Getting from A to (Model) B
November 1948 saw Innocenti launch its successor to
the Model A (or 125M as it was known) and following the
alphabet this model was called the Model B
W
hen the Model B was introduced,
Innocenti made many mechanical
changes in order to improve
the scooter – most importantly improved
suspension. It came in the shape of a coil
spring damper mounted horizontally under
the engine and a knuckle joint with spring
suspension at the rear, with the front
suspension being spring suspension in the
front forks (so although the front of the
engine was rigid, the back could now pivot.
Tyre sizes were increased from the Model
A's 3.50 x 7 to larger 3.50 x 8, which helped
improve the ride quality.
Handlebars were moved forward for a more
comfortable riding position and the gear
change was made easier with a handlebar-
mounted twist-grip which became standard
on all subsequent Lambrettas (the Model B
utilised a Teleflex system, meaning the
legshield-mounted gear indicator used on the
Model A was no longer needed). All control
cables were now moved outside of the frame
to allow ease of maintenance.A POTTED HISTORY
For the story behind this Model B, we revisit
2007 when Johnny Walklate returned to theUK from Italy, the same year a certain Model B
Lambretta also headed to the UK, where it had
been bought from Imola by Phillip Steele.
Phillip also had a Lambretta LC 125 which
he entrusted to David Waddingham (Waddo)
to restore for him. In order to fund this, the
Model B was put up for sale, and this is where
Johnny comes in. He'd posted on Facebook
asking if anyone had a Model B for sale. It was
then Waddo contacted Johnny about Phillip’s
Model B which Johnny believes had by that
stage been up for sale for two years.
Waddo invited Johnny to come and look at
the scooter to see exactly what was on offer.
Johnny liked the look of it... but (there’s always
a but) it needed finishing-off. Now, the Model B,
like many other more specialised Lambrettas,
only appeals to certain members of the
scootering community. That’s no bad thing as
it means when machines come up for sale
there’s less competition (although that doesn’t
always mean they’re cheaper)! However, it also
means that in the main, parts and spares are
harder to come by.
Johnny could see the scooter had been
subject to a restoration at some point, but
wasn’t sure if anything had been done to it
since it had been purchased by Phillip. WhatBRINGING A SHAFTIE BACK TO LIFE
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