Anyone else into lambrettas?

[lordswoodsaints]

I'm currently restoring a 1955 ld150 which should be complete in the next 3-4 weeks and I am planning on getting another li s1 or s2 as soon as this one is finished.

Anybody into lambrettas or scooters in general?

Edited 24 December, 2010 by lordswoodsaints

[Saint_clark]

When I saw the title of this thread on the main forum page I thought there was an all-female fan group for Lambert.

[Valesaint]

I had an SX150 in 1967. Great fun. 70mph on the Colnbrook by pass near Heathrow on the way to and from College in Slough. Ah, memories!!!!

[RedAndWhite91]

Went to the Isle of Wight scooter rally in 2008 I think, was quality. Was gonna get one until I got driving lessons as a birthday present and now have my driving license. Reckon I'll end up getting a Lambretta in my mid life crisis or something, few years yet. They're ace.

[St Landrew]

As far as traditional scooters are concerned, there's nothing like a Lambretta. I had a GP125DL, and it really flew and was utterly reliable. 70mph from a 125cc scooter in the late-70's was excellent. Plus, the mechanical engineering was superb. Just think, everything within the engine was lubricated by a 50:1 petroil mix. And the little motors lasted too.

[Ponty]

This is in no way meant to be a slight or antagonistic but I wish someone could explain the fascination and appreciation some people have for scooters. They're relatively slow and dangerous and those tiny wheels are ridiculous. A friend has a 250 old school Italian something or other and my puny 125 bike sh*ts all over it for handling, performance (lol), braking, versatility and (more subjectively) looks. I couldn't believe he put himself through the pain of a motorcycle test on a 500 just to be able to ride something that maxes out at about 60mph.

[St Landrew]

This is in no way meant to be a slight or antagonistic but I wish someone could explain the fascination and appreciation some people have for scooters. They're relatively slow and dangerous and those tiny wheels are ridiculous. A friend has a 250 old school Italian something or other and my puny 125 bike sh*ts all over it for handling, performance (lol), braking, versatility and (more subjectively) looks. I couldn't believe he put himself through the pain of a motorcycle test on a 500 just to be able to ride something that maxes out at about 60mph.

 

Ah, you just don't get it mate. I know what these mod scooter people are on about, even though I'm a confirmed rocker motorcyclist. Scooters are fun. It's basically very clean two-wheeled transport with bags of character, and with no need to wear special protective clothing. Go out in your zoot suit, stick a crash helmet on, turn the key, kickstart and away. It has it's attractions, and a good scooter actually handles quite well. Mind you, if I'd passed my test on a 500, I'd be riding a motorbike.

[BGF]

Last year I restored an LI125 series 2 1963 it was fun, its great to ride it about and the colours are...... Red & White.

[lordswoodsaints]

Last year I restored an LI125 series 2 1963 it was fun, its great to ride it about and the colours are...... Red & White.

 

On my next project I am going to incorporate something saintly into the paintwork.....not sure what,maybe a saints badge or 'saint' stick figure or I might get the seat upholstered in a saints shirt.

[Ric]

I'm with Ponty... can't stand scooters. And the "you don't need to wear any proper kit" argument is rubbish. Hitting the tarmac at 30 (or even 25) mph hurts just as much, and will scrape off all the skin from your hands, legs and arms whether you came off a proper bike or a scooter.

[St Landrew]

I'm with Ponty... can't stand scooters. And the "you don't need to wear any proper kit" argument is rubbish. Hitting the tarmac at 30 (or even 25) mph hurts just as much, and will scrape off all the skin from your hands, legs and arms whether you came off a proper bike or a scooter.

 

Sorry mate, my argument does stand up. I have hit the tarmac on a scooter. My Lambretta threw me off once coming out of a corner. It was all very civilised. Don't knock it until you've tried it. Scooters, I mean. You can scoot round the falling off.

[BGF]

I'm with Ponty... can't stand scooters. And the "you don't need to wear any proper kit" argument is rubbish. Hitting the tarmac at 30 (or even 25) mph hurts just as much, and will scrape off all the skin from your hands, legs and arms whether you came off a proper bike or a scooter.

 

Ive come off them quite a few time never any long lasting injuries, that was back in the 70s nowadays if you come off your're more likely to be run over by a car! The kids today dont think of any protection, they ride them wearing Tee shirts and shorts.

[St Landrew]

How about being into this lambretta..?

[BGF]

Na it wont have the smell of a 2 stroke.

[Ponty]

I reckon that is a 2-stroke.

[BGF]

YOU'D NORMALLY associate the name Lambretta with fully-enclosed two-stroke scooters, but after a 60-year sabbatical from the racing scene, the iconic Italian motorcycle manufacturer is making a comeback to the 125GP arena.

 

Nicola Casadei will head-up the operation as the team’s Sporting Director, while Giancarlo Cecchini will develop the bike’s rotary-valve engine. The team will operate from Bologna, despite Lambretta being based in Milan

 

The above info came from the motorcycle news site, it does mention 2 stroke scooters but the new bike will have a rotary-valve engine so you may not have to put the oil in with the petrol as you do with Lambretta's, thats where the smell comes from and its lovely :-)

[St Landrew]

But Ponty is right, that's a 2-stroke.

 

He's not being that clever. Ponty is a closet/not-so-closet MotoGP fan. He's knows full well that the 125cc class is for 2-strokes.

 

It'll smell like a 2-stroke, as well, rotary valve or not.

 

EDIT: Personally, I'd jump on one, given the opportunity.

Edited 16 June, 2010 by St Landrew

[lordswoodsaints]

Here it is,more or less finished just a few minor fancy bits to add

 

[Wes Tender]

Here it is,more or less finished just a few minor fancy bits to add

 

 

I had one of those when I was 16. You've done a great job of restoring it. Mine had a cover for the handlebars which covered the wires, which don't look very attractive. IIRC it also incorporated the speedo.

[swannymere]

Beautiful, i'd love to go touring in Italy on one just like Peter Moore in Vroom with a view and Vroom by the sea, if you havn't read them you should!

[Deppo]

My whole life has been a midlife crisis. I'm at about the stage where I need to tinker with some mechanics. Where can I get something cheap that I can restore myself? Either Vespa or Lambretta?

[Jonnyboy]

Im into Lambrini

[Dr Who?]

I love Vespa's and I will get one, just not sure when. I have a short journey to the station to make soon, so it will be a push bike or a scooter I think, but probably a push bike. I never seem to be able to justify getting one, as we have kids and need a car to get them to the childminders, and cannot do that on a scooter!! Not fair really want one, but also really want to live in Brighton, and that is not going to happen either!!!

[lordswoodsaints]

I had one of those when I was 16. You've done a great job of restoring it. Mine had a cover for the handlebars which covered the wires, which don't look very attractive. IIRC it also incorporated the speedo.

 

Thanks,im really happy with the end result,you must of had the later mk3?.

[lordswoodsaints]

My whole life has been a midlife crisis. I'm at about the stage where I need to tinker with some mechanics. Where can I get something cheap that I can restore myself? Either Vespa or Lambretta?

 

This is my midlife crisis,back in the late 70's when the mod revival was in full swing I always wanted a Lambretta but was too young,for the last 30 years I've been meaning to get one,last year i decided to take the plunge and this is the end result.

I bought it as a basket case from eBay and cost £400 but to get it to look like it does now has cost me about £2000 but it's been valued at about £3k so it's not really been a money pit.

If you're looking to buy one then my advice is buy a complete bike that has not been dismantled,that way you know that most of it will be there and you know how it all goes back together.

If you want a ld like mine then inbox me and I will give you a number of somebody who might be able to help you.

[lordswoodsaints]

I love Vespa's and I will get one, just not sure when. I have a short journey to the station to make soon, so it will be a push bike or a scooter I think, but probably a push bike. I never seem to be able to justify getting one, as we have kids and need a car to get them to the childminders, and cannot do that on a scooter!! Not fair really want one, but also really want to live in Brighton, and that is not going to happen either!!!

 

I've got 4 kids and no money but I managed it,if you treat it as a hobby then you might get away with it.

It took me nearly 18 months and 2k but spread over 18 months you sort of get away with it :-)

Go for it..... Not sure about the Brighton thing though.

[sotonjoe]

I always liked the idea of a Lambretta when I was too young to have one.

 

Recently I had to decide how I was going to make the daily commute and I started seriously considering a motorbike or scooter. I decided against a bike because of all the additional kit needed and opted for a practical but fun new Yamaha.

 

So now I've got one of these and I love it.

 

I know it's not an old, original Italian model but I was after bullet-proof reliability and under-seat storage that will store a full face helmet and gloves.