The right tools

Getting the right tools for the job is essential for a hassle-free rebuild. They are all cheap, especially if you don't go for professional quality, which would be overkill for a DIYer looking to do a few rebuilds over the lifespan of the tool.

Here you can see the more unusual tools I'll be using on the Lambretta (click to zoom in):

From left to right we have:

Fork Spanners

To remove your forks. I got these from Resurrection Scooters - they seem very good quality.

Clutch Holder

To hold the clutch while replacing it. Made in India. Very cheap but perfectly good from Fanatic Scooters.

Inner Wire Plier

I bought these from Wheelies. Once you've adjusted your gear or brake cables using these you'll wonder what you did without them!

Clutch Compressor

To compress the clutch spring during removal and replacement. Made in India. Very cheap but perfectly good from Fanatic Scooters.

Rear Hub Puller

Got it off ebay. Designed to remove the rear wheel hub with ease, and a lot more portable than a generic 3-armed gear/hub puller

Wheel Lift Prop Stand

For lifting the rear wheel off the ground during removal. I have to confess I've yet to work out how this is actually used :)

Spark Plug Spanner

Do I need to explain? Other than that removing the plug without one of these is nigh-on impossible!

Apologies for the dirty kitchen worktop - I should have given a good wipe before taking this photo!

What's the plan?

This Lambretta is going to be used regularly, and will be kept out on the street due to lack of space. It is these two facts that dictate the type of restoration I'll be doing.

I'll be doing a full engine strip down and rebuild, with new bearings, clutch, guides and possibly chain. I'm considering a 185cc conversion so the bike can get me up the local steep hills. Also a 12V electronic conversion; I might look into Varitronic, and I might look into fitting a battery, which will improve lighting, the horn, and give me the option of fitting an alarm perhaps.

For the bodywork, I don't intend to replace anything. I'll be taking most of it back to metal, panel-beating any bent bits back into shape as best I can, and then respraying (possibly DIY), along with the frame and forks. I saw a restored S2 leave Fanatic last weekend and it was immaculate, as new; Most of the panels had been replaced. Anyone can throw money at new body panels, but this would be wasted on my Lambretta as it's going to be out on the streets and will no doubt suffer dents and scratches pretty quickly. My panels will look clean, tidy and nicely painted, but they will also look original, old and characterful, and I won't be too precious about them!

I'll be overhauling all the electrics and cables as you'd expect, and I'll be fitting a front disc brake too, which will give me more safety on the road, and provides a basis for further anti-theft measures using disc-locks and alarms.

I have no idea what order any of this will happen, but first I need to finish off a few bits around the house and prepare the shed for its new role as workshop.

Then the dismantling will start in earnest :)

My Lambretta

This Lambretta Li150 was born at API in India and arrived in the UK from Bangalore courtesy of Dave at Fanatic Scooters. This scoot in particular stood out in its shipment because it has some attributes of an early API model, but some attributes and an apparent chassis number that date it to 1977. I thought this was interesting, it looked pretty decent, and so I bought it.

So what are its attributes?

It's a Lambretta

It has the Lambretta name on the legshield, and it looks like its been there forever. Around 1972 API lost the rights to the name Lambretta and so a '77 machine should be badged 'Lamby 150'.

Fat front mudguard

Or fender, if you're American! Sometime after losing the Lambretta name, API started to make some of their own adjustments to the Lamby, be it for costcutting or aesthetics. One of them was a narrower front mudguard. This scoot has an early fat one.

Locking panels

Locking panels are believed to have been lost with the switch from Lambretta to Lamby around 1972. They were replaced with much cheaper spring clips. The locking panels on my scoot look original - the catches are welded to the rear of the frame, and they don't look like they've been added on later. The panels also don't have the indented centre seen on later models - they have the cleaner 'bubble' look.

Narrow Toolbox

Later models have these narrower, ribbed toolboxes.

So what's the story? I have two theories:

Theory 1: It was built in 1977

The chassis number (22***) is correct and it was built in 1977. At some point in its life the mudguard, and badges were all changed for older ones, and the panels replaced with locking ones, along with the locking mechanisms being welded into place on the frame.

Theory 2: It was built before 1972

At some point the chassis number has been changed to make it appear newer, and the toolbox replaced with a newer one.

I'm hoping that when I dismantle it I might be able to prove either way what has happened. Perhaps when I strip the frame back to metal I might find an older frame number underneath. Now wouldn't that be nice!

What's all this then?

Wasted knowledge is a bad thing. There's a whole load of people out there restoring or maintaining their Lambretta scooters, picking up tips and tricks on the way, and not sharing them in the way t'internet enables us to.

I restored a Series 2 a couple of years back, and prior to that had never even touched a scooter, only cars. I learned lots, but didn't make notes. I got it on the road only to have it stolen 2 weeks later. Now, 2 years on, I've virtually forgotten what I did and how I did it.

Well now I'm back with another Series 2, and this time I'm going to document what I do to it so I can hopefully help others doing the same, and also help myself if I ever come to do this yet again. On the way I'll not only be taking detailed photographs and notes, but I'll be expressing my opinions on the products I buy and the suppliers I buy them from.