Brian,
This may be of interest to you if you ever get a Batavus to put out enough power.
I have not actually tried this, but cursory measurements indicate that the Batavus Starflight rear sprocket (50T) is interchangeable with a Motobecane Model 7 (39T),
Actually looks like you could use the complete wheel, I think the hubs are identical, this may offer you another source fo Batavus rear wheels.
Ron
But Ron,doesn't the Motobecane have that metric offshoot measurement? I'm sure the pedaling chain does.
Don,
I'm not familiar with that "metric offshoot measurement".
According to my calipers, the drive and pedal chains are the same size on both. I replaced the pedal chain on the Bat with one from Wally World. I have not tried to find a drive chain yet but it is a 1/2 inch pitch chain so I am sure it won't be too tough.
Ron
Hi,Ron! Well,the only reason I said something is that when I was up to Handy Bikes,B.J. sold me a pedaling chain for a MOTOBECANE and he said a regular chain would work ,but be a little off due to the French system.He sold me the Motobecane product,`cause I don't take chances with chains.Also,the fellow I sold that Motobecane Moby to told me the same thing.So IF you're sure,fine,but if not 100%,I'd call B.J. at Handy Bikes and check it out.Just don't want anybody to throw a chain and get hurt,`specially me!
Don,
I just checked the pedal chain on the Bat and it is a perfect fit. My calipers tell me the chain on the Motobecane is the same. For what it is worth, the freewheel sprocket on the Motobecane is a standard bicycle part, made in England. Ditto for the Bat except a few more teeth and German made.
Ron
Ron,the French pedaling chain on the Moby is slightly different,but B.J. said the other would work.What I was concerned about was your saying a Motobecane rear sprocket seemed to interchange with a Batavus.I'd be very sure about that switch before I'd take a chance on losing some leg meat to a busted chain! You see,there may be some difference that you don't see with the caliper,and what's a phone call to 614-299-0550 gonna cost? Matter of fact,they've got a toll-free up there but I don't have it on me.Well,my conscience is clear on the matter,`cause if I would have stayed silent and then read a post where somebody got hurt bad,THAT would bother me. BYE!
Don,
I think Brian has forgotten more about machining and fitting parts than you and I together ever knew, so I am not too worried about him having a problem.
Lets face it, a sprocket has a hole in the middle for a hub, a circle of bolt holes to hold it on, offset, thickness and pitch. I would feel guilty if I called someone who is trying to make a living, who I was not going to buy something from, to ask him a question when the answer is right in front of me if I use my own time.
I am absolutely sure that the pedal chain on the Bat is a standard bicycle chain. If I ever replace the chain on the Motobecane I will let you know.
I am considering a new drive chain for the Bat so I will let you know how that goes.
Ron
Guess that's the difference Ron.I buy quite a bit up there and so I'll ask him about it next couple of weeks or so.As a matter of fact,my MOTOMARINA runs so well with the bigger rear sprocket,that I'm going to ask him if he has one for my other MOTOMARINA ,and I'll get a new chain to match.I put new rings on the Franco-Morini engine on that bike,and honed the cylinder,but not much difference yet in power.It has a very small rear sprocket.I weigh over 230lbs.,so I think the MOTOMARINA will appreciate it.So if I find there's a significant difference in the drive chain,I'll post it for sure.Happy `pedding!
Ron,
Thanks for the heads up. This is an interesting find. I just got home from work and see that you and Don have hashed this out. I'll have to check with some of the local guys to see if we can come up with this rear wheel and give it a try. I wish there was a moped cross reference like the auto salvage yards have for cars.
As Red Green would say, 'If it ain't broke, you're not trying hard enough.'
Brian
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