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how heavy is a lambretta engine?

Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2011 8:58 pm
by tonydevon
anyone know the weight? been told and read a variety of figures

the average seems to come out at about 35-37kg

is that about right??

just starting to gather bits for my build and wanting to compare bit by bit and get an idea of a realistic weight for my project

my cagiva engine is 26kg with carb, powervalve and fluids etc

all the spces etc I find online are for complete lambrettas, the forums that mention weights of engines are all guesstimates

Re: how heavy is a lambretta engine?

Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2011 9:02 pm
by Andy Pickering
I guess that would depend on how many mirrors and spot lights you have... :D



Sorry in a daft mood and getting all excited to go to the seaside at weekend :mrgreen:

Re: how heavy is a lambretta engine?

Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2011 10:18 pm
by Stokie
it'll be lighter too if it's been ported !

Re: how heavy is a lambretta engine?

Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2011 11:04 pm
by tonydevon
LOL forgot to allow for the porting so maybe thats 2 or 3 grams shaved off, and I guess I am just used to being at the seaside, in fact I can hear it from here now :)

how heavy is a lambretta engine?

Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2011 6:57 am
by soulsurfer
tonydevon wrote:just starting to gather bits for my build and wanting to compare bit by bit and get an idea of a realistic weight for my project
:-? I'm confused and curious now, why?

Re: how heavy is a lambretta engine?

Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2011 10:30 am
by tonydevon
well, the thing is that I have no real experience with lambrettas, so no idea of the weight etc, hence my question.

Im building from scratch, my own frame from headstock back etc, the main parts are currently at the waterjet cutters :)

I knew it had to be bike engined from the start as they are cheaper and I have plenty of experience with them.

I know its a proven design as theres so many of them about and its the way the pro's do it, but I dont like the bike frame cradle and tiny swingarm setup, Im not saying its wrong, and Im not saying that my idea is right or better, just that I fancied doing it a different way

Im mounting the engine, wheel etc onto the "swingarm" my question relates to trying to make sure that I dont mess about too much with the sprung and unsprung mass, in comparision to a stock scooter.

having it all on one swingarm means no change in chain tension through the suspension travel, I might possibly look at belt drive if the chain drive version works, but theres lots to work out before then LOL

I have also seen a few bike engine conversions with the rear wheel moved back by a good amount to fit it all in, not saying its wrong, just that I dont like it, completely ruins the lines in my opinon, so I reckon with my setup I can get the tyre that much closer to the back of the engine and thus hopefully keep stock wheelbase and position within the bodywork

I tend to over engineer things, so I want to check things as I go along, not end up with plenty of power but weigh the same as a buffallo and go nowhere.

Im also looking for the weight of a lambretta frame :)

I already know the paintscheme, style of seat, setup and layout of where the electrics and fuel etc are going, cooling and radiator layout is currently being worked on, I like to plan ahead as much as possible, then usually bin all that once the things in the jig LOL

Re: how heavy is a lambretta engine?

Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2011 10:54 am
by Triken
if you are aiming for approx the same weight as a standard lambretta, a full scooter (series 3) weighs 105kg if thats any help. And yes your engine weight figure is correct.

Re: how heavy is a lambretta engine?

Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2011 1:04 pm
by tonydevon
many thanks, yes same weight or ideally less

sub 100kg would be great, the donor bike for the engine was 129kg

the bit Im concerned about is the frame weight, as panels are easy to sort, Im using steel for now, but theres the obvious weight savings to be had from carbon or fibreglass.

I fully expect my frame to weigh more than standard, but such is life will have to see how it goes, I like things big and strong, this usually equates to also mean heavy :(

but theres always the option of aluminium for the next frame :) LOL

Re: how heavy is a lambretta engine?

Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2011 3:20 pm
by goldeneye
5 stone. (without exhaust)

Re: how heavy is a lambretta engine?

Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2011 3:55 pm
by mark
when i sent mine in post it weighed about 38kg without rear wheel and kick start