Front Brake Upgrade

[Devlam]

Hi all - First proper post. Apologies if this is all covered elsewhere.

I'm restoring an Li150 Special - this was my scooter from way back which I'm afraid to say I abandoned at my parents in the mid-eighties. It's therefore suffered 25 years of inclement British weather. Time to right a wrong!

Anyway -- Its all in many bits now, and I'm planning the rebuild. I'm interested in performance for sure, but I also want the best possible stopping performance.

Having been away from scootering for some time, I'm trying to catch up, so this is my first of probably many daft questions.

What do you consider to be the best front brake upgrade from original standard drums -- certainly discs, but hydraulics, anti-dive? I've looked at Lambretta Innovations which look impressive. Are they good as they look what about single disc vs double. Anything else out there?

As I said much to catch up on :wtf:

Appreciate all views - cheers.

[Bilko]

First thing I'd recommend is Sticky's Workshop Manual

Even if you have knowledge of engine & chassis building, it's a very resourceful book and well worth getting.

[coaster]

There's plenty on here with first hand experience of the various brake upgrades but from my own reding of the situation over the last 5 years you won't fond much wrong with the Scooter Inovations stuff but a single disck setup should be more than good enough for most road applications. There are a number of cheeper alternatives from the likes of Siagon Scooters and ScootRs in Vietnham which I believe to be reliable and cheaper (if less well engineered) alternatives. The ScootRs anti dive kit doesn't have any bushes in it and is apparently prone to premature wear.

ScootRs also do a pressure cast copy of the Innocenti disc brake which can be had in cable or hydraulic configuration. Some people won't touch ScootRs though due to 'Issues' over the owners dificulty an admitting when he is wrong, do a search, there are loads of threads if you have a few hours to spare

As per Bilko, definately get hold of Stickies 'Complete Spanners Guide' it'll be the best money you spend on your scoot.

Well done for keeping hold of it all these years

[Devlam]

Thanks -- yes I've got Sticky's manual and found it superb. It helped me no-end with the strip-down, and I'm hoping its going to steer me through the rebuild just as well.

The question for me now though is what to upgrade (which will be a lot) and then to start buying -- so I'm starting with brakes as it looks like this area has moved on quite a bit.

[Bilko]

Well done for keeping hold of it all these years

Definately. :fb:

[Devlam]

There's plenty on here with first hand experience of the various brake upgrades but from my own reding of the situation over the last 5 years you won't fond much wrong with the Scooter Inovations stuff but a single disck setup should be more than good enough for most road applications. There are a number of cheeper alternatives from the likes of Siagon Scooters and ScootRs in Vietnham which I believe to be reliable and cheaper (if less well engineered) alternatives. The ScootRs anti dive kit doesn't have any bushes in it and is apparently prone to premature wear.

ScootRs also do a pressure cast copy of the Innocenti disc brake which can be had in cable or hydraulic configuration. Some people won't touch ScootRs though due to 'Issues' over the owners dificulty an admitting when he is wrong, do a search, there are loads of threads if you have a few hours to spare

As per Bilko, definately get hold of Stickies 'Complete Spanners Guide' it'll be the best money you spend on your scoot.

Well done for keeping hold of it all these years

What's the advantage of double disc then -- assume hydraulic is the way to go, but not sure yet on look of the visible master cylinder. I thought I'd seen some where this is hidden?

I've read the threads on ScootRs -- I'm confused by there "marketing" approach on here, so I guess was planning to avoid - but who knows.

[onefortheroad]

From what I have read on here and other forums I would say the Frank Sanderson one is probably the best quality one or for an original look the scootRs disc brake which as said above is available in hydraulic.

[Andy Pickering]

All depends on your budget fella...franks double disc is the dogs dangles but equally the scootrs standard or anti dive will without doubt fulfill your needs..what upgrades you looking at for the engine as a reckon a standard form special 150 could be stopped with decent pads/cable and well serviced hub..???

You certainly have done well to keep hold of a special from the 1980s as they would well have been canon foder back then as everyone and there dog drowled over GPs..

[RICSPEED]

double discs is a bit over board in reality ..............but most people fit them for no other reason than they look s**t hot

oh and fit a bar m/c ...they look cool ....

[Andy Pickering]

I'm restoring an Li150 Special - this was my scooter from way back which I'm afraid to say I abandoned at my parents in the mid-eighties. It's therefore suffered 25 years of inclement British weather.Having been away from scootering for some time

Tell you what would be cool..some pics with you and the scoot from the mid 80s and present day (all stripped) then step by step build piccys up until she is transformed...No pressure..