UNDERSTANDING TWO-STROKE OIL
doesn’t matter whether you own a Vespa, Lambretta, or any other make of two-stroke scooter for that matter, one thing they all have in common is that they need the correct oil to run properly. Without it, or with the wrong amount, the cylinder and piston will seize up. Not only does it lubricate the top end, but also the crank bearings too; any problems here could mean significant and expensive damage to your engine. All two-stroke engines use a petrol/oil or ‘petroil’ mix which is combined (atomised) in the carb before entering the cylinder/combustion area. It doesn’t matter whether you have an autolube on a modern Vespa, or pre-mix it manually by pouring it into the fuel tank, like on a Lambretta, all you need to remember is both components enter the cylinder together. That is the easy part to understand – where it gets complicated is knowing what ratio to use and which type of oil to put in your engine. To make things even more confusing there are so many different brands out there, each having multiple options, with most of them having vivid labels quoting all manner of reasons why theirs is the best. Some are
