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-   -   Lambretta scooters - Restoration & Maintenance (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/post-war/42408-lambretta-scooters-restoration-maintenance-7.html)

Thanks Ilango, for giving some perspective on this concern. I guess I will stick to Shell normal petrol and Castrol Jettx 2T oil.

For restoration enthusiasts, here are a few cool places to avail original spares
lambretta parts, lambretta scooters, lambretta spare parts, lambro three wheelers, lambretta sidecars, scooter parts, vespa scooters parts exporters - Khaneja Auto Parts
scooter spare parts,land rover spares,land rover parts,suspension parts,tractor parts,truck parts,electrical parts

I did contact them once, long ago. No reply from them ever! I guess they used to supply spares only to exporters et al!

I completely agree with Stanher - these guys are just not interested in dealing with the local requirements. They are not keen to supply anything locally and in single digit quantities.

Even the recession has not brought them around.

Cheers!

hi from across the border guys , i have been a silent visitor to Team bhp for a long time now so i finally decided to become a member and share some lambrettas with you guys . here is my lambretta its a 65 li150 needs resto but its a later project so its stored right now.

Hey saurabh,

Awfully sorry I missed out this post of yours- reading it only now! stupid:

Thanks a ton for your suggestions and guidance (and of course the fabulous parts!), mate! 'helps to be in a forum with experts around!

I have not visited my scoot again the last couple of days mainly because 'been busy with some urgent matters.

I will do the necessary corrections accordingly as you've advised once I go to him again.

Yes, I mean to go about it easy- but the thing is I'm a bit uncomfy about the scoot lying in someones else's place too long, as worried that a part or two may get misplaced or damaged, or it may get dusty/dirty.

Meanwhile, here is a little eye-candy I happen to have at the moment for y'all- got the new conrod fitted by Rashid Mody in the big end/crankshaft, which has been polished to look as good as new!





He says he needs some puller for the drum cone(?) if I heard him right, so getting one made.

I will give him the rest of the parts only when they are needed.

@ all lambretta fans
hey there everyone my last post was pretty short as i was in a hurry . this happens to be my second post on Team Bhp after watching you guys share so much knowlege about lambrettas and other vintage vehicles i finally decided to join in to earn some more knowlege regarding lambrettas, i have already posted some pics of my lambretta im looking forward to give it a full resto i needed some help from you guys regarding parts i would like to know what the availability of engine components and trim is in India it would be great of you guys if you could help me out.
regards,
samhassnn

Hi!

I will help you with all parts that I can as you start with the Restoration Project. Some parts are available locally - will help you with those.

Cheers!

Saurabh

Really enjoying this thread. Nice work in bringing this classic back to life. Inspirational.

Best regards
Joe

Hi sidman, you asked of pics a blac & white Lambretta, it is not black it is Brown & white ( in fantabulus thread...do u remember?)
Here it is, with some of its cousins :)
About the Lambs found in pics :
From Left to Right ( viewing from front ):
1) Lamby Mac 175 ( my Dad's friend Mr.Suganraj's) 2) Lambretta'72 ( my friend Parthava Kannan's), 3) Vijai Super mk11 ( mine) 4) Lambretta J125 ( mine), 5) Lambretta Li 150 1961 ( mine......., friends no comments about that horn cast cowl :))

Wow! Thats an awesome lineup! Mac 175 and J125 are rare! I really like Parthava Kannan's 72 model...looks very smart! Thank you for posting this lovely lineup!

Hi, some updates after a long time. Resto work on my 1970 API Lambretta has begun. As you might recall, I bought this beauty from the 2nd owner in July last year. In the meantime, I had a little work done on it. The electricals were upgraded to 12V, and I had a Vijai Super spare holder (horizontal style) fitted, in place of the vertical spare holder. Put in a reconditioned speedo. Also replaced all bulbs, cables and locks. The scooter never gave me any problems, apart from a faulty fuel line that caused 3 litres of petrol to line the road I was riding on!
I am also not getting my resto done at the previous place I mentioned, due to distance constraints. So I found a restorer just 2 km. from my house, and he is supervising my resto. I have already sourced most of the required spares, mostly in B'lore itself, and a few from Delhi (Thanks, Saurabh!).
In plenty of restorations, the chassis gets the least attention, or is not prepared properly. The frame tube and chassis on this bike are getting the full treatment...that will be happening shortly. The petrol tank will also receive similar attention. The reason for paying so much attention to the structural integrity of the scooter is because I recently came across horror stories of chassis breaking due to internal rusting, petrol tanks catching fire because of leaks caused by internal rust damage (a rusted petrol tank will also mess up your carb). What use is a great-looking vehicle if it lacks structural integrity? Just IMHO...
Now the restoration begins, and the scooter has been mostly stripped apart. Work on the engine began first, and it is 50% complete. I was not there in person when the scooter was taken apart, but the mech said the engine was filthy, but does not seem to be in bad shape. All parts that have suffered extensive wear and tear are being replaced (bolts, bearings, bushes, seals, chain and guides, etc). A rebore has also been done, keeping it stock 150cc.
The chassis will be thoroughly treated this weekend for rust.
When the engine is ready, the scooter will be reassembled, to make sure all the parts fit properly. Then it will go for tinkering. During tinkering, we will ensure that the cross-members are straight, and all body panels are rid of dents and bends. There is also a slight bend in the fork, which will be removed. This will be done by some kind of hydraulic press machine that does not require the metal to be heated before bending it into shape. It seems that straightening forks (or for that matter, almost any metal) by applying heat will destroy the structural integrity of the fork/metal. Extra holes in the body will be closed up. A few holes need to be drilled, to fit the Lambretta LI 150 monogram on the legshield, and the framebreather grille at the back. Any welding required will also be done.
After taking it apart again, all body parts will be scraped off all layers of paint, down to bare metal. After the metal has been cleaned and degreased thoroughly, it will get a coat of primer (not yet decided what to use). Then a couple of coats of Dupont PU Paint, blue/white combo, which I have already sourced. Might apply a PU clearcoat over that, not sure if its needed.
The seats will be reconditioned. All parts needing buffing and/or chroming will be prepared. New bolts, nuts, washers, etc might also receive a zinc coating.
Then when ready for reassembly, all of the new parts will go in. Every single bolt, nut and washer is being replaced with a good quality zinc coated replacement. Vibration bushes will be used wherever required. All rubber parts will be replaced. All fork bearings, races, springs and seals will be replaced. New cable outers and inners will be fitted. New wiring harness will be fitted, with a 12V Amaron battery mounted in a battery tray, inside the toolbox. We might also put in a rectifier. The magneto flywheel will be remagnetized. Original SIL brake light switch will be fitted. All cabling and wiring will be done as close to original as possible, which means neat and tidy! Will be using cable ties where needed.
Got 3 original SIL rims and CEAT Secura tyres/tubes (similar to MRF Zapper for scooters). Brakes will be rebuilt with new shoes. Export-quality chrome Escorts shock will be fitted at the rear. Then the cosmetics...floor runners, rubber mat, legshield monogram, framebreather grille, aluminum tallight assembly, old-style Rexine bag for the inner legshield, etc will be fitted. Some pics below of the scoot dismantled:

The mechanic working on my scooter is a Lambretta (and other bikes)veteran, and says he used to race modified Lambrettas near Chennai in the 70's. He explains that he can get so much power out of a Lambretta, that a Yamaha RX would have trouble keeping up. Let's see how it turns out...thanks for your patience, will keep you updated.

Some pics of some of the replacement parts going on to this scooter:

Sidman,

Nice to see the work progressing on your scoot! 'am sure it will progress far better than the speed at which mine has!

An update on the resto of my '60 s2, MDS 4713, after a long time from me too!

I finally collected the engine and all parts of it the other day from the person who previously had begun the work, and left them at the place of the mechanic who's doing up the rest of the work on my scooter. Luckily, the former had managed to get my big-end/crankshaft done up, so looks good as new now.





I see that this guy, thankfully, is doing a more prompt job on it. Already started cleaning up the engine casing etc. (even which hadn't been done at the previous place it was, for I-don't-even-recall-how-many months! :Frustrati ) this afternoon, and he has listed out what parts are needed as of now. He suggested that we get the whole casing wire-brushed (not buffed) as it'd be far more effective than an ordinary cleaning, considering that it's been painted over in silver at some point. Also the casing cover to be buffed up, which is going to be done tomorrow.



Some of the old parts here are to be replaced with the new ones.





I've already got most of the major parts needed for the rebuild (mostly thanks to Saurabh!) including a new "Weston" piston and ring plus bore as the current bore has gone weak.

I'm now in a dilemma as to when the job should be finished...as on side, I have my exams approaching next week, which means I won't be in a position to go over and supervise the work all week, plus the fear of the scooter lying with all parts (many rare/priced) seaparated and also the newly painted panels gathering dust! On the other hand, the concern of getting the last stage of the restoration right, without making any haste that might scr*w up the whole thing at the end! :(
But for the delay in the engine rebuild, it would\'ve been all over by now! :Frustrati

Hi Guys,

this is like the biker build off - who does a better bike!

I love it.

I am glad to be supporting both of you with parts and it keeps my interest levels very high because with each part passing through my hands I feel as if its my own project.

Cheers guys - keep up the spirit! clap:

Its simply lovely to see your scoots coming up the way they are.

Cheers!

Saurabh