Springer Sting

Project Springer Sting started having before me a tired Vespa that traveled up to 64.000 km. Distressed by the year had been transportation vehicle at the service of Greek post office with obvious signs of fatigue in its whole body. Looking at it from a completely different visual perspective, it was like I was seeing before me a middle-aged human being tired of the obligations and burdens of life. My project was to turn tired middle-aged, into young with an opportunity for a new life. Thus, in response to the invitation to the European contest organized by SIP, in Landsberg am Lech, near Munich, Germany, for custom scooters, why should this renewed middle aged not claim an opportunity to participate in this contest. So it was designed and built over a period of 3 months a scooter almost entirely from metal sheet, borrowed its name from the front system of Harley motorcycles called Springer.

This project has a lot in common in its way of construction to that of Guardian, and is a design hyperbole over model PX 200cc. 2000, Italian Piaggio, both in shape and in the innovations accompanying Springer Sting. The construction materials are: iron, brass, copper, leather, wood, plastic and rubber. Starting the construction of the handlebar, an aftermarket drop bar aluminum cast handlebar that was modified to mount a height adjustable headlight from a bigger bike that emerge through the handlebar at the front. Furthermore curving all flat surfaces of handlebar and oxidizing I gave a completely different, retro, look. The handlebar is composed by wooden script, the protective railing of headlight and its aluminum cap, in addition copper caps decorates the light switches, a decorative chain surrounding the speedometer and a defusing film layer that was applied to the headlight glass..

The torso was formed from metal sheet placed as cap, at scooter frame to host through it the gear mechanism of the saddle. What essentially dominates the style of scooter is the front system of an American 60’s Harley motorcycle. To mount the front, therefore on the scooter, after first alleviating space and shrinking it to the desired dimensions, it was patented to become a telescopic front system with mechanical assistance. This resulted in the conversion and the facade of the scooter, ie change the entire apron, to create indentation on the right and left so front system it can comfortably turn around. Thus the scooter became more pliant in parking and developed a greater flexibility in movement. Next was the construction of the engine cover and the side guards hosting through the flash.

Afterwards came the chrome tube, which starts from the steering head and ends on the back of the floor to support the frame. Last was the construction of the driver’s tilting saddle so that the fuel tank is easily accessible since the gas cap is just below the saddle. Materials made of wood and leather began to coating the scooter in detail, such as the floor, the saddle and the leather bag which accommodates its electronics, easily accessible at any moment. Then the divisible front fender was completed, which includes wheel and front brake, that can be removed very easily, something that does not occur in a mass production scooter. Accessories such as the brake pedal, the side stand, the brass plates with elements of scooter front and rear, its motor crank, the protective railing around the apron, the wooden flash on back covers, were ready now, the only thing remaining to complete the project, was to repair the engine.

My engineer deliver it to me ready and qualitatively upgraded within 24 hours. Finally, the surface treatment of the scooter, the oxidation and abrasion resistant varnishes, gave rough metallic hues and aging in the scooter. Thus, a renewed middle aged, named Springer Sting, won in the European competition organized by SIP Company, in Germany, the first prize in 2 categories: "Best Show" and "Oddity" (for the most original construction), and rewarded us for our desperate efforts to presented something new and original, with strong influences from steampunk, an element that always comes to light in my works. After returning from Germany to Greece, construction was completed with a grating placed behind the saddle of rider, and hosts a removable saddle for a second person. The perforated bumpers on the engine caps, the stainless steel base plate behind the plastic sheath covering the leather bag of electronics and bars that protect the whole scooter; finally completed the project called Springer Sting, and is testified by the brass tag with zircon left on the facade.