Lambretta LD Fork Springs Too Soft
Hi Darrell – If reading on the website, please check your Junk mail as the links in the emay have forced the email to go into Junk / Spam folder
Lambretta Service Mans Book (First Edition) page 132
If it is desired to fit stronger springs for sidecar or other uses, the springs from the Li or T.V. machines (part number 15060021), may be assembled.
Notes on spring installation – (The book of Lambretta – page 90). The closer coils are fitted towards the top. My thoughts – Not always obvious when looking at them, depending on what you buy!
Progressive or dual-rate springs are wound closer at one end and further apart at the other. Initial force meets less resistance but gradually meets more resistance as force increases (When you break – the front end goes down, so the further apart sits at the bottom, to allow a slightly better ride – or if your bouncing up and down with pot holes!).
Note1: The suspension is going to be stiffer than when upright. By using a progressive rate spring it will be softer for the initial movement of the suspension but as it gets more compressed it gets stiffer.
Notes: OEM numbers
LI Springs – 15060021 (These are 22 centimetres long)
LD Springs – 99106051 (These are 20 centimetres long)
Some people buy the Li and cut them down a little. You can also install a nylon washer (M10 – I/D 10.5mm O/D 21mm Thickness 2.0mm making a total of 214mm ) to improve performance in this area. See Facebook link below for info and MB Scooter link below for more information on the washer (Not for LD models!).
- https://m.facebook.com/246330152055642/photos/setting-up-fork-spring-on-my-150-d-the-standard-fork-spring-dld-are-way-to-softs/990203571001626/
- https://www.lambrettaspares.com/spares/forks/lambretta-fork-spring-stops-half-thickness-steel-pair-mb/mrb0952pr.html
LI – At the time of writing, Rimini Lambretta Centre offered uprated Fork Springs (15 euro)
LI – MB Scooters Ltd (Uprated, but not too stiff) @ £27 – GP’s use fork spring stops ( To big for LD’s and hence the M10 washer solution used above) For GP models, MB Scooters sell these stops (washers) and if you wanted a stiff ride, you would install thick washers. For a weaker ride, half thickness stops are used. Comment on MB site: Most people set the front forks too hard to try and stop dip under braking, you will still get the dip but the normal ride will be much nicer. Resource here: Spring Stops
General info – JB Fab – Replaced the entire front end
LI – Scootopia offer a Progressive Fork Spring @ £14
LI – Scooter Center (Germany) offer springs that are are 10 % harder than the original Lambretta fork springs and are manufactured in Germany. (£15)
Other resources
Progressive original stiffness – https://www.sip-scootershop.com/en/product/springs-fork-front_56007026
Reinforced – https://www.sip-scootershop.com/en/product/springs-scootopia-fork-front_56007021
The link below is a step by step instruction on how to action / replace. If this link stops working, let me know and I will upload my version of instructions, which will be similar to this.
Lambretta Forum Resources (Not LD related. LI info – here is an interesting topic and worth a read for some better understanding with peoples views.)
All the best
John
Lambretta Journey