Building the scooter you’ve always dreamed of is rarely the easy option. It’s a journey that demands focus, commitment and no small amount of emotional decision-making — something Louie Burn discovered first-hand with his Lambretta Li Series 2 resto-mod, fittingly named ‘Money Pit’, or as builder Craig Hutchison calls it, “a wee monster.”
Like many in the scooter scene, Louie’s passion developed early. As a youngster, he spent hours dismantling lawnmowers and engines in his dad Sacha’s garage, while being surrounded by scooters owned and ridden by his father. Early hands-on experience came through a Vespa Primavera bought at a parts fair, followed by a Vespa PK50 project — both of which helped Louie build a solid understanding of scooter engines and mechanics.
Louie’s first road-going scooter was a Royal Alloy GT50, a 16th birthday gift that opened the door to rallies, group rides and the realities of scooter ownership — including roadside repairs. One memorable moment came on the A1 when a side panel worked loose, forcing father and son to improvise a temporary fix using nothing more than a coat hanger. It worked — and reinforced an essential scooter skill that can’t be taught in a classroom: initiative.
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Over time, Louie’s favourite model became the Lambretta Li Series 2, and he was determined that one day he’d build his own — but not just any example. His vision was clear: a tuned Series 2 in original paint, looking like it had been dragged from a skip, but hiding serious performance beneath the patina.
In June 2022, Louie found the perfect base: an all-original Italian-import Lambretta Li 125 Series 2. Knowing the scale of the task ahead, he commissioned Craig Hutchison of Hutchi & Son to manage the build. Once stripped, the scooter revealed significant challenges. The frame was badly twisted from a previous front-end impact and required major corrective surgery, including chopping the frame and replacing the front stem. The forks were also twisted and had to be straightened and checked thoroughly to ensure the scooter would be safe to ride.
Crucially, the original paintwork was professionally preserved and carefully developed, maintaining the scooter’s authentic appearance while allowing the mechanical upgrades to shine discreetly beneath the surface.
Performance was a key objective. The build centres around a tuned Quattrini 210 kit, paired with a Darrell Taylor 58/116 crank, AF 5-speed gearbox, AF 6-plate cassette clutch, and a Dell’Orto 30mm carburettor. A period-style Gori box pipe completes the setup, delivering crisp power with classic looks.
Handling and braking were upgraded to match the increased performance, with a front disc brake, stiffer fork springs, BGM dampers, and an upgraded rear shock ensuring confident road manners. The result is a scooter that feels sharp, stable and eager — a true street sleeper.
Several bespoke touches complete the build. The seat is a one-off, fabricated from a Royal Alloy seat to fit the Series 2 frame, providing Louie — who stands over six feet tall — with a comfortable and familiar riding position. Period additions such as the inner legshield, spare wheel carrier and gauge console reinforce the scooter’s authentic aesthetic.
On the road, ‘Money Pit’ delivers smooth power through the gears, sounds crisp and sharp, and oozes the patina-rich performance style Louie set out to achieve. The build took approximately 14 months and stands as Louie’s first major road-going project — one filled with challenges, learning curves and the kind of lifelong memories only a first build can create.
As its name suggests, the scooter represents both the cost of tackling serious engineering challenges and the thrilling performance that emerged as a result. For Louie, it’s proof that sometimes letting emotion guide your decisions leads to exactly the scooter you always wanted.
Original Words: Stu Smith, from an article in Scootering Magazine. To subscribe please visit https://www.classicmagazines.co.uk/scootering
Photos: Courtesy of Louie and Sacha Burn
