Scooterotica

Blenks wrote:Thank you all very much for the advice and the benefit of your experience. Having read your reply's perhaps I would be better waiting until the winter months and working on my own Li150 (with Mugello 186 kit). I think the thing that is driving me towards doing this project is that I am not completely happy with what I have.
Paul

But are you happy riding it? - to me that is more important than looks.

(As said the actress to the Bishop!)

I would be very happy with original side panels but where can these be sourced? I was under the impression that those being sold through scooter parts suppliers are reproduction. The reason for changing them is due to the fact that the right hand side one has a piece cut out so the exhaust fits.
As for happy riding it then yes but I still want it to be appealing to the eye and to me that that would be looking as original as possible. I do not particularly like the exhausts that have the end cans. Each to there own. It's a personal preference.

I have a pair of reproduction side panels from TSR,the quality is great and fit perfectly.These panels are die stamped and use no filler.

They are exactly the type I mean when I refer to reproduction panels. Cost around £150 a pair. I was considering fibreglass because I have read some good things about them on this forum

Get yours repaired simples...

I don't think it is that simple to be honest. As I have said there is a piece missing from the bottom edge of the right hand side panel, not an insignificant piece either. I'm sure that even if I could get a piece fabricated to fit it would cost me as much if not more than a new pair of panels would cost. I am not looking to have every part of the bike totally original, I'm not that precious about that kind of thing. I would just like it to follow the same asthetic lines as the original. Nobody can tell me that it is possible to tell if panels and parts are totally original without some pretty close inspection, if at all. There are probably few "totally" original scoots out there. Each to there own, if thats your thing then good for you. Would you be able to say a repaired panel that has had a piece fabricated to it is original?

If you need a hobby then buy one that is essentially whole and in one piece. I am wrestling with the same dilemma and here the book is the most important thing. So as has been advised get one whole that is or has been registered. I still have the barn job i found in the back of my head but if it doesn't have a book I will kick that idea into touch.

AS you may not be able to ride in the winter and already have a scooter you can seek out parts etc, in the summer and spread out you restoration of your existing one over a few winters and that way achieve your goal and save the cost of another scooter.

Thanks onthelam, good advice. My Li does not really need much work: change exhaust, new side panels, legshield holes (from crash bars) filled / welded, a couple of holes in the frame loop that need repair (some numpty drilling 2 holes to fit a different series sprint rack) and then paint removal and respray. There will be a few other very minor alterations but they can be done anytime. Spreading the cost over a period of time is the way I will have to go due to finances. Perhaps the complete restoration is something for the future. Mechanically it is as I want it.

Its strange really, I have had dozens of bikes over the past 20 odd years of all types, sports, touring, naked, etc, but never had the desire to build one myself until I got the Lambretta. Is it a bug?

I play (or try to play) guitar and there is a syndrome known as GAS (Guitar Acquisition Syndrome) common to guitarists which I also suffer from. I am constantly buying differnet guitars or crave new ones. Obviously selling some along the way. It drives the missus mad