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Standard Series 3 TV 175 rebuild. Trying to keep as much of original engine as practicable. That said, I am treating it to a Vape DC static electronic ignition, bearings, seals, a new Conrod and NOS piston too.

It is still on the original 62mm bore and had the original white engine mounts too.

At some point in its Italian past it looks like legshields and front mudguard have been replaced, as has one of the side panels. Probably at this time, years ago, it received a blow over in white too.

You have some projects on the go Paul looks tidy that one

Toddy wrote:You have some projects on the go Paul looks tidy that one

Sold a Vespa and couldn’t resist this

Storkfoot wrote:

Toddy wrote:You have some projects on the go Paul looks tidy that one

Sold a Vespa and couldn’t resist this

Good swap

I know there are mixed opinions on this, but for me, this is the holy grail of lambrettas.

dickie wrote:I know there are mixed opinions on this, but for me, this is the holy grail of lambrettas.

You're not wrong there, IMO always thought the TV175 S3 is a better machine than the TV200 and the engine is probably one of the best ever made by innocenti. The just ride so well and everything is just 'right' if you know what I mean.

This is why I am keeping it standard, other than electronic ignition.

The engine build hit a snag today when the piston popped out of the cylinder. Further investigation revealed that that NOS Borgo 62.0 mm piston is actually a conversion piston.

Storkfoot wrote:.....The engine build hit a snag today when the piston popped out of the cylinder. Further investigation revealed that that NOS Borgo 62.0 mm piston is actually a conversion piston.

How worn is the original Piston? just wondering if a light clean up and useing the rings off the conversion piston would work?

Re the white engine mounts, do you mean the old style mounts with the short bolt? My old TV175 had those and I know it was a while ago (1981 ish) but I recall that it vibrated a fair bit.......whish I still had it, sold for £125

Piston looks to me like it has had a four point seize, cleaned up and then seized again. I think I’ll get a GOL or Mahle replacement.

These are the engine mounts. Seem to be stamped “CF”

Storkfoot wrote:Piston looks to me like it has had a four point seize, cleaned up and then seized again. I think I’ll get a GOL or Mahle replacement.

These are the engine mounts. Seem to be stamped “CF”

Ah right, all the TV's I had 1 x175 and a 200 had the early narrow mounts.

Storkfoot wrote:

This is why I am keeping it standard, other than electronic ignition.

The engine build hit a snag today when the piston popped out of the cylinder. Further investigation revealed that that NOS Borgo 62.0 mm piston is actually a conversion piston.

Mr Storkfoot. A man of your calibre should have spotted that.

The thud of the piston hitting the cylinder head was all I needed to know something was up

Nice score. I'm a little jealous. I'll be watching this thread with interest.

Regarding the pistons, I recently discovered that Meteor had begun manufacturing 125/150/175 and 200cc Lambretta pistons with 1mm rings under their 'vintage racing' line. Unfortunately the 62mm piston they currently make has a 39mm compression height, so it's a 'conversion' piston. Extremely disappointing to say the least. It would be great to have quality, thin ring TV pistons in production.

I've built two TV Series 3 engines (mid-'63 and an early '64) over the course of the pandemic and both came with white engine mounts.

dickie wrote:I know there are mixed opinions on this, but for me, this is the holy grail of lambrettas.

Couldn't agree more. IMHO the TV/3 (especially the early versions) are the pinnacle of Innocenti design.

Storkfoot wrote:

This is why I am keeping it standard, other than electronic ignition.

The engine build hit a snag today when the piston popped out of the cylinder. Further investigation revealed that that NOS Borgo 62.0 mm piston is actually a conversion piston.

The TV175 top end geometry is why they are inherently smooth running.

From the perspective of maintaining such a delightful trait, but with more contemporary standards, I would look into the feasibility of a thin ring piston that could be adapted to suit the 116 mm conrod, even with a base packer.

It may be that the 'conversion' piston is the only Lambretta specific item to fit readily, but I would still trawl the knowledge base (Grampian etc) for a piston that could be utilised. Chances are that a non Lambretta piston will be stronger, need only two thin rings & be able to endure some fettling to reduce weight.....

For the time being I have fitted a Mahle piston. I’ll see how that goes.

Lovely TV Paul, good luck with the build. I have a few top ends if you need anything pal.

Cgt75b wrote:Lovely TV Paul, good luck with the build. I have a few top ends if you need anything pal.

Thanks, Paddy

Well, getting on for three years later, I have decided to properly strip this down and get the bodywork sorted. I haven’t done too many miles on it although I have to say that the most enjoyable ride I have had in the last few years was doing the C2C on this beautiful standard engine.









Watch this space.

Lovely machine. A conserved resto I assume and not blasting the paint off?

I’d really like to try a standard TV175 to experience just how smooth the legendary engine is.

My mates standard TV200 is a great ride, none of these can’t pull a TV200 4th gear issues.

It’s booked in for painting at the end of April. It’ll need pretty extensive work to the offside side panel, frame loop, seat frame, front and rear mudguards, toolbox and legshields. By the time all that has been done, it’ll need gently blasting and painting.

It was painted over in Italy many years ago so the only original paint items are the hubs, rims and the main frame section.

I’ll use many of the original bits such has headlight, loom, badges etc.but, in my opinion, it will benefit from new paint.