Our Story
Where It All Started
Lee's interest in scooters began in the mid-1990s, during the height of the Britpop era.
Seeing bands and musicians such as Ocean Colour Scene, Paul Weller, Blur and Oasis associated with scooters sparked an interest that would eventually become a lifelong passion.
In 1997, a family friend took Lee to the Market Harborough Parts Fair, where he had his first ride on a scooter.
A few months later, after saving money from his paper round, Lee took a day off school and visited Kit Armitage, at his shop before it became Scooters 2000.
That's where Lee bought his first Vespa PX.
And that's where the story really began.
My First Vespa Didn't Go Quite to Plan!
With very little mechanical knowledge, no internet to turn to and no real idea what he was doing, Lee decided he was going to take his new Vespa apart, have it painted and then put it back together.
There was just one small problem...
It never went back together!
Looking back, it was probably not the ideal way to start learning about scooter mechanics.
But rather than putting Lee off scooters, the experience had the opposite effect.
Another Vespa PX was purchased, this time a blue example from Gran Sport Scooters, and Lee began learning about scooters properly.
Simple jobs such as having the side panels painted and giving the scooter a general tidy-up gradually developed into a much deeper interest in how scooters worked and, eventually, how the scooter parts industry operated.
Learning the Scooter Trade at Gran Sport Scooters
Gran Sport Scooters became an important part of Lee's early scooter experience.
After spending so much time at the shop that he became something of a "shop lurker", Lee was able to see the day-to-day workings of a scooter business and learn from the people around him.
That time eventually led to an opportunity to work for John Milvertons, a UK scooter parts wholesaler.
It was a major turning point.
Instead of simply being a scooter enthusiast, Lee was now learning the trade from the other side of the counter — working with scooter parts, suppliers, manufacturers and scooter shops.
Learning the Scooter Parts Trade
John Milvertons was an important UK supplier within the classic scooter industry.
Alongside companies including Nigel Cox, Scootopia and The Scooter Emporium, Milvertons was among the early UK suppliers of Casa Lambretta products.
The company also supplied a wide range of other classic scooter parts and accessories, including:
- Casa Lambretta
- Cuppini
- MEC EUR
- FACO
- F.A. Italia
- Genuine Piaggio
- And many other scooter components
Lee spent close to 10 years working for John Milvertons, building a detailed understanding of the scooter parts trade and developing relationships with manufacturers, suppliers and scooter shops.
This experience would eventually become an important foundation for Scooter Vista.
Building My First Lambretta
At the age of 21, Lee built his first Lambretta — an LI 125 Series 2.
This was another important stage in developing his knowledge of classic scooters.
The build wasn't done alone. Dez, Scotty and Nathan from Gran Sport Scooters provided a great deal of help and guidance, helping Lee learn more about Lambretta mechanics and how the many individual components come together to make a complete scooter.
From that point onwards, Lambrettas became a major part of Lee's passion for scooters.
While Lee still has a keen interest in Vespa P Range scooters, his particular passion is for:
Lambretta LI, SX, TV and GP models.
From John Milvertons to Scootopia
After almost 10 years with John Milvertons, Lee moved to Scootopia, eventually becoming manager.
This was an extremely important period in his career.
During his time at Scootopia, Lee was involved in the company's rebranding and the development and reproduction of Lambretta parts.
Scootopia evolved from sourcing parts from established suppliers such as MEC EUR, Tutto Lambretta and Casa Lambretta, into a company developing and producing its own range of Lambretta components and supplying customers and scooter businesses around the world.
Working closely with Dean and Danny, Lee developed an extremely detailed understanding of Lambretta spare parts.
Not just the major components.
But the smallest individual parts, fixings and details that can make the difference between a correct restoration or repair and a frustrating one.
That experience is a major part of the knowledge Lee brought with him when Scooter Vista was founded.
Why Scooter Vista Was Started
After moving to Wales, Lee continued working for Scootopia in Weston-super-Mare.
However, with a daily commute of more than 100 miles, the travelling eventually began to take its toll.
Rather than move away from an industry he had spent most of his working life involved in, Lee decided it was time to take the next step and start his own business.
Scooter Vista was founded in 2021.
The business was started with the help of a UK government start-up loan — an amount that was less than what it can cost to restore a Lambretta!
From those relatively modest beginnings, Scooter Vista has continued to grow.
Building Scooter Vista
Scooter Vista is being built around something Lee has always considered important:
Quality over quantity.
Having spent many years working within the scooter parts industry, Lee has developed a detailed knowledge of Lambretta spare parts and a keen eye for quality.
There are plenty of parts available for classic scooters, but not every part is made to the same standard.
That's why Scooter Vista takes a simple approach:
We would rather not stock an item than sell a poor-quality part.
The aim is to offer parts that we are confident recommending to classic scooter owners.
The Brands We Trust
Scooter Vista works with a selection of established manufacturers and suppliers that have earned their place through quality, reliability and experience within the classic scooter industry.
Our range includes trusted names such as:
- BGM
- Scootopia
- Genuine Piaggio
- AF Rayspeed
- MEC EUR
- Grabor
- Cuppini
- CIF
- Casa Lambretta
Lee's experience within the scooter trade means these aren't simply names on a supplier's catalogue.
They are brands and products that he has encountered throughout many years of working with classic scooters and scooter parts.
We would rather offer a smaller selection of products that we are confident in than fill the website with poor-quality alternatives.
Our Connections in Italy
Scooter Vista has also developed strong relationships with suppliers and contacts in Italy.
These connections are particularly valuable when sourcing specialist components for classic Lambretta and Vespa scooters.
For older scooters, finding the correct part isn't always as simple as searching for a modern replacement.
Sometimes it's about knowing which supplier makes the correct component, which version is required and which parts are actually worth buying.
That's where experience within the scooter parts trade makes a difference.
What Does Scooter Vista Specialise In?
Scooter Vista specialises in parts for classic Lambretta and Vespa scooters.
Our particular areas of expertise include:
Lambretta
- LI
- SX
- TV
- DL
- GP
- Series 1, 2 and 3 applications
- Engine parts
- Cylinder and piston components
- Crankshafts
- Clutches
- Gearboxes
- Carburettors
- Exhausts
- Electrical components
- Brakes
- Wheels
- Suspension
- Bodywork
- Cables and controls
- Restoration components
Vespa
We have a particular interest in the Vespa P Range, including:
- PX
- PE
- T5
- Rally
- Super
- Related classic large-frame models
Our aim is to supply parts for everything from routine servicing and repairs to complete engine rebuilds, restoration projects and performance upgrades.
More Than Just Selling Scooter Parts
One of the things we want Scooter Vista to be known for is knowledge.
Classic scooters can be complicated, particularly when you're working on a scooter that may have been modified, rebuilt or repaired several times over the decades.
Sometimes the biggest problem isn't finding a part.
It's working out which part you actually need.
That's why we aim to provide useful information alongside our products, helping customers understand what they're buying and how the parts fit into their scooter.
We're continuing to build a library of technical guides covering subjects such as:
- Lambretta engine rebuilding
- Lambretta gearbox shimming
- Lambretta wiring
- Lambretta engine mounts
- Lambretta cylinder kits
- Carburettors
- Ignition systems
- Vespa electrical problems
- Scooter tyres and inner tubes
- Scooter winter storage
- And much more
Our aim is to make Scooter Vista useful even before you place an order.
Helping Classic Scooter Owners
Whether you're restoring your first Vespa, rebuilding a Lambretta engine or maintaining a scooter you've owned for years, we understand that choosing the correct part isn't always straightforward.
Our aim is to combine:
Experience
Quality parts
Specialist suppliers
Technical knowledge
Honest advice
and
Good customer service
to help classic scooter owners keep their scooters on the road.
Scooter Vista Today
Scooter Vista continues to grow from the small business Lee started in 2021.
The goal hasn't changed.
To build a specialist classic scooter parts business based on knowledge, quality and a genuine passion for Lambrettas and Vespas.
From that first Vespa PX bought with money saved from a paper round, through years working within the scooter parts trade, building Lambrettas and learning the industry from the inside, Scooter Vista is the next chapter of a relationship with classic scooters that started more than three decades ago.
We're proud of where Scooter Vista has come from — and we're still building where it's going.
Scooter Vista
Classic Lambretta & Vespa Parts
Based in South Wales, near Cardiff, supplying classic scooter parts to customers in the UK and around the world.
Lambretta LI • SX • TV • DL • GP
Vespa PX • PE • T5 & Classic Models