MERRY LAMBRETTAMAS EVERYONE!

So as facebook has already heard, I got my awesome Lammy-swag in the mail yesterday.  This also grants me access into the members-only section of the LCUSA forums.  I'm part of the in-crowd!  Yeah!

I also got a notice in the mail today that something has arrived to be picked up.  Seeing as I already got the other package I was waiting for, this something can probably only be one thing.  I'm so effin excited.

Again, I'm still waiting for Christmas to pass in order to do some more substantial work, as that's when funds will be...well...more substantial :D.

Here's a pic of my swag, it includes some stickers, a patch, an issue of The Specialist, a membership directory, and some handbills for various lambretta/vintage scooter businesses.

That's all for now.  

This does what now?

The best part of bringing someone else who knows as little about the project you're working on as you do is that when you ask "Where the hell does this go?", "What the hell does this do?", "What is this even for?", or "is this supposed to do that?", there aren't any judgemental looks shot in your direction.

Shannon came out today and helped me poke around a bit in the lammy.  K, so really we stood in my very cold garage while I randomly pulled on things, took stuff off, and tried to just generally figure out where things went or what they did, and did a lot of talking.  The good news is, the more I look inside this thing, the more it makes sense. It may not sound like much either, but it really helps to have a second set of eyes tell you what they see while you're looking somewhere else.

Today we pulled off the top of the headset, the wires inside are just kind of randomly taped to whatever, and don't really seem to work.  I'm also pretty sure all that stuff will just end up getting gutted in the end anyways.  Here's hoping, because I totally took that bad boy apart.  I've been told that the speedo is worth a bit to have as it is, so I wanted to put it away for safe keeping for now.  I also took the battery out, just because I don't feel batteries should sit around in cold garages for no reason.  We also took apart the very suspicious looking throttle cable set up.    Now, I could be wrong, and saved all the parts from this set up, but it throttle cable went to where it attaches to the carb (I think it's called the carb slide, someone can correct me if I'm wrong).  After that point of connection, though, the cable went on to be connected to a long spring (it was tied in a knot to this spring, by the way)  which was connected to part of the frame by way of a funky looking bracket.  There is no word of these parts in the part book, I made  Shannon look.

Okay, so I wasn't smart enough to take a picture before I pulled the spring off, but basically the excessively long cable bit was tied (yes, in a knot)  to the spring, which ran over to that really awesome bracket that's on the frame side.  Opening the throttle didn't seem to change the action with or without the spring present.  I guess I'm just curious why it would be like that at all. 

Anyways, I guess that's about it for now.  With Christmas coming, unless I see a horncast for sale somewhere, I'm taking a break from buying parts for it until after the season.    I'm still really excited about the whole thing.  I like imaging how it will look when it's finished, and I'm really starting to enjoy reading about how it all works.    

I've recently been enjoying some of the restoration articles at The Lambretta Club of Great Britain/LCGB Workshop.  They're written in the simplest terms possible, which is perfect for me, with some decent pictures.  If you're in the same boat as myself experience wise, they've really made it understandable.

I also got a tracking number from the fellow in Oregon who is sending me a headset (hopefully).  So at this point, at least I know something is coming in the mail.  I've been reading his (the seller's)  scooter posts  around the interweb, he seems pretty honest and decent too.  I know, you never know, but it helps.

My friend Jamie and I discussed that really, most people are pretty honest.  He felt a leap of faith to buy a part like that wasn't a bad idea.  Hopefully it comes soon!  

Next Steps:  Gonna buy a copy of Sticky's Manual-second edition, from Motorsport Scooter/Scooter West.  Shannon is putting an order in there, so at least I'll save some on shipping.  I've been told this is THE book to own.  Then I'm just gonna do some studying and reading and researching until after Christmas.

The Damage So Far:  $1000 (the actual scooter), $200 (Legshield), $155ish (Head Set bottom),  $100 (Front fender), $40ish (LCUSA membership), Stolen paper and ink.

eBay and Leaps of Faith.

Today I'm sending off a bit of money to a guy in Portland, Oregon, which seems to be like the Lambretta capital of the world or something.  He, in return, is supposed to send me a bottom-half to my head-set.  He appears frequently on scootering forums across the internet, and seems to be well known on the Lambretta scene, so here's hoping he's honest, too.  I've been told the Lambretta scene in general is pretty tight and close, so I'm gonna put some faith into this.  Goooooo faith!

I also found the horncast on eBay, it's 55 euros...which really isn't bad, until you put another 60 euros on top of it for shipping.  As much as I would like to buy it just to have it, it's not in the immediate budget.  Hopefully something closer to home will pop up when I have some funds.  The easter egg hunt continues.

Not much other than that...just happy everyone has been pretty supportive and helpful at this point.  That is of course...except for my favourite Lambrettamist (like a pessimist who focuses on Lambrettas), who I would be truly disappointed in if he had said "wow, that's an awesome idea, way to buy a Lambretta!"

Also, my application to LCUSA has been sent in and paid for, I'm #749!  Just waiting for my swag and forum access now.  :)



 

Lambretta Club USA

I paid for my membership!  Yay!  Lots of the online stores offer discounts to members AAAAAND I get a patch.

I also contacted the guy about the headset bottom, so far we're still in communication at least, so maybe it will work out.  If not, apparently I can get the headset I have fixed anyways, so options are open at this point.

That's all.   :)

Next Step(s):  Gonna wait for my membership application to come through and then start ordering some books and parts and dealies and whatnot.  Shannon may come over this weekend to help me pick through things a bit too.  Sweet.

The Damage So Far: The Damage So Far:  $1000 (the actual scooter), $200 (Legshield), $100 (Front fender), $40ish (LCUSA membership), Stolen paper and ink.

Calgary Run/So Much Fun

Yesterday I went to Calgary, to visit family but also to check out some Lambrettas + parts that Daaren of Benzina has.  I'm just sayin'...short of visiting the Museo Piaggio/Piaggio Museum in Pontedera, Italy, Daaren's stable of scooters is about the most impressive collection of two-strokey awesomeness that I've ever seen.  I had a great visit and learned a whole lot of things about Lambretta's, their history, why they're awesome, and why I'm gonna have a hell of a time finding an Innocenti horn cast for my Series 2.  (If you have one, I would like it.  Please sell it to me now plzkthnx).

I ended up getting a quick lesson on changing gear-box oil, which isn't entirely different from changing it in the P200.  It's something I already have a grasp on, so that's cool.  I also got a lesson on the best oils to use and why.  I also got some really great advice about restoration projects in general, and my scooter specifically.  When I first started this by buying the scooter, I admit I was a little tummy-sick.  I was worried that I was in over my head, that it may be an impossible project, or that I had bought something that really wasn't worth much.  The more I talk to Lambretta people especially, the better I'm feeling about this.  I DID GOOOOOOOD. 


I ended up spending some money on a legshield and front fender.  My TV 175 has it's legshield, but it's a little banged up.  The one Daaren sold me is in much better condition.  The best part is, the one I already had is re-sellable.  When this is all said and done, I plan on putting it on eBay to see what I can get for it.    The front fender needs a little bit of work, but it's not terrible.  It's actually a lot better than I expected.    Once again, things are falling into place fairly smoothly.  It gives me faith.

I haven't told the scooter club that I bought it yet, but apparently news travels kinda fast.  I hope there is a get together this weekend so that I can do some PR work.  (I love you guys, don't hate me for buying this in a shroud of secrecy!)  :)  The truth is, one member, who I really trust opinion wise, kinda told me not to even bother looking at it.  I think he knows my skill level and probably had my best interests in heart when saying that, but I ignored him anyways.   I went out and bought it and,  because of his advice, I felt like I shouldn't say anything about it just incase I had made a huge mistake.  The more research I do, both into Lambrettas and into restorations, the more I feel that I made a good choice.  Anyways, I hope they understand why I didn't say anything, and hopefully no one will be put out about it.

This morning I got my Lambretta Club USA forum approval.  Now I can send off my application form and money and become a proper member.  Apparently the scene is pretty tight and friendly, I would like to be a part of it.

Here are some pictures of what I bought (thanks again Daaren, you are great!):

You can't have a scooter trip without Skittles.  That's just a fact.  

The Series 2 TV 175 with it's new legshield.  

(also check out my P200 with MOD license plate.  Sorry Sparkle Motion, but that plate is gonna be the Lammy's one day)

The front fender.

None of them are pretty right now, but in the future they will be.

Next Step(s):  Contact the person who emailed me about a headset bottom and see if we can strike a deal, take some pictures that Daaren wanted,  send off my LCUSA application, find and order a copy of the Stickies Lambretta book (I may have the name wrong, but I'll find it).

The Damage So Far:  $1000 (the actual scooter), $200 (Legshield), $100 (Front fender), Stolen paper and ink.

Carbs part 2.

The more I read about carbs and floats, the more I realize that I probably left the fuel line open and the float failed to close the valve when it should have. Look at me... Learning stuff at 2 in the morning. I have to admit, carburetors are kind of fascinating. The more I learn about them, the truer that becomes.

Carbs...Not the tasty kind.

I've been reading about carbs this evening.  For once, not the dietary kind!  No...I've been reading about Carburetors, and if it's normal for them to be leaking gas and oil all over the floor.  Turns out it's probably not a great sign.  I'm not worried though. While I know so little about scooters and how they run, one thing seems to be consistant when someone purchases a vintage scooter :  Rebuild the carb!

No, I won't be going into any detail about how I whipped open the carb and rebuilt it, and set the idle and all that stuff...I'm not there yet, and that is one of the things I know I'll ask someone more knowledgeable to help me with when I am.  It's a start though, right?  Learning about carburetors, how they work and what isn't normal.

Here's why I was picking at my carburetor anyways:  As mentioned before, the Lammy was leaking a lot of smelly oil and gasoline on the floor.  This lead to some concerns from my Dad, and because it IS his garage, I thought I would try to alleviate the problem if possible.  So today I pulled off a bunch of the body panels and pieces, tucking them away safely in the tack shed for the time being.  After I was done with that, I decided to search for the source of the leak.  I was kind of hoping it was gearbox oil...only because I know where the gear box actually is, and how to drain oil from it. :D   But it wasn't...  Good news though, it didn't take an exceptionally long time to find the source (yay!).  It was coming from my carburetor,  so I pulled out the main jet base plug and allowed everything to run out.    I'm hoping that won't cause problems in the future, I have faith that it won't.

Then I went online, to find out what I could about what I did.  So far all I can find is that either the float is out of whack.  I'm not totally sure what that means, but if it works like a float in a horse-water...and I like to believe it does,  then it just means that it's probably stuck on something and causing fluid overflow of some sort...  technical, I know.  If anyone wants to correct that, or embellish on it,  please feel free.  The second bit of studying on the subject simply pointed to the fuel line being left open.  Now, I'm not sure if it was when I started, but it is certainly closed right now.  It's been open and closed several times in the last few days, though (I like turning handles and pressing buttons, sue me).   At this point I'm not sure why that would effect anything or how, but it at least gives me a starting point to begin reading about things.

I've also found that while many of the small screws, nuts, washers and bolts seem to be present, none of them match, all of them are rusty or stripped, and all look like crap.  I'm thinking that when this project is further along, all the little bits should be replaced.  Every single one.  I'm not sure if that's a normal course of action, but it is the course of action I will be taking.

Luckily, it seems as though Lambretta Works Online keeps the same catalogue numbers as the original spare parts catalogue for Lambretta. That gives me hope that it won't be insanely difficult to figure out what kind of screw goes where.  I may be sweating the small stuff right now though, I'm not sure.

Also, while picking away at things today, I scrapped off enough dirty mucky oil buildup to actually read the engine number on my Lambretta.  Now I have all the info I need to fill out my Lambretta Club USA application form.  Patches...here I come! :D

Sunday I will be going to Calgary to look at parts at Benzina.  I'm not entirely sure my legshields are as bad as the pictures seem to show, but if the ones Daaren has are significantly better, I'll take them.  He's also got a front fender that apparently needs some work, but should be useable (yay!).  I've also taken more pictures so that he can look over the scooter as much as possible and see if there's anything obvious  that I need.  I'm also going to see if he has a centre stand, because the one that is on there is clearly not super functional.  I'm scared the lammy will fall over and break one of the few things that isn't already a mess.  :P

Next Step(s):  Read up on carburetion and fuel systems and see what I can actually figure out.  Continue taking inventory (Shannon should really come and help me with this!).  Send in my Lambretta Club USA application form.  Visit Daaren at Benzina to look at parts and maybe get a bit of advice.

Damage So Far:  $1000 + Paper and Ink I stole from my parents.

Keener!

I got an email from Daaren at Benzina this morning.  (Hope he doesn't mind me linking his shop to this mess of a project XD).  He might have some body parts for me, which would be super.  I might be going to Calgary on Sunday anyways, so it kind of seems like it's falling into place for me on purpose (thanks universe!).

I also decided for $30, I would be silly NOT to join the Lambretta Club USA.  I get a patch...who can say no to patches?  I just feel like you can never have enough access to useful information and silly opinions of others. ..and we all know you'll get both online.

It's kind of chilly outside, so I did my horses feet this morning, arranged the scooters for the winter (P200 and Lammy have a spot in the garage, GTS has been put in the tack shed until spring).  Later on I will probably go out and start my inventory.

Also, the Lammy has decided to leak A LOT of oil on the floor.  I think it's marking it's territory because it knows it's home now.  :)


Next Step:  Find out what Daaren has for me in Calgary, continue with inventory.

Damage So Far: $1000 + paper and ink I stole from my parents.

No sleep...

I'm like a kid at Christmas...Last night I was so excited about the could-bes that I hardly slept.  My brain was constantly turning with thoughts about parts I need, things I should do, future plans, etc.  Yeah, I admit, there's a lot of gray-fuzziness in these thoughts, but I'm feeling better and better about this.  I'm confident there will be some positive outcome.

I went to a movie with fellow G.A.S and Clam member Shannon tonight.  We talked for a while about scooters, which isnormal for us really.  She's interested in helping me poke around in the lammy.  It's good to have another set of eyes, even if neither of us are really sure what we're looking at.  I figured I would offer her the opportunity to make a mess of things with me so that we can both benefit from the potential learning opportunity.

Right now I'm printing the parts book.  I was going to do it last night but was too tired.  Tomorrow I'm going to pull the battery in the P200E, move the GTS out of the garage, possibly move the P200E out of the garage, and leave some space for me to move around the lammy.  Then I plan on starting a list of things I definitely need, might need, probably don't need, etc.

In other scooter related news, G.A.S is starting to form into a proper club.  We're going to start meeting at the local scooter spot, Top Gear + Luzzara, on Wednesdays.  This will go all year round.  In the winter I figure we can talk about good riding routes, plan some trips, talk about projects, etc...  and in the summer we can test the riding routes, go on some trips, and ride the projects.    Logical, no?

I'm gonna be sifting through some eBay, Kijiji and Scoot.net stuff now.  It's like an easter egg hunt everyday.  Win.

Next Step:  Make an inventory of what I need and start searching.

Damage So Far:  $1000 + Paper and Ink I stole from my parents.

Let's Get Started!

I guess a good place to start would be with something to work on.  I found an ad on the local kijiji for what was described as a "vintage 1959 innocenti lambretta 175".  The ad had some crummy pictures of an unloved Lambretta tucked in a makeshift shed and went on to state that it still ran and drove well, was all original, and that only serious inquires were welcome.

I did some quick googling, and based on what I could find about years, paint colours, and the 175 displacement, I figured that it was a TV 175.  Some more googling suggested that these are kinda really awesome to have.


I contacted a friend of mine who gave me some more information, confirmed my findings, and generally supported my insane desire to buy it.   So I did.  I paid $1000, which was the limit I had put on what I would spend for it.

I brought it home today (ok, so actually yesterday, it's late).  It's actually a 1961, based on the frame number.   That's where I am now-with a Lammy that needs some love.  Pictures tomorrow.

Next Step:  I found an online parts catalogue at Scooter Help.  I'm going to print it out as a reference to assist me in figuring out what should be where and what isn't there.

Damage So Far:  $1000 + Paper and Ink that I've stolen from my parents XD

In too Deep

So this is my first entry.  I want to start it by giving a brief history of who I am in relation to a certain Lambretta scooter.

I'm not sure when it happened exactly.  Or why.  Or how.  But it did, I fell in love with scooters.  That love of scooters spread through me like wildfire.  One day I was a relatively well adjusted member of society, and the next all I could think about was how awesome it would be to bomb around on a Vespa.

I had some money saved, and decided I would buy a Vespa.  I did some studying about what would suit my needs best and  I ended up buying a 2007 Black GTS 250.   I put a lot of chrome and mirrors on it, as well as a lot of kilometers, and made A LOT of great memories on it.  I took it to rallies, went to bike nights, rode it around town and in the country, and generally made great use of it.  I still really love my GTS,  too.  I would hate to ever part with it.  <rant> I also think that there are many traditionalists out there that need to realize that twist-and-gos are what's getting a new generation into classic scooters.  I'm the proof of that. </rant>

It wasn't long though before I started getting jealous, though...    A few of the members of our local club had vintage scooters, or classic scooters.  I saw them at rallies, too.  Scooters with clutches.  Scooters that spewed out blue smoke.  Scooters that played that distinctive and beautiful two-stroke song...  I wanted one.  I needed one.

Well, I ended up buying one.  A 1982 Vespa P200E.  I affectionately named it "Sparkle Motion" after all it's shiny chrome (front fender and cowls).  I wasn't disappointed, either.  Sure it stranded me once or twice, and I always boast about it being a reliable 25 kick bike, and in the world of classic scooters it is a dime-a-dozen-boxy-work-horse, but it makes me feel legit.   I feel like I'm engaged with the machine, that there is a skill to riding one.  I'm not a passenger, I'm the controls.   Which brings us to now...

It bothers me, a lot, that I don't have a clue how my scooter actually works.  I don't know why shifting a gear makes it able to go faster.  I wouldn't know what to do if I snapped a cable on the road.  I don't know the very basic things I should know to even maintain a classic scooter.  I have many friends that are very willing to help me, and they don't let me down, but I realized that I don't feel legit anymore.  I'm a passenger again.  My desire to learn is weighed down, too.  People who know their way around a scooter and it's innards  find it tedious and time consuming to actually explain what's going on.  It's hard to be patient enough to teach someone like me, who has no background information at all,  when it's so much faster to just get it done and going again.

This is why I've decided to make this commitment.  To myself, to scooters, to learning about the ins-and-outs of the machine.  I've made this commitment by buying a 1961 (though it was sold as a '59) Series 2 Lambretta TV175.  It needs a lot of work, and a lot of parts, and no doubt time, money, sweat and blood.  

I plan to blog about it all here, too.   I will blog about what my next step is going to be, what I spent money on and how much, references and literature I use, mistakes I make, and hopefully accomplishments I make.  I hope that it can serve as a tool and an inspiration to anyone else in the same spot as me.  If not, well maybe it can serve as a big red flag warning.

I might be into deep, so I better start learning to swim.