Disc Brake, Innocenti (again)................

 I mentioned in my last post, just recently..........

Ok it wasn't recent, it was a ridiculously long time ago......

This must officially be the slowest Lambretta rebuild ever (though I imagine there is one in a darkened place somewhere that has taken longer) .... (he says hoping it is true but not totally convinced). I wont even attempt to explain why there has been a long hiatus this time, but I will say I plan to crack on with it now, while funds permit at least.

So back to the disc brake, as I said in my last post much of the TV is Italian, the disc brake being another example of this and it is the latest thing to be reassembled, over the past week or so. New bearings, oil seals, pads, washers, nuts and nipples (sort of rolls of the tongue doesn't it) were used, along with anything else that needed replacing, I have kept the original disc as it is unmarked and they aren't cheap to replace (just for the sake of it) likewise the original operating arm was retained as it functions perfectly and like the disc, is undamaged. I wanted to see it with rubber wrapped around it (not linked to the nuts and nipples comment earlier I hasten to add) so couldn't resist popping the type and rims on. I have gone for Michelin S1's, I am sure everyone has their preferences, but for me (having used them on my Vespa for many years) I think the grip and ride quality is excellent, I also love the look (well it has to play a part surely). Obviously safety and performance are more important though and it excels on both counts in my (and many others) opinion so a pair (with matching inner tubes) were ordered. Just need to get the operating arm cover, i cap, put some air in the tyre and its done.

Once the disc was assembled and encased in rims and rubber I wanted to see how the white (which certain parts are painted) would look against the blue that forms most of the colour, so after putting the stand and splash plate on (not white) I fitted the rear mudguard, just to see how it looked against the blue, works for me.

Next up, cables and loom to be fitted to the frame, followed by various bits of bodywork. This WILL be over the coming days/week so expect another update soon, honestly, I mean it this time :-)

"Innocenti snobbery"



Not sure if such an expression exists (pretty sure it does), but I do know there are plenty of folk that can be a bit on the “selective” side when it comes to all things Lambretta, as in, if it isn’t Italian (doesn’t have the famous Innocenti logo stamped on it) then its not worth having.

Personally I have never been of this mindset, I have encountered various Lambrettas (and parts) in the past (owned, worked on, ridden, lusted after, etc) from Italy, Spain and India and for me, if its up to the job it matters not where it was made.

If its of poor quality, then, fair enough you wouldn’t put it on your pride and joy but having that “mythical” (ok I'm being a bit tongue in cheek) Innocenti logo stamped on it tends to increase its desirability to certain people, to ridiculous levels. You only need to take a look at the prices that some of the “dusty unwanted stuff” “new old stock” or “scrap junk I wouldn’t give you tuppence for” “second hand but original” parts and related items that change hands on ebay (and other places) to realise this.

Anyway, back to IT (really need to think of a name) I’m not sure if I mentioned in an earlier post but it is a very early Spanish TV 175, the guy I got it from is a big fan of Spanish Lambrettas and also quite an expert in this area.. He has numerous models himself, including a series 3 TV, which he thought was the earliest known example, but mine is a few numbers before his, thus making mine, possibly, the earliest known example. He was tempted to keep it for himself, for this very reason, but after some arm twisting (and the fact he is a top bloke) I managed to come into possession of it.

The point of that bit of nostalgia being that all early in the run Spanish models were predominantly made from Italian components due to the Innocenti factory shipping over any remaining parts along with the tooling (to make said parts) when they finished one model and started on a new one, with me? If not you can always ask for clarification, if you’re still there lol.

I really will get to the point of this post, if I can remember it............

That’s it, the forks are rebuilt and back in the frame, with accompanying new cups and bearings etc., the headset base is also attached (well it would have been rude not to given the top of the forks were sitting there waiting for something to be attached to them) and as you can see in the pic, they, like much of IT are actually Innocenti, though Spanish, keeping up? wonderful :-)

So it's (IT)....(must think of name, must think of name must think.... repeat until name thought of) looking a tad, only a tad, but a tad like something is happening to her (is IT a her, more things to consider)

PS, I meant to post this a few weeks back after I had spent time in the garage with her/him/IT...................