The Engine

The alchemy that is Mechanicking is a real dark art to me. Don't get me wrong, I can get by with a Haynes Manual (or Sticky's book, in this case) and do basic maintenance, but when it comes to a full strip and rebuild, I would prefer to leave that to people who know what they are doing.

This is why I have just dropped my engine off at Jonsey's. Jonsey (or Grim as he is sometimes known) has been around Lambrettas for years. He is also in our club, and I knew him back in the day when we were kids too. He watched me take a hacksaw to my SX200 frame in Karl Parkinson's garage, and I recall him shaking his head sadly at my actions. Jonsey also still has every scooter he has ever owned, stored neatly in boxes in his Uncle's Loft. And I saw his garage, which some refer to as the El Dorado of the Scootering World... Original bits and bobs from allsorts of scooters are lying on shelves, or are stacked in nooks and crannies everywhere.

I had to ask Grim to take it easy on my engine... He is notorious for building things which shouldn't be built, so I told him to give mine a slight tune, but nothing which involved the removal of load bearing and or structural parts of the engine... I want a reliable scooter, not one which goes really quick until it goes bang. I want to be able to travel to Kelso or the Isle of Wight safe in the knowledge that I will arrive there and be able to get back again. A rare dream, I know, but one I am used to on the Vespa...

So, a few hundred quid lighter I gave the engine to Grim with a bag of bearings, seals, clips, tabs, washers etc. We'll see what comes back!

Back from the sprayers - It's looking good

The scoot is now back from the sprayers and I think the colours work really well for the theme I have planned. I'm not posting any pictures yet, because that will give the game away, but I love the way it's looking.

Chris Timmins did my spraying... He's the guy who did Ady's Lambretta (the Factory Records LI which Ady managed to plough the Southport Road with... Nice Job, Ady!) and he did an excellent job of Ady's scooter and he's really cheap. So I thought I'd give him a go for mine. Turns out he used to live next door to me when I was a kid... One of those wierd coincidences that life sometimes throws up.

Anyhoo... Colours were applied (colours, as in plural) and he did an even better job of mine than he did with Ady's (in my opinion). There were a couple of bits on the headset bottom where the paint was a bit light and some primer showed through, but that was due to Chris not knowing Lammys - He sprayed it upside down and the recess for the steering lock and a couple of small points where the gear indicator is weren't covered properly still showed the primer. I pointed this out and he sorted it immediately, which was excellent... He also went above and beyond on the frame, as after it was done, I asked for the small rivet holes where the Indian chassis plate used to be (above the bridge piece) to be filled. And it only cost me £320 including the prep, paint and everything! A real result! Anyhow, if anyone wants a Lammy doing, I would recommend him. A good painter who does a really good job at a reasonable price! Drop me a mail and I'll pass on his mobile...