SCOOTER SPEC
Scooter model: Lambretta FLI 175 (Lambro).
Inspiration for project: Always wanted a Lambro and had my eye out for a decent one for quite a while. I was working on our neighbouring island of Alderney when I got the nod for one for sale in Cambridge. I couldn’t miss the opportunity so got my truck on the container ship from Alderney to Poole the very next day, flew to Southampton, train to Poole and drove my truck up to Cambridge to collect it. I then had to take it back to Alderney, unload it while I finished the building work, then load it back up again and finally got it to back on the boat to Guernsey. What a journey,, but well worth it.
Engine Spec
Kit: Rapido 225.
Crank: GP.
Carb: Dell’Orto PHB 28 BS.
Exhaust: Off a later model but adapted to take the larger exhaust manifold and larger diameter tailpipe.
Clutch: Standard with strong springs. Gearbox: Standard.
Any other details we have missed: Converted to BGM electronic ignition and also converted to electric start usingg a PX starter ring that I cut a section out, rewelded back up to make it smaller, I then heat shrank it on to the BGM flywheel. I used a PK starter motor mounted on the top of the engine with the aid of adapting the two casting lugs on the engine casing. I had to adapt the flywheel housing in one area to accommodate the now larger flywheel. Top speed & cruising speed: With a Lambro it’s all about smiles per hour, rather than miles per hour.
Hardest part of the project: Obtaining the measurements from an original Giardinetta to replicate the back, in the end I took images from the internet and stretched them to known measurements of my machine then scaled up from the images.
Thanks to: Scooter Restorations, TheLambro.com, John at JA Biggs (Guernsey), Adrian and Rob at Guernsey Sheet Metal, Garry Le Noury at Aqua Covers (Guernsey), James Rintoul at MHV Upholstery (Guernsey), Millard and Co Ltd (Guernsey). My mate Trevor Simpson. Not forgetting my lovely wife Julie, for endless cups of tea, cans of cider and being so understanding, letting me park the other scooters in the lounge while I was grinding, sanding, filling and spraying in the garage