LML - the last manufacturer of classic manual scooters
Sad news from the English online magazine
Sluk. LML, the world's last manufacturer of classic manual scooters, seems to be on the brink of extinction, but we hope the tide is still turning. If you don't know the history of LML, "click" (
Lohia Machinery Limited). LML has built licensed productions of the popular Vespa models in its history:
Usually quite close to the original, sometimes a little more idiosyncratic, they were always popular low-cost entry-level models that were particularly characterized by their economy. Indian reality simply demanded different priorities, so longevity and economy were clear selling points. At peak times, 30,000 scooters rolled off the production line every month and LML was not only serving the Indian market. Classic PX models have always been very popular in Asia, Iran and various African countries. Egypt was one of LML's main sales markets, which unfortunately proved to be their undoing: The devaluation of the Egyptian pound in 2016 made the scooters so expensive that this market collapsed. Unfortunately, no market was able to fill this gap and so LML stumbled even more.
Scooter Center Visiting the LML factory
We first visited LML in 2014 and were able to see production live at the factory in Kanpur.
We were both impressed and moved by what we saw, because seeing a PX body being created from a huge roll of sheet steel gave us goosebumps. We were very impressed and it was simply unbelievable to be there live at the birth of a scooter.
LML has potential
It was clear to us then that "LML has potential!". Although the feel of some LML parts may not quite meet our expectations, their quality is absolutely top-notch. We have installed the LML gearboxes in 30 hp engines in the workshop without any problems. The complete
LML engines are unbeatable in terms of price-performance ratio and the painted
LML framesets a great starting point for a new build. The rest of the original parts are also very popular with us. Unfortunately, there is a lot of counterfeiting in India and inferior replica parts are simply sold in fake LML packaging. You should pay close attention to this and keep your hands off dubious offers. However, LML has not only produced Piaggio models under license, but has also made many further developments to which the original must bow:
LML engine housing XXL transfer case. We discovered these engine cases by chance at the factory. To this day, we have not really been able to clarify where they were installed.
On the one hand, they have HUGE transfer ports (why weld and mill them?!), on the other hand, the cylinder base mount was smaller than on the Piaggio engines. (We offer the housings already spindled to Piaggio dimensions:
LML engine case XXL transfer ports) Furthermore, the development of a 4-speed four-stroke engine in the LML PX dress should not go unmentioned, as this is the only way to comply with the strict exhaust emission values and the gearshift has (had) a future. To top it all off, we were there when the production of the LML PK was rebuilt. The idea was actually a good one. A smallframe with an automatic engine and disc brakes. It would certainly have had a future, at least as a 50cc in Germany, for example. Unfortunately, it was only available as a 125cc and there was probably no mass market. We had a fork (shortened Lusso fork) sent to us as a sample and saw great potential for V50, VBB and Rally/Sprint conversions, but unfortunately this never happened. Finally, LML sought salvation in the production of a three-wheeler for the Indian market. Unfortunately, this project does not seem to have brought the necessary success and things are looking bleak at the moment. We are keeping our fingers crossed that LML will find an investor who recognizes the potential. It would be a shame if such a great company with enthusiastic employees were to simply disappear.
Ulf Schröder, Scooter Center LML engine housing for Vespa |
LML frame set for Vespa
DE | €
