[the mole]

Hi Fellow Lambretta-ites. I am overhauling the engine of my Li 150 and was told that I would need to replace the original block which is already 4 oversize. Any idea where to procure a new Block which is reliable? I am a little averse to using these Delhi Blocks which are available a plenty on Ebay. Also I am told that it not advisable to sleeve a Two stroke engine block as the performance suffers. Any experience of anyone having done it. regards the mole

[SA7VA5]

There is nothing wrong with a good cylinder from Delhi. Go ahead and change it. Try and get a good piston and ring set. Maintain the clearances and make sure that you have a cross hatch pattern on the bore and you are done.

If you are keen then you can import one of the bigger bore cylinders from UK with a piston and ring set. You may have to modify / change your crank too.

Cheers!

[karlosdeville]

Originally Posted by the mole

I am a little averse to using these Delhi Blocks which are available a plenty on Ebay.

Originally Posted by SA7VA5

There is nothing wrong with a good cylinder from Delhi.

I guess it would depend on what constitutes a 'Delhi' item - I'm sure there are many grades of quality available, but seeing the work they offer of late for the export market there should be a competent supplier available as well. It'll probably have 'Made in Italy' stamped on it with a part number as well, and then sold in Italy

[SA7VA5]

Ilango - go for SURFLEX clutch system - import it - its one of the finest that I have seen. Its way beyond what local / SIL parts performance, specially if you use the clutch too often.

Cheers!

[LambyMan]

Hi Team, I'm looking for home for my 3 bikes - Lamby, Cento and Jawa. Looking forward to sell for 1 Lac. Do let me know if any of your contacts would be interested. Also would like to sell them together...... You can check my garage for pics.....
Thanks

[the mole]

Hi guys, i am wondering if anyone has discovered any source for grey rubber kits and mattings for lambretta that are available in india? thanks in advance regards

[Bulldogji]

Hi Mole,

Sandeep Kataria in Delhi can help. He had the grey rubber mattings on his Lamby, subsequently sold to a Delhi collector. I believe he knows where to source them .

[ilangop]

How to restore a Lambretta (or any vintage) headlamp unit?
This is for people who want to retain the Origeeenaaal headlamp, may rusted and doesn't throw a good light, but still intact.
1) Split open the lens and reflector carefully (Patience is the key)
2) Chrome plate the reflector
3) Wash the lens with toothpaste & old tooth brush, or using some detergent powder.
4) Use Silicone paste to fix the lens back to the reflector. (Yes, the same glue used for making a glass aquarium)

[Viju]

Originally Posted by ilangop

2) Chrome plate the reflector

Hello ilangop

Thank you for that very useful info!

Can this chroming be done by any regular chroming guy who does metal parts or is this a totally different process to be done only by a specialist? Can you throw some light on this please as I have 2 or 3 headlamps lying with me which can use a fresh reflector?

Thanks in advance.

[the mole]

Originally Posted by Viju

Can this chroming be done by any regular chroming guy who does metal parts or is this a totally different process to be done only by a specialist?

Thanks in advance.

No,it cannot be done by any chroming guy. The type of plating is different and based entirely on different chemical mix. But your chroming guy should be able to tell you who does it in your city or town. In mumbai there are a couple of people who do this kind of plating.

[ilangop]

Originally Posted by the mole

No,it cannot be done by any chroming guy. The type of plating is different and based entirely on different chemical mix. But your chroming guy should be able to tell you who does it in your city or town. In mumbai there are a couple of people who do this kind of plating.

That was news to me. I thought it could be done by any chrome plater. Didn't know it needed a different chemical mix, neither cared to get into details as the plater is so experienced that he did this for vehicles older than 70 years.

[ilangop]

After fighting through various options I finally settled with a CDI setup of LML Vespa in my Vijai.
1) In principle a CDI / TCI unit would need a Zero crossing for the unit to initiate a spark. This is done by the pickup coil. To keep the cost down I had tried to convert a points flywheel to an electronic by creating a notch for triggering the LML pickup coil. Due to lack of time I ended up buying an electronic flywheel for Rs3500/- from Delhi. As this was sufficient to create a zero crossing, I connected a 2 stroke TVS rickshaw cdi and started kicking. The TCI was powered by a 12V battery. Unfortunately the TCI conked off after producing a few sparks and failed abruptly, and this TVS part was found no where in Pune. Every 3 wheeler shop had this part for Bajaj & Piaggio 3 wheelers only. Hence I had to think of plan B.

2) The second part of operating a CDI (dropped continuing with TCI) is it needs a source of 200 - 250V for charging a capacitor. So I bought a 12V to 220V 20W inverter circuit and powered an RX100 CDI unit. Triggering was by Vespa Pickup coil only as the stator setup was left as it is. This time there was only 1 spark as soon I power the CDI, but nothing else. Checking the voltages revealed that the capacitor needed a high level of inrush current for few moments to get charged, which the inverted was not able to produce. So again had to move to plan C

3) From my collections I pulled out an LML Vespa stator plate. Drilled out the rivets and separated the stator from the Aluminium plate. Did the same thing in my Vijai's stator plate. Used long 3mm Allan bolts + Nyloc nuts to fasten the LML stator on Vijai's Aluminium plate. I only removed the ground of lighting coils and soldered a long wire to bring it outside till a rectifier. Though I didn't have much hopes, I wired a RX 100 CDI and tried to see if I got any sparks. As expected it didn't. After checking at 4 shops, I was lucky to find a LML Vespa CDI unit itself. Downloaded some internet material to understand its wiring and did the connections. Viola, there were sparks from the Sparkplug. AT the moment I am using the Vijai Ignition coil & sparkplug with the Vespa CDI. It works fine. Drove it for 10 kms after experimenting for about 7 months. Feel like it needs a little advance in timing. But I was greatly relieved that I don't need to set the points anymore .

Attached pictures are of the Vespa CDI unit and Piaggio Ape Rectifier unit. And now I have a full DC electrical system and can bolt a battery anytime.

[ilangop]

Found this interesting stuff in a shop nearby and thought it would be a practical add-On, a glass oil level nut for our Lambrettas.
Also I was tired of replacing the magnetic drain plugs as some after market stuff tend to break while tightening / loosening in the clutch cover itself. It eats away at least half an hour to get the rest of the drain nut removed from the clutch cover. The interesting thing is the Tata Indica drain nut has a magnet and has exactly the same thread pattern as of the Lambretta Drain nut.

[the mole]

Recently I reworked on my Lambretta. I had been collecting parts for it for more than three years. Finally decided to take the plunge and get her reworked from top to bottom in my favorite shade. Coral red.

[ilangop]

Dear all,
With my Vijai Super being used regularly, I always found the lighting to be insufficient. After failing in adapting a H4 bulb inside the Vijai Super bulb holder, bought a 12V 50/50W Halogen bulb from Aliepxress. The light spread is good and has a little of whitish tint unlike the yellow from a regular halogen bulb. Since I have a battery now, I am able to provide 4-5A continuously for the bulb.
After converting to full DC setup, the horn & brake lamp was always powered. The Vijai Ignition switch (even the DC type) does not have a provision to disconnect the battery completely like in a modern day motorcycle. This has become a toy for the kids in our society and they used it to signal their presence downstairs to their friends up the stairs, which obviously is an annoyance to any classic / vintage vehicle owner.
The first thought came to my mind was to use an ignition switch from a Suzuki Max100R. But I wanted to retain the 3 step ignition switch of the Vijai. So, finally decided to use the 2nd step (tail, speedo & pilot lamp position) for the horn & pilot lamp alone (replaces the festoon bulb to an LED and now works like a DRL).

The low and high beams are actually better than they appear in this picture.
High Beam

Low Beam


Picture Source, www.aliexpress.com