fitting a battery

[kennystag]

Hi all,
I am waiting on my gp coming from India. I would like to know if I fit a battery, can I charge it from a source from the electrics, and disconnect when charged. I think it is 12 volt but not electronic, I do not want to go down the route of fitting a regulator, can any body help.
Cheers
Stag

[MK Monty]

Fitting a battery has been covered quite a bit recently. maybe worth waiting to see what you have/get before deciding. Unless your scoot came with a battery its an extra that will need some form of regulator to charge it while you drive. Unless you want to plug it in to a charger while in the shed.
You need to decide what you want to run off your battery. Not a lot if its disconnected. A standard set up wont charge so the simplest route is to replace the standard 3 pin regulator for a 4 pin one that will trickle charge your battery. Or you go down the full DC route by swapping the regulator for a Wassel type (the same price as a 4 pin) and adding 1 extra wire to your stator. A must have for any of my bikes

[grandpa]

Hi kennystag
Agree with MK Monty the wassell is well worthwhile.My Vijaii MkII only required the small mod to stator,my MKI required 12volt stator coils to be fitted to stator.If your scooter is registered after August 1986 you have to have indicators for MOT,so another reason to consider going d.c
Both my scoots have good lights, horn indicators and alarm
Grandpa

[kennystag]

Thanks 2 you both with you reply’s. Can please point me in the direction to what I will need for the indicators, and regulator. How can I prove the my GP was registered before august, I have a dating letter from LCGB saying it was registered in 1986, but not the month. Your help will be appreciated.
Cheers
Stag
Isle of Skye

[grandpa]

Hi Kennystag.
As your scoot is a 1986 (like my MKII) when you fill in the DVLA form you put 1 Jan 1986.This means you dont need to fit indicators as its before 1 August 1986.I prefer to have indicators although purists consider it naff.There is plenty of info on Scooterotica for the wassell d.c mods
http://scooterotica.org/forum/viewtopic ... conversion
There are many ideas for indicators on this website. I used standard 23watt bulbs and conventional bimetal strip relay WRE06 (about £6).if you use led bulbs in your indicators you will need an led type indicator relay.
viewtopic.php?f=10&t=920&p=6158&hilit=indicators#p6158
Good luck ,
Grandpa

[kennystag]

Grandpa,
Many thanks for taking the time to send me the info. Do I have to MOT my bike before I register it, as I would like to just register it for now.
Cheers
Stag

[grandpa]

Hi kennystag,
You need to get NOVA ref first,Then get dating certificate.To register you will need NoVA,dating certificate,MOT and insurance.The insurance company will give you a months ins on your chassis no.I registered my last GP during the change to NOVA.I found HMRC and DVLA helpful and prompt replying to emails
Good Luck
Grandpa

[kennystag]

Many thanks again. Can you please recommend an insurance company.
Cheers
Stag

[grandpa]

Hi Kennystag,
Initially I used Footman James .The last 2 years I have used Peter James both include breakdown .You can get a quick rough quote from Peter James from their website.
However,I should point out I do very few miles and have never had to call on their services
Grandpa

[kennystag]

Grandpa,
I am getting my GP on Friday. Can you please tell me how I find out if it is 6 or 12 volts.
Cheers
Stag

[grandpa]

Hi Stag,
If Motor runs use a meter to check output at headset otherwise check front and rear bulbs usually have 12 or 6 volt on bulb.As yours is 1986 it is probably 12 volt.The MkI may be 6 volt or 12volt headlamp and the rest 6 volt.My MkII had a regulator and the MKI did not.Also the MkII had holes on headset upper to mount mirrors(which I prefer and so I fitted them on my MKI) but also considered naff.The MkII had turning front mudguard also naff which I replaced with fixed.The MKI had fixed front mudguard.
Grandpa
Ps There was an article on Indian Lambrettas in scootering's February 2014 edition.I am particulary familiar with the machine shown on page 109 The Indian lambretta guide (4th edition) is still available as an e-book (£4.99) it gives history and models etc but not for restoring ......for that get sticky's book The complete spanners manual Lambretta ( I am sure you have this)

[kennystag]

Many thanks again Grandpa. If there is a regulator on my gp and I put a battery in does that mean it will regulate the charge to the battery.
Cheers
Stag

[grandpa]

Hi stag,
If it has a regulator and battery then it will obviously charge battery but it will probably be A.C and may or not have regulator
A regulator will as it says regulate voltage to say 12 volts,the Wassell regulates and rectifies 12volt from AC to d.c..I have no experience of original Indian d.c with battery, perhaps an adult can provide some useful info?
Would be interested to see how it looks on arrival and how you progress Hillclimber has had over 7000 views on his restoration
Grandpa

[Rich Oswald]

Hi kennystag,
You need to get NOVA ref first,Then get dating certificate.To register you will need NoVA,dating certificate,MOT and insurance.The insurance company will give you a months ins on your chassis no.I registered my last GP during the change to NOVA.I found HMRC and DVLA helpful and prompt replying to emails
Good Luck
Grandpa

Actually insurance is not mandatory unless you wish to ride the scooter to the MOT testing station. Once you get your age related plate you can "Sorn" it and insurance is then not necessary though advisable,

Rich'

[grandpa]

Hi Stag & Rich,
Seem to have got that wrong on the Insurance only need it for Northern Island ...sorry.On the old system I am sure it was required.You can download or order a pack from DVLA for importing vehicles.
Grandpa

[kennystag]

Thanks Grandpa and Rich,
Got my GP today also dating letter and NOVA ref number. What I would like to know is I am taking my gp to the testing station on my bike trailer I do not want to tax or insure it at the moment, can I just get it registered filling in the DVLA registration form and sending the NOVA and lcgb letter.
Cheers
Stag

[Rich Oswald]

Thanks Grandpa and Rich,
Got my GP today also dating letter and NOVA ref number. What I would like to know is I am taking my gp to the testing station on my bike trailer I do not want to tax or insure it at the moment, can I just get it registered filling in the DVLA registration form and sending the NOVA and lcgb letter.
Cheers
Stag

Yes mate, on the trailer is fine, insurance not required however if anything happened whilst doing so you would have to stand the loss. As soon as your reg' comes back then just sorn it.

Rich'

[kennystag]

Many thanks Rich. I got my GP running, but running like a bag of bones with is a lot of vibratio.
Cheers
Kennyn