In keeping with their policy of producing a tidal-wave of new parts, the lads at RLC have been working on new forks for the Luna range of Lambrettas. Their forthcoming 135cc plug ‘n’ play kit, is due out for spring 2019 and having now pushed the boundaries of performance up to a level that owners of Lui/Vega/Cometa or J range scooters never would have previously thought possible, handling and safety is also high on their collective agenda.
Apart from being hard to locate, original Luna line Lambretta forks are not that robust and also tend to give very light handling as standard, as the front end weighs the same as a gnat with heavy shopping. Some people like this aspect but inevitably people will start tuning their kits over their 12-14bhp out-of-the-box power level so better brakes might well be needed.
Brand new fork design
Therefore to kill two birds with one stone RLC are now completing tests of an all-new fork design, that has a Vega type column but with a (modified) LI-type lower section, courtesy of Vittorio Tessera and Casa Lambretta. This means that these new forks will add a little more weight to the front end of the scooter but most importantly also permit owners to use either Li type drum hub brakes or hydraulic discs from any manufacturer, CasaDisc included, as can be seen here in the pics.
For those who wish to keep their original forks, a simpler (and cheaper) fully hydraulic Casa Performance front brake for original Luna & J Range type forks is also on the cards and testing of prototypes is due to start on these shortly. Both forks and brakes are expected to be released in Summer 2019.
More new products
As if all this wasn’t enough, the lads have also finalised the following products:
- A new chain guide (suitable for all models)
- New high spec cranks for both 3 and 4 speed engine casings with balance factors specifically suited for the weight of the pistons
- A Ducati 90W electronic ignition complete with Hi-Flow CP fan
- Superseal driveside oilseal plates with Viton ‘O’ ring that can be used on both 3 and 4 speed casings
- Various exhaust systems (both big-bore original type and expansion chamber type by Barone Racing)
- Also a super-neat adapter ring for fitting under the flywheel cowling that has an additional lug for mounting an exhaust for non-Vega 75cc models, that are without the necessary mounting point casting on the engine casing
Anti-vibe
Another issue when tuning Luna machines has always been the increase in vibration and RLC have also addressed this with some novel solutions to the original engine mount set-up. This modification is still in its early days though so more news to follow if their testing goes to plan.
Winter long distance testing
Right through the winter these parts will be tested to the extreme and all being well, by Christmas prototypes of their new 5-speed gearboxes will also be fitted to the 4 x Luis that the shop use for test-bed purposes.
Scooterist Meltdown
Once any initial bugs have been ironed out, these same scooters will be ridden up across the Alps to the Scooterist Meltdown event on the Dutch-German border, replicating what the lads did last year when they rode there on two SSR/SST265s in artic like -10°C conditions as reported HERE on SLUK. If that all goes to plan, then production proper of all parts goes into overdrive and next summer we should see a lot of previously neglected smallframe Lambrettas back on the road!
New products always in development…
