01-18-2012 Engine is out

I got the engine separated from the frame last night. Almost everything is off the frame now.

Only a few tiny things remain attached to the frame.

That is one greasy motor!

01-16-2010 Lambretta engine NOT seized!

The whole reason I stopped riding the Lambretta years ago was because I was convinced the engine had seized. When it stopped as I was riding it, it sounded like it had seized and it felt like it had seized and when I tried to turn it over, it woudn't budge. Now, when a bird floats, flies, swims, quacks and tastes really good with crispy skin and hoisin sauce... I call it a duck.

So it was with great pleasure and surprise last night that I discovered another possible (likely) reason for its stopping the way it did. It would appear that the screws holding the fan to the flywheel all fell out or broke and jammed themselves in between.

Notice how you see no screws in the holes?

Wait, there's one!

Oh my, and another couple there!

Offhand I'm not certain how that could cause the symptoms I experienced, but it would be too coincidental not to be related. Also, I can now turn the engine over smoothly and easily by hand. Looking in the intake port there is no visible scarring on the piston as it moves through its travel.

I think this just got a little bit easier.

Well. Easier after I figure out how to get the flywheel and fan off and separated. Where's that manual I ordered?

01-15-2012 Further disassembly

Taking the TV175 further apart.

01-02-2012 Scooter Lifter

I know. This has been keeping you up at night. You've been wondering "How the heck did he get the scooter up on the workbench?"

Simple. I fabbed up a Scooter Lifter!

I made it entirely out of materials I had around the house and garage. Now, admittedly, I have a mess of crap about fair collection of materials but still I'm always happy when I can not make a trip to the hardware store.

I used:

• 4 old desk-chair wheels
• Two pieces of scrap aluminum that just happened to be the right shape
• A couple lengths of heavy 2" angle iron
  
• 3/8" all-thread cut into two for axles
  
• 5/8" all-thread
• tube to go over the 5/8" all-thread
• assorted nuts
• block & tackle
• rope
  

The angle iron was cut to length, bolted together to form a half-I beam, and bolted to the floor joists above the workbench. Then I assembled the "trolley" from the scrap aluminum, all-thread, tubing, wheels, block & tackle, and nuts. Bolt that contraption to the angle iron half-I beam and thread a rope into it.

SCOOTER LIFTER!

I could swear that I took a photo of the Lambretta hanging from the Scooter Lifter but can't locate it now. sad face.