Euro Lambretta 2013 – Avignon

EuroLambretta 2013 AvignonI should have posted more about this ages ago… but as I’m not going, (I’ve never done a “Euro”. One day, one day.), I’m  just too envious of all you Lambrettisti who are making their final preparations, or are even on their way.

If anyone wants me to post any pictures, tales of the journey or the event itself, I’ll be more than happy to.

Euro Lambretta Avignon CampsiteLooks like the weather is going to be good too. This picture was taken from the official campsite, yesterday.

Keep an eye on the Facebook page; here.

Good luck guys (and girls), have fun, ride safe.

Easy rider…

Lambretta easy riderIf this geezer was any more laid back, he’d be in a coma…

Drummer Lee Rigby – Ride of Respect

Drummer Lee RigbyLee Rigby Army Flag Lee Rigby Tribute FlowersWell done all scooterists, bikers and others who turned out to honour the memory of Drummer Lee Rigby, horrifically and brutally murdered on the streets of our capital city. An emotional day for many, marked with due respect.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Dskw2PK1LkHelp for Heroes – Support for our Wounded Want to do something positive? Visit Help for Heroes.

Help for Heroes Statement:

United in support.
There has been an extraordinary public reaction to the brutal murder of Drummer Lee Rigby last week. Hundreds of thousands of people, revolted by this dreadful crime carried out in full view of other innocents, have united to show that they will not be intimidated.

For many, that desire to show support has been focused on doing good to counter the bad. H4H was created in 2007 out of a simple desire to ‘just do something’. We were distressed at seeing so many young men and women with dreadful injuries and wanted to help. Over the last five and a half years that simple desire to ‘do our bit’ has enabled thousands to benefit and has proven that we are not helpless; we can and have done something very good indeed.

Brazilian Series 2 Restoration

Nice little video of a restoration of a Brazilian 1966 Series 2 Lambretta. She looked pretty good in it’s original black livery, but two years of hard work and “stress, irritation and headache” (we’ve all been there!) transformed her into a thing of beauty. It’s and interesting game to spot the differences between the Brazilian S2’s and the Italian ones we are more used to seeing… the first, and most obvious one is the date of manufacture… 1966… five years after production finished on Innocenti machines. Other easy to spot ones are the carb/air filter set up, the exhaust (I quite like the look of that short silencer box!) and the three speed gear change… Cosmetically, the badges are very different, including an attractive rear frame embellisher/ badge. So far, so obvious… how many more differences can you spot?

A neat touch in adding rear indicators to the resto is integrating them with the spare wheel carrier, a nice solution.

Update: I have received an email from Jean, the restorer of this fine Series 2, clearing up a few things. Firstly, was the matter of colour… I stated that the original paint was black, and that was just a case of me being sloppy with my english. What I should have written, of course, is existing paint. Brazilian S2’s were only made in an “off white” shade – I’m guessing this would be something similar to the original Italian Ivory (Avoria) colour, but it may be different). The scooter has got four gears, it’s just the numeral 4 has worn off on the handlebar. The exhaust system is off of a later Lambretta, (one native to Brasil that deserves a post all of it’s own – The Cynthia), and has the fish tail on the silencer is a one off, custom item hand made by an iron worker.

Jealous much?

NYC Series 2Love this shot… nicely accessorised S2 getting a jealous look from a modern auto rider.

As an aside, apologies for A) the lack of updates last week… I was away for a bit… and B) the multiple IOW Lambretta days post…
Stay tuned for more updates next week.

Lambrettista – Read in over 40 countries on 6 continents!

Lambrettista-CoverageMapWow. Since moving my blog over from Posterous to WordPress I’ve been able to see a lot more data about who’s visiting, and where from. And it just goes to show that interest in Lambrettas is truly global. I kind of expected some readers from the UK and Italy, as well as Spain and the US… but it would be easier to say where the blog isn’t read! (Come on Africa, China and the Middle East – you’re letting the side down!) I got my first reader in Egypt yesterday, so I’ve got a little bit of a nibble into Africa…

So a big thank you to all my vistors. It makes this little personal project well worth while.

If you check out my links page you’ll see there are Lambretta Clubs in over 30 countries. If I’ve missed where you live, apologies, let me know and I’ll post a link.

EDIT: We’re past 50 Countries now… and going strong! FURTHER EDIT: Make that 60 Countries. From the Aland Islands to Uruguay!

Just some J’s…

Screen shot 2013-05-22 at 11.20.49I’ve written about the J Range before, here, and here. This months Scootering magazine has a good article on buying a J too. I came across this article that gives an overview of these “Lambretta Smallframes”. Some nice images too, especially as it’s on a Vespa blog!Lambretta J Range Scooters j5a Lambretta_50a Lambretta StarstreamLambretta J Range scooter

Siambretta Model D Twin. That’s right. Twin cylinders!

Saimbrettas, as you probably know, are the Lambretta variants build under licence from Innocenti by SIAM Lambretta, in Argentina.

SIAM’s relationship with Innocenti dates back to 1954, and the Model C… affectionately known as the Pochoneta in Argentina. Apparently, even General Peron was a fan. A Model D equivalent soon followed, known as the “Siambretta 125 Standard” which was the equivalent of the Lambretta Model D… (with the 125 Deluxe being the equivalent of the LD). If you’re Argentinian, or a Siambretta aficionado, and I’ve got any of these facts wrong, please put me right in the comments.

So, history lesson over. What I never expected to see was a Model D Twin… I’m assuming, as my Argentinean Spanish is rather rusty, that it’s two 125cc cylinders, giving a total of 250c. In a D frame. That must go like a rocket! This is the maddest thing I’ve seen for ages.

I’d love to know more, and I’m trying to dig out more details, so hopefully this post will be updated as I find out more. But what a scooter!

Found via the Lambretta Club USA’s Facebook Page.

For a more modern take on Lambretta twins, see my previous post on the 344cc Twin from PM Tuning here.

Lambretta LI125 Video


My philosophy is that you just can’t see enough videos of Lambrettas. So here’s another one, of a LI, in nice two tone paintwork, riding through the beautiful English countryside. What’s not to like?

Old School Cool

Image

Old School Cool

A couple of dudes on LC’s