Scooterotica

Hi Folks

This is my Li Series 3 which lives at my in-laws place in Portugal.

Bought it from a lady in Brussels, fitted a Mugello and rode it here until I had a crash in 2009. Managed to find a replacement frame and rebuilt it in time for Euro Lambretta in Lincoln.

Since then I've taken the Mugello engine out and fitted an engine built up from left over parts and a cheap Indian kit. It goes well and is just powerful enough for pottering to the shop for more Super Bock.

I got the chance to buy an immaculate Series two a couple of years ago so with two scoots already in the house one had to go. Taking it to the in-laws was better than selling it and it's great to have something to tinker with on holiday.

Inspiration comes from Bilkos Li which I think is class, always a bit scruffy but mechanically very sound. However I'm going to strip and repaint it eventually. The papers and frame number say it's an Li but the head set makes me wonder what kind of shady past it's had. Give the odd mix of headset and panels I thought about a Performance Tuning race replica paint job but I'm not so sure now how people would react given the negative reaction to the far east copy of that nice SIP vespa.

Ben

That looks a bit Spanish to me Seeker. If so it's straight.

I like Super Bock and the scooter is also nice.

Doom Patrol wrote:That looks a bit Spanish to me Seeker. If so it's straight.

Ditto......... petrol tank is deffo spanish You taken it home .............. almost.

Nice to meet you at Cobblesoul, Ben , Have you found the cause of your holed piston ?

carlos fandango wrote:
Ditto......... petrol tank is deffo spanish You taken it home .............. almost.

Nice to meet you at Cobblesoul, Ben , Have you found the cause of your holed piston ?

Great to meet you too.

I set up the BGM PWK carb with trial and error so it looks like it was fuel starvation at full throttle. Got a 30mm Dellorto PHBH for it now.

In the middle of stripping the engine, the crankcase and cylinder ports are full of little bits of piston.

Ben

Just checked the original frame number (125LI205NNN) and it fits the info for Spanish models on http://www.britishlambrettaarchive.co.uk

"Series 3 Li 125: built from 1965 - 1973 - frame numbers start at 200001"

The paint seems to match too :-

"Li 125

1962 – dawn grey on its own or combined with lavender or sky blue (extra colours were applied to the scooters horncast and sidepanels)

1963 – dawn grey combined with sky blue, or steel grey (extra colours were applied to the scooters horncast and sidepanels)"

When I stripped it after the crash everything was caked in fine brown dust.

Ben