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[Norseman]

Hi

I've just finished my English Lit degree with the Open University (I just did it as a challenge and for interest) and now I'm free to pursue some other hobbies. So this weekend I have a big shed coming to replace an old greenhouse area so far only ever used for storing scooter parts. There I will finally be able to work on two dead as Dodo's 1959 German Scooters - a Durkopp Diana and  a Heinkel Tourist. To make it just a bit harder I don't know much about scooters - but that's the interesting bit to me. If anyone out there has ever ridden one please shout out  - same goes for anyone interested generally. I'll add some pics of my scrap and what they could look like. The scoots are actually much worse than they look.

Regards Norseman

[john s 2]

From my wayback Motorcycle days. I thiought that the Heinkle used a similar engine to the Heinkle Trojan
Bubble car. Like most things German of the 50/s well engineered machines. Unlike sadly some of our villiers
engined scooters.John. 

[Norseman]

Hi John

Yes, similar or identical - no more than 25 cc's anyway. I think the Tourist came before the Trojan though. I'll post a pic of the Diana exhaust - rare as rocking horse doo doo - manifold goes into the scooter frame and moves towards the front of the scoot and then into a weird exhaust and out the back. I need to find a Tourist exhaust - mines too far gone to restore.

Regards Norseman

[Shipmate60]

I used to ride scooters in my youth but all Lambrettas.

Bob

[mikearace]

Very nice Norseman.  I starting reliving my youth and rebuilt a 1963 Lamby Series 3 150 2 year ago. First time I have done anything like this.  It came as the basic frame and side panels and running boards and leg shields all rusted and engine and other bits in 3 boxes.  Used a step by step manual and fully restored her.  Failed the MOT first time as I stuplidly thought the original rear shocker was still good!!  Passed on the retest and have been riding her for 18 months now.  Also have a Vespa but sadly I have to sell her on the wifes instructions as I have now acquired a GP125 frame to restore and 3 scoots into 1 wife wont go so the Vespa is going to a new home saturday.









You probably know this already but in case you dont scootering magazine and the web site scooter trader often has spares for the more obscure scoots like Heinkels, Zundaps and Triumph Tina's etc so if your looking for parts thats the place to look.  There have been quite a few articles on rebuilding Heinkels and Bella's over the years.  I wil have a look at the few back copies I have and if there is any rebuild arcitlces for these I will let you know if thats any help.

[Norseman]

Hi Bob

have you seen the price the Lambrettas you rode go for these days ............ amazing, top three on ebay today are asking  £10,000 - £7,500 - £5,500. There's an SX200 1964 that has 22 bids going up to £3,500 but hasn't reached the reserve yet. Not got one languishing in a shed have you?

Hi Mike

real nice restoration - you obviously have all the skills I need to aquire - parts are my real problem though - I still have quite a few to find.

Regards Norseman.

[mikearace]

The prices go up all the time.  A basic frame with nothng else will set you back £500 minimum if its kosher.  Even for an old Indian SIL you are looking at £650 before restoration.  I half decent Li (Italian or English) thats been restored to basic road worthy condition is around £2k.  But for SX's and TV175 then your talking new car money.  I was lucky and got an Italian  for virtually nothing other than a couple of hundred and I turned down an offer of over £2k for it.  Its not for sale as it was a labour of love.  The GP though will be sold when I get it finished. 

[john s 2]

Personally i found the Lambretta better to ride than a Vespa which had a smoother engine. I was surprized
when the Indians stopped production. Best scooter i had was a Triumph Tigeress which had a 250cc four
stroke twin Engine. Not one of Triumphs best sellers. I remember seeing the Southend Pier masters one
in council colours. The front suspension was seized. Not many bumps on a pier. John.

[craftysod]

Hows this for paint job took a couple of years ago




Mark

[Shipmate60]

I worked my way up to an SX 200 Special.
Did a complete frame up restoration with the best engineering in Portsmouth Dockyard.
The crankcase was split so had it welded, finished, polished and chrome plated.
So much work went into it.
On my divorce me ex made me sell it as part of the settlement.
After 2 yrs work (even the frame was chrome plated) I got to ride it along Southsea seafront a couple of times, about 15 miles.
But it did sound soooooo sweet.

Pity I didn't still have it:  Click Here

Bob

[mikearace]

Very very nice crafty.  Well more than nice.

[Norseman]

Nice job

ever come across the schoolmaster badge on a Li 150?

Regards Norseman

[Shipmate60]

Some info here:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/LAMBRETTA-LI150-SCHOOLMASTER-1962-REGISTERED-/140537672284?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item20b8b2b25c&clk_rvr_id=235378124292

Bob

[pdryden]

At 16/17yrs old I inherited my dads LI 150, Started my apprenticship as a Mechanic, moved up to a SX200 on which I carried out a "Wild Cat" Conversion which, if I remember correctly involved changing the cylinder head, piston carb and exhaust.

Peter

[Shipmate60]

Peter,
The Wildcat Conversion was produced by Rafferty Newman of Fareham.
The Barrel was bored out to 225cc and the Inlet/Exhaust timing was altered by slightly changing the ports.
The head was the same but lightly skimmed.
It was usual to change the carb for a monobloc or even a Hillman Imp Carb.
The Ancilotti exhaust used to sound great too

Bob

[gwa84]

my first ever motorbike was a vespa 90 short frame limited edition went like stink well for 16 17 yo it did lol loved that bike   

[Arrow5]

Well I have 25 Vespas , all immaculate condition but only in 1:18th scale.  Some rarities of the marque include the record breaking streamliner and the military one developed for the French Army fitted with a recoilless rifle(Bazooka).  Made by Maisto they were originally a part-work magazine issue, 47 models,  but some are still being sold new on ebay.

[wullie/mk2]

My first Scooter was a Lambretta LD 125....bought in 1965 for the princely sum of £25, then there was the disastrous Triumph Tina 98cc with belt drive,for £20,then i got a Li 150,for £35,...then finished off in 1968 with a Lambretta TV 175 combo, that had a Bambino sidecar,..this was expensive,it cost me 6 months wages @ £6 10/- per week,..those were the days,...wish i had it now,

[mikearace]

Well sadly her indoors forced me to sell my PX166 and she went to a new home yesterday so just down to the one scoot the Lamby.  Wife immediately confiscated the readies and put it into the 'weddings' fund.  She also made me clean out the rafters in the garage yesterday seeing what can go to a car boot.  It was a "xxxxx" doing it with her watching pointing and saying 'and whats that?' when there is a GP150 frame hidden there all carefully covered in old sheets.  I've got away with it for now - just. 

[Norseman]

Oh no, 'Weddings Fund' that's 's plural and sounds like it could last a long long while - Start selling some of her gear, and saving on shoes handbags and make-up 'for the weddings fund dear' it might not be so popular then.

My greenhouse finally came down today and Ive cleared the site for my workshop shed - it's going up this week I hope then my scooters and parts go in. Big find today - I discovered a boxed up  Heinkel exhaust I had forgoten that I had - it only needs a small weld repair - whooh!!!

Norseman

[wullie/mk2]

Well sadly her indoors forced me to sell my PX166 and she went to a new home yesterday so just down to the one scoot the Lamby.  Wife immediately confiscated the readies and put it into the 'weddings' fund.  She also made me clean out the rafters in the garage yesterday seeing what can go to a car boot.  It was a "xxxxx" doing it with her watching pointing and saying 'and whats that?' when there is a GP150 frame hidden there all carefully covered in old sheets.  I've got away with it for now - just. 

After I got over my scooter days, i bought a GSX 1000 Katana,..and my ex-wife said to me one day, "I think you love that bike more than me".."i want you to sell it"...note ex,wife,

[mikearace]

Sadly wullie it is plural.  Two daughters both getting engaged within weeks of each other and both having aspirations of a wedding date within a couple of months of each other.  There are a few words that spring to mind but I am conscious of the moderators!!

[Nordsee]

Good luck !! I  think that nearly all the German Scooters and small motorbikes fitted a version of the Sachs engine, which came in various sizes and shapes.

[Norseman]

Very solid bits of kit these engines and fairly meaty scooters for the era too, the Heinkel Tourist is 174cc, and Durkopp Diana is 194cc. Both had electric start and other features ahead of their time. I don't think they are Sachs derivitives. I managed to pick up spare engines for both scooters - it's the exhausts that are really hard to find Nordsee.

Norseman

[john s 2]

The Zundapp Bella was another well built two stroke scooter with electric starter. German of course. Does
anyone remember the Triumph Tigeress? A 250cc four stroke twin Sounded great went well and could have
electric start as an option. John.