LCGB Forums

Good evening all,
Reading/seeing thoughts and ideas about the above, especially progressive springs. I think I understand the concept, variable pitch, variable speed of compression, am I right?
But, my scoot is standard and I have no intention of riding it hard, more so I just want a comfortable ride as you can expect from a sixty something year old machine.
I have stripped them down, the springs etc look good. There is/was slop/play in the link bushes which I intend to replace.
I get the impression that the internals are originally old, the spring stops are metal cups, not plastic.
Am I going the right way, replace bushes, shocks and rubber buffers and leave it at that.
As always, I’m grateful for all advice offered to me.
Many thanks,
Pete

Hi Pete, whilst some might keep the original springs in the forks, the cost of replacement is fairly cheap at around 12 quid a pair. I do think progressive springs may not be worth the extra cost for you and were first sort of designed around tuned scooters. There is some degree of discussion whether the use of progressive springs is necessary now the modern front dampers have improved (again quite an expensive upgrade to more modern ones).These thoughts are all subject to memory loss.

Hello Pete

all I can do is advise what i'd do in your position if you are overhauling an original set of forks

I'd buy all of the following from MB scooters
- Progressive springs - i think this is a positve upgrade to stop the bounce of std springs - with / without dampers
- Rubber buffers
- Fork link overhaul set - which includes the bolts & both bushes

with regard to the actual dampers - just get a standard set of replacments - no need for super-duper ones.

By now, most Lambretta enthusiasts must realise that much of the original components fitted are rarely bettered in terms of quality. Of all the fork springs I have utilised, S2 175 were the best in terms of handling but also inspired confidence. I cannot recall being able to ride any other Lambretta with ‘no hands’ as was the case.

As for the age of components, my opinion is that an awful lot of Lambrettas spend years, often decades, slumbering in sheds until their rediscovery. Personally, I would have few qualms about the use of ‘old’ but sound OEM fork springs.

Although the OP didn’t mention dampers, there has been comment. The OEM dampers really take some bettering in terms of performance, although the large Serveta OEM type were also excellent. What I can say is that the OEM type & good alternatives offer very little resistance in compression as their function is to control rebound, so preventing oscillation. Anybody that claims the Kawasaki type dampers work - or are even better than no dampers at all - is deluding themselves

On my TV175, I replaced the rubbers and bolts, straightened one slightly bent fork rod, cleaned all the internals, regreased the original springs and put it all back together with new standard dampers. It's absolutely fine.

I ran my TS1 on MB progressive springs for over a decade. In my opinion, standard springs and decent dampers such as Indian Escorts are better as they absorb undulations in the road surface better.

Agree about progressive, I wouldnt fit them again..

Warkton Tornado No.1 wrote: Of all the fork springs I have utilised, S2 175 were the best in terms of handling but also inspired confidence.:

For my own knowledge - are you suggesting that there were different springs fitted for different models ?

I'm baffled that anyone would prefer the original springs - maybe I've had a bad set - but no wish to pogo down the street after any bump in the street. but each to their own

bookertmgs1 wrote:

Warkton Tornado No.1 wrote: Of all the fork springs I have utilised, S2 175 were the best in terms of handling but also inspired confidence.:

For my own knowledge - are you suggesting that there were different springs fitted for different models ?

I'm baffled that anyone would prefer the original springs - maybe I've had a bad set - but no wish to pogo down the street after any bump in the street. but each to their own

Yes, the flagship of the range prior to S3 was fitted with progressive fork springs.

In my time I have at times been employed as a chassis design engineer on behalf of TWR/Nismo, so I thought my earlier response would explain why they were held in high regard by some of us. I also hoped my explanation of the separate functions of springs & dampers would be easy to understand, but it seems I failed….

Good morning,
Many thanks to you all for the replies/advice. I had to smile at Tornados comment about “no hands”, I’m jittery with one hand at the moment.
My intention is to keep as much originality as practicable, with safety in mind. I’m also aware that 1950/60’s technology is obviously dated and cannot expect modern handling results.
So, thanks again, I’ll be keeping most of the internals but fit new link bushes/bolts and shocks.
Cheers,
Pete

Warkton Tornado No.1 wrote:

bookertmgs1 wrote:

Warkton Tornado No.1 wrote: Of all the fork springs I have utilised, S2 175 were the best in terms of handling but also inspired confidence.:

For my own knowledge - are you suggesting that there were different springs fitted for different models ?

I'm baffled that anyone would prefer the original springs - maybe I've had a bad set - but no wish to pogo down the street after any bump in the street. but each to their own

Yes, the flagship of the range prior to S3 was fitted with progressive fork springs.

In my time I have at times been employed as a chassis design engineer on behalf of TWR/Nismo, so I thought my earlier response would explain why they were held in high regard by some of us. I also hoped my explanation of the separate functions of springs & dampers would be easy to understand, but it seems I failed….

Jesus - hope your tinnitus gets better - the constant sound of applause in your own head must get really irritating. It was a genuine question

bookertmgs1 wrote:
For my own knowledge - are you suggesting that there were different springs fitted for different models ?

I'm baffled that anyone would prefer the original springs - maybe I've had a bad set - but no wish to pogo down the street after any bump in the street. but each to their own

Jesus - hope your tinnitus gets better - the constant sound of applause in your own head must get really irritating. It was a genuine question

It could be worse, but thanks for your concern.

I heard that some have terrible halitosis every time they speak. The only relief they get is when it’s cattle market day to drown out the stench…

Now now gentlemen. Save that stuff for Facebook.

dickie wrote:Now now gentlemen. Save that stuff for Facebook.