what problems are most common building a lambretta gp

[Chris in Margate]

Before you build any body work permanently, always "dry build". This is an absolute must because things like fork stems, floorboard struts, seat arch get bent and then the problem has a domino effect and nothing will fit.
Definitely the first Sticky book over the Haynes manual.
Be wary of enthusiastic "experts" tinkering and saying "oh that'll be ok, mine does that".
When built your Lambretta engine should always start by the 3rd kick; if not then something is not right.
Buy cables as a set, buy stainless fixings as a set.
If things go wrong, then ring the dealer before sending it viral. I have dealt with all of those mentioned and their service has been excellent. Just Lambretta and Scootopia tip the scales for me as do Replay Scooters.
It's not a race; there's always tomorrow. If it don't fit, don't wallop it; breathe and go back to it later.
Finally get on here for advice; join the LCGB for £25 a year and use the LCGB forum.
See you on the road soon.

[nelson pk]

Dremels are great to modify components to fit, that actually dont, but should! Lol!

[cartmel808]

Invest in a good set of tools... having the right tools makes every job so much easier!
A decent set of screwdrivers, a set of ring spammers, a 1/4" & 1/2" socket set, a good torque wrench, a rubber mallet, a set of pliers, some circlip pliers, pair of mole/vice grips, a dremmel (as mentioned) & a good set of ratchet spanners if your budget can stretch.
There are more specialist tools to add to that list & you can go on & on - but that would be a good start.



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[HxPaul]

A clutch compressor and a clutch holding tool.............you can do very little with the engine,especially the gearbox side without these.

[dazz-uk]

Here is some advice I was given and some I have worked out for myself.
Headset top/bottom and rim,try and buy a complete set as said previously
The side panel fit is completely unadjustable so that's your starting point, everything else has some adjustment.
Buy a decent set of rubbers for the bodywork, they will help everything else fit
Find a dealer or dealers you can trust and use them.
You will have to fettle almost everything

couldn't agree more, when I built mine a few years ago, I kept buying separate headset tops and bottoms, spent quite a bit, then bit the bullet and brought an italian matched set that had been removed from an original GP and it was perfect but cost me £200.
Also like everyone else buy quality parts might cost more but are better fit.

[coaster]

Here is some advice I was given and some I have worked out for myself.
Headset top/bottom and rim,try and buy a complete set as said previously
The side panel fit is completely unadjustable so that's your starting point, everything else has some adjustment.
Buy a decent set of rubbers for the bodywork, they will help everything else fit
Find a dealer or dealers you can trust and use them.
You will have to fettle almost everything

I agree with almost all of that except that there is some scope for adjusting panel fit. First is making sure that the rear of the arch hasn't been pushed in (quite common if scoot has been stored or shipped stood on end). Also, the panels can be slightly flattened by the process of blasting and or dent removal. I n that case, pulling the panel outwards has the effect of improving the front/rear fit (the buffer should be fitted to the rear strut for this too).

[LI150]

From my experience of just trying to get some new side panels to fit a lump of wood and a mallet

[EddieStone]

I've just rebuilt mine and I wouldn't choose to do it again. And mine was a complete scoot that I've owned for the last 20 years, I sympathise with anyone trying to match up parts from other scoots.

The most frustrating factor is parts that don't fit, or need fettling to fit. This applies to most of the parts you buy. Avoid eBay unless it's genuine Innocenti and you really need it.

The best advice was on here and that was to try and use the original parts as much as you can. Do not throw anything away except the rubber bits. Then allow a stupid amount of time to clean up the original bits. Once you're 80% done it seems to take 80% of the time to do the remaining 20%!

Find somewhere warm, comfortable and well lit to do the work. I did mine in the lounge and I made myself do something to it every day. It's very easy to not do something for a day, a couple of days, a week, a month..... especially if it's out of sight in the garage.

There are a staggering amount of bits to a Lambretta. You'll need lots of freezer bags to bag them up and religiously label where they came from and what they are. I used an Excel spreadsheet to keep tabs on what needed doing, what I'd done and what I was doing. You can use this to keep a tally of the cost, but I strongly recommend you don't do this.

build your engine with a decent crank and electronic ignition so it can take any performance top end you may put on it in the future.

Strip it, clean it, build it, ride it, strip it, paint it, build it, ride it. You don't want to strip a newly painted scoot to solve a problem only evident once you've ridden it.

[corrado]

Headsets have always been the parts that have given me the most aggro over the years, particularly GP ones. Mainly due to the Indians getting involved and changing virtually everything in their infinite [lack of] wisdom. S3 models are far easier to work on as the Indians never made any S3 body parts.

Don't assume that if it's Italian it must be of good quality, don't assume that if it's Vietnamese it's poor quality, do assume that if it's Indian it'll be crap 90% of the time. Everything Indian that comes in 2 halves, headsets, side panels, rear foot boards etc is made in Right Twix factory and Left Twix factory even down to the shitty Green primer they use being 2 different shades. Don't assume that because it's twice the price it'll fit and work, do assume that if it's cheap it'll be crap.

Find an old boy that does panel beating and add him to your xmas card list, he's worth his weight in Gold.

The engine is probably the easiest part to work on as it's 50 year old engineering but you will need a lot of Lambretta specific tools.

If I only used one dealer it'd be Scootopia in Weston Super Mare.

I do admire your courage in starting with a bare frame, it'd be tough enough starting with a complete and original full scooter.

Finally "don't let the b@5t@rds grind you down".

[stroutsy]

cheers guys, notes taken, I'm pretty lucky on the body work side as my old man does it for a living and he does some of the best work I've seen. your wise words of experience are much appreciated, thanks