idea - thisone is now in stockat VE (UK) - newlyrevised and with anew restorationbook added.

now! 400,000Speedfightscooters

Peugeot are celebrating theproduction of over 400,000Speedfight scooters, manufactured intheir French factory following themodel’s launch in 1996. That’s an astonishing average of 110scooters rolling off the production lineevery day for ten years! To put the total figure in perspective,that’s enough scooters for every man,woman and child in the City of Manchester to have one - with some to spare! The Speedfight was an instant hit when it arrived in the UK in the mid-90s and started theboom in ‘sports scooters’ thanks to its aggressive styling, brisk performance and the highspecification. Since then it has remained at the top of the sales charts in both 50cc and 100ccformats, gaining iconic stature among enthusiasts. Peugeot’s UK distributors, 3X Motorcycles, calculate that they will have sold in excess of75,000 of the French Company’s scooters over the past decade. “These are exciting times to beinvolved with Peugeot,” smiles Richard Davies, UK Sales Director. “There is a new World RallyChampionship livery for the Speedfight due in 2006 as well as a new range of large capacity4-stroke scooters between 125-500cc.”

Here’s what you’ll first see of Fiera Milano as youleave the underpass from the Metro. The exhibitionhalls begin on your right hand side and stretch into

the distance. Each hall has it’s own entrance - aguide to being there is inside this issue

October ’05 page 2

GETTING THERE IS EASY. RED LINEOn the way, if by chance your train stops at WagnerGET OFF. You are travelling up the wrong spur!

The RED LINE also goes to SestoF.S. This is NOT the Fiera direction!

when in Milan do as thelocals do - use the Metro

For the visitor who has been to Eicma shows in other years thenew Fiera Milano is as convenient to reach as ever - although I’d recommendthat jumping a taxi from city centre is given a miss. The newly built Red Lineextension takes around another 12 minutes to get you to the show than in thepast. From the Rho Fiera station platform it’s about 7 minutes to reach the firstpavilion at the exhibition complex. All the show is along from here. There is a convenient left-luggage reception immediately before leaving theunderground access from the Metro to the show - it’ll conveniently save time. Buy your Metro ticket from newstands or at the station, but remember tovalidate your journey in the franking machine by the platform entrance - youmay be fined if you travel without.Flying to Milanfrom Linate there is a bus or taxi - and the distance is manageable that way.Arriving at Malpensa gives you the option of the Fiera Express and a directlink to Fiera Milano. Bus or train takes you to town, taxi fare about 60 Euros.At Bergamo you are a convenient bus trip from Central Station, around 6.5Euro is the one-way ticket. A taxi is then your best choice to your hotel, incentral Milan that’ll cost around 10 to 15 Euros. A taxi all the way into townfrom Bergamo will run out at around 70 Euros.

the station is all new and speciallybuilt for the Fiera visitors

riding gearA scooter jacket with reflective insertsand CE approved back protector is made from awaterproof microfibre material that gives a hardwearing finish is shown by A-Pro. In black or sandcolour. There is an internal document pocket andjacket arms are lightly insulated. Priced at 148 Euro, the jacket has a remov-able thermic gilet, pile padded collar and a re-movable hood. Sized from S to XL.

Contact phone: +39 0438 501 242.

workshop kitThe Bike Bench is an universal checking andrepairing system for two wheel vehicles - the Pluskit is for any kind of scooter reparation. Motodocsay their most popular kit is called Evolution3, it’ssuitable for every kind of scooter and motorcyclerepair, and all the accessories showed in the pricelist are compatible to any kit. Ask for it! The basic kit is updatable to a superior kit, whichincludes more accessories, Reference 2 kit couldbe better for alluminium frame repairs. Included inthe kit there are two cataloguess, regularity update,with the measurements of over 2,200 motorcyclesand 600 scooters. The Touch Bike, an electronic measuring system,enables the framework of a machine to be checkedand its roadworthiness certified within minutes.

www.rotobike.com

Pavillon 4, Stand number C97.

Super auto peopleThis company produce solutions for thetransportation of luggage on cars - such as skis,top boxes, bicycles, along with anti-theft devicesand covers for scooters or motorcycles. Windshields and screens are of special note andprincipal novelties being introduced at Eicma canbe seen on Stand No. D13 in Pavilion 14. Screens to fit Honda models, and those fromKymco, Aprilia, Yamaha and many other makes willbe on display. www.superauto.it

eating out in MilanThere is as much in the way of good restaurants and bars in Milanas you find there is cheese in pizzas. In the main, expect them to be joyfulplaces with plenty of chatter - but a tip is to avoid the real tourist hot-spots ifyou want to eat where the locals find their fine fare and best service. To save a lot of walking the taxi is your bestbet, and book your table through your hotelconcierge, that helps when places are full, too.My selection would include Bagutta, which isnear Piazza Babila; Sabatini, Via Bosnavich;Al Girarrosto de Cesarina, Corso Venezia. LaGuardia is a fine restaurant a short taxi ridefrom the Fiera Milano gates. Peter rl

engine internalsCentauro manufactures gaskets andgasket sets in asbestos-free materials suitablefor scooter, motorcycles, ATV models, jet skiand snowmobiles from themost important makers.The production comprisesgaskets with fire rings andsilicon beadings, multilayermetallic gaskets, mufflerconnecting gaskets, oilsseals, fork oil seals, dustseals, valve stem seals,brake pads, belts and airfilters.

Pavilion 2 Stand E28www.centauro-srl.com

we do scooter news & scooter product

DELIVERED IN PRINT.TO YOUR E-MAIL INBOX.

ON THE INTERNET.contact us at: www.ksa-partnership.com

XXXXX marks the spotThe exhibition isin Pavilions2, 4, 6, 10, 14 18, 22.

The 63rd International Motorcycle Exhibition, November 15 - 20

October ’05 page 3

It’s service you can see working for everyone, quality scooterproducts from peer manufacturers being distributed to the UK retailer

network and supported in the marketplace with unbeatable media support.Alongside that, No-one has a better understanding of the scooter after-

market than VE(UK) - and that is how they have grown to become Britain’slargest and best-known wholesale supplier for

scooter spare parts and accessories.With the backing of almost twenty years asindependent suppliers to the British market,

VE(UK) can talk the scooter language and haveundoubtable expertise and understanding to justify their position as

being the very best in the business. The guys and gals at VE love doing their job. They have built the businesson the fact that suppliers want “stockists” to hold good levels of their product

and to be the importer who represents them and their interests to themaximum. A significant demonstration of that need means plenty of

advertising and brand building being placed in the right place to get the jobdone - and VE(UK) do lots of Trade advertising.

On top of that they ensure their retail advertising attracts and stimulatespublic awareness to get riders and owners visiting

their VE dealer to buy the principals’ product.Parts suppliers deserve real commitment,

they want to be able to work with their exclusiveimporter to maximise every advantages of pertinentfactory support, and see the passing on of early news about the latest specparts, and to gain meaningful collaboration for their brand to impact on themarket. They need every assistance to give the importer’s customers the

best in service for their brand and product. VE(UK) do that.But VE don’t do public....their only customers are dealers. Simply put - that

gives VE(UK) a lot of “street cred” in the retail sector. Experience shows thatretailers don’t like to buy from another retailer - after all they are rivals

competing for the shopper’s custom. Retailers trust better the wholesaler orimporter who keeps their house in order by not playing at being a retailer.

VE(UK) have no need to play that game, and the Kerr family has built up agreat reputation across Europe with suppliers who are quick to point outthat the working relationships they have with VE(UK) gives them greater

understanding of the marketplaceand developing trends.

and not just forscootersWhen you fully understand how an engine runs then you knowhow to service the motorcycle and quad trade, too. At VE(UK) there isalready on-the-shelf support for the retailer selling quads and motorcycles.To check out the array of top-flight components and accessories that arealready available from VE(UK) simply log onto www.ve-quad.com and enter a keyword tolocate the section of the Supermarket wherethe items are listed and priced.

the VE connection.working for retailersthe VE connection.working for retailers

Operating out of their Nottinghamshire headquarters complex at Long Eaton,VE(UK) have developed a sophisticated stock and distribution business that

employs sixteen members of staff for product pickingand despatch from an inventory of over 20,000product lines. Ready and able to respond quickly todealer enquiries or orders by telephone and e-mail, orfrom their eight, positively linked websites, VE(UK)

connects effectively and efficiently into the retailer set-up and operates onlyacross that retailer’s counter for all product sales to the public. It’s a systembuilt on experience and passion that makes it work so well.

a passion for scooters and scootering is what drives this business

Sandro Malossi (centre) caught on camera with Robert and Norrie Kerr at the old exhibitionsite. This year the Malossi “family meeting” will be in the new and impressive Fiera Milano.

COMPANY PROFILE

www.ve-uk.com

October ’05 page 4

helping you to thinkChristmas stockings

It’s coming to the time of year when theimpulse sales will help ring your till. To help the Christmas shopper there’splenty of stock on the shelves at VE(UK) that isn’t all made of metal and that sort ofstuff. There are books and videos, even the the cd collection that will sell-through andkeep the scooter message well and truly turning over, even right through next year.

Among the stocking fillersthere are two Lambrettabooks for the enthusiastLambretta owner. The mainbook VE00418 at £19.99 (re-duced from £28.60) isnewly revised and hasthe restoration bookadded to the collection.

For those who wish toobtain just the restora-tion book, this is now in

print as a stand alone and is available under VE Part No VE00448 at£9.99, Trade, no vat chargeable.

advertisingthat pays

With a big programmeof Trade advertising VEkeeps the retailer in touch withthe brands, and it’s just aseffective in encouraging footfallinto the shops, as well. Retailers can have their fullshop details published on everyone of the company’s eightwebsites - a VE(UK) initiativethat is a proven sales winner.

And there’s help from theinternet, too. Anyone Googlingfor scooters only has to add theVE connection to the search andup pop plenty of leads. VE(UK)didn’t invent the system but theyare experts in making it work togenerate product awareness.

Key fobs are a go-fast itemwithout any need for engine fettling.

These suit Aprilia, Derbi andPeugeot riders - other makes are

available.

below: For people with time on their

October ’05 page 5

showing off the peer brandsthey representYou can expect plenty of new products to be launchedat the Milan Intrernational Motorcycle Show - and then it’s all hands to thepumps at VE(UK) to make sure it will be in stock and ready in time for display at theJanuary Motorcycle Trade Expo at Stoneleigh Park. It isn’t just to coincide with a trade show that new componentscome on board, though. Right through the year the VE suppliersare doing their bit to keep the market flowing with updatesand innovations. Hardly a week goesby without news and information isrelayed to retailers in the VE(UK)Trade Newsletter and across the pages ofthe scooter trade mediain Britain. and some of the latest

kit on the scenePopular, as well as recent additions to the VE(UK)

line-up of the best accessories and components from the bestsuppliers are shown here - it’s just a very small part of the

20,000-plus product lines in stock at the Long Eatonheadquarters of Britian’s best-known scooter equipment wholesaler.

left: latest specification Clutch Plate setsfor Derbi and AM6 Motors, completewith steels, springs and fibre plates, in acarbon composite and exceptional in bothperformance and Trade price. This importantlightweight motorcycle market is fullysupported by the VE team. All you need todo is visit www.ve-moto.co.uk

Giannelli Freedom

MAPPED CDI UNITSa switchable unit specially developed

for a range of popular automatic scootersThe continuous development of electronics inthe automotive segment led Malossi to create and mar-ket a complete line of electronic coils for scooters to beused on the street and for races, which is at the highestlevel of technology. Each electronic coil model wasexpressly mapped for the scooter it will be fitted on, andthis is the reason why after endless tests on the bench,on Dyno rollers and on the racing track, an optimal startup map (fixed or variable) has been prepared in orderto obtain the best performances of the vehicle. TheMalossi electronic coils were designed to allow also avery easy assembly, since they are interchangeable withthe original units. They are compact and ergonomic, sothey can be connected perfectly to the original connec-tors. These coils allow the elimination of the rpm limiterinstalled on some standard power boxes, enabling inthis way the full use of the engine power and torqueeven at the highest revs, in race situations up to 20,000rpm. These electronic coils are based on capacitive dis-charges, therefore they allow maximum limitation of cir-cuit transients during voltage discharge, while obtaininga virtually perfect peak voltage on the spark plug (35,000to 50,000 volts depending on the engine output) further-more, the units grant extremely high discharge voltagesand currents with surprising reliability with respect toengine rpm variation.

Stock number VB558765 - for Aprilia,Atala, Benelli, Beta, Malaguti.

VE(UK) are the exclusiveUK importer ofHutchinson tyres.Here’s a new tyreexpressly aimed at theAutomatic scootermarket, called Stardust.Available in a selection of12" and 13" sizes it has aSuper grip, unique treadpattern with latest designfeatures and at verycompetitive prices.

Clutch conversion fromSurflex - one of Italy’s top friction

manufacturers. To fit the ClassicVespa PX Disc Model.

Quote VE part number VE11279

Kundo Hacker

telephone:0115 946 2991

www.ve-uk.com

at EXPO see us on

Stand No. B28

Just part of a bigger collection ofexhausts than you could ever tweak a

throttle at - and to fit almost every scooter.

October ’05 page 6

selling the productWhen you log onto one of the VE(UK)

web sites you meet a huge selection of parts thatare available - there’s over 20,000 which can be

searched easily at Parts & Prices on the company’s website. The customercan purchase the parts required through a participating dealer of theirchoice at the Checkout at the VE Supermarket by following the online

guide. Everyone can see for themselves the huge selection of parts VEwholesale to dealers worldwide. Thanked for visiting the site the viewer is

then prompted to visit other VE websites and reminded that VE(UK) supplyonly Trade or Dealer accounts direct. There’s no public service at all.

The marketing message continues on the website with information for theend user to see what’s on offer - such as an excellent range of VE Chrome

Accessory leaflets and Performance Catalogues for Big Bore kits, SportsExhausts, General Parts and Accessories. The message then is “if you want

to obtain either a set of Catalogues or a CD-Rom then please visitwww.ve-uk.com/index2.php” and reminding them

that the huge selection of parts stocked by VE(UK)can be purchased through a participating dealer of

their choice at the Checkout at the VE Supermarketby simply following the easy online guide.

VE (UK) and scooter sportIt’s personal - the service that works for everyone whoconnects with VE(UK). It’s personal to the point of being a familybusiness that styles their dealings along family lines. No-one can demonstratea better understanding or long-term success andinvolvement in the world of scootering in Britain. Having been an owner and editor of the magazineScooter & Scooterist for over fourteen years, being aVespa rider in competitions and an employee atDouglas Vespa in Bristol has taught Norrie a lot. He has now passed on the basis for even greatercompany success to his son Robert, who is thedriving force behind the stocking of new parts fromworldwide sources. Robert’s machine knowledge is highly respected and therethe similarity with his “old man” stops. Robert is his own man. He’s seen hisdad through good and bad and still stands shoulder to shoulder with him,understanding just what his father has achieved and knowing there is plenty still

to be done. Looking to the future, Robert’sappetite will provide greater depth tostocking what’s wanted, rather thanfollowing what others in the industrymay be doing. He’ll focus on where thecompany is going and how they’llsupport their customers and theirsuppliers, giving real meaning to theterm “a family business”. Customersand suppliers alike are all family.

mediamattersThere’s a big budget supporting the

brands represented by VE(UK). Not only does the company have a heavycommitment to ensuring brand awareness through display advertisements buta regular stream of hot news and product intelligence is sent to the trade andconsumer press. The success of these promotional campaigns can be seenon the pages of the popular and most read scooter magazines in Britain. The company also drive the message through their own websites and intheir e-newsletter distribution that prompts many a response.

call VE(UK) on telephone 0115 946 2991from overseas: +44 115 946 2991

fax number is 0115 946 9292. e-mail: sales@ve-uk.com.

register for access to the exclusive VE Tradewebsite at www.ve-trade.com This is where

you find easy online ordering, newsletters, trade & retailprice lists, the parts search, technical assistance, and more.

Relaxing. Isle of Man memories - Norrie Kerrpictured with entertainment wizard Sir NormanWisdom; IoM tourist board’s Emma and Kevin

Walsh of Lambretta Club Great Britain.

Celebrating. TeamVespa - top guys with winning

ways. Trevor Sharp, MarkGreen, Norrie, Duncan Baker.

On the front row - DaveDelaney and David Sharp

Racing at Mallory Park.Norrie chases 150cc pilot, the late Terry Frankland. This was the day Norrie

rode his 125cc No.1 Vespa to four new lap records in one race

Norrie Kerr

Robert Kerr

This 80s picture is of MickGrant, snapped on Norrie’srather quick LC1 at OlympiaMotorcycle show. It’s decked outin the famed Kawasaki Green, awinner just like Mick

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special projects is the missionThis company produces ignition systems, flywheels, regula-tors and ignition coils, for motorcycles and recreational vehicles such asatvs and snowmobiles. New is a fuel injection system specifically designedfor the two wheel machine. The exibition is the opportunity to present also their new research centreat Rovereto, where work on designing projects and product for low emis-sion vehicles, hybrid and electric engines wil be centred. More about thecompany and its products atwww.ducatienergia.com Hall 10 stand A 69

Universal Bluetoothmakes it all work

Dedicated wiring looms are just part ofthe Gemini Technologies Spa product range - morethan 60 plug and play wiring looms are currentlyavailable in their comprehensive range. Large Novita is a new product launched at theMilan Show, where Universal Bluetooth intercomtechnology is a feature of the small but very effi-cient new alarm.

Pavilion 10, Stand C80 is where youcan see it all - and get a real Italian coffee, too.

www.gemini-alarm.com

race track followingInspired by the world of casual wearfashion and motorcycle racing, GAS markets theOfficial Honda GAS Merchandise Collection. Thecollection can be purchased by consumers at GASStores, Honda dealers, the independent fashionboutique, at all European MotoGP races and atmajor motorcycle exhibitions such as the Eicmashow in Milan. The collection includes cool leather jackets,somevintage denim outfits, technical down vests, as wellas cotton shirts, T-shirts, sweatshirts and footwearfor both men and women.

masters in productionFounded in 1950 by Fernando Fabbri, the company hasspanned the whole history and development of the two-wheels in Italy and the world over. A historical industry thatstarting from the first Vespa and Lambretta, and from theaccessories that made their body special, Fabbri has cham-pioned attention and care for product from skilled craftsmen.ship tradition. In new premises since 1997, the company has expandedto effect all those logistical and production changes that areindispensable today. Projects on CAD/CAM through toprocessing with computerised cutting centres, and from acomplimentary customer service, to shipping “just in time” isall part of the success story. Since 1950, core business at Fabbri has been with thewindshield and screen for motorcycles and scooters, yet notforgetting the accessories made of steel tubing and the top-cases for motorcycles and scooters.

waterpoof denim apronsFounded in 2001 and now selling through 900 dealers inItaly, Arichimica SRL distribute accessories and garments for scooters andmotorcycles under the OJ Atmosfere Metropolitane trademark. They areexpanding to other countries and currently deliver to Germany, Switzerlandand Greece. Two of their aprons for scooters are illustrated here. The company launch two collections during the year, one in March forspring-summer and the other in September, fall-winter product. At the Fierathey will show, as their most important products, the Expandible Leg-Coverfor Scooter in black Nylon, 100% waterproof. They’ll have a Leg-Cover forScooter in denim jeans, also 100% waterproof and special racing gloves inKangaroo leather, an SP Top, which offers specialprotection for the knees. A full range of sunglasses, designed to fit underthe helmet, has SpiderSilver as one strikingexample. The company willalso show a wide range ofjackets and gloves.Hall 10 Stand C90.www.ojatmosferemetropolitane.com

October ’05 page 7

this is about usDriven by passion and understanding,the three KSA trade journals put product news andpertinent information in front of a core readershipstretching across a full spectrum of the fresh-air,outdoor activity and travel equipment suppliers andretailers, distributors and agents. The mission is tohelp develop awareness of the synergies which existin the trades we serve, highlighting opportunitiesfor businesses and communicating that message. Not only delivered as a quality printed journal toall known businesses in the UK trading sector ofeach title, Trade & Industry is mailed world-wide topersonal e-mail Inboxes as a pdf file, allied to thepresentations on the company website, where theBicycle, Outdoor and Scooter titles are archived.

www.ksa-partnership.com

October ’05 page 8

cleaning and protecting - easy as water off a duck’s backgive clothing the look of well preened waterfowl to keep wet and dirty weather conditions at bay

HOW TO AVOID BEING WET,COLD OR MISERABLE

Keep yourself dry then you will stay warm, buthow? Water actually wants to stay in a puddle, a glass or evena reservoir. It’s you that drives across it, spills it, or by ridingthrough it, causes water to splash us and wet us through. Water has a surface tension that can support an ocean goingliner but let it touch a piece of fabric that you are wearing andyou are soaked to the skin! Why? Well, fabric has a surfaceenergy rather than a surface tension (because it has holes in it). To clean fabric we wet it by using the wetting agents con-tained in household detergents. They raise the fabric surfaceenergy so high that when it comes into contact with water, itsoaks straight into it dissolving dirt and allowing it to rinse away.Fantastic! So now we go out in our bright shining denims and parkasand turn into a proverbial drowned rat the first time it rains!Water transfers heat and cold quicker than air. Pick up anythinghot with a wet cloth and see how quick you have to drop it. Wecool a bottle of wine quickly by putting it in a bucket of ice andwater, rather than just ice. So if we get wet we become cold, ifwe keep the water where it belongs, on the road, you will staycomfortable. No I don’t suggest we wear a big bubble around us, some-body tried that before and it needed three wheels, we have adifferent answer. Whether you wear denims, parkas or even thelatest Gore-Tex outerwear, you need to follow simple guide-lines. Lower the surface energy on the outside of your clothing to alevel lower than that of the surface energy of water. The resultis that the water runs off the fabric to get back into that puddle itcame from. Do this and just like a boat, your denims will floaton water. The lower the surface energy on a fabric the better it repelswater. Take it to the lowest levels achievable and it will alsohelp repel oils and stains. To do this you should use a spray orwash-in waterproofing product, like those formulated andmarketed by Storm Waterproofing in their Mars Care productrange. With these latest technology products you will find themthe easiest to apply and independent testing has shown theygive the best results. There is also a Mars neutral ph fabric cleaner in the rangethat prepares the fabric for waterproofing without all those extraingredients to wet you through! Wash and dry your garments in the normal way using theMars products and see them dry to a water repellent finish.Even if they weren’t before! If washing machines aren’t your thing buy the Mars spray andproof your clothes this way. You can never waterproof the holesin the weave of denims or parkas which is why the ultimategarments have membranes like Gore-Tex, however you canstop the fabric absorbing water or dirt which is why you shouldalways treat items in this way.

(Gore-Tex is a registered Trade Mark of W.L.Gore & Associates

www.stormwaterproofing.com

Cleaning sponge Leather dressingBoot deodoriserAnti-fogProofer PlusLeather enhancerVisor rain repellantHelmet deodoriser

T: +44 (0)1773 521 309F: +44 (0)1773 521 430

no doubt but slippery stuff, is soapbackground information to cleaning waterproof clothing

Most people are already aware that today’s waterproof clothing usually consists of an inner mem-brane or coating (that actually provides the waterproofing), and a textile outer layer normally treated with a so called‘DWR’ finish we know as the repellent finish. Confusion seems to arise, however, whenit comes to how such an article should be cleaned, in thesegarments we find a lot of modern technology.i) The hydrophilic, breatheable coating or PTFE membrane.ii) The textile itself usually either polyester or nylon, possibly inmicro fibre form, non of which were available before the 1940’s.iii) The ‘DWR’ usually - but not always! - a fluorocarbon poly-mer which was accidentally invented by 3M In 1935 whentrying to develop a sealant for jet fuels. Again commercially notavailable in the UK till the 1950’s.iv) The zips and fasteners.v) The fundamental design of the garment. So why does everybody want to wash this 21st century gar-ment with soap, a product that has been available from the 5thcentury, especially when brand leading membrane manufac-turer, Gore-Tex, recommends using a detergent? It would seem that somewhere along the line somebody hascommented that their DWR finishes can be damaged by de-tergents, so the only alternative would seem to be soap, thenoff everybody went. If soap is so good why is there a syntheticdetergent industry, and why is soap virtually never used by thetextile industry? A probable reason is the understanding of what constitutes adetergent. According to the chemical industry a detergent is acomplex mixture of surfactants, builders, alkali’s, bleaches,white dyes, softeners, enzymes and fragrances in short whatwe would refer to as washing powder. Soap is made by reacting fatty acids, usually from animal fat,with caustic alkali, the so called saponification reaction, to pro-duce a surface active agent (surfactant) which consists of ahydrophilic head, water loving, and a hydrophobic tail, waterhating. It functions as a washing aid by providing a bridge be-tween the dirt and the water. Modern surfactants are made from feed stock from the oilindustry to produce structures which consist of a hydrophilichead and a hydrophobic tail. They function in exactly the sameway as soap, providing that bridge between the dirt and thewater. Because of the vast choice of starting materials andmodern chemical techniques, the properties of these surfactantscan literally be designed according to individual requirements,unlike soap where what you get is .... soap! Going back to the DWR finish, current technology meansthat this is usually a fluorocarbon polymer applied to the textileby the fabric finisher under optimum conditions. There are fourmain contributors that can result in a lack of performance afterdomestic washing:i) Abrasion.ii) Lack of drying temperature. Some more modern polymersovercome this with a so called Line Air Dry behaviour.iii) Retained washing aid.iv) Alkaline washing conditions. Retained washing aid is hydrophilic so it interferes withthe water-shedding performance of the garment. This isusually due to the washing aid containing non-ionicsurfactants which are difficult to remove, and which dem

onstrate a phenomena known as ‘cloud point’. All non-ionic detergents have a cloud point at which they ceaseto be soluble in water; above this temperature no amountof rinsing will remove them from the article. Unfortunatelycloud point is also directly related to foaming so what wefind in washing powders is high amounts of low cloudpoint non-ionic surfactant, in combination with alkali, ex-actly what we don’t want. So what we have done is to formulate a washing aid,which generates little foam, of neutral pH value, that canbe easily rinsed away. With the correct choice of modernsurfactants we have therefore created a product suitablefor washing our high tech waterproofs that not only doesnot interfere with the DWR, but can also be used in hardwater areas without scum formation, unlike soap. Which areas of the UK have hard water? Generallyspeaking, hard water is present in 60% of the land massaffecting around 80% of the population (especially in theeastern, central and southern areas of England) and tovarying degrees in the rest of the UK. The water for some Northern cities is supplied fromnaturally soft water reservoirs in Wales and the Lake Dis-trict. In Scotland and Northern Ireland, various levels ofhardness occur. In Scotland supplies range from soft to various levelsof hardness in all areas except for the Strathclyde regionand the area served by Central Scotland Water Develop-ment Board, both of which are soft water areas.Northern Ireland - Northern division soft to moderatelysoft.Eastern division - soft to slightly hardSouthern division - soft to very hardWestern division - soft to moderately hard. So when you take two samples of distilled water andtwo of hard tap water and place them in clear containersthey look exactly the same. Pour one of these “puresoaps” into one each of the distilled and tap water con-tainers and you notice the cloudiness appearing in thehard water sample, while the distilled water remains clear.This is caused by the high alkalinity of the soap reactingwith the hard water which leaves this scum or “bloom” asit is called on the washed garment. Now repeat the process taking the Storm Anti-bac fab-ric cleaner which is a specially formulated 21st centurydetergent and notice the difference. There is no cloudi-ness, and both containers remain clear.

The text here comes from Tim Wilson atStorm Waterproofing after questions posed

following a consumer group discussionon the technicalities of washing and

reproofing outdoor wear.

The KSA Partnership, 97 Front Street,WHICKHAM, Tyne & Wear NE16 4JL

office phone: 0191 488 1947 e.mail: ksa@ksa-partnership.cominternet: www.ksa-partnership.com

advertisements & administration: Kate Spencer e.mail: ksa@ksa-partnership.compublisher & editor: Peter Lumley e.mail: peter@ksa-partnership.com

pubpubpubpubpublicalicalicalicalications stions stions stions stions scccccheduleheduleheduleheduleheduleKSA journals are published towards the end of the month of issue. All

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© KSA 2005

distribuido mensualmente por correoa todos los interesados en elmercado Britanico: fabricantes,agentes, distribuidores y tienda

distribuito ogni mese all'interomercato britannico. Ai fabbricanti. Ai distributori. Agli agenti.

Jeden Monat fuer den ganzenbritischen Markt erhaeltich. FuerHersteller. Fuer Lieferanten. FuerHaendler. Fuer Verkaeufer

expédié mensuellement par courrierà tous les intervenants du marchébritannique: fabriquants, agents,distributeurs, magasins.

longest running trade journal for thesector, launched over twenty six years

ago as the first UK bicycles-only Trade magazine.

Outdoor Trade & Industry derivesfrom the original outdoor business magazine

Camping & Outdoor Leisure Trader

dedicated to urban transport topicsand to developing awareness of lightweight

powered two wheelers & trikes

successful business builder for both the Supplierand the Retailer. Used to exploit existing

synergies across the sectors

things don’t changethat much, do they!There can’t be too muchwrong with the scooterbusiness, it’s rooted in the simpleconcept of getting around independently - and not just to theshops, either. In the latest issue of Scootering Magazine, theMortens publication, there’s an endpiece by reader Brian Moore,of the Lazy Aces SC. He describes a holiday trip from home inManchester to Torquay . . .and “the M6 ended in Wolverhamptonin in those days..” Being stuck with just A-roads was a problem. Nowadays I am amazed at the distance of scooter journeys wemade in the late 60’s. Like Southend-on-Sea to Milan with a1948 Lambretta Type A model to join a 20th birthday celebration.Not any old birthday of course - this was for Lambretta and as itwas my first ever visit to Milan, I guess it was for me, too. When Arthur Francis associate Ken Peters and myself took offon the Lambretta journey in 1968 we were allowed to take just£50 in Sterling out of the country, not a penny piece more! That’sabout today’s going rate for a Ryanair return flight to Milan, andthere’s the answer for anyone in the scooter business wanting tocheck all the beauty of the new Fiera Milano. Once there, they’llbe among the beauty of the scooter trade as well, this is theplace where old habits simply keep on rolling. And there’s nothing wrong with that. Right!

Peter Lumley editor

Rimini - two Brit scooters among the Italians - Ken is off-frame while I pose away!

a long ride to Lambra long ride to Lambra long ride to Lambra long ride to Lambra long ride to LambraaaaateteteteteThey had cut away the snow on the St Gotthard Pass, this was just as the month of June wasending, and once past the snowbanks that glistened wet in the thaw, we emerged fromthe high road to be greeted by chirping crickets.

Museo Scooter e Lambrettawww.thescootermuseum.org

This Milan scooter museum was born fromthe passion of Vittorio Tessera, a scooter collector formore than 20 years. Here the only official archive ofthe Innocenti family is included - more than 5,000 pho-tos, constructive designs, manuals, film footage from1947-1972 produced by the Milan factory, and more. Plenty of space is dedicated to printing of the era,and to the technical handbooks of the exhibits. Built inLambrate by the Innocenti family, it is present with 36of the most significant models, and some of the rarestprototypes, models and spare parts, trophies, medals,clothes and equipment. Within the museum much space is allocated to boththe national and international production, with more than80 scooters on display. Among the “Italian Scooters”are some of the rarest models from the rich productionof the post war period. The Nibbio, the first scooterconstructed in Lombardia in 1947, with three knownmodels, the Furetto, first scooter built by the ISO in1947, three known models, the Simat, the first scooterconstructed in Italy in 1940 and the only known model. As far as the international section is concerned, allof the most important countries are represented witheither one or more original models.

This was nearly Italy, the border post and the road toLake Como a mountain haze away. It was Ken Peterswho came up with the idea, and as the editor ofScootering & Lightweights I had jumped at the chanceof a historic celebration ride to Milan to join the 20thbirthday party of Innocenti. Glad to be wrapped up well in Belstaffs on the Swissside of the mountain, behind us was a two day trundleacross Belgium then Germany and into Switzerland at40mph maximum. Go faster than that and the 125ccType A Lambretta suffered a nipped piston. It seizedseveral times in the 1,600 or so miles we covered! Milan was reached in time to grab evening tea, then

a morning visit to Innocenti and the news that the partywas actually in Rimini. On your way lads, said DrCandello, our Innocenti host for the weekend. Rimini was quiet and we didn’t go far on the beach,just resting for the celebration ride the next day whichwould take rallyists up the winding approach to SanMarino and a taste of late-60s tourism. It was a chancefor Ken’s Type A to recover from the ordeal. This first Lambretta model was an air cooled two-stroke single, 125cc and maximum power 4.3 hp at4,500 rpm, the gearbox a pedal-operated three-speed.Top speed is given as 65-70 km/h and with a fuel tankof 6 litres you didn’t get further than 280 km beforeneeding to refill. The Italian authorities allowed scooter riders to buyjust 5 litres of petrol a day with a tax concession andour entry “visa” was stamped so we could purchasefuel from special ACI pumps. My card of authority is asouvenir I’ve kept, so perhaps there’s someone fromthe Ministero Delle Finanze in Italy looking for aLambretta scooter with a VYF 66F plate! Our return ride from Milan was the another one-stoptrip, using the same place in Altdorf. Here the Swisshotel manager was persuaded for the second time in aweek that Ken’s Type A was so valuable he needed tobe able to park it indoors for the night. Obligingly, itwas alowed to rest right outside his bedroom door!

above: In the mist atop theSt Gotthard Pass - 2091metres up in the cold air.below: Riding out of the

Innocenti plant atLambrate, fuelled up and

ready for Rimini. right:here’s the special fueldocument - without the

exit stamp!

October ’05 page 10 see other KSA journals at: www.ksa-partnership.com

RETAILERS - order direct from your local wholesaler or call Dillglove for help & advice.

5,000 trade visitors - and growingthere’s plenty here for the scooter business

One of the major trade success stories of recent times, the eleventh annualMotorcycle Trade Expo looks like breaking more records come January when 200 exhibitingcompanies will be launching new products and services in preparation for the 2006 season. Europe’s largest and most successful aftermarket show for the motorcycle, scooter and ATVbusiness, Expo opens its doors for three exclusively trade only days from Sunday 15 to Tuesday17 January when upwards of 5,000 dealers and trade buyers are expected to attend. Expo’s proven format remains unchanged. Entry and parking are free and complimentaryrefreshments will be available to all visitors. Venue is again the Stoneleigh-Park Exhibition Cen-tre which is centrally located six miles from Coventry and easily accessed from the motorwaynetwork. Birmingham International and Coventry Airport are both nearby. Covering an area of 10,000 square metres in three halls, Expo will provide an invaluable shopwindow to what’s new for the 2006 season for dealers everywhere.

For free tickets phone 01237 422660further details - visit Expo’s website - www.motorcycle-expo.com

MCI - StephenNorris retires

The Motor Cycle IndustryAssociation have a newpresident - David Jamiesonwho takes over from outgoingPresident Stephen Norris retiresthe post after a highly successful5 year stint as MCI President. Hehas been one of the longest serv-ing presidents in MCI’s history. Mr Jamieson, who retired fromParliament at the last GeneralElection, brings a wealth of publicpolicy experience to the motorcy-cle industry. As a road safetyTransport Minister, a portfolio heheld from 2001 to 2005, he chairedthe Government’s Advisory Groupfor Motorcycling and successfullylaunched the National MotorcycleStrategy in February this year - thefirst Government strategy of itskind in Europe. Mr Jamieson joins the industryat a key moment. MCI’s publicpolicy agenda is at an importantstage, with Europe’s motorcyclelicensing proposals from Brusselson the table and legislation whichthreatens off-tarmac motorcyclingbefore Parliament. There are alsoa large number of positive initia-tives to pursue, with MCI’s roaduser education strategy nowlaunched.

Scooters,components,clothing andaccessories willtake the stageat Expo

a note from the publisher

why Xtra?When KSA produce a Trade journal it is to bringtogether market intelligence that will put people indanger of doing business. We have a Bicycle title,one for Outdoors and another for Scooters andlightweight urban transport. A long time ago wefound that mixing Trade specifics alongside thecredible alternatives gave readers the chance tobroaden product awareness and open up the newmarket opportunities. That’s what this compositeXtra is about.

three of a kind thathelp Trade sell-in

& brand awareness

plus the unique & additional

This feature is from the middle of the printed issue - pages 4 & 5.

It is repeated here becauses

technical considerationsaffecting the pdf version have

altered the original

printed style andpresentation pf the item.

issue of October 05

the next issues-Clients & Suppliers are reminded

that our next issue is already under

starting orders. Materials to help usbuild the issue should be sent as

early as they are ready, to the

editors desk:peter@ksa-partnership.com

to book advertisements or torequest further information on the

KSA journals please contact

Kate Spencer -ksa@ksa-partnership.com

01 91 488 1947