Scooterotica

I'm trying to improve the handling and ease of fitting of the front end on my race Lambretta.

Has anyone done a taper bearing conversion to suit a Lambretta frame? I don't mind having to do any machining just wondered what would be the best way to go about it.

Any idea of what size bearings to use or how to clamp the top ones down other than the traditional ways?

Try doing a search on here, I'm sure someone fitted VW taper bearings to theirs. Would still need to clamp down from the top though I guess.

Yead did a search first but couldnt find anything specific. Theres a couple of threads where people have mentioned doing it but nothing specific, unless im missing something blindingly obvious

I think you may find one for the bottom, it's the top that needs to thinking about.

is it really worth the effort and cost tho ..and what benefits would there be really ?..only asking cos i have never come across this question before

I think its worth it, the top bearing race is a joke.

tapered bearings are used on cars and bikes often ,mostly in car wheel bearings to allow adjustment after slack and wear ...they do also offer a bigger area of bearing surface over std roller bearings ,but given the cheapness of lamby bearings i cannot myself see the benefit of converting to these ..but i may be proved wrong and am open to new ideas ...

just use the loose ball method instead of caged bearings

I've found that when using antidive the top bearing is just not upto the job.

Jason's right, the problem is the top not the bottom. My old chop used to eat top bearings due to the rake angle and riding 2-up. My mate Paul got both a taper roller bottom made (didn't really work and dropped the forks too far through the headstock) and a special top set using a thrust bearing with bigger balls. That worked and is still in it.