Reggie_Perrin
Reggie Perrin wroteTheHumanDynamo wrotescootay wrote2 grand your gonna struggle with a lambretta. I've been looking again and I think the bubble has burst slightly. I can't afford one right now but I look now and again. Watched three really nice ones on ebay last week, two were show winners. Starting price 3300 to 3800 quid and none got a bid. Buzz solo moto have them in needing work for 1500 quid ish most of the time. Give buzz 500 quid more and he should get it reliable, it'll just look a bit ratty. Geared scooters are dead easy to ride tho so don't worry about that. But they do the ln series now. Seen them at 2 grand ish. No idea what they're like but for a modern scooter using the lambretta name they look ok. Never found vespas aesthetically pleasing apart from the odd 60s ones.
Oh yeh I agree. I think what I would probably end up doing is getting something cheaper, maybe an old Vespa or a more modern one and getting used to riding with a view to something nicer down the line if it doesn't become just a passing fad. There also appears to be a decent Lambretta workshop near me in Cambridge, which I'm sure would be a good place to look in the future and also for maintenance etc.I looked at the new ln's and they look quite nice but I'm a bit unsure on the modern ones to be perfectly honest. The same goes with the lml and Neco Abruzzi's that Reggie posted. Although they look the part to an extent and may be easier as an introduction to scootering for me, they just don't auite sit right for some reason if that makes sense?
I know what you mean, the purist in me would struggle to buy anything outside a very narrow set of options too. The Neco Abruzzi is very pretty though and the modern Lambo less so I'd say.
The Lambo to me looks as though they have just used a couple of Lambo style points on a generic modern scooter. See how there is too much wheel on view at the back, this is a feature of modern twist and go models and not old school cooders. I wouldn't buy one for that reason alone. The Neco is a better homage even down to the front forks where, again, the new Lambo LN fails to follow tradition.
scootay
I'm definitely impressed with the looks of that neco.
joepetersgarage
Personally I would get a geared Vespa or LML first and find out if you really like it - then move on to a Lambretta (and all that comes with them) once you're certain. I know lads who've bought twist & go's after having geared scooters only to find that they're boring to drive as all you've got to do is twist the throttle. If you can drive a car you can easily ride a geared scooter. Cambridge Lambretta (CamLam) have a good reputation near you and also a decent website if you want to have a look at what's for sale.
TheHumanDynamo
Yeh a geared Vespa is certainly what I am thinking at the minute. I've had a look at the CamLam website before and it looks like a good set up, but no Vespa's for sale. Is there a particularly good place to look for used ones? A scooter boy website with classifieds? I've had a look on ebay and gumtree etc and there looks to be a few options kicking about.
Reggie_Perrin
That's what I've always had geared Vespas, they are tricky fuckers and they rust but they are classic. I am very tempted to look at a Neco more closely though. I bet it is light, nippy and plastic but I'm not sure that bothers me too much.THD, try the classifieds in Scootering:
http://www.scootertrader.com/ although may not be many bargains.
Reggie_Perrin
scootay wroteI'm definitely impressed with the looks of that neco.
Told ya it was pretty. The 50cc is cheap as fuck but like as not wouldn't even move with any of us on them.
joepetersgarage
the scootering mag is as good a place as any to start but if you have Facebook there are a few selling sites on there vespa/lambretta for sale being one of them. if you want an auto that looks good there's a twist n go called a scomadi which looks like a lambretta gp. look nice but not for me.
Reggie_Perrin
joepetersgarage wrotethe scootering mag is as good a place as any to start but if you have Facebook there are a few selling sites on there vespa/lambretta for sale being one of them. if you want an auto that looks good there's a twist n go called a scomadi which looks like a lambretta gp. look nice but not for me.
Not cheap them Scomadis. Might as well buy a proper GP which will appreciate in value.
Bielsa’s_Bucket
Travis, you might need one of these for your next bike ride !!
scootay
Used to deal a lot with Eric at esp scooters in Wigan. Just googled to see if they were still going only to see he died 4 years back. He was a top fella, really helpful and honest. There was a place in batley too but I can't remember their name now. They used to advertise in on target magazine, also did clothes too. I walked in there mid 90s to look at scooters. Fella looked at the vespas section and asked if I wanted pleasure, then the lambretta and said pain. I've said earlier on in the thread that I didn't get much or any Pain with mine. at one time there were about a dozen of us locally having lambrettas and we rarely had them break down. Used to do the Yorkshire scooter alliance runs, maybe 500 scoots. I swear you'd see more vespas at the side of the road. Lambrettas look so cool to me as do early vespas. Always found the px range and t5s ugly. I kind of liked the fact lambrettas finished in 71 and therefore remain of a period. The Indian stuff and Spanish never interested me. Innocenti only true lambi. Vespas continued and glad they did but there's nothing pleasing on the eye about a modern vespa. Harley davisons don't float my boat? How can they? I have an inner mod that wins every time. Passed two harleys today and not surprisingly ridden by two fat old scruffy blokes wearing shit clothes. and sadly everytime I pass a scooter it's driven by a fat old cunt wearing shit clothes. The mods that are as modern as a Philips n1700.
Djpekingman
scootay wroteUsed to deal a lot with Eric at esp scooters in Wigan. Just googled to see if they were still going only to see he died 4 years back. He was a top fella, really helpful and honest. There was a place in batley too but I can't remember their name now. They used to advertise in on target magazine, also did clothes too. I walked in there mid 90s to look at scooters. Fella looked at the vespas section and asked if I wanted pleasure, then the lambretta and said pain. I've said earlier on in the thread that I didn't get much or any Pain with mine. at one time there were about a dozen of us locally having lambrettas and we rarely had them break down. Used to do the Yorkshire scooter alliance runs, maybe 500 scoots. I swear you'd see more vespas at the side of the road. Lambrettas look so cool to me as do early vespas. Always found the px range and t5s ugly. I kind of liked the fact lambrettas finished in 71 and therefore remain of a period. The Indian stuff and Spanish never interested me. Innocenti only true lambi. Vespas continued and glad they did but there's nothing pleasing on the eye about a modern vespa. Harley davisons don't float my boat? How can they? I have an inner mod that wins every time. Passed two harleys today and not surprisingly ridden by two fat old scruffy blokes wearing shit clothes. and sadly everytime I pass a scooter it's driven by a fat old cunt wearing shit clothes. The mods that are as modern as a Philips n1700.
Ha!!All Noise No Action Harley Wankers Ridden by born again Merchant BankersTwats to a man.
TheHumanDynamo
So I'm hopefully off to see a '62 Vespa on Saturday. Anything specifically to look out for given I know fuck all relatively?Dropped a bit of a bollock with this particular one. It's a 150 and didn't realise CBT only allows you to ride up to 125 and would need a full licence for it. It's not been registered with the DVLA as of yet (Italian import I think) and needs a MOT doing, anyway possible loopholes around this licensing dilemma ;)?
space
TheHumanDynamo wroteSo I'm hopefully off to see a '62 Vespa on Saturday. Anything specifically to look out for given I know fuck all relatively?Dropped a bit of a bollock with this particular one. It's a 150 and didn't realise CBT only allows you to ride up to 125 and would need a full licence for it. It's not been registered with the DVLA as of yet (Italian import I think) and needs a MOT doing, anyway possible loopholes around this licensing dilemma ;)?
No. Do your test.
scootay
I registered my 150 lambi as a 125. Just told them I'd changed the engine. Very simple
TheHumanDynamo
Yeh I got the impression you did that and was thinking along the same lines. A quick google suggested they might want to inspect it though?!
joepetersgarage
I would say that most scooters on the road today have a bigger or more souped up engine in them than shows on the v5. I think you need to get a mechanic to write a report stating that the engine has been downgraded to 125 and that will satisfy the dvla although that may be easier said than done as he will in effect be lying in your case. Easiest way would be to pass your test. I'd check the floor of the Vespa chassis for rust & behind the number plate (it traps water) Enginewise, who knows what's in it until you open it up !Good luck.
space
Do the test. The aging mod look is spoilt somewhat by an L plate.
scootay
The dvla never asked for proof from me. And unless you get a scooterist copper, no old bill would have a clue what your riding. I also never passed my test and never put L plates on. I rode mine unregistered for years with false plates on. The plates we're off a vespa and I was on a lambretta. Once got stopped for a back light out. Copper told me my vespa was down as green. I said oh yeah I painted it red and white few months back. He was alright with that, just told me to notify dvla of the colour change. At one point there was about a dozen of us riding out somewhere every week. And none of us were legal. All had bigger engined scooters and no one had passed their test. Not encouraging you to break the law but I've always liked breaking it. Personally I would register it as a 125 and ride without l plates. Take your test if you want but don't panic. Long as your insured any camera or copper you go past won't stop you. I think they think we are enthusiasts who have spent a few quid on a classic scoot and everything will be above board
Reggie_Perrin
I never had L plates on, look shit. The big problems would come if you stack it into the back of a Porsche and the insurance doesn't pay out. At least with L plates you can whip a magnetic on out of the glove box and put it on the front.
space
Or just do the test. Book a few days off work and do an intensive course. Do it while the weather is nice and it's a nice holiday. Some training centres have caravans onsite. Get a full "A" licence. Cheaper insurance. Have some fun.