Unlike, Peter Pan, Lambretta scooters do grow up and the latest member of the family, the J125 (announced in the Autumn), is a 122cc version of the trim 98cc Cento introduced last Spring. Reduce your weight, say the slimming ads, and you'll take a fresh interest in life. Do the same with a scooter and the improved power-weight ratio imparts extra zest and liveliness to the model. Note, then, that when compared with the same-capacity Li 125 Slimstyle, the J125 is around 45lb lighter. This weight saving is achieved by major redesigning and the new 125 cannot be mistaken for the Li version. It's styling is more angular and is so contrived that the scooter looks lighter too. But styling changes alone could not bring about such a large weight paring. Lambretta engineers have used up-to-the-minute design methods. A stressed, monocoque body obviates the need for a conventional frame. The power-and-transmission has also come under the designers eye and is now lighter and more compact. Most noticable external difference is that the cylinder is inclined at 9 degrees from the verticle instead of lying horizontally. This change, in itself, gives a bonus in that it makes the carburettor and sparking plug more accessible. However, design and styling features, no matter how much they come into the reckoning, fade into the background a little when the scooter is in daily use. It is then that it's practical worth makes itself felt. Lambrettas have achieved a reputation for providing the non-technical, un-spanner-minded scooterist with reliable transport. The J125 is set fair to continue this tradition. As many scooters have to live in the open all the time, the test model was purposely left out in both wet and below-freezing conditions. After setting the cold-starting control and turning on the fuel tap (both located at the front of the body) two, or at the most, three easy prods brought the engine to life. A scooter appeals to many because of the freedom from bus and train time-tables. So, equally important is the cost angle. The J125 gives of its best on a diet of regular grade petrol and oil in the miserly proportions of 50 to 1. Average use produced a consumption which topped the 100 mpg mark without difficulty. POWER When on the move, the most outstanding impression given by this Lambretta is of the tractability of the engine. There is no point in the revolution range at which the power is felt to have "arrived". Lusty pulling begins at low revs and continues to maximum. This makes almost un-noticable the fact that the J125 has but three gears as compared with four on the Li 125. Lambretta twistgrip gear changes are often the yardstick by which such things are judged: this one, with it's silky but positive movement, was no exception. Gear engagement from rest was accompanied by a slight click, but other changes were noiseless even if no attempt was made on downward change to blip the throtttle and synchronize driving and driven gears. The clutch took up the drive smoothly and, as a result of the good spread of power, could be fully released after a yard or so when restarting on a 1 in 6 gradient. Most stiffish hills encountered on main and secondary roads were tacked easily in second gear and many long main-road upgrades were surmounted without the speed falling below 30mph in top gear. Used together both brakes combined to produce a stop in 33 feet from 30mph. There was a tendency for the rear brake to lock the wheel heavily during heavy applications. When the front brake was released after a similar application the front of the scooter rose with disconcerting suddenness owing to the front fork being undamped. STABLE Ridden over a variety of surfaces, many of them very slippery, the J125 could be handled easily and confidently at all times. Some pitching on fast corners with uneven surfaces was evident, but the model remained directionally stable. Direct lighting is provided, it is adequate, but no more. The horn could, with benefit give a louder note. The Veglia 60mph speedometer is esily read either by day or night: it was substantially accurate, being only 1mph fast at 30mph. Withe the usual excellent fan-and-cowol cooling the J125 showed no ill-effects of hard driving whether in top or the intermediate gears. Maxima in first, second and third were 24, 34 and 52mph. The engine seemed to enjoy cruising indefinatley with the needle above the 40mph mark. This latest lambretta, like so many of it's predecessors, steps into a dual role as a weekday workhorse with the ability to cope with weekend wanderlust. it bids to prove a winner in its class.