Lambretta Li150 Series 1 That was then...

It’s now regarded as a design classic but as Motor Cycling with Scooter Weekly reported in the March 5, 1959 issue, Lambretta’s new Li model was revolutionary.

When it was announced that a new Lambretta was to appear, scooterists everywhere expected something good. Our recent test experiences with an Li150 more than confirm these expectations and it is very obvious that the designers have sifted every possible bit of information they must have gained with the LD models and incorporated all the new items into the newcomer. There is no startling unorthodoxy in the design, in fact were the average scooter rider given pencil and paper and asked to draw the ideal scooter, the result would undoubtedly look very much like the Li. Forgive us for quoting the old adage but this is an example of ‘what looks right is right’.

First impressions

There is a sensible minimum of bright parts to please those who do not like polishing, and the paintwork seems durable and adequately thick. The LD-type owner will be able to recognise the surroundings as seen from the saddle as distinctly Lambretta. The four-speed gear control will be something new to him and the high angle of the clutch lever when in the first gear position will cause an eyebrow to raise. But except for pulling away the clutch lever need not be used; more on this later.

The seats are comfortable and well placed but the fuel filler cap snuggles between them in a rather awkward position; this is one thing the designers have continued from the early models which might well have been altered. The rear brake pedal is toe operated on the right-car- style and many owners will appreciate this point. The choke and petrol tap levers are very sensibly placed beneath the nose of the saddle.

The stand – and starting

The kick-starter on the Li is mounted very far back and is highly geared. Experience showed that the trick was to move it halfway down, by freeing the clutch and then to give a swift jab instead of the more normal swing. Starting was instant and, a good point, the choke opens the throttle slightly. There was more to it than this because it was easier to start the machine while it was on the stand; since the stand’s feet do not lift the wheels from the ground, our testers soon developed a little party trick of riding off from the stand down position letting the stand flick up on its own. Not recommended for beginners, but good fun! The stand itself was simple and light to operate and quite rigid when in use.

The engine

Seldom have we tested a two-stroke engine which has continued to operate as a twostroke at such low revolutions; the Li motor would pull willingly in top gear right down to the 10mph mark and no matter how long it was asked to tick over at traffic halts it remained reliable, never ‘fluffed out’, always opened up cleanly and remained quiet. Additionally the tick-over was pleasantly slow for a two-stroke. The carburetor air intake ‘boomed’ slightly but the exhaust note was very subdued. Vibration was slight and chiefly noticeable through the passenger’s part of the footboards.

The gearbox

With four ratios, the Li box is a big improvement over three speed type. The somewhat excessive wrist movement required to select first has already been mentioned but a point worth noting is that there is no need to use the clutch after moving off. The gears were easy to find – no dithering about with unwanted neutrals or landing in the wrong ratio – and although they invariably went home with the faintest of clonks they never grated. Clean and light in action – that was the clutch – and only on the first start of the day when it was selected did it drag. Pulling away heavily laden on a steep hill was simple.

Performance and brakes

The manufacturer’s claim 47mph as the Li 150’s top speed and accurate tests showed this claim was exactly right, with the rider normally seated. Crouching down the speed of 51½mph shown on the performance graph was obtained. The speedometer read 6% fast and the distance recorder 2%. The manner in which the 45mph maximum cruising speed was reached was impressive. The gears could be quickly slipped into top and practically left there, although ‘winding it up’ could be indulged by the rider who wished to hurry. With the four-speed gearbox one was never in the uncomfortable position of ‘not having the right gear’.

Fuel for country lane wandering was used at the rate of 96mpg and with slower riding the 100mpg mark would be expected. The brakes on this model were quite good, but previous Lis which we have ridden had better front “anchors.”

The result was that the machine was able to stop in a shorter distance using the rear brake only than with front only. Both units were light and the rider could feel what was happening at road level, with no danger of suddenly skidding.

Comfort and steering

Cantilever-sprung individual saddles give the Li rider a comfortable seat and the wheel suspension does its part in equally

satisfactory manner. Under certain road conditions, it was possible for the seat and wheel springs to get out of phase, causing some bobbing of the rider, but otherwise all was well. We felt that the front suspension would have been slightly better with stronger springs or, on the other hand, fitted with a hydraulic damper, as fitted to the TV175 model, because enthusiastic cornering produced a certain amount of dodging about if the bumps were encountered in the wrong place. Nevertheless, the machine felt perfectly safe and well able to hold a straight line at speed on a bumpy roadway. There was no suggestion of anything other than sure footedness on wet roads.

Steering was very light and figure-eight turns on a widish road – feet up – were found to be extremely easy. The riding position was quite orthodox, although one of our staff would have liked more room to get his feet farther forward. However, even though this might have been an initial complaint, experience with the machine soon made one forget all about it. In standard trim the Li has no provision for luggage carrying but there are of course fixing points for a rear carrier.

No briefcase strap is fitted, but it was easy to sling the strap of a haversack over the frontal apron.

The electrics

The headlamp beam was good at 45mph but on this machine the intensity started to fall off around 30mph. The dipped beam had a clean cut-off. The wiring system used incorporates battery charging. The horn gave an angry buzz which was audible inside a saloon car with the scooter about six yards behind it; it was very effective when directed towards pedestrians, but a much more strident note would be preferred. Mounted on the right handlebar, the dipswitch and horn button were convenient and easy to operate.

In the centre of the bars, just below the speedometer, lurks an engine “kill” button.

Maintenance

Having tugged at the two rear panel-fixing toggle handles, the Li owner finds that everything is exposed within easy reach. The compactness of the design gives the novice an initial impression of complexity, but this is not borne out by experience.

The battery is rather fiddly to remove for topping up, but otherwise all is straightforward. The wheels are quickly detachable, the rear one being fixed at one side only, and all greasing and adjustment points are within easy reach. Easy to take off, the cowlings were not so easy to refit when the machine was new, but after several tries, it was found that the clamps were slackening somewhat, the rubber beading settling into place and the need for brute strength diminishing. A not-sostrong rider could, in an emergency, turn the handles with foot pressure.

That many, many, thousands of Lis will be sold is a certainty and it is just as certain that their riders will be highly delighted with their purchases. That we have found little things to criticise merely highlights the fact that the rest of the machine is exceptionally good and a glowing example of all that a modern scooter should be.

...our testers soon developed a little party trick of riding off from the stand down position letting the stand flick up on its own. Not recommended for beginners, but good fun!