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For indexing purposes, this post applies to Lambretta LD 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958.
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I hope the information below may be of use to Lambretta LD owners in understanding how complex oils are and why certain oils should be used over others, or if they may be interchangeable. In the event that I have any issues or problems with my Lambrettas using the fuel mix solution or the oils below, I will update this page.
If you decide to use the information below on your Lambretta, you do so under your own discretion. Lambretta Journey and sources of information I have obtained below can not be held liable in any way for any issues you may have with your Lambretta. This is my own research and views and is what I use on my own Lambrettas.
Introduction
During 2018, I have completed a number of reviews into what oils and fuel mixes to use on a Lambretta 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957 and 1958 LD Mk1 LD Mk2 and LD Mk3 Lambretta.
I will update this page during 2018 with further information. This page can be found on the Home Page / Right Side / General Info / Fuel Mixes and Oils
Oils I use are from two current sources and via eBay and Amazon:
The Lambretta LD 1950’s manual:
A summary of information only on my findings and what I am using are as follows:
Petrol Mix and Fuel: Rock Oil (SAE30 and PP2 Semi Synthetic 2 Stroke Oil)
Classic Rock Oil SAE 30 Data Sheet Download
PP2 Semi Synthetic 2 Stroke Oil Data Sheet Download
- Some LD’s I am running are mixed with a 4% Rock Oil SAE 30 solution. This is a recommended solution in the LD 1950’s manual.
- Some LD’s I am running are mixed with a 3% Rock Oil PP2 Semi Synthetic solution
Other Reported Options:
New engine build – 8% whilst running-in a new engine and then 6%. People have however reported issues with this solution.
Some people use a 5% SAE30 mix solution, rather than the recommended 4%
SAE30 Information
SAE30: The differences with an SAE30 Motor oil and SAE30 Groundsman / 4 stroke / lawn mower solution can be found in the PDF downloadable documents below
- Classic Rock Oil SAE 30 is very low detergent,
- GROUNDSMAN (API CC) SAE 30 is much higher detergent, API SJ/CF
Please DO NOT get confused with SAE30 solutions and accidentally buy the cheaper SAE30 – lawnmower 4 stroke / Groundsman solution for your Lambretta LD. You should be using the SAE30 Classic Motor Oil solution
PP2 Semi Synthetic. The PP2 from Rock Oil is a Semi Synthetic 2-Stroke oil. It is claimed to have advanced blending techniques with a low ash formulation which results in super clean burning, minimum carbon deposits and increased power, at the same time exceeding all manufacturers specifications. It is suitable for use with unleaded, leaded or LRP Petrol as well as Autolube and Pre-Mix 2-Stroke systems. It is a recommended solution by Lambretta restoration workshops I have made contact with.
Lambretta LD Gearbox Oil, Rock Oil (SAE30 or SAE40)
Classic Rock Oil SAE 30 & SAE40 Data Sheet Download
The 1950’s manual states to use SAE40. However, my research has shown that SAE30 works best in temperatures of -5 to +35 degrees, while SAE40 works best in temperatures +10 to +45 degrees. Based on my use of my Lambrettas (and as I am mixing an SAE30 with unleaded petrol for my fuel), I use an SAE30 oil solution for the Gearbox Oil as well.
IMAGE TO FOLLOW ON OILS AND TEMPERATURES
Lambretta LD Transmission Oil, Westway Lubricants Ltd (SAE140)
SAE140 Westway Lubricants Ltd Data Sheet Download
I am using the recommended SAE140, mentioned in the 1950’s manual from Westway Lubricants Ltd. I purchase it from eBay. I am also still researching ST and EP oils in general at present and their Viscosity information for my own curiosity.
Note: A number of people on forums and websites say to use SAE90 for a transmission oil. This may be due to SAE140 being harder to find nowadays. For SAE140 or SAE90, my research has shown that there seems to be marginal difference when viewing the first source below, which state a ST90 and ST140 oil with minimal difference. However, the second source from Castrol implies that if I use an equivalent SAE90 by Castrol (ST90), it is better suited to commercial vehicles. For further information in this area, please read the links and further information below on Viscosity
Useful links below for further information:
- Marginal difference – http://cometoil.com/
- Castrol difference statement – https://www.rgracing-oils.co.uk/Castrol_classic_gear_oils.htm
- Omega data sheet – http://www.sovereign-omega.co.uk/Datasheets/Omega680-1.pdf
- Westway Lubricants Ltd – SAE140 Westway Lubricants Ltd Data Sheet Download
Other information:
Data Sheet General Information. Here I address in very brief summary, what the words mean in the data sheet and in the example below, I highlight the differences between the recommended 1950’s LD manual Lambrreta recommended SAE140 Transmission oil solution and the SAE90 solution that many websites and shops may recommend using as an alternative to SAE140
I have also added wikipedia links so that you may read more about the topic of interest.
Viscosity Information: – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viscosity_index
| Viscosity (dynamic) | |
|---|---|
A simulation of liquids with different viscosities. The liquid on the right has higher viscosity than the liquid on the left. Wki Commons image – click image
|
The viscosity of a fluid is the measure of its resistance to gradual deformation by shear stress or tensile stress. For liquids, it corresponds to the informal concept of “thickness”: for example, honey has a higher viscosity than water. The higher the viscosity, the thicker the oil. If we take Westways oil as an example of usage, , the information is as follows:
Viscosity @ 100°C (cSt) – SAE90 – 19.2
Viscosity @ 100°C (cSt) – SAE140 – 28.09
Viscosity @ 40°C (cSt) – SAE90 – 220
Viscosity @ 40°C (cSt) – SAE140 – 411.14
Viscosity index – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viscosity
For the Viscosity index, the lower the number, the more the viscosity is affected by changes in temperature.
Viscosity Index – SAE90 – 97
Viscosity Index – SAE140 – 95
Flashpoint – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flash_point
The flash point of a volatile material is the lowest temperature at which vapours of the material will ignite, when given an ignition source. It is NOT to be confused with the autoignition temperature, which is the temperature at which the vapor ignites spontaneously without an ignition source
Flash point °C (IP 34) – SAE90 – 215°C
Flash point °C (IP 34) – SAE140 – 235°C
Pour Point – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pour_point
The pour point of a liquid is the temperature below which the liquid loses its flow characteristics. In crude oil a high pour point is generally associated with a high paraffin content
Pour point °C (IP 15) – -SAE90 – -12
Pour point °C (IP 15) – -SAE140 – -9
Specific Gravity – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Specific_gravity
Specific gravity is the ratio of the density of a substance to the density of a reference substance.
Specific gravity usually means relative density with respect to water. If reading the wiki article above, the following should also be used as a reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relative_density
Specific Gravity @ 15°C – SAE90 – 0.893
Specific Gravity @ 15°C – SAE140 – 0.898
Summary May 2018
I hope the information above has been of some use in understanding how complex oils are and why certain oils should be used over others or if they may be interchangeable. In the event that I have any issues or problems with my Lambrettas using the fuel mix solution or the oils above, I will update this page.