Reader’s Ride: Screwed Up
Going back in time to leap ahead: Andrew Lee’s favourite scooters are classic Lambrettas and Vespas, so with this in mind he decided to blend the two and add a modern twist…
Prior to developing this project Andrew was using two scooters, a Lambretta Series 2 and a Vespa GTS. “The Series 2 is a great scooter and I’ve ridden it to numerous rallies and scooter events all over the UK and Europe. The only drawback is that after a while on long journeys it gets a little bit uncomfortable.” To ease this problem, a few years back Andrew bought the Vespa GTS which eats up the mileage and delivers excellent reliability. Having developed into a seasoned rider of both the Series 2 and the GTS (but with a slight preference to Lambrettas) he decided that he would be able to get the best out of both worlds if he could develop an ‘Auto-Lammy’.
The ‘Auto-Lammy’ build commenced in 2017 when Andrew was recovering from an ankle operation after he’d been involved in a scooter accident. “I was on the mend and I decided it was time for me to start the project. I started scanning the normal sites and came across a GTS listed by an insurance company. After watching it for a couple of days I noticed that there was no activity, so I decided to take a punt on it and put in a bid of £700. To my amazement, I won the scooter for £234! Result!”
Donor
With the ‘auto’ part of the build organised, it was now time to find the ‘Lammy’ element. “The purchase of the donor Lambretta wasn’t as cheap. However, because I’d got such a good deal on the GTS I decided to go for the best I could afford and eventually picked up a cracking donor for £1200.” Everything was set, but as most of us know a Vespa GTS engine won’t just slot into a Lambretta Series 2 frame. There was some work to do; and even though Andrew’s no stranger to building scooters he was facing some new challenges. With this in mind, he sought some specialist advice and spoke to Stephen Robinson, who’d previously put a GTS engine in a Scomadi. “Having listened to my ideas for the scooter Stephen agreed that he could help me with the project; he was on board with all of my suggestions and sometimes my daft suggestions!” Andrew smiled. Throughout the build, one of Andrew’s main objectives was to try and keep as many standard Lambretta and GTS items as possible. The idea being that if spares were required they would easily be available on rallies and any issues which could potentially compromise the reliability would be kept to a minimum.
Innovation
Along with wanting to keep the engineering side of things as standard as possible, Andrew also wanted to keep the lines and looks of the Series 2 element of the scooter as close to original as possible; so where any adjustments to the frame or bodywork were needed they were managed with care and attention. During this process one of the most interesting challenges he experienced was trying to get the hydraulic brake lever holders, which had to suit the GTS reservoirs, to fit on to a standard Series 2 headset. “The main problem was trying to find a left-hand hydraulic brake lever holder which would match the appearance of the right-hand one. It was proving extremely difficult, so I thought I’d have a go at making them myself. After making a couple of designs and patterns in wood I got the look I was after, I then had them cast at a local company and machined them myself.” In the meantime, other unique one-off aspects of the build were ongoing. To accommodate the Gilera Runner front wheel the Lambretta forks were widened by three inches and turn smoothly within the parameters of the standard Series 2 mudguard. Also to house the GTS engine, the Series 2 frame loop was widened by three inches and a one-off custom frame cradle was made.
Completion Co
The last of Andrew’s ankle operations was in October 2019, a few weeks after that things on the rehabilitation front were nearing a full recovery and matters on the scooter build front were nearing completion.
“After having my ankle screwed up I was determined to get the scooter on the road in 2020. So in March during lockdown and in the time I was off work on furlough I got the chance to get it finished.
“Initial road tests have proved positive; it rides smoothly, it’s well planted due to a low centre of gravity and it also gives that grinfactor of riding a Lambretta.”
It’s Andrew’s intention to show the scooter as soon as he can; and when he does, if you see him don’t be put off by his size.
You must make sure you have a chat with him about the project because I’ve only scratched the surface of all the interesting modifications which run throughout this scooter and there’s plenty more to talk about.
I’m sure you’ll agree that, in spite of all the challenges Andrew’s faced during this project and on a personal level, he has finally “Nailed It!”
Words and photos: Stu Smith
Build photos: Andrew Lee