The best way to clean a rusty gas tank is with muriatic acid. You don’t want to get it on you, so wear some gloves and a long-sleeved shirt. You also don’t want to be breathing it, so do this OUTSIDE. Don’t get it on any chrome/alloy pieces as it will eat them. That probably sounds worse than it is – it’s an easy job – but read the label when you pick some up from a hardware store.

1. Drain the tank, remove from the bike, and remove the fuel tap and cap.
2. Clean the inside as much as you can with a wire brush. (And/or use a handfull of old nuts and bolts. Put in 1/2 cup gas and shake repeatedly.) Wash out with gas.
3. Plug the bottom of the tank with rubber or a big ball of duct tape. Fill 1/2 way with hot water. Add 1 liter of muriatic acid, then fill to the top with hot water. Don’t use the gas cap as the acid will eat the chrome. If you fill less, occasionally plug the top and turn over to get everywhere. Leave it for a few hours.
4. Drain the tank, depositing the liquid with a local chemical depot if you have one. Rinse the tank out with water a few times. Clean out any remaining/semi-loose bits. Rinse out with gas.
5. Add fuel tap, install, and fill. Don’t leave it sitting or it will develop some surface rust.

Like new!

excerpt from Scootrs!

FLI175

With the FLI came a new 175cc engine and four speed gearbox along with reverse. At first it still kept the narrow cab and hand start arrangement as for the FDC, nut the handlebars were changed to that of the series one Li scooter. The steering gained a friction pad and knurled screw underneath, which could be tightened in rough driving conditions to stop the steering from wobbling! Electric’s were six volt, and the FLI could be had with an optional electric wind screen wiper. The rear light retained the Model D rear light, but with an extra bulb holder for a brake light. A tool box was provided behind the cab, to carry a jack and wheel spanner, while a spare wheel was carried in a cradle at the rear. Starting in July 1959, 10,608 series one FLI’s were made when the series two took over in July 1960

The second series FLI was Innocenti’s most successful three wheeled product. A whopping 71,681 examples were made in a manufacturing period spanning over five years. A redesigned cab, now the same width as the rear box, a kick start replaced the earlier pull start models. On the front of the cab was a new larger mudguard, along with side lights and indicators. On the rear was a cluster of lights, a rear window was fitted into the canvas blind.

excerpt from Lambretta Club of Great Britain’s Lambro page (http://www.lcgb.co.uk/scooters/lambro.html)

1959 Lambretta Lambro fli 175

My wife and child got me a 1959 Lambretta lambro fli175 three wheeled scooter truck for my 40th birthday. It is in a state of disrepair but the motor is actually in a running state. I hope to document its restoration here.

History that I know so far.

The Lambro was shipped initially and used in Victoria most likely around Geelong in the early 60’s.  I know this because it has a service sticker on it.

Then apparently it was shipped to Strathalbyn, South Australia in 1965 to be used to cart apples around an orchard. I believe that it must have hauled more than one cart load of apples as their is a tow bar fitted to the back of the vehicle. Here it stayed until my friend and fellow scooter enthusiast Rick Young found it and another lambro there in various states of disrepair. He bought them and sold one to Darren Lashford who kept it for  12 months before selling it to me.

I intend to restore it to original and hope to use it to haul some of my other projects around such as the Dalek, or the band’s PA etc. Wish me luck. If you have any info at all on places i can get parts etc please contact me …