Important running in details


Instructions for running in a new engine rebuild, or cylinder kits supplied by us.

All jetting details supplied and fitted by us are done so as guidance only for your reference as a starting point to setting up your scooter. No warrenty is given due to siezures or other complications as this can only be down to incorrect running in procedures or set ups, warrenty only covers manufacturing defects, not rider defects!
Fuel mixture 3% on a good quality semi synthetic oil, should you choose a mineral oil, please increase this to 4%. The oil jugs we supply are a 2% mix. For example if you fill your scooter with five litres of fuel, you should add oil on the scale to 7.5. (one and a half jugs) We recommend Super unleaded fuel 97 octane on all kitted and or tuned engines. Standard Lambrettas/Vespas will run on 95 octane unleaded fuel as well.

Please note if your scooter engine has had a new cylinder and or rebore along with a new piston, you need to carefully run this in to ensure correct operation. You are also running in any new crank, bearing or other moving part that has been fitted to your engine. During the running in period, oil to fuel ratio should be maintained the correct mixture, do not under any circumstance increase oil ratios thinking it will give added protection, it does not and is harmful to your set up. Frequent plug readings should be made, and the plug needs to be cleaned or replaced each time. This is so you can continue to moniter your scooters settings. If at any point your scooter does not appear to be running correclty, stop immediatly and find out why! Symptons would include, loss of power, smoke, lack of smoke, strange noises and other such abnormalities.

  We recommend that you observe the following running in guidance, feel free to ask our staff any thing you are unsure of.

Iron Cylinders

0-200 miles no more then 1/3 throttle movement, the first 200 miles is critical for correct operation.  Best use of scooter during this period is town driving, as it is constant stop start.

200-500 do not operate the scooter over half throttle, still stick to town riding whereever possible

500 - 750 your cylinder and piston is beginning to settle together, you can start to use more throttle through the gears.  No high speed runs in forth gear should be attempted.

750-1000 Your cylinder and piston should be abut fully run in now, but before you make any high speed runs in forth gear to see how fast you can go, you should be happy all settings are correct, exhaust, jetting, timing etc.

 Lambretta cylinders are made of cast iron, the pistons of alloy, the two properties expand differently to temperatures as so require care and attention.  If you abuse the running in recommendations you are liable to seize the scooter, for which we will not be held liable and any warranty offered will be null and void. Remember a two stroke does take some five to ten miles to obtain correct operating temperature, heat seizes are even more likely below this point.

Alloy Cylinders

0-200 nothing over half throttle, as this is for running in of piston rings, and more importantly checking your set up is correct.

200-500 Your cylinder and piston should be abut fully run in now, but before you make any high speed runs in forth gear to see how fast you can go, you should be happy all settings are correct, exhaust, jetting, timing etc.

On all tuned, modified or cylinder kits, you should after 300 miles have the scooter set up on a rolling road. For this initial 300 mile period we will have set, or given you instructions to set your machine up on the rich side for caution. Within this period you should expect some lumpy and rough running, this is normal and will not harm your scooter. For the final set up, we only recommend Performance Tuning in Northampton. They can be contacted by telephone :- 0771 9607758. Any warranty we provide on scooters or parts only covers return to base repairs on parts that have failed, please note we do not operate a recovery service, this is down to you, and we do not pay for third party repairs.