1959 Lambretta 150 Series one

[john bristo]

Series one Lambretta 1959

Hi I am due to go along and have a look at this one with a view to buying it. A quick check seemed to prove most parts are available for this one although Headlight units at £60 and chrome rims at £20 seemed a bit pricey. This one is  a four speed box and has the 12v conversion and a non standard exhaust. supposedly restored in recent years and all italian with current MOT not taxed although this is free. Discribed as in excellent condition but as yet unseen . the guy wants £1300 for it which seems cheap although I notice prices have dived  a BIT over recent months. Anything in particular I should be aware of when I check it out particular to this model ? The Lambretta club have authentificted its year and its registered to the current owner. Thanks for any advice you can give.
Regards to all
John Bristo [Yarmouth]

[Worz]

Hi John, Not much to say about it really except that they are slow and don't like to be opened up too much for too long. As long as it's all there, has no major leaks etc and all the numbers tally up on the log book, it sounds like a half decent deal.

P.S.
Has Hemsby Pontins completely closed down now?

[john bristo]

Hi Worzel
Thanks for the info, waiting for the guy to come back to me at the moment will let you know how it goes ,are they o/k for minor tuning or are they just not up to it. Would assume an engine rebuild would be needed at some stage, is it one model which cannot be upgraded reasonably ? Dont want a tuned rocket .

Well Pontins closed completely last month 70 people were made redundant which is sad . They only had a year to run on the lease and of course the site required major redevelopment,lets be honest it was just plain tatty. they are developing the lowestoft site instead. Wonder if the Essex Club might move the venue there. Depends on cost I suppose.
Regards to all
john

[Worz]

I think you could probably have it bored out to 175cc, and have the inlet and exhaust ports opened up a bit. Fitting a bigger carb if possible would benefit it too. I think all the off-the-shelf kits are made for the Series II and III models and won't fit a Series I (unless someone knows different, as I'm not sure).

I have heard that Colchester SC are in talks with another holiday centre to keep the Winter Warmer going. It wouldn't surprise me if it was Pakefield in Lowestoft. I hope it is, it's a fair bit closer for us to get to lol.

[john bristo]

Hi Worzel
well after all this time eventually got to see this Li  but the pictures he sent were two years old and it had suffered badly amongst a load of junk in an old shed. Went to see another Li125 series 2 1961. This had had a apparently been a box of bits but had been stripped frame and tank toolbox etc resprayed . General appearance very tidy but the respray had been done without enough attention to panel beating some of the panels before spraying. Motor sounded great and everything worked seemed likely it had had a 12v upgrade . Could not ride it as it was not registered. The guy has the Lambretta Club of GB certification of year etc numbers match with the certificate. Offered him £1300 which he accepted.
According to the info I have gathered with the certificate there shouldnt be a problem but anything else you feel I should be aware of ???
Best regards
John

[Worz]

anything else you feel I should be aware of ???

Happy Scootering