My first restoration: TV175 Ser 3

[911hillclimber]

As a change to flatting and flatting and flat..I thought it time to get all the panels on the TV once and for all.

I think this was the job at the factory NOBODY ever wanted to do. Quite a lot of faffing about but it all slowly comes together, but I cant get the front guard-to-legshield body gaskets to fit tightly.

Not sure I would like to do this stage too often, but hit only a few snags and battled with the usual poor quality of parts. Fitting the leg shield running strips was by far the most tedious, but all done now and I feel it looks nice.

You all can be the best judge of that, but lots still to do.

I still can only stare at this design and marvel what a beautiful thing it actually is, it is SO Italian it hurts. (sorry )

Here are some pics as much as this forum will allow:

[911hillclimber]

Maybe some more!

[911hillclimber]

Too big to show...but it gets my daughter's approval!

[johnnyXS]

It sure looks beautiful. The red in the seat is just enough to lift the otherwise somewhat bland new white and is a perfect choice .
I love it because it is so understated , the design and components just look so right .
Someone is going to be very lucky

[911hillclimber]

Thanks, but all down to the
Factory.
It will be a wrench to sell it, hard to put a price on it.

I've kept it plain so the next owner can make it theirs by colour or detail.

[garynonnah]

I did say earlier its a fun job putting the panels and mudguard on, plus all other associated items....had plenty of issues.
But hey your there now, sit back and enjoy.....LOOKS GREAT

[911hillclimber]

Thanks!

[911hillclimber]

It has to be said, what a poor show with these repro side panels.
Just so bad.

Painted them after flatting endlessly and they still look awful and I'm not at all convinced they will actually fit on the scooter.

Thinking of nitromores down to steel again and re-start the effort.

If anyone is thinking of buying these replica panels be ready for huge work.

Very disappointed indeed, feel very 5 steps forward, 3 steps back.

x 10

[911hillclimber]

Nitromored the fresh paint off the non starter side yesterday, cleaned and ghosted a guide-coat over the panel. Dried, block sanded the surface with 320 paper.
Pic shows the low spots.
Filled now and again and now a fine coat of stopper before final sand for etch primer and re-paint.

If this works out then I'll do the other side.

The fit on the scooter is not encouraging.
I have complained to the supplier who has explained things from his side and has offered a full refund inc postage, but I want decent panels not cash.

I will persevere as I have no alternative but if I fail I will drive them to his place and see if his other stock is any better, but I'm not optimistic.

They have sold about 200 sets and one customer is delighted with the panels which he has had chromed!
I must have a duff set?

On a better note, the TV3 look fab all in the one colour, so I hope this works out quickly.

[911hillclimber]

Actually have one side panel in paint that looks good!

The problematic side (dents) is in etch primer only, so a long way to go yet.

Tested all the electrics and thought the rear light somewhat weak to say the least and would fail the MoT, but that was on tick-over...

Revved the engine and nearly blinded myself!

Made me laugh, old school technology indeed.

Just the horn is eluding me..

[911hillclimber]

It's official, I've finished painting the TV!

I've sanded and filled and sanded and fil..to the point where I can perform the perfect crime.
I have no finger prints left.

Today was the fitting of the new side handles, and I think by now you know what I am about to say...the quality is very poor. Well, one of them is, the other is ok, same part number, same supplier and they are different. Assembled one way, the panel when 'locked' has the handle at 30 deg to the horizontal. Turn the plastic cam round and it is level but the roll pin will not line-up as the hole in the steel shaft is off-centre. The other one is perfect!

The panels themselves are sort of ok on the central spine panel with the new edge rubbers on but could be better. The one side panel (kick start side) has always been 'ok', but the other has always fought back.

Anyway, before fighting the scroll pins in tomorrow they do snap onto the scooter but not readily. I hope over time and the polish I've put on the rubbers the effort to fit them will get less.

horn in place, awaiting the battery. One week on and no-show so far, maybe tomorrow it will be delivered.

I am presuming the horn will work with the charged battery and if so time for the MoT I hope at Reeds if they will collect/deliver. I think I'll go and see them rather than phone.

[911hillclimber]

Dumped the idea of using the scroll-pins supplied, no chance they would ever fit the shafts and the plastic catches, so used M5 stainless set screws instead with nuts and Loctite to secure.

Panel fit better now I've given the panel lips and body trim rubbers a good waxing.
Battery supply delayed another 4 days...I don't do patient.

TV looks great in plain off-white imho.

[HxPaul]

The original type panel handles with rollers are a better fit but more expensive.

[Egee]

Hi, I too am a new member to this forum and now retired, about to embark on restoring my SX200. Following your thread, I notice you have been disappointed many times by the poor quality of spares. As my budget is not elastic, I would appreciate if you could pm me which sites to avoid and which sites to support. Many thanks.

[911hillclimber]

My TV had the plastic cams on the panels, all original, so I fitted new of the same style.
Others have said the friction-'free' rollers are better...

As to which suppliers are better than others?

I think it is a bit of a lottery.

The best advice by FAR are those given by the people on here who have been through this process several times.
Some suppliers get their parts from the same sources so the quality issue is across the supply base.

One thing is sure, because it is expensive does not mean it is better.

I tended to buy from the suppliers with the best range of product and the easiest sites to use, or those recommended to have the best part for a job.

Scooter Restorations and Allstyles fit this bill, Leeds Lambretta are good via ebay.

It is against the Forum's rules to discuss any probs with any supplier which is correct.
Where I have been frustrated enough to contact any supplier I have found all of them to be right on the ball with trying to sort it out or money back. Not one has told me to 'go-away'...

I will finish and say use as many original parts off your scooter as is reasonable/safe. The original parts are generally miles and miles better if serviceable. ie use a rebuilt carb, not a new one, or replace the duff one with a good original and new jets. It has been the small things that grind, and there are a lot of small things on a Lambretta!

[Egee]

My TV had the plastic cams on the panels, all original, so I fitted new of the same style.
Others have said the friction-'free' rollers are better...

As to which suppliers are better than others?

I think it is a bit of a lottery.

The best advice by FAR are those given by the people on here who have been through this process several times.
Some suppliers get their parts from the same sources so the quality issue is across the supply base.

One thing is sure, because it is expensive does not mean it is better.

I tended to buy from the suppliers with the best range of product and the easiest sites to use, or those recommended to have the best part for a job.

Scooter Restorations and Allstyles fit this bill, Leeds Lambretta are good via ebay.

It is against the Forum's rules to discuss any probs with any supplier which is correct.
Where I have been frustrated enough to contact any supplier I have found all of them to be right on the ball with trying to sort it out or money back. Not one has told me to 'go-away'...

I will finish and say use as many original parts off your scooter as is reasonable/safe. The original parts are generally miles and miles better if serviceable. ie use a rebuilt carb, not a new one, or replace the duff one with a good original and new jets. It has been the small things that grind, and there are a lot of small things on a Lambretta!

Thanks for taking the time to explain. I guess there is some reassurance if the suppliers are willing to exchange/refund. I'm not trying to build a concours scooter, just one that is safe to ride and good looking to boot. Can I ask what kind of finish did you get with the powder coat, looks good on the photos, but not always easy to assess. I too used to spray myself (DIY) and wonder how the powder coat compared with cellulose. Cheers.

[911hillclimber]

That was the dilema I faced.
I wanted this scooter to be a nice re build to ride and to use and enjoy when I started out.
The powder coating I would say is a touch orange peel. It is not a gloss super smooth surface feel, but even all over where applied.
I have only DIY painted 4 cars in cellulose, so stayed with that experience.
The finish I have achieved by experience or luck is a bit orange peel too so the sheet metal finish is much the same as the powder coat!

I doubt the original finish was a show stopping job, more production spray done in a mass producing factory in 60's Italy after the war...if you know what I mean.

The pale colour also helps with this blending of finish of all parts. If this was a dark colour scheme the challenge would be far harder.
The cellulose system gives a very non synthetic look IMHO, so I'm happy.

Hope the new owner will see it the same!

[Egee]

That was the dilema I faced.
I wanted this scooter to be a nice re build to ride and to use and enjoy when I started out.
The powder coating I would say is a touch orange peel. It is not a gloss super smooth surface feel, but even all over where applied.
I have only DIY painted 4 cars in cellulose, so stayed with that experience.
The finish I have achieved by experience or luck is a bit orange peel too so the sheet metal finish is much the same as the powder coat!

I doubt the original finish was a show stopping job, more production spray done in a mass producing factory in 60's Italy after the war...if you know what I mean.

The pale colour also helps with this blending of finish of all parts. If this was a dark colour scheme the challenge would be far harder.
The cellulose system gives a very non synthetic look IMHO, so I'm happy.

Hope the new owner will see it the same!

Was it cellulose and not acrylic? Like you, the last spraying I did was 40 years ago, using an electric compressor (low pressure). I do remember using Belco brush applied cellulose and managing a really good finish - guess no one makes that nowadays. How do you stop water vapour being produced in your compressor? I have one from Machine Mart, similar to yours.

[rossclark]

I recently had a set of legshields done in 1k Lechler. The painter said that Lechler paints were very prone to the orange peel effect even with very careful painting and prep. The finish, from my point of view looks quite good given the state of the blasted legshields I gave him and I was more than happy with it as I'm not going for a concourse finish.

[911hillclimber]

My M/Mart compressor painted my 911 in cellulose in 1989 in an unheated single car garage. It turned out well and is still on the car.

The TV was painted the same, motorfactor's paint, etch and filler primer etc and the same compressor with no water trap. I just vent the tank every day, about 1/2 thimble full of water comes out.
I only use top coat quality thinners, the old Anti-Bloom stuff if you are old enough..

I've recently seen 2 pack mirror gloss Lambretta's and to me they look wrong, just my take, no offenses meant to anyone.

I like the cellulose system. Paints relatively well, easy to build it up and if you need to cut it back when hard to a good finish.

On my TV I wanted the exterior paint to look all the same surface finish, ie powder looking the same as the painted panels. I hope I have achieved this.

In my hot-rod building and 911 past I have used colour matched Tekaloid coach enamel where brush painted surfaces were ok. This is still available, can be brush painted and flows flat (ish), amazing stuff.
Extremely robust and not expensive, but you need to be good and have a good brush/technique to use it on any panel!