Scooterotica

Say i were to get a Dl 150 what would be the best upgrade for the engine that won't cost me a kidney ?

I'd say they go pretty well as it is. It's a good engine that will take some stick. I'd retain the carb as is. Maybe take it out to 175 or swap the gearbox for an LI and clean the exhaust out and that's about it.

Yep just leave as is, the SX/GP150 engine is a right little gem.

Got agree, use it as it is or if you want a bit more out of it take it up to a 175 with a decent clubman

A good condition standard GP/DL150 will run rings around your average off the shelf cheap 175 kit. Whereas the balance of the standard DL motor is excellent, few of the 175 kits have suitable porting or suitable cylinder heads/compression ratios and it will be down to you to sort out the ignition timing, gearing and carburation to suit the non-standard 175 top end (none of the kits are as per original Italian 175 spec' and the standard 175 does not use the DL's 22mm carb so there is no appropriate jetting that you can upjet to). As it is, you can spend a load of money on parts that result in the same or worse performance and almost certainly return a less reliable motor.

That said, you can upgrade to a very good standard'ish iron 175 top end and balanced engine, however, these are not the kits that most people will be able to sell you (regardless of what they say!) and much of the work would still be down to you to spec' and develop settings for.

Adam

I THINK THE MUGGELO 186 is pprob the "best" kit not cheap though but as others have used and abused with small carbs and clubmans for tens of thousands of miles

^ Agreed, the Mugello is a great little kit, however, don't paint a picture of roses for everyone... I've also known people to spend a load of money on Mugellos (AND OTHER KITS!), further money on upgrading the crank/clutch/bearings/chain guides/ignition/carb/exhaust, etc. to then have real headache with various set-up problems, often suffering seizure/piston holing problems because of not getting the setup right. I can immediately think of a number of people that have had exactly such issues with Mugellos, rather than the tens of thousands of reliable miles scenario that others have enjoyed.

This is not me having a go at the Mugello kits (I run one, very reliably!), I just want others to understand that there is no such thing as a bolt-on kit (nor standard motor) that sets itself up for you. Indeed, the more money you spend, the more money you risk... although the rewards (if done correctly) can be that much greater too.

Adam

If he wants to keep it cheap I still reckon having it bored out to 175 is the best option. But, as you say Adam the carb would be the problem. Could he run it with a 200 slide and start with jetting somewhere in between? Not sure there would be much advantage to using a Clubman style exhaust.