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Hi Mark
Congratulations on the purchase of the LD.
Unfortunately, there is not a list or source of nuts’ bolts, screws and washers or sizes, that you can buy as a “job lot” that I have every found. If there was, in my experience, it would be a very expensive kit that you would be able to purchase separately at a fraction of the cost.
I have started working on this myself and will be producing a spread sheet, I hope around the summer of next year (2020), as it’s a very low priority and process for me. I have a number of LD’s and am looking at cross reference all models of Italian LD models to make a check list of interchangeable nuts, bolts, washers, oil seals and bearings, which can be purchased from standard sources rather than main dealers in some cases. Fortunately, most of my LD’s have been purchased as complete units and having stripped down a number now, it’s easy for me to identify most screw, nut and bolts and where they should go.
I still have a few LD’s in bits and that include every nut and bolt stripped down. Some are fairly obvious where you can use any style of nut and bolt (Example for seats I use standard M8 nuts / M8x20 bolts / standard washers), and others may be a little more difficult to work out (Transmission Allen key bolts if you have not got them!)
One thing you may want to think about is if you use Stainless Steal or Zinc plated. I use Stainless Steel everywhere I can.
If you have specific nuts or bolts that you can’t figure out, let me know and I will take a photo and provide details. It might be a few days before I reply though! I would ask that you don’t just send me a complete huge list as I am working on this slowly and probably next year now.
Please also reference the parts list / manual PDF downloads (Or books, if you have purchased any!), as there are some sneaky washes that should fit in some areas you would not expect. If your using my website to download any manuals and have problems please let me know.
I have just sent someone else a “Tips on restores” email that I have copy and pasted below, that may be handy during your rebuild:
Some general tips that you may want to consider:
Bearing and Seals – For some parts replacements (Bearing and seals), I found your better off going to other re-sellers, rather than official shops, to reduce your costs.
Gasket 1 – For gaskets, I tend to make most of mine myself.
Gaskets 2 – I also use Hylomar Blue (Gasket Jointing Compound – yellow tube) for some parts and especially for the carburettor areas, where required, as this can leak at times after an overhaul and replacement official gaskets do not always work very well.
Oil Leaks – For oil, expect some leaks to happen if you over fill. Especially by the kick start mechanism area.
Mag Flange – (Not applicable to you!?) Try to avoid taking the Mag Flange off if you can. Some come off with hard effort. Some are even harder and you may break the mag flange to try to get it off. I have one at the moment that I am going to put in the oven for a while to heat it up before trying to prize it off, having spent around 7+ hours (+ 1 year soaking in diesel) trying to get it off without breaking it.
Cylinder Head – For the cylinder head area, it is very easy to over tighten the head / nuts. Avoid using a torque wrench anywhere. If your intending to take the head and cylinder of, check for hair lines cracks.
Torsion Bar 1 (Original roller bushes), it is easy to push the bars back through and damage the roller bearing. Replacements are bronze bushes easily found at various shops.
Torsion Bar 2 – When pushing the torsion bars back through, be careful not to hot very hard. If your off by a few mil and tap too hard you will break the engine casing.
x2 Engine Bushes – If replacing the engine bushes, they are difficult to get out. Treat with caution when replacing as you can break the bottom engine casing if too much force is used.
Main Big Engine Pin / Bolt – (Not applicable to you!?) The engine mount pin (by the stand) tends can be difficult to remove at times. When removing this, be careful of the mag flange side cowl, as the engine pin will knock a bit of this off if it is not removed.
Stand – (Not applicable to you!?) The stand pin also seizes up most of the time and requires a hammer and force to get out. I use rust penetrating fluid and a long wrench extension pole (For this and the engine pin) as the tool to knock it through.
Transmission / Gears – If taking the gears apart, be careful not to loose the two slightly thick metal spacer washers.
Transmission shaft – If you remove this, many roller pins may fall off. The easiest way to put these back on is with a little grease, to hold them all in place.
Kick Start – The kick start lever area also has spacer washers that when you remove the kick start, they sometimes fall away and leaves you wondering where they came from.
Parts Manuals – For some of the items above, it’s best to look at the parts manual to see what I am referring to. If any of it does not make sense if and when your taking it apart and you wonder what I may be referring to and you would like me to point out the parts, please get back in touch and I will do some screen shots. It may take me a few days to do it though!
Summary and close:
If your happy to keep in touch with your restore, please do. I am always happy to hear how things are going and any problems people have and that I may be able to help with in regards to further tips and guidance or things to look out for.
Please also consider joining the LCGB Forum (Lambretta Club Great Britain) and view some of these topics as some of the members have a wealth of knowledge and information and can also help in this area as well. I think it’s free to join the forum section. I am full member myself.
I see in the US, there is also a Lambretta Club USA website with a Forum questions area. I’ve not joined myself, but it might be something you may want to look at given your in the USA? The website was registered in March 2013 and current president has been a member since 2006, so I assume based on these dates, they must be fairly well established. I list them as a source on my website for PDF manual downloads. They list most PDF’s manuals, some of which can be difficult to find.
All the best and I hope all goes well with the restore.
John
www.lambrettajourney.co.uk
I have added this as a News Post to the website as well as sending an email. If you are reading this on the website and did not receive the reply email, please check your Junk / Spam area for the email.