LCGB Forums

I’ve been looking for bits for my TV175 S2 engine and have come across a dealer with an entire engine for sale. I am going to go have a look at it and he is due to send more pictures of it tomorrow. How do you put a value on something like this if it is original? I completely understand all the caveats and will need to make sure it is original. I will post some pictures when I’ve got them...

Thanks

https://flic.kr/s/aHsmiCXns2

https://flic.kr/p/23j9tGj

Sorry for the links but I’m not great with computer stuff. I’d love to know from these photos whether the motor seems original for a tv175 s2. If it is, from your greater knowledge, i could use parts that I am missing in my restoration and try to rebuild mine at least to as close to manufacturer’s spec as possible. The other might one be able to be either modified or added to an original frame if in the future I might be so lucky to stumble across one.

Comparing details on the cylinder with my original damaged cylinder it looks very similar. I’d appreciate any input from more knowledgeable folk.

Thanks very much

I can't tell.
When you strip it down the piston should be close to 62mm or slightly more if rebored. The crank shaft is different in a TV175 from all the other cranks. The gudgeon pin height on the piston will be in a different position to 125, 150 and 200 pistons.
Trouble with original is its all over 50 years old and almost certainly way past its sell by date.
If rebuilding you should consider fitting a GP style crank for strength and building the top end from there.
Externally everything can still look original.

Thanks Chris

In terms of serial number it shows TV175TV/2*1373** and looks very similar to my original casing in terms of stamping & logos. Do you know if this would be possible in terms of numbers. British Lambretta archives just state numbers starting at 100,001 which would imply it would be possible, but scooterlounge shows a specific range 100001-103261 and 103262-107464. Then jumps to 200,001... with this narrrower range it would not fit numbers wise. I’ll try to get more photos up tomorrow. I am keen to keep things as original as possible and want to make sure I don’t accidentally buy a lemon in an attempt to keep my scooter more original.

[url][url=https://flic.kr/p/23jRMb5][/url]IMG_8673 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/160424178@N03/, on Flickr[/url]

IMG_8672 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/160424178@N03/, on Flickr

IMG_8671 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/160424178@N03/, on Flickr

IMG_8667 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/160424178@N03/, on Flickr

FullSizeRender by https://www.flickr.com/photos/160424178@N03/, on Flickr

FF5E48F5-BD6E-4C3B-BDC5-26B82D49306B by https://www.flickr.com/photos/160424178@N03/, on Flickr

IMG_8658 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/160424178@N03/, on Flickr

All engines started with the number 1. The frames started wither either 1 or 2 from what I can remember so it might be scooterlounge are referring to frame numbers . Not sure where they got their numbers from. The TV200 numbers aren't correct on there.
Your number is above the 134,928 (base number 100000 and 34928 made) You just need some evidence about it as it is above the range expected (which doesn't mean anything). I don't have enough knowledge to say with the TV whether this is usual. It is also a black art with engine and frame numbers coming within expected ranges. I would expect the dealer to have some evidence of where engine came from. Also as Chris says check barrel diameter and stroke of crank. Value? Difficult to say. They don't always fetch high prices on ebay but I daren't say a price of what it's worth. But it's what you're paying and what is usable in the engine. A 175 barrel is harder to find than most barrels but that's about it. All parts are fairly easy to get either second hand or new. Personally ( and I'm stuck in the cheap era) I wouldn't want to be paying above £500 and I consider that expensive. Others might pay more

The TV 175 engine is what makes the TV I.M.H.O.

Running, unmolested and original - I'd be willing to pay a grand.

Why?

(a) - because I've ridden many miles on TV175's.

(b) - kids have left home

(c) - no mortgage anymore...

Thanks Nick & Digger

I spoke to the guy about the history and he's got a big vespa shop/garage. He's clearing out his store and had 10+ old engines for sale of which 2 were lambretta. He said it turns freely and should be all working, but he would suggest it will need a good going over as its been sitting for years. He's taken all these photos at my request and is happy for me to come have a look but it's a three hour drive and seems a bit risky given I was only really looking for a new top end for mine.

Shame no one has a spare NOS TV175 barrel knocking around!

He is after £575 for it...

RobTV175 wrote:Thanks Nick & Digger

I spoke to the guy about the history and he's got a big vespa shop/garage. He's clearing out his store and had 10+ old engines for sale of which 2 were lambretta. He said it turns freely and should be all working, but he would suggest it will need a good going over as its been sitting for years. He's taken all these photos at my request and is happy for me to come have a look but it's a three hour drive and seems a bit risky given I was only really looking for a new top end for mine.

Shame no one has a spare NOS TV175 barrel knocking around!

He is after £575 for it...

Personally I think that is very fair.
There's a TV175 bare casing on Ebay for £350. A good condition TV175 top end has to be worth £100-150 these days. That gives you your £500 in value, plus you're getting all the cowlings/gearbox endplate/side case etc which can all be used again saving more money on a empty set of casings.

Not unreasonable.

Bargain!