Copyright © 2001 by Lambretta Club of Scotland. All rights reserved.

Problem

Snapped upper chain guide.

Actual/common cause

Poorly fitted studs or nuts/loose chain/poor quality parts/wear & tear.

Solution

Turn the bottom guide round to act as an adjuster. You'll have to trim the bearing faces and make one new hole in the flat retaining part to get the angle right.

Complications

Obviously the bottom guide will be missing but this is not detrimental.

With some proper tools, such as a hacksaw, file and drill, this is an easy bodge but we achieved it with mole grips to bend the metal back and forth to snap it and a couple of Phillips screw-driver bits and a make-shift hammer to make the hole. Yes, it took an age.

Podgiest bodge

Some swaffled, heavy gauge, fencing wire can be wrapped around the crankcase to hold a wayward exhaust or end-can on. Leave a loop to insert an Allen key or screwdriver, twisting it like a tourniquet to tension the wire.