Special K2 | Lambretta Series 1

Dealer specials come and go, but flying steadily below the radar are those produced by the legendary Keith Newman of K2 fame.

Words: Stan Bates Images: Gary Chapman

If anyone takes a look at the specification sheet for any show-winning custom scooter built during the past decade or so, it’s almost guaranteed that K2 Customs will feature somewhere in the list of contributors. In fact, take a look at most scooters and the chances are that one of K2’s ‘off the shelf’ parts will make an appearance. The man behind the name is of course Keith Newman; K2 because in his club riding days there were two Keiths, his friend became K1 and our hero became K2. 

A regular presence at rallies up and down the country, Keith is best known for his bespoke creations and innovative parts but there’s a whole lot more behind the K2 brand than bolt-on accessories. Working out of the surprisingly small workshop behind his Derbyshire home, Keith conducts expert repairs of cast alloy parts and of course manufactures his own, distinctive range of black and silver number plates. However, that’s not the end to Keith’s talents; with the help of a friendly local spanner wielder, Patrick Foy, he also puts together a mean custom.

Variations on a theme

Although Keith would be the last to describe his creations as ‘dealer specials’, it’s the only way I can think of describing his prolific output. The reason that no one recognises a ‘K2 special’ is that they are so diverse in nature. Unlike the S Type or Armando’s, there’s no definitive scheme, indeed no definitive type. If Keith were to keep a record of his creations they’d range from full-bodied factory restorations, through 70s skelly frames to full-blown choppers. Some of these are created to a customer’s specifications while others are, quite simply, built for Keith’s own pleasure. Visitors to his workshop over the summer months will usually see one or two machines in the process of being manufactured, usually with a deadline of the Isle of Wight rally. There, quite often, that year’s creation will be sold before Keith’s fully unloaded the van. The reason for this is the quality of work, as evidenced by last year’s IoW creation, this stunning Series 1 Li.

If the K2 specials can be said to have one common theme, it’s that they tend to fall into Keith’s hands as unloved examples; the base for this project being a case in point. Purchased locally, it was the definition of an ‘unfinished project’. The owner had purchased a full set of panel work from Carlos Newbury, added a set of red SIP rims to the parts box and then had the seats refurbished in red and grey by a local car trimmer. At this point he lost interest, and Keith stepped in. With the seats and rims pushing the colour scheme in an obvious direction, Keith set out to devise something that would suit the Series 1’s contours. Another ‘production line’ running through the K2 universe is Keith’s range of expertly executed Rallymaster replicas. Although this isn’t part of that series, there’s more than a hint of the iconic scheme in the red and grey paint.

A Spanish-style turning mudguard pays further homage to that lineage but it’s also possible to see influences from the Gulf race schemes. It really is a masterclass in what a custom builder at the top of their game can achieve when left to their own devices. The superb finish is thanks to Paul Bullivant at Retro Ride Paint Shop in Chesterfield.

Not all show

In addition to being involved with creating custom scooters, Keith’s also an enthusiastic rider and this build’s engine spec can only have been created by someone with an eye on practicality. Centred around a Mugello 200 kit and Tameni crank, fuel is supplied through the well-proven mouth of a 30mm Dell’Orto while an old-school AF VW Clubman takes care of the emissions side of business. Power is transmitted through a Surflex clutch fitted with MB springs, while an Li150 gearbox balances the ‘rev to rad’ ratios. In all there’s nothing fancy or complicated in the combination, but it delivers the necessary proportions of fun, power and reliability. In Keith’s own words: “Nice and nippy around town but also happy on the open road.”

Considering that the Series 1 is a product of the 1950s, it’s amazing how well it accommodates modern styling touches; in this case dechroming is the perfect complement to a style that’s both modern and utterly timeless. When asked how he goes about creating such a distinctive series of scooters, Keith’s advice is simple: “Consider the scheme as a whole, not just a series of individual parts. Think it through, draw it, colour in the pictures and get happy with the scheme on paper before committing to paint. The hardest thing is knowing when to stop… actually, that’s not true. The hardest thing is letting it go when I’m pleased with the result.”

For anyone who’d like own a K2 of their own there’s good news as Keith shows no signs of slowing down production. However, becoming an owner takes determination and the ability to get out of bed on a morning. Like most of his previous creations this scooter was sold quickly, the new owner being Essex-based Roger Brooks; a man who already owns a K2 restored SX200 that was purchased at the IoW 2022. What will this year’s special look like? Better get up early and be waiting at Sandown airport this August with your chequebook in hand. Whatever it may be, we guarantee it will be special…

Man and machine

Owner: Roger Brooks
Hometown: Rayleigh, Essex
Scooter model: 1959 Lambretta Li 150 Series 1
Time to build: Six months by K2 Customs
Engine specification
Kit: Mugello 200
Crank: Tameni
Carb: Dell’orto 30mm
Exhaust: AF VW Clubman
Clutch: Surflex plates with Mb Springs
Gearbox: Li150
Paint: Retro Ride paint Shop, Chesterfield
Powder coating: Insight Coatings, Bolsover
Suspension: Scootopia gas adjustable rear shock.
Anyone you wish to thank: Keith for the build, Pual Bullivant for paint, Patrick Foy for mechanical and Gary Woodhead for selling me the project.