4 posts tagged “lambretta”

Today was an all vintage Lambretta rally in San Francisco. That's the great thing about this place - you get your first Lambretta, and a couple weeks later someone's throwing a Lambretta rally. Yay! This is pretty much the only place in the U.S. you could expect a Lambretta rally to happen. This was the third year for it and a shit ton of bikes showed up! I didn't count, but my guess is between 60 and 70.

As expected, we were delayed within seconds of leaving the starting point, when the leader's bike broke down. We lost a few more good men over the course of the day, but overall it was a really fun ride that took us around the city and the Marin Headlands. My bike did really well until about the last half mile of the ride when it started flooding and bogging. It wouldn't idle and I had to keep it revving to keep from stalling. I made it to the end, though, and then I limped it home. I think a quick carburetor rebuild will remedy that bike. Probably just a sticky float or worn needle.

Before it started acting up, the bike was running really well. It was quick up the hills and in the higher RPMs it hauled ass. I can see how people can get in to Lambrettas. When they run, they're pretty tight. More pictures in the collection.

 

A couple of people reminded me of this old Lambretta commercial after I posted the Vespa one yesterday. I could watch this thing all day. So awesome. I wish I could sing in Italian.

I bought it. It will be here tomorrow!! And just in time for this.

I'm strongly considering purchasing this sexy motherfucker, despite the following facts:

• It's a Lambretta. I've never owned one or worked on one. In fact, due to their reputation for being horribly unreliable (they are, in fact, Italian) and royal pains in the ass, I've avoided them like the plague for my entire scootering life.
  
• It's another bike. I do not want more bikes. I want less bikes. I will get rid of at least one (but maybe two) bikes if and when I purchase this one.
  
• It's too fucking nice. I will have to hire an armed scooter guard to watch over it so I can sleep at night.
  

Still, I don't think I can resist. The price is right and it's coming from a good friend and scooter club mate who has owned it for longer than I've known him, so I know it's been well-maintained and loved. I've gazed longingly upon this scooter at many rallies, and this particular model is the one that I've always said I would get, were I to get a Lambretta. Ladies and Gentlemen, the 1963 Lambretta TV175:

My friend is liquidating some of his collection and is selling this bike for a great price. Paul and I estimate that even if I didn't want to keep it, I could flip it for $500 - $1000 more than I'm gonna pay. Plus, the purchase will be mostly funded by the sale of my '65 Honda and another friend just happens to be heading down here from Seattle with an empty truck in a few weeks, so I really can't say no. I mean, JUST LOOK AT IT. So pretty.

I guess now I'm supposed to get a three-button suit, a mop top, and a coke habit.

Yay scooter!