Got myself a nice little Senorita

[Scooterslag]

Intrigued to see this build, in all my time in scootering - I've little to nothing to do with shaft driven lammies . I've ridden a couple but never worked on one or ever had any spares for them. Look forward to your updates. Paul

[Solid Air]

Thanks Storkfoot and Scooterslag, glad you like the updates. This engine is very different to what I'm used to also and so very interesting for me too. The bevel gear set-up and engineering around the crank and drive shaft is a real contrast to later engines, I'm very grateful to whoever came up with the series 3 engine concept!

[Solid Air]

Making steady progress with Minty's tidy up. Lots of T-Cut, steel wool, elbow grease and the ipod on shuffle. Very therapeutic.....

















The engine is nearly done with its new crank fitted. A slight delay in proceedings when sizing up the new kit to find the engine is actually a 125cc, not a 150, and the stud spacings (mk1?) are different to the GT150 I had bought, oops but very chuffed with the signwriting I had done on the side panels

[Scooterslag]

Looks spot on, the patina has a great pattern ( if you know what I mean) not just a rusty old dog , like the sign writing as well, be great to see it completed and running. Paul

[Covboy]

Looking great mark!

[Solid Air]

Thank you both.

Yes the patina is coming through nicely Paul and the body work is all very solid, it's just in need of a really good clean up. I'm hoping to have everything done in time for a day trip out to the LLC Chiltern Hills Challenge, fingers crossed.

[Solid Air]

I can't take credit for rebuilding and fitting the crank, refitting the bevel gears and shimming them up correctly, that's what best mate Viv, fellow Team Solid Air rider is for, but that's the hard bit done. I'll be fitting the GT top end next week and I'm just waiting on one of Richard Taylors new Boost exhausts.



The crank has a bolt on web on the nearside which was a total mare removing, and eventually the rod was cut to extract it as the bolt was stuck solid. The web is removed for fitment and then trued in situ.

[Knowledge]

I think you could make a contribution to the Oily Rag chain of Jetset article from your work here Mark

[Solid Air]

I think you could make a contribution to the Oily Rag chain of Jetset article from your work here Mark

What, a bluffers guide to Shaftys?!

[Solid Air]

I've been busy getting Minty's engine ready to run. It's been very interesting getting to know this new type of engine, with the help and guidance of my best mate Viv, admittedly he did most of it! ( I can highly recommended Raven Motorcycles near Darlington. Not that I'm biased )



The clutch is a little different to the series 3 type ( the 3 cork plates were in soak )



The piston is from a Yamaha DT100, can you feel the power?



Measure twice, cut once. A perfect fit for the Richard Taylor designed barrel



We did find that the con-rod on the Casa crank just kissed the spigot, so a touch of fettling needed to fix that



The finished article

[hullygully]

you're doin an ace job there bud

[watty-rugby]

Super job mate!

[Solid Air]

Thank you chaps, it's getting there.

[Andy B.L.C.]

Looking great, best you get your finger out Mark Jet Set deadline is looming!

[dickie]

Very nice and a refreshing change too.
Why have you chosen solid mount carb?

[Solid Air]

Thanks Dickie. The GT kit comes as a solid mount set up as standard.

[Solid Air]

Here is where I'm up to with Minty the LD

Yet more cleaning done





A handy little rack and a cheerful little box to carry a spare wheel, oil, plug spanner and the like, but not much more



The engine is back in the frame



Legshield badges rejuvenated and years of road grime removed

Before...



After...



And I got Mike Bonnet to whip up a 3D print of a carb / air filter mount that I thought up, to utilise the original filter cover







Some air filter foam will cover the opening but the air box will be empty inside and probably be rotated 180° for panel clearance, and to receive some fresh air through the side panel grill





I've decided to now use 3.00 x 10 S83 tyres on the 10" conversion rims, rather than the larger 3.50 to help with gearing. Apparently the LD is around a 4.8 FDR and with a big jump between 2nd and 3rd. The S83s shouldn't be too drastic a change for the gearing but should help with handling and grip over the originals.

Also, I have heard that there are some issues using a Varitronic ignition with its variable timing. Scooter Surgery do have a static Stratos ignition but I had already bought the Varitronic. However, Cambridge Lambretta now sell a BGM CDI which will convert the Varitronic to static timing, so I am giving that a go, fingers crossed.

Any ideas how to put a bit of tarnish on the new flywheel grill? I wondered if a soak in water and sodium bicarbonate (or similar) might do the trick, rather than scuffing it up with steel wool?



More to follow, as it happens. Thanks for reading this far

[Toddy]

Great work Mark thanks for the update

[Scooterslag]

Brilliant stuff, I like the 3D printed carb mount, very neat solution . Paul

[dickie]

Looking great.

For the flywheel grill, just splash in salty water and/or vinegar then leave outside for a few days. Alternatively, alloy wheel cleaner left on a bit too long should do the trick.