Restoring a Lambretta (Vijay super) in the UK

Stanher · 7th December 2009, 09:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mitch

Personally I would get a SIL 200cc engine - SIL still make them (or did until recently). Their most recent engine is stage 4 tuned. Get a Jetex 22 mm carb reamed out to 26mm and you will have a scooter with performance that is adequate for Indian roads.

SIL did make them until recently, but the catch here is that the GP 200 engines were never accessible to us locals here! They were all intended only for export, I remember it being mentioned even in the Indian Lambretta guide. So the only option left would be to import them anyways.

Sidman · 7th December 2009, 10:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mitch

The gearing depends on what you do to the engine and how you intend to ride it. Over here, the engines are tuned to rev much higher than standard and the Li 150 box is considered to be the best, however the cost to have the engine component parts imported will be astronomic, if indeed it is possible at all.
Personally I would get a SIL 200cc engine - SIL still make them (or did until recently). Their most recent engine is stage 4 tuned. Get a Jetex 22 mm carb reamed out to 26mm and you will have a scooter with performance that is adequate for Indian roads.

Hi Mitch, thanks for the info! We don't plan to cut the scoot in any way. It has to look stock. We'll look into how we can get a 200 CC engine locally. I guess we'll also need to put on front dampers and upgrade the brakes. Your braking unit looks interesting...

Mitch · 7th December 2009, 15:00

Sidman, the front dampers make a HUGE difference in handling.
Personally, although they are very popular here, I don't see the need for hydraulic disc brakes, unless you are doing motorway riding, in excess of 70 mph regularly or thrash it from A to B. A good drum brake is adequate.

Mitch · 9th December 2009, 16:41

The front mudguard and horncast are best made up before you put them on the scooter.
Fitting them to the scooter was really fiddly.

Mitch · 9th December 2009, 16:53

Ok, the scooter's now complete. Now it's off to have it inspected by the DVLA (Driver & Vehicle Licencing Authority). It has to be verified before they will allow a registration certificate. A somewhat complicated process.

The rabbit came with me for moral support

Mitch · 9th December 2009, 17:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stanher

SIL did make them until recently, but the catch here is that the GP 200 engines were never accessible to us locals here! They were all intended only for export, I remember it being mentioned even in the Indian Lambretta guide. So the only option left would be to import them anyways.

New SIL engines are now hard to get hold of. We pay about £600 for one so the cost to you is going to be that plus carriage. I can't see you being able to get one for less than about 50k Rupees.
Pretty awful considering they're made just down the road from you!

SA7VA5 · 9th December 2009, 17:57

Hi Stanher

There are some exporters in Delhi who have these 200 engines.

If you want let me know I will find out.

Cheers!

Saurabh

TuffRyder · 10th December 2009, 14:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by SA7VA5

There are some exporters in Delhi who have these 200 engines.

If you want let me know I will find out.

Cheers!

Saurabh

Hey Saurabh: It wud be great if you can pass on that info to me too. THank you.

Mitch · 16th December 2009, 21:21

Well, doesn't anyone want to see the restored scooter?

LambyMan · 16th December 2009, 21:23

come on unveil it now

Sidman · 16th December 2009, 21:24

Of course! We're waiting...

Mitch · 17th December 2009, 17:16

Ok, here we go. Without panels first, one showing the sprint rack, and finally, at the seaside!

LambyMan · 17th December 2009, 17:19

Now thats 1 beauty, no words left bro, its just coooool..

the mole · 17th December 2009, 18:04

WOW! she's a beauty Mitch. Who did the seats? You have made Vijay Supers desirable. Incidentally i am negotiating on one with a sidecar.

Stanher · 17th December 2009, 18:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mitch

Ok, here we go. Without panels first, one showing the sprint rack, and finally, at the seaside!

Splendid indeed, sir! You labour of love has paid off accordingly!

BTW, is that a sticker on the legshield (left) or a badge? Have you decided not to fit the original GP200 badge?

Quote:

Originally Posted by the mole

Incidentally i am negotiating on one with a sidecar.

Great! 'hope you get it! Sidecars are rarely seen now. I would suggest you try and keep the scooter stock though.

7th December 2009, 15:00	#63
Mitch BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Leeds, England Posts: 104 Thanked: 5 Times View My Garage	Sidman, the front dampers make a HUGE difference in handling. Personally, although they are very popular here, I don't see the need for hydraulic disc brakes, unless you are doing motorway riding, in excess of 70 mph regularly or thrash it from A to B. A good drum brake is adequate.
	() Thanks

9th December 2009, 16:41	#64
Mitch BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Leeds, England Posts: 104 Thanked: 5 Times View My Garage	The front mudguard and horncast are best made up before you put them on the scooter. Fitting them to the scooter was really fiddly. Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

9th December 2009, 16:53	#65
Mitch BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Leeds, England Posts: 104 Thanked: 5 Times View My Garage	Ok, the scooter's now complete. Now it's off to have it inspected by the DVLA (Driver & Vehicle Licencing Authority). It has to be verified before they will allow a registration certificate. A somewhat complicated process. The rabbit came with me for moral support Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

9th December 2009, 17:57	#67
SA7VA5 BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: DELHI Posts: 297 Thanked: 154 Times	Hi Stanher There are some exporters in Delhi who have these 200 engines. If you want let me know I will find out. Cheers! Saurabh
	() Thanks

16th December 2009, 21:21	#69
Mitch BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Leeds, England Posts: 104 Thanked: 5 Times View My Garage	Well, doesn't anyone want to see the restored scooter?
	() Thanks

16th December 2009, 21:23	#70
LambyMan BHPian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Pune Posts: 90 Thanked: 5 Times View My Garage	come on unveil it now
	() Thanks

16th December 2009, 21:24	#71
Sidman BHPian Join Date: May 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 416 Thanked: 28 Times View My Garage	Of course! We're waiting...
	() Thanks

17th December 2009, 17:16	#72
Mitch BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Leeds, England Posts: 104 Thanked: 5 Times View My Garage	Ok, here we go. Without panels first, one showing the sprint rack, and finally, at the seaside! Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

17th December 2009, 17:19	#73
LambyMan BHPian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Pune Posts: 90 Thanked: 5 Times View My Garage	Now thats 1 beauty, no words left bro, its just coooool..
	() Thanks

17th December 2009, 18:04	#74
the mole Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 2,190 Thanked: 832 Times View My Garage	WOW! she's a beauty Mitch. Who did the seats? You have made Vijay Supers desirable. Incidentally i am negotiating on one with a sidecar.
	() Thanks