They don't make 'em like they used to.
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They don't make 'em like they used to.
Seriously, the D/LD engine is a jeweler's delight. Beautifully designed and implemented and a real treat to work on. I hope Angelo and Igor will forgive me but, after working on their engines, the D/LD engine is a revelation. Direct actuation of the shifting and clutch mechanisms and precise fit and finish.
Now it's not all roses and sunshine. The barrel porting is basically just the bare minimum required to make the engine run. A 60's chainsaw has better porting! I'll be sending my top end to West Coast Lambretta for their "XP" porting. It's not going to be a patch on Angleo's "Lefty" or on my "Crushed" but it will do just fine up to 80ish (Arr, that'd be keelometers, matey).
The other option is to use a Malossi 136 kit for a smallframe. No kidding, it just slides right on! The tricky bit is the fact that the stroke goes from 51 mm on the smallie up to 58 mm on D. A wee bit of barrel work, a fair bit of excavation on the head to get the compression ratio down, modify a smallie expansion chamber and a custom 90° intake on the aftermarket direct intake reed block and Bob's your uncle. Really, it wouldn't be that bad.
I'll try the XP porting first.
Now it's not all roses and sunshine. The barrel porting is basically just the bare minimum required to make the engine run. A 60's chainsaw has better porting! I'll be sending my top end to West Coast Lambretta for their "XP" porting. It's not going to be a patch on Angleo's "Lefty" or on my "Crushed" but it will do just fine up to 80ish (Arr, that'd be keelometers, matey).
The other option is to use a Malossi 136 kit for a smallframe. No kidding, it just slides right on! The tricky bit is the fact that the stroke goes from 51 mm on the smallie up to 58 mm on D. A wee bit of barrel work, a fair bit of excavation on the head to get the compression ratio down, modify a smallie expansion chamber and a custom 90° intake on the aftermarket direct intake reed block and Bob's your uncle. Really, it wouldn't be that bad.
I'll try the XP porting first.
Re: They don't make 'em like they used to.
I give it less than 12 months and you will go with option #2.....I think I know you a weeee bitjbcollier wrote: The other option is to use a Malossi 136 kit for a smallframe. No kidding, it just slides right on! The tricky bit is the fact that the stroke goes from 51 mm on the smallie up to 58 mm on D. A wee bit of barrel work, a fair bit of excavation on the head to get the compression ratio down, modify a smallie expansion chamber and a custom 90° intake on the aftermarket direct intake reed block and Bob's your uncle. Really, it wouldn't be that bad.
I'll try the XP porting first.

�Long live vintage motorcycles that are too tough to die...�
- Dustin Kott-
- Dustin Kott-
Rick,
I'd love to! We would have to work on it together, mind. A weekend to get it apart, order parts and then a couple of weekends to get it back together. Wait until mine is done and running first. Better I learn on mine than yours
:-)
Angelo,
They are getting heavy LDs to nudge a 100 kph with XP porting so I think I'll be fine with it. I think I learned my lesson with Crushed. After you can comfortably reach 80 kph, drive-ability is more important than speed.
I'd love to! We would have to work on it together, mind. A weekend to get it apart, order parts and then a couple of weekends to get it back together. Wait until mine is done and running first. Better I learn on mine than yours
:-)
Angelo,
They are getting heavy LDs to nudge a 100 kph with XP porting so I think I'll be fine with it. I think I learned my lesson with Crushed. After you can comfortably reach 80 kph, drive-ability is more important than speed.
Last edited by jbcollier on Tue Dec 01, 2009 4:23 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Your wife and child's presents are safe this year. I'm waist deep in my own engine and body work right now so it will be a while before I'm ready to strip yours. There is one heck of a lot of shimming to do and I'd like to have one under my belt before starting the next.
That said, I am still raring to work on yours! Working on the last real Lambretta engines is a treat.
That said, I am still raring to work on yours! Working on the last real Lambretta engines is a treat.