Engine in frame and rear shock

Yesterday I put the engine back into the frame.
It was not an easy task. But with the prop-stand, some support to the rear, the shock in place and a couple blocks of wood under the cylinder head I was able to nock the bolt through.

It was my third engine bolt though. By using a big hammer without a drift I ruined the threads on both my original one and the casa Lambretta one. Expensive experience.

I went for the Escort shock. I found it a good compromise between quality and price. I have an Escort shock on my other Lambretta too and I’m quite pleased with its performance.

Engine removal

Today I took the engine out of the frame so I can more easily work on it. It looks like it’s definitely been stored in a barn sometime under it’s life since I found hay on it!

The engine also showed a crack on a stud for the crankcase cover. I saw the same on the rear brake hub, I figure some former owner must have dropped the bike while trying to change rear tire, or it was that now famous repainter.

Hopefully I can weld the aluminum case so I can rebuild the metal around the thread and if the hub is nice and strong otherwise I can still use it. Since Spanish ones are dead hard to find and Indians are mostly ok I prefer to keep my original.

The whole point of this resto is to not unnecessary throwaway stuff that actually does still work fine.