LCGB Forums

I'm going to record the build up of this old trooper. As much as anything, this is so that I keep up momentum. And its nice to have the thread for future reference.

The frame came from a famous supplier of NOS parts in WSM. It had clearly had a life. Supplier said it hadn't cost him much, his wife said he got it for nothing from an old guy who wanted it out of the way. But perhaps needless to say, I didn't get it for nothing. He said that the old guy raced it in the 70s and 80s and it went into his shed after a big off. Despite it being an Li150 it was fitted with TV headset so I'll continue with that look.

I got the frame fitted with some parts which I will re-use - the legshields, toolbox, back light mudguard etc. Frame was blasted and sent to Dean Stradling (good mate and highly recommended - a magician with metalwork) who straightened it - big job commensurate with the 'off' - replaced main crossmember and also added a Spanish style engine mount reinforcement. In the past couple of years I've seen three mates have their frames 'snap'. But from what I have seen the frame doesn't actually snap, it tears apart above the engine mount. The Spanish obviously recognised this is a weak link and designed the reinforcement. So now, as a matter of course, I have Dean fit them to my frames when they are on his jig. Peace of mind, innit?

The frame has been painted. Black under the bodywork as it was before. A grey/beige colour on the loop. I'm going to reuse the old panels etc, and what is missing will come out of my spares. What will it look like? Well everything is going to be different shades... but I'm hoping the melange will make the whole more than the parts... if it looks crap I'll paint it later but I want to get this on the road.

As with my TV 175 build the sub-assemblies are already done... forks built, engine built, headset built. Anyway, off we go.

Great - I'm pleased a new thread is appearing on the forum
I shall follow this with interest, along with Tuesday night and the occasional coffee updates!

I was, whilst looking up information, on the 'old' Scooterotica forum lamenting how much we miss a very active scooter forum
Recently I needed some RT information, and had to subject myself to FB by reopening my dormant FB account which I really didn't want to do

Looking forward to following this, I do like a bitsa build just in the middle of something similar myself but don't want to start a new thread until I've got the painting done and starting the build proper. Paul

Love a bitsa and I love a build story.

A bit of time today so I thought I would add the items which are awkward to fit once the tank is in - seat catch, badge holder, rear light unit, rack, CDi mount.

The badge holder threads snapped off when I tried to get it off so drilled/tapped/loctited replacement threads into place. Plus a lock nut for over engineering purposes! I do have a spare badge holder but I think its good to re-use the original items where they can be saved.



I put the flap back on over the petrol tank. I don't know why, I don't usually bother. Isn't it a left over from single seats?



CDi mount, MB as usual because it pushes the regulator into a better position, wires are less likely to rub on mudguard.



Engine in next.

Love a thread like this , good luck with the build

Spent the morning replacing a rear bearing seal in a mate's GP but still managed to do a bit.



The eagle eyed might notice a TV175 badge on the back. I don't have anything else but in searching I found two spare TV175 badges. Clearly overordered on the last project.

Engine is a Spanish Jet casing with SIL 200 iron barrel, AF cassette clutch and Li150 box, CST clutch mechanism. 30mm open mouth carb and Ron Moss X-Box exhaust. I love this engine, I've done some very memorable rides on it including winning Gold (with Andy Nsaints) in the National Road Rally a few years back and also up to Fort William last year for the 5Nations. The only downside is that a naughty scooterboy cut the bump stop off in the eighties.

Hopefully get the forks/headset/brake on it next day or two.

Forks and headset fitted. Lot of aging by the sun on the grips, speedo and switch buttons. If you don’t like patina probably best to look away now because this bike will have a fair bit!

I got a disc brake some years ago from a friend of a friend. It’s remade but I have a genuine spare disc and also activator mechanism. Hopefully this will make it a decent brake. I got it cheap because the paintwork was crazed, I hope it doesn’t look too pristine against the rest of the scooter. I’m also using BGM rims, I’ll take a view when the whole thing is together.

Original actuators are crucial in making a disc work properly. Even the "quality" aftermarket ones are no good. They are made more accurately but still suffer from the same fundamental flaw as the cheap ones. Also, aftermarket anti rattle clips and/or their grooves cause the clip to sit too tight against the pins. You can cure this just by squashing the clip in a vice. Takes a little care to keep it approximately circular, but it's not really tricky.