Born at the end of 1964, the Lambretta J50 immediately pleased both young and old, with it's mechanical and aesthetic qualities combined with it's presentation and extremely practical character.
Two years later, a new version of the Lambretta is launched, more beautiful, sturdier and robust than the first. What are the details so painstakingly redesigned to obtain these improvements, without a doubt to excite the interest of the customer ?
Let's take a look:
The line of the scooter is more sharpened, balanced and functional thanks to the new profile of the legshields, slightly convex and curved towards the top and to the mouldings along the top and the sides of the mudguard. Featuring a more graceful rearend and light replacing in our opinion the previous primitive version.
As usual the handlebar/headlight assembly is in perfect agreement with the lines of the body, as is the very comfortable seat, generously proportioned so that one could easily carry a passenger were it not prohibited by the Highway Code regulations governing the use of a 50cc machine.
One could raise some objections to the long and prominant kickstart, as well as concerns over the visibility when viewed from the right hand side of the hydraulic shock absorber, crankcase and silencer, but they are details of little importance that have no detrimental effect on the positive and aesthetic value of the machine.
With regards to the mechanics, improvements have been made throughout from the motor to the suspension in a bid to obtain better operation and greater comfort thus increasing security, attractiveness and approval of the machine.
The J50 is currently available in two colours - white and blue (known as aquamarine). The finish is excellent as always on Lambrettas.
The controls are practical as shown in the various photographs, the handlebar levers are excellent and the gearchange is easy and precise, markers indicating the gear positions eliminate the possibility of error during selection. The light/hron switch housing is conveniently placed, as are the petrol and choke levers and rear brake pedal.
The stand as usual is well placed to be reached easily and robust enough to be used on any surface, although the return spring is somewhat powerful, so that care should be taken to soften the recoil with one's foot to it's rest position as it can hit the floorboards with some force. Finally it is extremely easy to place the machine onto it's stand singlehandedly.
The rider is perfectly located in the seat, in an easy restful position allowing him to travel long distances without tiring and to be in perfect control of the machine thanks to the sensible control devices mentioned earlier. The height of the seat and the width of the floorboards are perfectly designed so as to facilitate the easy placement of both feet on the ground whilst stopped for those riders of a smaller stature.
The overall turning radius has been reduced providing useful extra agility, equally well conceived is the road handling (even if in our opinion the suspension could be more functional).
Engine starting is extremely easy, the J50 we tested was left outside, without cover overnight in near zero temperatures, but this did not prevent the engine starting on the first kick of the pedal, without the need for choke and with the throttle closed.
Other very noticeable characteristics of the engine are the absence of vibrations even when the motor was highly revved and remarkable absence of noise during operation.
Finally consumption - we averaged 100kms on 2 litres, but one could easily obtain better results. as with other Lambrettas the J50 has the usual 4% oil mix during the running in period - reducing to 2% thereafter, with all the advantages that this oil percentage brings, less production of smoke, oily residues and expense in usage and the appreciable consequence of a better output from the motor.
Clutch action is smooth and easy and very gradual, it performs perfectly well with a cold engine.
The gearchange is silent and precise in selection, even when used without the clutch, it has a short first gear to enable easy pull-off.
The brakes are powerful, but gradual; and by using them simultaneously, one limits the risk of depression of the front suspension.
Routine maintenance operations are within everyone's capabilities and cleaning is child's play.
In conclusion the J50 is a small scooter with slender and elegant lines and a practical and pleasant pace, it is agile and quick but equally adaptable for all types of road usage.
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