Please Help Identify My Dads First Bike

[DavidSimmonds]

Hi there, we hope someone can help identify my dad's first bike.  It was a moped and he thinks it might have been Italian.  The attached picture was taken in 1961

Thanks in advance
David

[33d6]

I strongly suspect it is an Itom and Dads memory is still good as Itom were Italian and did come out as a very sporting little 2 speed moped. Dad appears to be dressed very smartly and the Itom was a smart little moped. I think your Dad looks like he was a bit of a lady's man in his time.
Cheers,

[chaterlea25]

Hi,
Could you post a higher resolution photo,
The image is too small to expand and see the details

John

[DavidSimmonds]

Thank you very much chaps, Although the name didn't ring a bell for dad he did remember he bought it new in Watford for £75.  sorry John I can't do anything about the image size.  It was scanned from an old picture.  Thanks again 

[R]

The pic is surrounded by a large white border. If you save the file, and edit out the border, the pic can be zoomed and seen quite well.

Itom doesn't seem to have the same frame design.
Some Benelli's seem to have the right frame structure, but can't find a circa 1961 pic of that model - and the tank doesn't quite look Benelli either.  (badge looks wrong). Cimati ??
1961 Motorcycle magazines would probably have adverts of them, there can't be too many varieties imported back then ? Does you dad recall the name of the dealer ?

[mini-me]

My immediate thought was Itom, but I agree it doesn't look like it is now.

Itom were not a 'moped' but a proper little motorcycle, a 50cc screamer with a respectable performance for its age and size.

[R]

Sounds like Mr Buntings is/was a likely supplier....

"Queens Road had its shops selling all kinds of things from second hand books to Mopeds and Cycles at Mr Buntings cycle shop. Buntings could be relied on to fix a problem on a bicycle at very reasonable cost, especially when income was only Saturday pocket-money! 
Motorcyclists were catered for at Lloyd Cooper in that street too.  They are still trading."
http://www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk/content/topics/cassiobury/watfords-vanishing-trick

There is still a bicycle shop Queens Rd, at No 66, could they be related ?
(Lloyd Cooper still trading at the same address - since 1900 - must be some sort of record !?).