Tired of your heavy Lambretta clutch? There are so many solutions available now, but none are cheaper or easier to fit than Derek Dowling’s Lambretta Clutch Assist (pictured above).
As part of my preparations for the publication of the 4th edition of The Complete Spanner’s Manual: Lambretta Scooters, which is scheduled for publication later this year, I’ve been updating the text throughout, including a review of all the clutch developments that’ve been introduced since the last edition in 2018.
Searching for a lighter lever
One modern problem for people who want to continue riding geared scooters as they age, is dealing with a heavy clutch on a tuned Lambretta.
The first solution on the market was Casa Performance’s rack-and-pinion CasaCover side casing, which massively reduces lever strain but is a completely revised and restyled engine cover. It works a treat, but it’s not cheap.
What about using a standard side casing?
The CasaCase was followed by several rack-and-pinion conversions for GP side casings:
Presently there are three popular conversions:
- Chiselspeed Easy Pull is relatively expensive as the side casing is modified to suit: either as an outright buy or on an exchange basis.
- AF Rayspeed developed the EasyClutch conversion with UNI in India; which fits into an unmodified GP side casing. This kit includes an arm with several different positions for the (specific) trunnion, allowing for adjustment of the action. There is a fitting video for this kit on the Shedtune YouTube channel.
- Crimaz produces one of the simplest versions of the rack and pinion idea in his Rall-One conversion. These are two parts (a steel pinion and a bronze rack) that fit into original GP engine casings. Warren Wilkinson rates this as not only the cheapest but also one of the most effective methods to halve the strain on your clutch hand.
Where does the Lambretta Clutch Assist Fit in?
Derek’s simple pulley-based solution is a real game changer and can be fitted without any specialist tools by anybody who has the capability to change their own cables.
Our in-depth video guide (below) provides a few helpful tips and tricks, so be sure to watch it.
PROS:
- Cheapest solution
- Easiest to fit
- Comes with a spare cable
- Works with any side casing, not only GP
- Literally halves force at the clutch lever
- Over 2,500 sold
CONS
- Requires very careful adjustment to work correctly
- Does not work with any clutch system that requires a lot of movement in order to separate the plates
- May be incompatible with some wide rim/tyre combinations
VIDEO | Curing the Cons
Overall I’m impressed with Derek’s solution – it works as advertised if your clutch system is suitable. But what about if you encounter problems with both drag at a standstill as well as clutch slip when riding?
In that case, we can offer a solution suggested by Alan at Diablo Moto, which works well as a compromise.
It’s all revealed in our in-depth YouTube video, and we show you exactly how to fit the Clutch Assist and set it up.
Text, video and images: Sticky
Where to buy
Clutch Assist is now available from the SLUK Shop. It costs just £28 and is the quickest, cheapest way to reduce the hand strain from your Lambretta’s clutch.
