Zundapp Bella (Bike Engine) now 500 Auto Conversion

Anything related to Lambretta or Vespa Scooters fitted with LC, Motorcycle and/or Auto engines!
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Bofs
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Picked this lovely beast up last year, 1958 Bella 150cc. It even has the now fancy Porcupine head in the 50s!!

I plan on sticking a bike engine in it. It`s chain drive and has 12" wheels and seems to have plenty of room for a transplant.

Not sure what engine yet so open to ideas??? Was thinking a 4 stroke single or a compact twin? Ideally want about 30-40 bhp and economy too 50-60mpg would be great. A mile munching tourer instead of a screamer.

Here`s it at the minute

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Remember this from Scootering many years ago?? RD250 lump I seem to remember, front disc brake, love it  8)
Last edited by Bofs on Wed Feb 14, 2018 8:14 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Muffspeed....no muff too tuff
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1957 Zundapp Betta 500 Auto
1966 Motovespa Sprint 210 Polossi
1960 Lambretta Cutdown 205 Project
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ArmandTanzarian
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If it fits, a cb250 or 500 engine would be cheap, reliable and not stupidly fast.

I thought about the same thing on a Heinkel but the chain is on the right hand side which is opposite to just about everything.
Meus Lambretta est non infractus. Is est quietus.
holty
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great idea, i know someone whos building one at the moment, he is using an engine out of a big trials bike, cant quite remember which one at the moment, although i would recomend a twin if your bodywork is wide enough, ive got a tuned 350lc engine in my lambretta gp and its awsome to ride, very smooth and powerful as well, maybe more power than needed, but thats not a bad thing, i have a removeable kickstart, you might want electric start which may limit your choice, im sure others will have ideas as well, good luck with your build.
holty
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cgt75b
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I love the oddness of the Bella, not sure if that's a word "oddness" but anyway good luck with the build, cracking scoot btw.
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DigDug
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Nice looking bike... 8-)
Did you have to do that?
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Bofs
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Cheers folks, open to all suggestions at the minute. Handy that the chain is on the right side too.

It`s in storage at the minute so have to clear a couple of club scoots out first before I get it back in the workshop, then the plan is to get the Bella engine running and sell it to fund the bike engine. I had a battery hooked up and the electric start works so should be handy enough sorted.

More updates when I get my hands on it again.
Muffspeed....no muff too tuff
Bad Samaritans SC

1957 Zundapp Betta 500 Auto
1966 Motovespa Sprint 210 Polossi
1960 Lambretta Cutdown 205 Project
warts
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Didn't a Bella Suzuki transplant feature in one of Stickies rides across Europe?
I sort of assumed it was the 400cc Brugman scooter engine, which would fit your spec pretty much. I have no idea if it would fit your chassis though.

Modern OHC engines seem pretty tall compared to an old school 2t.

The 470cc Honda CB X/F/R engine is a twin, 47bhp, fuel injected. Supposed to be very smooth, grunty and economical - 70+mpg without too much restraint.

Sounds like a project with excellent potential.
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Bofs
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Sticky`s had a DRZ400 Suzuki engine, plenty of grunt but expensive to get a donor. CB spec sounds good.
Muffspeed....no muff too tuff
Bad Samaritans SC

1957 Zundapp Betta 500 Auto
1966 Motovespa Sprint 210 Polossi
1960 Lambretta Cutdown 205 Project
gerryjunior
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i like the bella , a bike engine would be perfect, that back shock set up is a strange looking affair..
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Bofs
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It is!! Hopefully be able to update that too.
Muffspeed....no muff too tuff
Bad Samaritans SC

1957 Zundapp Betta 500 Auto
1966 Motovespa Sprint 210 Polossi
1960 Lambretta Cutdown 205 Project
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