April stuff... Busy busy busy!

Went to New York again with work, which was nice. It's a beautiful city, and I was on the lookout for a New York numberplate for my workshop. Sadly, I didn't get one as I felt that an arrest for stealing a vehicle part would be detrimental to my career.

The Easter Break is a very productive time... Did a few small bits to the engine, like fitted the new side casing and a few internal bits, like the kickstart bumpstop, kickstart oild seal, etc. and loosely fitted the casing to the engine. Still a few bits in there to sort out, so it's pointless ratcheting it all up. And while I had the engine nearly done, I decided to fit it in the scooter. This was a tricky job, as I was on my own for pretty much all of it. I have a small car jack and a couple of axle stands, so a bit of jimmying and a few swearwords later, it was in! And it looks really good, too. Also fitted the toolbox door, which required a bit of fabrication to get a decent hinge mechanism. Speaking of hinges, I need to fettle that petrol flap, too...

That rear bulb holder turned into a bigger job. It ended up costing me £22 for a decent bulb unit, which I then butchered to put into the alloy unit fitted on the scooter. It is a bit annoying, but I want the thing to be right, so it needs to be done. I got the rear bulb holder from Pete Merchant's shop over in Rochdale. While there, I had a chat with the famous Harry Barlow. He is doing Ange's engine for her and so we are in a bit of a biker build off. He is a top bloke, and one of the nicest guys you will ever meet, so I quite enjoyed going over and having a chat. Got a few bits from the nice people at Lambretta Cottage Restorations while on my travels. I thoroughly recommend these nice Yorkshire folk - Very knowledgeable and they will tell you which bits are shit and which aren't, even if they sell them! Not everyone is like that, I can tell you!

Gave the workshop a coat of paint, too, while dodging the rain, and sealed off the edges of the roof, so it's now nice and watertight.

Speedo

So one of the first things I bought for this rebuild is a new speedometer unit. I bought it from ebay about a week after I got the scooter, and it has been sat around ever since. Initially, I was a bit disappointed that the twenty or so quid I paid for it (may be less, may be more - it was a while ago) didn't buy me a Lambretta logo above the milometer bit, as most Lambretta speedos have this lettering. I was going to buy another unit with the logo, but then I got to thinking that this would be an ideal spot for a bit of extra customisation... I printed out the Alpha Industries logotype to the correct size and I was going to cut out a frisket using matt frisket film to do the airbrushing on the speedo face.

That was far too fiddly to do, however, so I found an alternative... And these are the results. Special or what?

In the meantime while waiting for the engine I have done a few other little bits and bobs... I went to the end of season scooter rally at Morecambe, and in the parts fair there, I picked up a bracket to mount my CDI and Regulator, some anti vibration rubbers, metal gear change and throttle wheels and assorted springs, clips and fixings that I was short of. I also got a new Ducati Regulator and and LML CDI unit from Lambretta Cottage Restorations. The bloke there was really sound, to the extent that he was doing himself out of a sale because he had no CDI Units in stock of the type I was looking for. I ordered the part from him, however, and it came through the post within a couple of days. Anyone after any parts for their rebuild (I have also bought one of their complete nylon lined cable sets too), I strongly recommend these people as they are honest, fair and supply good quality parts. Most of the above mentioned parts are now fitted, and waiting for the engine to arrive... As I am.

Spoke to Jonsey about the engine today... It is coming on apace now. The crank is fitted, and the top end has been rebuilt and put back on. The Gears will be the next bits to be given the Grimspeed treatment, and then it should be a matter of putting in the new bearings and seals and throwing the thing back together... I hope!