Taffspeed 240SS

[Storkfoot]

Do any of you have any pictures, experiences or thoughts to share about the 240 SS?

[Andy B.L.C.]

A mate from Frome (correct me Exit 17 types...) had a Taffspeed 240 engine, I've got the original Taffspeed Special sales blurb... An S.A.E., even as a sprog Mod, got you places in them days!

[Storkfoot]

From Racing Lambrettas:

https://i32078.wixsite.com/racing-lambrettas

[nastro azzurro]

I had an Alspeed 240 back then. Same thing.
32mm Amal mk2 with fresco expansion. Normal clutch. Gearbox would have been standard SX 200.
Lots of rivalry with the boys who had AF 250’s in those days!
240 was quicker (I would say that!)
Took me to plenty of rallies in the 80’s.
Weak crank though; used TV 175 for stroke if I remember correctly. Laminated Formica with base gaskets for bottom packer too!
Hit and miss tuning we used to call it in those days!!

[coaster]

....Weak crank though; used TV 175 for stroke if I remember correctly.

I thought the the TV had the same 58mm stroke. just had a longer rod and its own piston to compensate

[nastro azzurro]

You are of course correct.
Used a TV crank because of the longer rod.
No knowledge back then and just used TV crank. Didn’t split and build cranks to suit hence my comment about weak crank.
Was nearly 4o years ago so I’ll forgive myself the slip up!

[Warkton Tornado No.1]

....Weak crank though; used TV 175 for stroke if I remember correctly.

I thought the the TV had the same 58mm stroke. just had a longer rod and its own piston to compensate

TV175 SII is 58 mm stroke, albeit with a 116 mm rod, but earlier series 175 (SI) had 60 mm stroke, though doubtful that would have been the crank utilised.

My money would be on an eccentric pin in a GP crankshaft, but the TV175 S3 longer rod, which would be the weak link.

Anyway, there is 'something' about the 240's produced by the rival firms of the time & despite access to more advanced kits & tuning knowledge, I hope to get around to assembling a Dave Webster Kawasaki pistoned barrel some time, but I am tempted to stroke it further to 62 mm, though that would mean altering the porting. Not sure, as it's only 'an original' once

[nastro azzurro]

Would love to ride one again to compare with modern set ups.
I always rated it and thought it was as fast (if not as reliable) as anything I’ve ridden since. Probably rose coloured specs induced though!!

[Scooterslag]

Would love to ride one again to compare with modern set ups.
I always rated it and thought it was as fast (if not as reliable) as anything I’ve ridden since. Probably rose coloured specs induced though!!

Going slightly off topic but I've always been curious to see how a race bike from the 80's would fair on a track today against modern spec tuning , it would be sensible to run modern tires on the beast but to see maybe a old Webbo or similar era spec bike on a track would be interesting. Would the old school tunes still be potent or would they get left behind at the first bend? Of course a talented rider would make a big difference. Paul

[trotsky]

Ahhh...Alspeed 240 with boost bottle!

[Dazts1]

I can vouch for a early 90ts spec possibly late 80ts cast iron group4 been no slouch. I’ve seen it on at cadwell around 5 year ago. Up there over 90mph. Which for a a tune from that time is impressive from 200cc in my book anyway.
Also the bsso had the jubilee cup which saw a couple of old school race bikes out. Still very quick.
Also Ryan saxelby was out possibly 5 year ago at cadwell on his group 6. That was flying up front as well.

[nastro azzurro]

Ahhh...Alspeed 240 with boost bottle!

Yep; with boost bottle!!

[Warkton Tornado No.1]

I can vouch for a early 90ts spec possibly late 80ts cast iron group4 been no slouch. I’ve seen it on at cadwell around 5 year ago. Up there over 90mph. Which for a a tune from that time is impressive from 200cc in my book anyway.
Also the bsso had the jubilee cup which saw a couple of old school race bikes out. Still very quick.
Also Ryan saxelby was out possibly 5 year ago at cadwell on his group 6. That was flying up front as well.

The meeting @ Cadwell was where the 'Italian Invasion' were dominating but Ryan turned up with his Dad for the event.

For once, they weren't shouting @ each other, just getting on with racing one of their specials developed decades ago. Fixed timing Motoplat ignition, OEM Lambretta front dampers & during the Sunday, Ralph & I removed the anti-dive as Ryan didn't like the feel.

I'm glad I was there to see with my own eyes the events of the last race, that seem to be widely ignored, or 'unreported'

Ryan was left stranded on the line. I forget why, but something wasn't turned on. Fuel pump or ignition......

So he bumped started the bike & rode from the back through the pack & had there been one more lap, he would have won outright.

Now, if that doesn't make him the fastest lapper, I don't know what does.

IMO Ryan remains certainly one of the best UK scooter racers, if not THE best. One time I saw him fall off @ Elvington, remount & win.

As for the technology, an OEM based engine, TS derived barrel are all old school. But get the right combination then, yes, dated tuning methods can still cut it with the latest trends, which are basically kart/paraglide/snowmobile/race bike engine porting derived top ends married to beefed up cases.

[shamrockexpress]

Dyno Bollocks.....seat of your pants racing alot of talent and knowledge!!!!
Ryans idea of an advantage was getting to use fresh petrol when his dad wasnt looking , not old dead stuff out of customers bikes back in the shop not the first time i heard Ralph shouting to Ryan "other jar lad".
It would be with great embarrassment to compare a top team todays budget with RS Tunings seasons expenditure Also remember Ryan having to ride his tuned PK135 all the way to the races behind his Dads escort van so he had ridden over 100 miles before any other racers had even got on their scooters and a good soaking to go with it......those were the days

[Andy B.L.C.]

<a href='https://postimg.cc/kB2FKcDK' target='_blank'><img src='https://i.postimg.cc/qMLbfDTb/2677-001.png' border='0' alt='2677-001'/></a>

[Andy B.L.C.]

Well that worked NOT.... GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!

[Storkfoot]

Thanks very much for this, Andy.




I ended up just taking a screen print of the pdf file as anything else was beyond me

[Andy B.L.C.]

Nice1! It's almost inconceivable to think that those brochures are from 40 years ago...

With no criticism, it's kind of a shame that the small print on the spec of these 2 early 80's (friendly) rivals in the Lambretta tuning market leaflets can't be compared due to the size of the image (I may very well be missing summat mind, but zooming in just distorts the words to the extent that they become unreadable, or do I just need glasses...?)

[shane BBoys]

Andy.
I guess both I’ve zoomed in and out and with my correct long sight ( glasses ) I can’t make anything out I see primary and what looks like hydro.
Cheers Shane B seeing you

[Andy B.L.C.]

I'm not a number... (Shane started it )