LCGB Forums

Building a new engine, and considering what to put on it/in it. Considered a Casa SS225 top, but at £620 it is bloody expensive. So, to all of those who are more knowledgeable than me, which is nearly everybody, is it worth it?

Or, do I get a TS1 barrell, steel liner and go down that route? I want something to tour about on, not a rocketship, but with enough grunt to make longer motorway journeys less of a pain.

Advise on anything else regarding options for exhausts, carbs ect greatly appriciated.

I have always considered the SS225 kit to be in the high performance bracket, alongside the RB kits: lots of revs and big numbers bhp at the top of the rev range, but high on fuel costs and no fun to ride through a traffic-congested city.

That would lead me to think that it would not be the best touring kit. Having said that, plenty of people have many miles of touring on RB kitted machines.

Perhaps your best question would be "what is the best touring kit for around £500". I suspect that many will come back with "a standard TS1"

What about an old Indian barrel bored out and tuned to your specification? Suits you Sir.

robbbee wrote:Building a new engine, and considering what to put on it/in it. Considered a Casa SS225 top, but at £620 it is bloody expensive. So, to all of those who are more knowledgeable than me, which is nearly everybody, is it worth it?

Or, do I get a TS1 barrell, steel liner and go down that route? I want something to tour about on, not a rocketship, but with enough grunt to make longer motorway journeys less of a pain.

Advise on anything else regarding options for exhausts, carbs ect greatly appriciated.

Sounds like an Avanti is required......

I use a Franspeed Race and it certainly gives the TS's a run for their money, whereas my mate has a DJ on his and hardly has to change gear. So plenty of set-up options to suit different tastes.

4 of us running them now and can't fault the kit. 3 of us went on the Euro (1000 mile round trip) and the only problem we had was my toolbox lock coming apart....

A good tourer I use on mine is the Gt 200 kit with pipe and 30mm.
The power comes in alot earlier than the TS1 and is more useable, fuel economy is good even when at high speed.
The T s1 is a good kit and ran one for a few yrs 20yrs ago and some euros on it matching the fuel consumption of a std GP 200 at 50/55 mph but thirsty at higher speeds

Sounds like you need to go speak to a good dealer/ tuner, explain exactly what you want as the gearing/exhaust will make a massive difference to power delivery.

MickYork wrote:

robbbee wrote:Building a new engine, and considering what to put on it/in it. Considered a Casa SS225 top, but at £620 it is bloody expensive. So, to all of those who are more knowledgeable than me, which is nearly everybody, is it worth it?

Or, do I get a TS1 barrell, steel liner and go down that route? I want something to tour about on, not a rocketship, but with enough grunt to make longer motorway journeys less of a pain.

Advise on anything else regarding options for exhausts, carbs ect greatly appriciated.

Sounds like an Avanti is required......

I use a Franspeed Race and it certainly gives the TS's a run for their money, whereas my mate has a DJ on his and hardly has to change gear. So plenty of set-up options to suit different tastes.

4 of us running them now and can't fault the kit. 3 of us went on the Euro (1000 mile round trip) and the only problem we had was my toolbox lock coming apart....

Mick agreed.......I run two different bikes (a GP and LI, with differing gearboxes) both with Avanti TT3 225 cc kits and both have been an absolute joy to ride and as you state sit right behind a TS1. In fact the first built bike (5 years ago now) has not yet had the top end removed for any reason and has been a proper workhorse, whereas other scoot buddies have rebuilt comparable kits....at least from what I have seen locally. Also the Avanti is designed around 30% less heat generation within the head and barrel (the only kit i'm aware of delivering this via an air cooled cylinder) so for me that's a huge bonus ........

The Avanti kit looks very tempting. Any advise on carb and exhaust to go with it? or is it just pick something and run with it?

I currently run a 186 Imola with a BGM clubman, 28mm Dellorto. Also have an electrex ignition, which will be transported to the new engine (too bloody expensive to leave on a shelf!). I intend to put an A F Rayspeed 6 plate clutch in it, as they look like good value for money.

Cheers!

TBH with the Avanti you could just "sling it" together and it would probably work well, it's a very forgiving kit.

I've "tinkered" with mine, taking it from 19BHP to just under 23BHP (all on a 4 plate clutch, with no issues). SIL GP200 gear box, 46 crown and the front sprocket changes between 19 and 20 depending on the exhaust.

I've used: a Ron Moss clubman, good power spread and pulls the hills smoothly.
Fransped Tourer Bit more umphh but with a few more gear-changes on the hills
Franspeed Race up and down through the gearbox, but when you hit the power band it flys, excellent on motorways (bit of a pain when it's hilly)
28 and 30mm phbh carbs, didn't notice any difference between them. Now running a 35 TMX Mikuni and got a bit more power and top end speed and a slightly slimmer wallet.

Used a Varitronic, static-timing and M-Tech ignition

The most conservative set-up got me 12 mile to the Litre and the most "extravagant" is about 8-9 mile a Litre. This all varies considerably depending on hills and wind.

One of the best set-ups I've come across is my mates. he was running a Rapido and we took the top end off and swapped it for the Avanti, got the squish right and it was on the road after about 2 hours. That was about 3 years ago and he has not had to do a thing to it. 30mm PHBH carb (not sure on the settings, it's what the Rapido was set at), same with timing, not sure on the G/Box but suspect he's got a 4.8 final drive, 4 or 5 plate clutch (he's not sure) nowt flash though and the chrome DJ exhaust......not sure where he got it or what make ?

It pulls well into the 70's fully loaded and it may well be an auto as he rarely changes gear. I followed him on the German Euro and going up some long hills I was changing gear every couple of minutes........his hand never moved !! I reckon I was changing gear 10 times to his 1.....

I'm just putting another engine together, this time with a 116 rod and a custom made exhaust........my hand has hovered over the "Buy" button on a Lectron carb.......but I just can't press the button maybe in the future....

Cheers Mick, that is really helpful. Once I get the casings back from Oiltek, I'll get going.

Will start emptying the bank account shortly!

AAAAARRRGGGGHHHHHH!!! Now no one seems to have a Supertune kit for sale! Where can I get one of the TT3 kits?

Does anyone have one lurking behind the sofa or in the shed (that's not attached to their scooter!)?

Get a GT200 kit instead.

robbbee wrote:AAAAARRRGGGGHHHHHH!!! Now no one seems to have a Supertune kit for sale! Where can I get one of the TT3 kits?

Does anyone have one lurking behind the sofa or in the shed (that's not attached to their scooter!)?

Has Ron not got any?

Crazy as it sounds, I know that one of the German/Austrian dealers (LTH?) had them on his stall at Euro Lambretta last year so even that might be worth a try, especially as P&P is often cheaper from Germany than it is from UK?!

Im sure Ron has some.
My mate is getting a 60mm stroke special sorted today.

MickYork wrote:
I've used: a Ron Moss clubman, good power spread and pulls the hills smoothly.
Fransped Tourer Bit more umphh but with a few more gear-changes on the hills
Franspeed Race up and down through the gearbox, but when you hit the power band it flys, excellent on motorways (bit of a pain when ...

Is the Franspeed Race one specific for the Avanti?

I'll be building mine this year and have a Franspeed road and a race to try. I think they're the 'normal ones' - anyone had issues with the fit or advice on pipes which fit better or work better?

Gearing will be GP200 with 19x46 for 4.84 top.

rossclark wrote:Is the Franspeed Race one specific for the Avanti?

I'll be building mine this year and have a Franspeed road and a race to try. I think they're the 'normal ones' - anyone had issues with the fit or advice on pipes which fit better or work better?

Gearing will be GP200 with 19x46 for 4.84 top.

Got a Franspeed Race on mine but I think it's an Avanti Race.......maybe worth checking with Andy Francis about the differences,

I think you may find the Race a bit of a struggle (holding it back ) when running it in.........might be worth sticking a more basic exhaust on for the running in period.

Cheers,

It's a second hand barrel, with a new piston so no long run in required I suspect.

Will give Andy a ring in any case.

robbbee wrote: Now no one seems to have a Supertune kit for sale! Where can I get one of the TT3 kits?

I know a man, nudge, nudge, say no more, say no more.

corrado wrote:

robbbee wrote: Now no one seems to have a Supertune kit for sale! Where can I get one of the TT3 kits?

I know a man, nudge, nudge, say no more, say no more.

Are you into.........photography?

Are all the Avanti kits sold then ? Not surprised does what it needs to and more.......