My first restoration: TV175 Ser 3

[911hillclimber]

Ok, I thought the TV200 had a glass one!
I've a lot to learn.
Thanks for the heads-up on the DVD. Can't be that hard? ( )

[grandpa]

Hi Hillclimber,
Welcome to the forum.Like you I had scooter at16 in the mid sixties a NSU Prima (upmarket LD) then a Tv175 with parka , Cometa silencer and Castrol R.Now an OAP I have two Indian Gps,.You will be nervous on two wheels to start as todays traffic density and speed is nothing like that of the sixties .Although not for purists ,I would consider fitting indicators together with 12volt Dc with battery(Wassell) and keeping the points ignition.Indicators give you some confidence when negotiating multi lane roundabouts rather than flapping your arms.
You will enjoy it
Grandpa

[911hillclimber]

Never thought of indicators!
They could for the rear at least be incorporated into a rear spare wheel frame like I had on my '225', at least there is some offset of the lights to the centre-line of the scooter. Could sneek the wires through the frame mounting bolts. Nice little sub-project that!

I am aware of the clumsy approach of many car drivers to bicycles and motor bikes today and that is a worry. Wife is not impressed and my 93 year old mum gave me a talking to yesterday!
She was dead against me having one in '68.

[CHRIS in MARGATE]

A big welcome to the LCGB. Here you will find like minded enthusiasts who will provide an answer to every question.
Fibre Glass front mudguard I always believed was fitted to the TV200
Paint....some of those original colours are a bit drab ! Personalise to your preferred colour scheme; that was what we did first time around in the 60's and it was our personalising that created the aura around customized scooters and maintains our addiction to the marque that is Lambretta, a scooter, a personal statement and what can look better or lends itself more to 2 tone paintwork along the sidepanels.
Tyres. Best tyre I ever rode with until they wore out were Continental Navigators. Totally confidence inspiring.
Electronic or points. ....12v electronic every time.
Other road users. Treat them all as Rses ! Fit air horns on a compressor fed from horn switch.
Ride safe

[911hillclimber]

My '225' had DIY painted metallic blue flash, the first time I ever used a rattle can.

This is the thing about my scooter years, I realised I loved getting my hands dirty and doing these things, making mistakes, getting things right in equal measure.

I benefited from an excellent 5 year apprenticeship at just the right time in my life, so grateful for that experience.

I can tell this is going to be fun on a much smaller scale to what I'm used to, but that makes it so different.

Will soon have the TV engine block on the bench for the complete gutting out. Have a lot of freezer bags for everything...

It is quite a surprise that this site is so helpful, I warn you all this will be a very detailed thread. I very much appreciate the real-life experiences like the tyres, the only contact you have for going, stopping and cornering!

I hope to be done by late summer.

Quite fancy an LD after.

[JETEX]

Hi, and welcome to the forum. Like everyone else so far, I'm looking forward to see how you progress with your restoration. There are some special tools that you will need to work on the engine with. You can get by without some of them, but they sure make life easier. You don't need me to tell you this as you're already mechanically qualified ( like myself ). I would recommend that you get the Scooter Techniques DVD and watch this before attempting the engine. You can then refer to Sticky's book when you're in your workshop for a refresher. Post as many questions as you like on here, we'll all be glad to help. I think you may blow your budget though !

[911hillclimber]

No! £2K is the target, but I'm not necessarily a good shot...

I bought a big heavy box of tools off ebbbayy a year ago, clutch compressor etc but not the silent block extractor, but I think is has everything else I need. Must find it out and have a check.
That's 2x for the DVD, so I should take your advice.
The last 2 stroke I did was a 210cc Villiers and I was worried about getting a tight bottom end for primary compression. The gearbox was a nightmare and the bit I think could be tricky with the TV esp if it is seized/damaged into 2 gear.

Several have doubted £2000 will be enough, so would 3K do it? Any more will deplete the 'brownie-points' reserve dry....I'm sure some of you fully understand this!

[coaster]

....Several have doubted £2000 will be enough, so would 3K do it? Any more will deplete the 'brownie-points' reserve dry....I'm sure some of you fully understand this!

In theory £2k should be plenty but in practice, you will end up changing spec and buying stuff that doesn't fit very well and having to buy again etc. I find it's best not to keep too close a tally on what I spend and luckily my wife doesn't pry too much either....I find it helps if I round the prices down by at least 50% if she asks

[911hillclimber]

Thought it time to see the detail...

Dug the engine assy from the back of the garage after 15 years and started to remember the state of it!

Pictures speak a 1000 words but good bits:

Outside is good, no cracks and no stripped threads very little corrosion, might not vapour blast after all, it look beautifully original.
The gearbox is totally free! With a gentle grip of some mole grips, all 3 speeds and neutral are very smooth and crisp, a real bonus to me.
The clutch release 'cam' looks un worn and so does the button on the clutch pack cover. Be interesting to see what the plates are like, but will fit a new standard one anyway.
Kick-start gear and the pawl look unmarked.
The rear brake cone is nice and free to slide off, brake assembly is oil-free.
Chain sprockets on crank and clutch are unmarked

Not so good bits...

The chain (I think original) is a bit l-o-n-g and the top guide is very groovy. They are a dark blue in colour, is that original?
The head has seen a broken ring in its time, but can be cleaned and re-used.
The barrel is shot. Huge grooves on the one port (that broken ring?) and the piston looks ok but scuffed too much to sit in a new barrel.
Barrel has a top fit broken off. What Italian mechanic did that?
The cylinder cowl has been 'opened' using a tin opener (I may not be kidding) and is beyond repair.
The flywheel has a part of one cooling fin broken off, so maybe I will be going electronic/12V after all.

Had a chance to find two more boxes of bits, the disc brake and tanks, handle bars and a very broken speedo. That disc sure is small, no wonder it scared me so much.
I also kept back then the hand painted 'Roma' registration plate, nice memento of its past.
Found the carb also and that looks really nice!

So, as we all expect with these things, good and bad, all part of the fun. Really happy with this scooter so far, still on honeymoon I suppose.













Questions:

Can I buy a new Std/Std barrel and piston for the 175? I think the TV has an odd length rod so the P&B are special to the TV??

[dickie]

I think you'll struggle to get a barrel for that.

I've heard that there's none left, but you never know.

Why not get yours rebored? Again, i think you'll struggle to find an oversize piston but you could buy one of the mb ones and a profiled head to match. Mind you, that's about £250 plus the cost of the rebore, but it does keep it original (ish).

[CHRIS in MARGATE]

Only 3 gears ?

[911hillclimber]

No, sorry, my mistake, 4 , just been to check!

So, I think the barrel damage is far too much.
What are my options on this engine? go 200 with a new crank/barrel etc?

[CHRIS in MARGATE]

Seriously. On Ebay. Piston barrell and head aucton ends 3 hours. Sitting at £53.
Also 62.2 and 62.4 TV pistons 1st and 2nd oversizes available at sensible prices. Search Lambretta TV piston.
Rebore costs about £30
Good luck.
GP 200 won't fit without surgery or manipulation.

[911hillclimber]

Thank you.
Just seen the Beedspeed replacement @ £113 all new barrel/piston/head. Sounds like it is a bolt-on to my block; I've emailed to confirm.
I like the idea of all-new parts.

[Paul Slack]

Nice story, great pictures.
Welcome to the club.

[911hillclimber]

Thank you Paul and indeed everyone for the warm welcome to this Forum.

Spent the afternoon in the 'den' taking the engine apart, doing it the Man -Way and ignoring the manuals... This cannot be too hard?

Well..

A few years ago I bought of EEEBBay a big box of Lambretta tools from China/India just for today.
Found them under the bench and to my surprise all I needed is there.

Silent blocks came out easy with the tool and some gentle heat. Original mounts I think with 3 holes in them. Fresh ones will go back in later.
Muscles suitably flexed, the flywheel eventually came off after making a con-rod bridge to hold the crank. I guessed it was LH thread (lucky not clever) and it let go at 50 lbft. Even the woodruff key slipped out.

I need to find another flywheel but still thinking about original v 12V electronic. I can see this changing in my mind every day.

Stator plate came off, the oiling pad for the heel of the points is broken. The outer cover (grey sleeve) is broken with age embrittlement but the rest looks good. I hope to simply change the sleeve later.

Crank side cover tapped off once the gasket was parted, but then realised it would be a good idea to remove the chain shock absorber, so slipped it back on to support the crank. I then got Sticky's book out.

Removed the clutch and all looks good. The steel plates and cork plates were well and truly stuck together, but now parted. New will go back in.
Chain off and catch the needle rollers and shims and decided to call it a day.

Have I ever enjoyed this afternoon, just the retirement therapy I was hoping for.

Bonus is Beedspeed 175 P&B& head etc 'kit' is for the original TV and at £113 a bargain, all new, so should make for a nice engine when I order the kit.

Next task is getting the crank out, BUT and this is a big one, do I really need to change the crank bearings?
The crank turns so well and without a grumble, and Sticky's book makes the replacement look a bit tedious, and the bearing set is about £80.

I want to get the gearbox out next but face the same dilemma; it seems to click at each change really nicely, and I'm not sure I will gain anything from removing it (?)

Any thoughts from those of you who have been here please?

[rossclark]

Crank bearings shouldn't cost you £80

http://www.bearingboys.co.uk/6305-2RS1_ ... ng-11527-p

http://www.bearingboys.co.uk/NU205_ECP_ ... ing-2819-p

Most of the others should be standard except the rear hub

[911hillclimber]

Thanks for the heads-up.

I'm sure I've seen the 'engine bearing set with seals' for that £80, will check in the morning.
Looking at Sticky's book, getting the bearings out is not that hard for the crank, but I don't really want to disturb the gearbox.

Pause for thoughts.

Cylinder etc on order, time to get all the other parts too for the whole drive train soon.
Might do the lot for £200 / 250 esp if I can restore the cylinder head cowl and stick to original 6 V/points.

[dickie]

The problem I'd have with leaving the gearbox untouched would be the 40+ year old oil seal on the layshaft.

I think the only other thing of concern would be the gearbox shimmin.

Also, if you follow sticky's, it's not a difficult job.

There's also the condition of the selector teeth.

You may end up stripping it just to replace the seal, but at least you'll know it's sound.

[Mr G in NYC]

Welcome to the FUN house .... Great thread look forward to
your progress, I have an original spec TV175 and must say its one
of the best lambretta's ever made. Keep us picture posted on your
progress and lots of folks here will be cheering you on and offering
you no end of good advice , You will find kindred spirits here mate.
Good luck and god bless ya for rescuing one of innocentti's finest

Grahame.