Question:

Bought a 2nd hand LML NV-Spl (150 cc vespa)………Need Advice Please?

Hi all,

this is Sami from Bangladesh. I am a two wheeler fan (mainly motorcycles…have 1, will buy more soon) and bought a LmL NV last month. initially it was just to collect. however, the scooter is serving me in many ways lately. its a second hand one and its a 1987 model. 20 years of age !!

1st let me share the condition of my scooter.
>well its 20 year old
>none of the indicator lights or horn work. none of the switches work. The head light and the tail light have direct connection. Its kind of funny… when I go out at night, I pop a male-port in a female-port ( created by a claver mechanic).. Then both the head and tail light blows up……………!! however, the headlight is poor (any suggestions ?)
>the front breaks didn’t use to work. (Got it corrected last week).

Now there are few things I would like to share:

1. The scooter has amazing pickup. its really good…. even after 20 yrs

2. Its a fuel hungry machine…..(too bad) my one goes only 25-30/ liter.

3. The scooter is not very well balanced. the right side is far more heavier than the left side and the scooter tends to shift to right side of the road if you do not have previous experience. (Probably scooters that have engine on one side are less balanced).

4. If I apply-break to the front wheels while running, the scooter tends to shift right…!! Got no idea why. (Please suggest if you can)

5. i went up to 80kmph with this scooter……….it was so great. BUT wait…suddenly the engine sized at 80kmph speed!!! My rear wheels skidded badly… however, I clutched just at the right time… the rear wheel got freed up form the engine and slowly came to a halt. then I tried to start the scooter….it did start, but couldn’t go far….. It stopped again. I went to a workshop. There they said that my Fuel-Oil (2 stroke) mixture was not proper. I used too little oil while taking fuel and the piston almost seized.
I was lucky that time. The mechanic poured 2stroke oil directly in to the carburetor while running the engine high.

However, here in Bangladesh no one could tell me the right ration on fuel oil mixture………( scooters are not at all popular here. 95% of the 2 wheelers are bikez)….Please advice if u can.

That’s all about my scooter…

But I need your help………..please advice me on a few things…

1. How can i make my scooter more fuel efficient ? (piston change ? carburetor change ?)

2.I am planning to install horns and indicator light. my mechanic told me he can do it without a battery or rectifier by a direct connection…. (should i take his advice ? dose LmL NV (ks) normally have battery ?

3. What is the oil-fuel mix ratio ? please provide a reasonable measurement.

4. How do I improve the head-light quality? Bulb change?

5. Is there any way to improve balance ? (My one doesn’t have the spare wheels. is it affecting?)

6. It takes a lot of energy to start the scooter in the morning.. 15-20 kicks. This is really painful. Please advice what can i do to get rid of this problem…..any simply solution?

7. Please provide ANY additional tips and info………….

*had to type fast. Pleases forgive the spelling errors…………..

You can send your answers to

samihasib@gmail.com

or,

samihasib@yahoo.com

I am eagerly waiting for your advice and help.

Thank You.

Answer by Kislay
Your problems appears to be big but just to tell u that these kinda problems are very common in LML NV Spl. I would try to give the answers to your questions accordingly.

1) To make your scooter more fuel efficient u must need to change the carb with a brand new one as u bought a scooter which is 20 yrs old and people in India and Bangladesh never even think to change the carbs. So the carb which u have in your scooter must be 20 yrs old. Also check the piston and ring of the scooter with a good mechanic as it might be possible that the scooter has never been overhauled in last 20 yrs. If needed change both of them. Ask the mechanic to check the fuel tank also and if needed asked him to clean the tank internally.

2) This 20 yrs old scooter never had a batter ever, so there is no need to put a battery. Yur mechanic is right as he said that he can make all the lights and horn work without a battery. Go with the advice of your mechanic and if possible ask him to change the whole wiring of the electricals in your scooter with a new one. It will work perfectly.

3) The oil-fuel mix ratio should be 100:2, It means that if u r taking 1 ltr of petrol then 2% of that should be the 2T. So in 1 ltr the 2T should be 20-25 ml, not more than that otherwise your scooter will start emitting white smoke.

4) U can try using the halogen bulb available for the new LML’s however its not recommended as u must need an alternator to enhance the power for it. The best option would be to use a new regular bulb and changing the headlamp’s reflector and the glass with a new one. It should work perfectly and the light’s intensity can be doubled doing this.

5) If u dont have a spare wheel then try to get a new one installed there. It will surely help to maintain the balance greatly. Also, do check the rear wheel’s rim for any malfunction. If it is bended or has any cracks on it then change it immediately with a new one. Also do check both of the tires. If they are old ones with no treads on them then do change them also.

6) Try using choke always after changing the carburettor. It should not take that many kicks to start. Also u can try tilting your scooter a bit on the right side for 15-20 seconds after opening the fuel. Then try to start it, it will start in 2 kicks for sure. This process can sound funny to many people but its a big reality for all the LML scooters. By doing this a rich mixture of fuel and air will go in the piston. Finally, check the spark plug and change it with a new one if u have’nt changed it after buying the scooter.

At last I would like to say that never try to apply front brakes directly while riding your scooter at high speeds. It will never work perfectly and the scooter can easily skid. Always apply the rear brakes first then if needed, apply the front brakes. It will provide u a better stopping st high speeds and the scooter will maintain the straight line.

One more suggestion for u…Ask your mechanic to check the rear and front shockers and if needed then change them with a new pair as they must be 20 years old now. It will not cost u much as the shockers come real cheap.

Remember that the scooter u have purchased is the sturdiest scooter ever made in India by LML after Lambretta. It will serve u 20 more years beutifully if u take just little care of it. Do not try to push this scooter to its limits. Handle it with ease and try to enjoy the ride….

Other posts that might interest you:

1. Question: Mercedes Benz W201, 190E 2.6, M103 engine expert advice please?
2. Question: i bought a dozer that has a detroit 371 engine all three injectors were froze now the engine wants to run away
3. Bulldozer: Apprentice Heavy Equipment Mechanic, any advice, help?
4. Loader: Our new front loader is perfectly level however during spin cycles it rocks all over the place. Any advice?
5. Bulldozer: I have a friend who wants to be a heavy-equipment operator. Any advice on how to do this?