At only 260 lbs., the British Scott’s 600 cc two stroke, twin cylinder, water cooled engine makes it a very lively performer. Scotts are sometimes referred to as “The Bugatti of Motorcycles”. Handling and braking are excellent, even by modern standards. The Scott engine has two main bearings, with an open flywheel in between, and the big ends overhung in two separate crankcases. The deflector pistons give the Scott a very distinctive “Yowling” exhaust, which doesn’t sound anything like a modern two-stroke. The Super Squirrel has two speeds only, and there is no gearbox, but two chain drive primaries, which are activated in turn by separate steel drum clutches. A rocking pedal activates the gear, tilting back for low, and forward for high, with neutral in between, negating the necessity of a separate clutch control. Lighting at this late date is still acetylene, whereas the Americans had been using electric lights for over a decade. On a recent outing, the owner “out dragged” his friend’s 1200 cc Indian Chief.

Impressions from the Saddle
When cold, Scotts take a lot of choke and flooding. After about 8 or ten kicks on the rather peculiar starter at the rear wheel, it fires and immediately makes its characteristic yowling sound. When warm, one kick is all it ever needs. Oil taps to the engine and the two-speed gear need to be turned on first, of course, in order to avoid mechanical disaster. To take off, you give it a bit of throttle, and press the rocking pedal on the right back, gradually engaging low gear. There is no separate clutch. If you do it smoothly, the acceleration is quite surprising, and its fairly highly geared in low, so when you engage high by rocking the pedal forward, it’s a smooth transition. Travel on a Scott is brisk, and they corner like they are on rails. The brakes are quite good, as this one has the larger front drum that was fitted in late '26, and as the bike is only about 260 lbs. its not a lot of weight to stop. It will cruise happily at 60mph, and will probably do about 80. I run it with 50:1 gas/petrol to oil, in addition to the pilgrim pump. An occasional shot of oil to the two-speed gear keeps everything operating smoothly. The acetylene lights are used occasionally. I once rode across Death Valley at night on gaslights. There was no other traffic, but the stars were out. Magic experience!

Listen to the 26 Scott Super Squirrel.

Click and drag below to rotate the Scott Super Squirrel.