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Please discuss detail for any Model Li 125/150 Series 3.

NYPD Police Li 150s

The NYPD were supplied a batch of Li 150 Series 3 models by Lambretta Concessionaires in 1969 when they could not obtain enough DL150s as was originally agreed upon.

The Li 150s are unique, and although they might appear to be home modified, they would all have the following characteristics:

VIN Number 150 Li 3 * 7431xx and higher (higher than normal VIN range)
SX 150 headset
SX 150 engine in 772xxx range
Plastic DL glovebox
Black DL lights switch
Unique 2 position ignition switch
all other features as Li 150 Series 3 although many examples I have seen have DL rubber and seats, although the NYPD may have added that in day to day repairs. I even found one Li with DL legshields and front fender

Color picture of Italian Li Police scooter on the streets of NYC




these next 3 pics show (a little) of an Italian Li Police scooter I picked up years ago. You can see it has GP front fender, legshields, black plastics and a plastic glovebox.. it is kind of hidden among 4 Serveta police scooters...

They sound interesting, I don't suppose there are any photo's?

http://www.scootersoriginali.dreamhosters.com/blog/scooter-history/new-york-police-scooters-vespa-and-lambretta/

I wrote a blog post about them a few years ago, which has quite a few illustrations and pictures. Its needs a re-write which Ill do when I get a chance as we have more information now (i.e. 3 different styles of Lambretta were used - Italian Li, early Spanish Special and late Spanish Special) and more photos have emerged.

Li 125 Series 3 "Riverside" - sold by Montgomery Wards in competition with Sears' Allstate badged Vespa.



These otherwise bog standard Li 125s came in a unique Light Blue color

there were 2 batches of these

The first batch would be in the VIN region of Li 125 S3 * 066xxx up to around 068xxx and would have featured the "Riverside" badges mounted below the Lambretta badges on side panels and legshield

Later ones in the VIN region of Li 125 S3 * 070xxx up to 072xxx would have had the "Riverside" badges above the Lambretta badges on side panels and legshield

I have a scruffy LI150 s3 which I enjoy messing around with, but I plan to restore it properly in a couple of years or so.

It has an Indian engine at the moment, so I'm keeping an eye open for a suitable original 150 motor.

My question is how close the frame and engine number should match for a 1963 LI150?

Would not worry about the numbers, just ride it and smile. I have an LI 150 engine with no numbers, still gets me about and the DVLA don't give a carrot.

dickie wrote:I have a scruffy LI150 s3 which I enjoy messing around with, but I plan to restore it properly in a couple of years or so.

It has an Indian engine at the moment, so I'm keeping an eye open for a suitable original 150 motor.

My question is how close the frame and engine number should match for a 1963 LI150?

Hi Dickie, I think it was your question I answered on Facebook,

Rich'

Rich Oswald wrote:

dickie wrote:I have a scruffy LI150 s3 which I enjoy messing around with, but I plan to restore it properly in a couple of years or so.

It has an Indian engine at the moment, so I'm keeping an eye open for a suitable original 150 motor.

My question is how close the frame and engine number should match for a 1963 LI150?

Hi Dickie, I think it was your question I answered on Facebook,

Rich'

It was, thanks Rich