About me and the Starstream Got my first scooter in 1984 with my first pay packet and what seemed like a huge bank loan - A brand new Vespa PX, part exed it a few years later for one of the then new T5's which I sold to buy a GP in bits, unfortunately it stayed in bits until I sold it about 18 months later when I was expecting. During the '80's was a founder member of Abergavenny Rough Riders and then when they disbanded of the infamous Cardiff Cougars. Although husband, Rob had had a scooter back on the road for a number of years, it was only 2 years ago, when I got the urge to get another of my own, opted for a T5 Classic, but sold it 12 months later when I decided I wanted something a bit different and having always liked the styling of the 50 Special, I got one - spent 12 months and a lot of money trying to get it road worthy, the electrics were a pig - (all I wanted was a brakelight), I finally gave in to Rob's request to get a Lambretta. J125 Mark4 - The Lambretta Starstream A brief description The Starstream is one of a number of models in the J range or "smallframe" Lambrettas. Unlike their predessors the J range scooters had no tubular frame featuring instead an all steel pressed monocoque chassis with integral legshields. Available only as a 125cc, the Starstream was produced between 1966 and 1969 as a result of modifications to the previous J125, (which was gradually phased out), most notably a four speed gearbox and altered bodyshape. Also known as the "Stellina" or "Little Star" a nickname derived from the legshield badge, " lambretta followed by a chrome star with 125 written inside it " In 1967 the Super Starstream was also introduced with further minor bodywork changes and a turning mudguard, this new model was produced due to consumer demand from the UK market, only a small number were produced and uniquely it is the only Lambretta model ever, to be sold abroad and unavailable in Italy itself. In total 16,052 Starstreams and Super Starstreams, ( there doesn't seem to be a specific figure for either machine available), were produced but failed to be as popular as their counterparts in the Li series despite being cheaper and almost equal in performance. Possibly because of this, there doesn't seem to be very much information available on the web for the model, so I thought I'd have a go at documenting my restoration and hopefully finding some resources for others in the process.

The Ebay pic Purchased on Ebay August, 2004, (my first Ebay win where the item cost less than I budgeted for possibly because everyone else was down at the IOW rally), bought on the strength of the picture below and the seller's description.

Went down to Bath today to pick the scooter up and was pleasantly surprised. Apart from a few minor dents and dings and a bit of straightening here and there, the bodywork and panels are in good condition, and as an added bonus there's no rust. It's an unregistered Italian import, which probably acounts for the overall condition being so good. Most of the parts are there with the exception of a headlight, which I believe are quite hard to get hold of so I've stuck a wanted ad up on Scooter Trader, if anyone has one to sell though, please get in touch. Because it's not running anyway, we've decided to strip it down completely and get the bodywork sorted and painted. First job is to get the many layers of paint off, and let Rob sort out the engine. Have now lost all feeling and most of the skin from the fingertips of my right hand, using wire wool and a paint stripper branded "Mangers" it's excellent stuff and half the price of "Nitromors". Apart from the pain it's quite a therapeutic experience, and there's something extremely satisfying when I get through the paint and uncover the metal, which as a bonus is in really good nick, protected by the many layers - no doubt. In the meantime Rob's had a look at the engine, he's renewed the bearings, oilseals and gaskets. The stator was in a bad way, he did have a go at repairing it, but in the end we opted to get a new Indian one from Scooter Restorations and a piston was needed (someone had decided to try their hand at a bit of engraving on the old one) which I got courtesy of Jem Booth.

Picked up an original spare parts catalogue (above) and got my first new shiny bit - the headset switch, the engine's ready to go into the bike so I need to decide who's sorting out the bodywork, hoping to get it started in the New Year. 14/02/05 Confession time - although I had every intention of stripping the paint myself, the frame was just too much work. I've had it sandblasted by a local company and having failed to find anyone interested in sorting out the bodywork locally I invested in a panel beating set, found some particularly useful information on the art of panel beating on a "Hotrodders" forum and decided to have a go myself, bearing in mind that there's no major dents on the frame anyway. First attempt was on the outside edge of the right hand side legshield which really just needed straightening up and I was quite impressed with the result allbeit that it'll be covered by rubber trim anyway. Luckily before I got too carried away Rob came home and offered to have a try at reshaping the left hand side which has had a bang at some time in the past. After many hours, I'm pleased to say that I think we've got it sorted and just have the outside edge of the runner boards to straighten now.. The sidepanels that came with the scooter were quite pitted, but I picked up an almost perfect set on EBay. I have to say a big thankyou to Tomo from the Newport Dragons SC for offering us newly fitted the use of his spraybooth, we'll definately take up the offer. I've managed to get a headlight and rim, courtesy of an ad in Scootering magazine, a cylinder cowl from K&S Scooters, a couple of wheelrims, toolbox and a fully refurbished Guiliari seat, although the seat is of the design originally fitted to the J50 not the Starstream. I have the original Innocenti seat that came with the scooter, so at some point in the future I'll get that one sorted, but this one will do fine in the short term. Originally my time scale was to get it completed by 2006 and take it to the LCGB Isle of Man Rally, (assuming they have one), as my 40th birthday treat, but the more it's coming together, the harder it is to stick the time scale, it's just the bank manager holding me back. 17/03/05 My birthday and I got an extra special surprise, an original Starstream Owners Manual.

Cost so far Some of the replacement parts I've bought purely because the ones I had weren't in the best condition, most of the parts have been bought on EBay and in some cases at a considerable saving to the price in shops. Starstream £ 200.00 Piston £ 35.00 Seat £ 40.00 Headlamp & Rim £ 50.00 Sidepanels £ 43.00 2 sets Wheelrims (2 wheels) £ 16.00 Toolbox £ 7.00 Cylinder Cowl £ 25.00 Switch Housing £ 5.00 Brake shoes £ 5.00 Light switch £ 8.00 Gasket set £ 8.00 Stator plate £ 35.00 Flywheel dust cover £ 3.00 Wire & Sleeving for loom £ 10.00 12v Regulator £ 7.00 Sandblasting £ 45.00 Subtotal £ 542.00

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