Lambretta TV175/LI125 series 2 1960 Original Italian Scooter

Description

Lambretta Scooter TV 175/LI 125

Reluctantly. with regret (and later on remorse). I have to sell my Lambretta:  Simply put I need a) an operation on my back; and b) transatlantic air fares. Unless you want 100% originality this scooter makes perfect sense. Both frame and engine were built in 1960 and nowadays most road-going 125s are converted to 175s anyway. with many also having fork dampers added too. I understand some discerning Lambretta builders may be interested solely in its engine but I am not prepared to break this bike. It could also be used as a starting point to build two separate scooters: a 1960 TV175 S2 and a 1960 LI125 S2.

Lambretta Scooter TV 175/LI 125 Series 2

Frame No. 125 LI *764_ _ _ *   Engine No. 175 TV/2 *129_ _ _*

Genuine Italian scooter registered in the UK. I bought it unrestored and quite plainly unused and unridden for decades. In 2007 I went to buy an LI 125 S2 and the bloke showed it to me. However I noticed a couple of things out of the usual. so I surreptitiously scraped away the goo on its engine to reveal a TV175. The last Italian to own this LI 125 had given its paintwork a blow-over and had fitted a TV 175 engine; unique TV front forks (stud and dampers); and horncasting. headset and switchgear. My intention was not to do a nut and bolt restoration but make it mechanically sound. register with a new V5. and put it back on the road to be ridden.

When I had to replace a small-end bearing I found the engine had never been apart (since manufacture in 1960): neither the crankcase side nor the cylinder head had ever been off!  Arthur Francis suggested a rebore and some tuning work. but I wanted to keep the engine original as there are now so few around that haven't been tampered with. I simply fitted an AF performance 13 roller needle-cage small-end bearing. and so the engine is still on its original bore and Borgo piston. I also fitted a 6-pole magneto and matching flywheel although I still have the 4-pole original magneto. New wheel rims now have grippy Michelin S1 tyres fitted at both ends.

This scooter comes with its V5; Number Plate Authorisation Certificate; proof of identity with a Lambretta Club of Great Britain dating certificate; MOT until August 2015; plus it's exempt from road tax. I've kept all receipts and paperwork and there are a couple of boxes of spares/consumables.

Please note: Expansion Chamber and Carburettor not for sale (meant for Rapido 250/other 150 respectively).

Questions welcome and encouraged (TEL: 07582 637390); Viewing available anytime. including evenings; Test ride no problem.

This has to one of only a very few TV175 S2 engines that hasn't been messed around with; it has been run exclusively on Castrol R30/40 Racing Oil. and has been cared for by an engineer.

A non-refundable deposit of ?100 is required within 24 hours of auction end.  Collection only. Cash on collection/personal (cleared) cheque prior to collection. Sorry. no PayPal. For your interest this is only my second sale on ebay and the first was so long ago I couldn't even remember my account details.

Also published at eBay.com