Does anyone know anything about when the Lambretta S1 LI changed from framebreather to non framebreather? I can see that there were a boatload of these manufactured but not any detail on how many of each type ??
Anyone shed any light ?
Lambretta Series 1 LI150 "Frame breather"
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dave wheeler
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The recieved wisdom, most recently repeated in Pete Davies`Lambretta bible is that the third version (the first non framebreather) was introduced in December 1958. this however is probably an over simplification, I have seen a 1959 road test of a LI 125 in which the photo`s clearly show the framebreather system. I also own a 59 125 framebreather, whether this only applies to 125`s I dont know.
My suspision is that the UK concessionaires were struggling to keep up with demand for Lambretta, 1959 was the year scooters greatly outsold motorbikes, and many of these were Lambretta. As a result either unsold stock from other countries allocations were brought in or Innocenti used obselete frames in an attempt to keep up with demand
Either way this is a rather long winded way of saying I doubt it is possible to supply a definitive answer, The scale of production meant that new introductions (ie airbox system, adjustable chain guides ect) would probably had been phased in as stock ran out, so hybrid machines will be the norm
regards
Dave
My suspision is that the UK concessionaires were struggling to keep up with demand for Lambretta, 1959 was the year scooters greatly outsold motorbikes, and many of these were Lambretta. As a result either unsold stock from other countries allocations were brought in or Innocenti used obselete frames in an attempt to keep up with demand
Either way this is a rather long winded way of saying I doubt it is possible to supply a definitive answer, The scale of production meant that new introductions (ie airbox system, adjustable chain guides ect) would probably had been phased in as stock ran out, so hybrid machines will be the norm
regards
Dave
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Supereibar
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And also for historic purposes, the framebreather system was stopped due to the ladie's fancy dresses and long coats of the period, which would block the intake system causing the scooter to stop.
P.S: Also, not sure if it was a rumour or what but didnt they found a Series II (with correct numbers and all) with a framebreather frame not too long ago?
P.S: Also, not sure if it was a rumour or what but didnt they found a Series II (with correct numbers and all) with a framebreather frame not too long ago?
Thanks fellas for the responses.
I have now had a chance to look in the "Lambretta bible". The other confused piece of info floating around out there (on some sites and books at least !) is that the LI150 S1 the engine number started with the number 5, but the Lambretta bible I believe is correct in that it states engine numbers start with a 7.
I have now had a chance to look in the "Lambretta bible". The other confused piece of info floating around out there (on some sites and books at least !) is that the LI150 S1 the engine number started with the number 5, but the Lambretta bible I believe is correct in that it states engine numbers start with a 7.