My second purchase: R1 shock conversion

(Sorry I rotated the picture before I saved it, but Blogger did not accept)

My second purchase is items needed for converting a Yamaha R1 or R6 rear shock for the Lambretta. Pictured above is a "184" shock from Century Springs and brass bushings. I spent a total of $40.00 on these items. A nice fellow from Lambretta Club USA named Jake posted a request to do a big order and I went in with him to cheapen the price of the springs.

For "detailed instructions on converting an R1 shock" copy and paste this url into your web browser:
http://www.lambretta.org/index.php?pid=13

I am NOT big on mods at all, but did not have a rear shock included with my TV when I bought it and I wanted a inexpensive performance shock. I will powder-coat the spring black to honor the factory look -- at least an effort to.

Now all I need to do is place an order on eBay for the rear shock. I hope to buy a $30 or less practically-NIB (new in box) R1 or R6 shock since some Yamaha riders upgrade their shocks before they hit their first 100 miles.

Vespa Vagabond

I attempt to be meticulous in my restoration blogs (see Vespa and Lambretta), but the quality of the writing goes by the wayside for the content.

I have always wanted to tour coast-to-coast on a scoot. This woman did it solo and documented the trip with quality writing (which I appreciate as a English teacher) and photographs (which I also appreciate as a amateur photographer of film cameras).

I have chatted about scooter camping before, but this woman took the ride to a whole new level by traveling alone on her Vespa from SF to NYC over two months on back roads through no named towns. An amazing trip indeed.

Check her blog out at:
http://www.vespa-vagabond.blogspot.com

I recognize that this post if off-topic for the restoration of my Lambretta TV175, but for the sake of documentation . . . her blog honors the craft with a great read and good information.

Thanx to my wife for showing me it.

My first purchase

My first purchase was an original (Italian) collar for the switch. When I bought the bike Stu told me this would be one of the more difficult parts to the find that was missing from the bike. This collar is specific to the TV -- the Li model switch would not fit; although non-switch side collar will fit just fine (and I need it). I did have the switch and wiring though. I began looking for this part right away. According to Stu and Tom G. they were confident I would find one and Stu guessed the price at $50 tops. I posted on BBS and asked people to keep an eye out, but they all told me that I would "never" find it. This specific switch uses the brass pulley system for cables and I was told that I could adapt another switch and use the plastic pulley system in worst case scenario.

Months passed by, but I remain relaxed and trusted Stu and Tom G. that I would find it. One day Stu emailed me his friend's, Bret R.'s, contact info stating he had my switch. I emailed Bret and low-and-behold he was willing to sell it to me. Stu also told me that the UK and Asian shops were getting in reproductions of the switches. Bret lived out of state, but his scooter gear was stored in the city I live in. A couple more months passed and I got an email from Bret telling me we could meet up and he would sell me the collar. The irony here is that BBS said I would never find it and Bret's scooter gear was located five blocks from my house -- walking distance. I paid Bret $40 for the original Italian switch.

I am not a purist, but I believe that staying as original as your wallet will let you is important. It's about the integrity of the bike in my eyes -- or the soul if you will.

If you are looking for Lammy parts go to the Lambretta Club of America's site and ask for help. BBS requires you to wear thick skin and not everyone who responds to you is truly an expert.

The Vision (for when all is said and done)

In speaking with Stu I decided to use an R1/R6 shock conversion for my rear shock. He sent me to Lambretta Club of America (lambretta.org) where a group of guys were going in on a bulk order of shock springs and bushings for the conversion.

Wow! I'd first like to say that the folks in this club are so nice and helpful. These guys offer solutions and share information. The guy, Jake, who placed the order for the springs and bushings not only fronted the cash for everybody, he even drove from San Mateo to SF to deliver my parts to my dad's office. Seriously, good people at the Lambretta Club of America!

Sorry I digress . . .

While perusing the rest of the site I found a section on the "forums" where folks post pictures of their Lambretta's and I came across a 1962 Lambretta TV175 restored to Stone White with a Ox red seat . . . it is exactly the same bike that I have and I have decided to restore it to its original color as well as reuse my red seat. Looking at these photos of this Lambretta is basically like looking at my bike after the restoration is complete.

The bike first looked like this. It was restored by Mike Anhalt, a member of Lambretta Club of America. His post said, "Fully redone TV175 with a GT186, 24mm mikuni, Casa Exhaust. All stainless hardware and proper stickers with orgional floor board extentions. Took about 7 months start to finish (50 hours of 2 hour weekends and mornings)."

Mike wrote the bike was an East Coast rust scoot when he first got it. He was hired by someone to restore it as if Mike was restoring it for himself.

The bike looks a little rougher than my bike, but then again it was 100% complete when Mike received it -- as far as I can tell from the photos.

The beauty in this bike is in the details, I believe. It is clear to me that Mike Anhalt is an experienced restorer and has the eye-of-a-jeweler -- all the small details matter to him. That is the mark of a true restorer. Notice the R1/R6 shock conversion, not stock, but an inexpensive way to build a performance rear shock. I will also build a R1 shock for my TV.

At first I thought that all white scooters were a bit of bore, but with the ox blood red seat the bike really pops. Furthermore, the idea of having the bike look nearly exact the way it did coming out of the factory over 40 years ago seems very cool to me.

I will not add a GT badge on my Lammy, but I will use a Dean's Speed 190 kit so performance wise it may not be different than the 186 kit Mike put on the top end of this TV.

All in all my bike will look pretty similar and also be very mildly customed. My goal, like Mike, is to keep the TV as true to the era.

If bike comes out anything like the one above, I will be so happy.

In Pieces

Here is what the TV currently looks like. We also bought our SS180 (visit: www.vesparestoration.blogspot.com) in pieces as well. I HIGHLY recommend first time restorers do NOT buy a scooter this way, especially a Lambretta with all its parts. It's a good way to buy an incomplete scooter unknowningly, which will cost you a lot more in the end potentially. We bought the Vespa SS180 from a friend we have known and trusted for a long time. We bought the Lambretta TV175, pictured below, from Stuart Werner who has a very good reputation for being honest and upfront, plus he is also respected for the quality of his bikes he sold after restoring himself. We spoke with mentors Tom G. and Christopher Markley before purchasing and the advice they gave me, "is go with it Jeremy. Stu is honest and will tell you what you're missing and what it will cost you." The bike is not complete and Stu did point it all out and after more research I have learned it will cost $$. I can spend just under $1,000 on the suspension alone (if I get the set up I want, which I won't because $1,000 for three shocks is over kill for my purposes). So think about that! I paid $1100 for my TV with two motors and a missing disc brake/front hub and all three shocks. The front hub is $450 new and three performance shocks are $900; therefore the bike is not $1100 rather it is $1350. You need to think carefully when restoring a bike. A complete unrestored TV engine will bring about $500, so you can see that's not balancing the books. I may decide to fully restore the second TV engine and hold on to it for collector's sake or sell it to generate revenue for the restoration of the bike. I have seen original running TVs sell for under $3750 and I can guarantee that my bike will be close to $5000-$6000 in parts/paint. I am totally cool with that and knew that going into it. Just make sure you are too. Note that my second engine, which is 90% complete, is in my basement and not included in these photos.

More TV 175 S3 Photos

Above is a photo of ScooterHelp.com's TV175 S3. He documents the restoration of his TV and provides PDFs of parts and manual books for many different types of scoots. Check him out.Above are photos of an original TV, which was sold by Scooters O at some point in the past. My goal is to paint my TV the original cream color and keep any and all distinctive Italian traits (if there are any . . . I need to research) to the bike as it lived its riding life in Italy. I will post the DBU color info when I paint the bike. There are Lambretta paint books available for purchase, which will prove helpful if you are restoring your own Lammy. I was lucky enough to receive the paint code I want from Stu Werner. In the past it was very difficult to obtain this info and NO ONE was sharing, I've heard.Above is a picture of my TV in its current state . . . note the original paint and red seat. Looks like the one from the "Is this my TV?" Blog post below, right?

Is this my TV?

Take a look at the photo in the top right corner of the white TV with red seat (sorry I could not download the actual pix and post it larger). . . I suspect that that is my scooter.

When you own things older than you, such as a house or car or scooter, etc. it's neat to learn the history of your old love. I aim to do all I can to learn more about the history of my wife's SS180 and my TV.

All I know, thus far, is that the TV was imported from Italy by Scooters O in NJ. There are two "Radio Spoleto International" stickers on the leg shield so I can only assume it spent part of its life in there. (Sorry I need to take a better macro pix of stickers and rotate the photo by 90 degrees right).

Stu Werner bought it from Scooters O and then due to lack of storage, disassembled it and stored it in the rafters above his garage. The front disc brake was used on one of his ESRA team's race bikes and I suspect other odds and ends were used as well. A couple items on my TV are not original to this specific bike and Stu pointed those out to me, but for the grand majority of the bike is original.

Next time I see Stu I aim to ask him more questions about the history of this bike or at least learn when he bought it and what the experience was like and what was the condition of the bike. More to follow.

Preliminary Parts List

I am far from beginning the restoration of this scooter as I still need to complete restoring my wife's SS180, vesparestoration.blogspot.com, BUT seeing as a I am at a budget-stand-still with the Vespa I thought I'd start my parts list for the Lambretta TV175. The list below is in an Excel spreadsheet, but since I can not make a link for you to download it feel free to email me to request it and I will send it to you and if you're restoring a Lammy you can go ahead tweak it for your needs. I hope this list proves helpful.

I still need to compare my actual parts against this list to determine what I really need. I may also add the actual Innocenti part #s from the parts book to the final Excel spreadsheet parts list -- we'll see.

The list below was assembled using a Parts Catalog you can download for free from scooterhelp.com and a list of standard parts to replace for restorations from Stu Werner, which he gave me when I bought this TV from him.

** ** ** ** Parts List ** ** ** ** **

QTY: PART:

********* Engine Parts *********
1 Dean's Speed 190cc Kit
1 28 Minkuni carb
1 Clauss Studio engine mounts
1 Engine gasket set (possible to order as a kit for cheaper)
1 Rear hub back plate gasket
1 Engine rebound buffer w/washer
Engine mounting cones
1 Cylinder base gasket
1 Cylinder head gasket
1 Cylinder extended nut (for cylinder shroud)
1 Kickstart bump stop
1 8mm nut for exhaust std (engine case cover)
4 7mm end plate nut
4 7mm split washer for gearbox end plate
1 Chaincase cover gasket
1 6mm grease nipple (can I use sealed bearings and do away with the grease nipple?)
1 Oil drain plug (magnetic)
Other Parts TBD


********** Crank Shaft Parts **********
1 Crank Assembly: GP crank with TV arm (I have TV crank)
1 Oil thrower washer
1 Drive side bearing
1 Drive side oil seal
4 Bearing retaining screws
1 Hallite washer
1 Bearing distance piece
1 Piston wrist pin for Dean's Speed upgrade?
1 Small end bearing
1 Mag. Side (inner) oil seal (32x52x6)
1 Mag. flange circlip
1 Mag. Side (outer) oil seal (25x42x6)
1 Oil seal retainer
1 Flywheel side bearing (included with elec. start?)
1 COMPLETE crankshaft oil seal set (cheaper?)

********** Gearbox Parts *********
1 Main shaft bearing
1 Main shaft inner needle bearing
1 Kick start pedal rubber -- GREY
1 Gear cluster bearing
2 Shifter cursors ball bearing
1 Main shaft oil seal (32x45x6)
1 Kickstart shaft oil seal

********** Clutch Parts **********
2 Clutch basket needle bearings (or use alternative of G.P. bronze clutch bush
as longer lasting and more reliable?)

********** Fuel System Parts **********
1 Fuel tank cap
1 Gas tank splash cup
1 Gas tank fiber ring
1 Strap bolt trunnions (one threaded & one unthreaded, set)
1 Fuel tap assembly FAST FLOW (includes: brass fuel tap, fuel tap joint, fuel
tap arm with joint)
1 Choke cable assembly (includes: choke cable elbow, choke lever retaining
sleeve, choke lever assembly, choke cable complete -- GREY)
1 Choke spring
1 GP200 complete exhuast (Large Bore) with U-bend
1 Exhaust gasket (large bore)
1 Exhaust u-bend clamp (can this be purchased at Hardware store?)
1 Muffler clamp assymbly GP200 (Same as above?)
1 Exhaust clamp -- big bore
1 Air filter
1 Air filter oval gasket
1 Long airbox bolt
1 Airbox elbow rubber gasket
1 Air intake assembly (intake gasket, airbox top O-rubber, air intake)
1 Air hose GP150/200 (G.P non cup type work? Buy clamps at hardware store?)
1 Air spring spring clip
1 Lower drain retaining clip

********* Frame Parts **********
1 Fuel tank drip trays w/collar set
1 Fuel tank door (needed?)
1 Fuel tank door hinge pin
1 Fuel tank door lock & key
1 Fuel rod/frame grommet (needed?)
1 Centerstand spring (needed?)
1 Lower frame cone (needed?)
1 Centerstand feet w/pins -- BLACK
1 Centerstand hooks pair (needed?)
1 Centerstand splash plate (needed? Included w/Stu?)
2 Fuel tank rubber buffer set
1 R/H side rear footboard bracket (needed?)
1 L/H side rear footboard bracket (needed?)
1 Rear frame plugs -- GREY -- set of four
1 Side panel beading -- GREY
1 Rear shock (Taffspeed or BiTurbo)
1 Rear shock wave washer
1 Rear shock nut

********* Headset Parts **********
Brass throttle roller
Brass gear roller
1 Throttle tube spring washer
1 Throttle tube shim
Throttle/gear shaft bush
1 Throttle adjust lock nut (Needed?)
1 Inner shift bush - Ser 3
1 Cable guide clis (set of 2)
1 Throttle shaft sleeve
2 Throttle shaft ant-vibration bush
1 Grips -- GRAY
1 Light switch housing screw
1 Light switch housing (alloy)
1 Hand levers set (stiletto style? Needed?)
2 Lever pivot screw Assy-LI
1 Light switch housing
1 Light switch -- TV/SX (Needed?)
2 Hand lever anti vibration cap & spring
2 Pulley screw - S1,2,3
4 5mm BLACK wave washer
1 Headlight Unit SX/TV3 (Needed?)
2 Gear/throttle pulley shim
2 Gear/throttle rod inner
1 Generic headlight light bulb holder (Needed?)
1 Top clip -- CEV? -- TV/SX/GP (Needed?)
2 Headset bolt (attaches from bottom)
1 Fork clamp w/ 10 mm allen bolt (set) (Needed?)
1 Gear change housing (alloy)
4 Headset saddle 4mm nuts
1 Speedo cable lower boot -- GREY
1 Speedo rubber gasket -- GREY
1 Speedo face plate (Needed?)
1 Shift tube metal collar
2 Gear/throttle rod clamp plate

********** Forks Parts **********
Upper fork rebound buffer (thin type) w/bolts (Needed?)
Lower fork rebound buffer (fat type) w/bolts (Needed?)
2? Fork link pivot bolt nut
2? Fork link pivot bolt
4 Fork link spacer washer
2 Fork link damp stud (Needed?)
2 Fork spring shaft (buy used or buy whole new Kawasaki or equivalent shocks)
1 Threaded fork cup (Needed?)
1 Fork lock ring (Needed?)
1 Fork link cup washer (Needed?)
1 Fork lock ring washer (Needed?)
2 Taffspeed fork springs (H/D F/Springs GP/LI/SX models)
2 Fork rod stop (Needed?)
2 Fork rod (Needed?)
4 Washers tav VIII (fig. 80 Scooters O)
2 Bearing -- upper steering
2 Bearing -- lowering steering
2 Screw on top bearing race
2 Lock washer for upper fork
2 Fork top screw on lock ring
2 Buffer, rubber fork bolt-in small
2 Buffer, rubber fork bolt-in large
1 Hardware kit, fork link
1 Steering lock screw

********** Front Hub & Brake Parts **********
1 Cheaper to buy frontt disc brake assembly (including windows and "I" cap?).
I currently own the disc hub, but nothing else.
1 Front hub w/ studs
1 Front axle
2 Axle bridge
2? Axle domed nut
1 Axle nyloc nut
2 Axle seal
1 Outer axle washer
1 Inner axle nut
1 Speedometer gear drives
1 Speedo drive assembly (Brass)
1 Speedo drive worm
1 "I" Cap for disc brake
1 Hub window grilles for disc brake (set of 4)
1 Front brake lever assembly for disc brake
1 Front brake disc
1 Static pad adjusting stud
1 Disc brake pads
1 Brake shoe return spring
BEARINGS?

********** Rear Hub & Brake Parts **********
1 Rear hub cone (Needed?)
1 Rear brake shoes
1 Rear hub nut/washer kit

********** Tires **********
3 3.5"x10" Pirelli SC28 or Michelin S83 or ?
3 3.5"x10" inner tubes
1 3.5"x10" rim

********** Electrical & Wiring Parts **********
1 CDI/Coil unit for GP crank (Electronic ignition kit)
1 Ser. 3 AC electronic ign. wiring harness
3 6x25 bolt - stator plate (Needed?)
1 6mm washer -- BLACK
1 Wiring junction box

********** Trim, Cables, Gaskets, Seals, Etc. in GREY unless indicated otherwise **********
1 Leg shielding beading (Needed?)
2 Endcap, legshield upper
1 Endcap, legshield lower (Exists?)
2 Endcap, Legshield bead lower
1 Horn cover to leg shield left & right side gasket
1 Horn cover to front fender
1 Horncast bottom side Ser 3
1 Horncover side gray Ser 3
1 Front fender to leg shield left & right side gaskets
2 Side panel gaskets left & right
1 Side panel rubber
1 Tail light gasket
1 Brake light switch rubber boot
1 Mud flap (Needed?)
1 Leg shield floor rail rubber inserts ONE SET (Needed?)
1 Aluminum floor rails channels SET of FOUR
4 Rubber, aluminim channel
1 Aluminum channel hardware kit
1 One set round and rectangle rubber frame grommets
10 Round floor gasket (Same as above?)
10 Rectangular floor gasket (Same as above?)
1 One set of Six plastic floor strips
1 Bridge piece gaskets front & rear
1 Air scoop gasket
1 Brake pedal rubber in BLACK (Needed?)
2 Side panel buffers with clips (Needed?)
1 Ser. 3 handgrips pair (Needed?)
1 Toolbox to frame gasket
1 Toolbox upper & lower grommet/buffers
1 Toolbox lock
1 Toolbox rubber
8 White plastic seat washers
12 Metal end clips
2 Front outer finishing nuts
4 Finishing washers inside leg shield
2 Glovebox door upper buffer
2 Glovebox door lower buffer
1 Glovebox lock with handle/key
1 Steering column lock with keys
1 Complete cable set
1 Speedo cable
1 Speedo drive seal
1 Front brake adjusters
1 Rear brake adjusters
4 Fork rebound buffers large
1 Horncover/horncast badge shield (Needed?)
1 Clip for horncast badge
1 Leg shield "TV175" badge
1 Leg shield "Lambretta" badge
2 Side panel "LAMBRETTA" badges
1 Horn cast badge clip
1 Bulb, headlight - 12 volt 35/35w light bulb
1 Bulb, headlight - 12 volt 21/5w light bulb
1 Bulb, festoon 12v 5w
1 Bulb, bayonet speedo - 12 volt 5w light bulb
1 Pilot - 12 volt light bulb
1 Tail/Brake - 12 volt light bulb
3 Gear & clutch protection sleeves
3 Gear & clutch cable trunnions
2 Fork link blots, nuts, washers
1 Gas tank straps (Needed?)
6 Strap Buffer
1 Gasket fender, front
1 Mudflap rear
1 Seat hardware kit -- LI/TV
1 Front brake cable ferrule
1 Rear brake cable ferrule
3 Cable protection sleeve
1 Hardware, cable trunnion large
2 Hardware, cable trunnion small
10 F/Strip push nut

********* Hardware **********

Note: (a) use stainless steel hardware (lower maintenance and remains shiny!) which can be bought from a home improvement or hardware store. (b) You can download a list of hardware sizes from Scooters O in NJ.

How to disasemble a Lammy Li

Lambretta LI Stripdown 60's promo film made by Innocenti for dealer and there mechanics. (thanx to scootr99 on YouTube.com)

Picture: TV 175 Series 3

It is not easy to find a photo of a 1962 TV 175 online. I poked around for a while before I found this USA model for sale on Scooter BBS SPAM forum. My Lambretta is an Italian model, but the exact same year and model. The scoot pictured above was described as a first or second kick and sold for $3,000. That is a GREAT deal. My Lammy was $1,000 and did not include all the parts, which will quickly add up in costs, but it did come with two motors. The nice thing about this Lambretta is no paint is required.

1962 was the tail end of the early Series 3 cowls. I believe it was in 1964 or 1965 that the cowls changed and looked more like the common Li.

TVs have become more sought after because its big brother, the SX200, is very hard to find in old barns and such so collectors now go after the next biggest engine . . . 175cc.

Feb. 11, 2007 -- The Purchase: 1962 Lambretta TV 175

When hunting down a fuel tap wrench for 1967 Vespa SS180 restoration project we called Stewert Werner to see if had one we could borrow, because the wrench was not available for purchase and if you can borrow it's a penny saved. We asked him if he had any Lammys for sale and he said, "no." When we called to tell him we found a wrench he said, "by the way I found a 1963 TV 175 in the rafters in my garage. Want to buy it?" In late December, 2006 we went to Stu's house to check out his "1963 Lambretta TV 175 with two motors" he had for sale. We liked what we saw. He spent hours with us going over what parts were missing and all of the resources (trustworthy ones only) that are available to us for this restoration. He also showed us what books we should purchase and which weren't so good. He also recommended upgrades, ie GP electric, and explained in detail how that can be done. He gave us the history he knew of, which is limited. He bought the bike from Scooters O in NJ. It was imported from Italy. Stu had planned to restore and resell. He owned Lancaster Lambretta and has personally put many bikes on the road. Stewart had asked for $1,300 for the scooter, which was 98% complete except for some common and pretty-easy parts to find. At the time we did not have the full amount. We offered him a deposit and he just smiled and said, "how about a handshake?" We shook hands. We agreed to meet in three to five weeks. Normally I would never buy a disassembled Lambretta, because I am not familiar with all the parts and would not know what is or is NOT missing.

I knew Stu's reputation for being a person of integrity and checked in my mentor of restorations, Christopher Markley, and a few other people about the deal. The response I got was, "it's a very good deal, especially with two motors, and Stu will be very honest and upfront with you," which has proved to be true.

Stu offered to create a total parts list for me and give me the list. He also offered to go through his personal stock pile and look for any parts that are missing from the TV. His machinist destroyed the TV 175's forks -- so Stu offered Li S3 forks instead along with a weld job to remove the TV rings, which are unique to the TV, and have them welded to the Li forks (the rings are the only noticeable difference to these forks when the bike is assembled). Stu also offered me a few xerox copies from his "secret Lambretta file," which I will not disclose.

On February 11, 2007 Stu asked me to come over and pick up the bike -- he wanted his garage back. He needed to get us a disc front brake to include in the deal from a second bike, but was not able to; therefore he dropped the price to $1,100 thinking he had originally asked $1,500 for the bike. I reminded him he asked $1,300 for the bike so he dropped the final sale to $1,000 even and said that was as low as he could go. A front disc brake costs $430 new and we have half it. Stu kept the two forks for his welder (all included in the final price) and I cut him a personal check.

He also agreed to deliver the finished front fork to us along with the parts list. He said he would like to go over the parts list in detail with us as he looks over the entire bike with us one final time to make sure the parts list is perfect. I think that speaks volumes about who he is as a person. He is of the old world when a handshake was enough. He's a dying breed in today's society.

After I brought the bike bike home I cross-referenced the Serial Number: TV175 503***and learned the Lambretta is actually an 1962 bike as opposed to 1963.

Restoration on this bike will begin after we complete the restoration of my wife's bike -- a 1967 Vespa SS180. Restoration of this bike is half complete at this time and is documented at www.vesparestoration.blogspot.com.

Below is a picture of Stu Werner sitting on his late 1950s Series I "Frame Breather" with his kitted blue/white Series III and cream Series II Lambrettas.