Cimatti Ramblings

Aaron /

Nov 04, 2001 11:51PM

Hello:

I've been working on a 1978 cimatti I found for a little while know got it running nicely and the like. Know I've taken it apart to repaint (it original was a god awful olive green). I;ve just been reading the past posts regarding cimatti's and minareli engines and have several questions which I'm hoping somebody might be able to help me with.

First of all when people talk about the correct transmission oil to use they tend to say almost any oil is alright as long as it's non-detergent. Why must it be non-detergent. (I am using SAE-20 non-detergent)

Secondly when people talk about mo-ped models made by cimatti there's mention of one which came with a rear tank (I assume this means under the seat). And a front tank (I assume this is like the Sach's). If my assumptions are correct both of these are step through versions however mine has a tank on it much like a motor-cycle. Is this one of these varieties or some kind of misfit?

Thirdly has anybody rigged up there mo-ped to charge a battery and run the ligts etc off of that thinking of adding some extra accesories maybe a radio or something?

Fourth just how commonly do mo-peds get stolen is it worth divising some kind of a chain lock so it won't role or would having a key switch and bicycle lock be enough to deter people?

Fifthly I'm pretty sure thats not a word but I'll keep going. I've seen some mo-peds with really cool looking 4 or 5 spoke wheels compared to the standard multi-spoke (bicyccle style) wheels it currently has. Would it be possible to retrofit these onto my bike or even better has somebody done it. as well as where would I find a set of these?

And finely does anybody have any idea as to how hot the exhaust / piston head gets during operation more specifically does anypart of a mo-ped ever exceed 400 F during normal operation or when it malfunctions?

Well if you've made it this far a commend you on navigating your way through my ramblings. If anybody has any answers to these questions or some insight it'd be greatly appreciated

thank you.

Aaron

P.S. it's new color is going to be a metallic blue

Re: Cimatti Ramblings

miguel /

Nov 05, 2001 01:39AM

ok ... let's see what i can tell you.

1) minarelli calls for sae-20 non-detergent oil. some people have claimed that even detergent oil is good and that other ranges of oil are fine. i'm something of a purist, so i use straight non-detergent sae-20. it's cheap, so why not.

2) the cimatti w/ the rear tank is the "city bike" the other is probably the "twin sport" (there is one of these in kzoo and a few city bikes). i've no idea about the one you describe. see if you can find a marking or post a picture. sounds like a find.

3) not sure about using a battery for lights, but other people have rigged up stereos and other things. search for those key words, or maybe some of those people will repost.

4) use a ulock to keep your moped. use kryptonite ulocks. the standard moped key lock under the handblebars is very very easy to break. and cutting through chains isn't that much harder. ulocks are sturdier. mopeds get stolen. think about it, they're easy to pedal start. someone's on it ... and they're off. bye bye precious moped.

5) the wheels you mention are mag wheels. you can get some easily enough. later mopeds have them, so you can probably get some to fit. i personally like the classic look of the spoke wheels ... but that's my preference.

post some before/after pics. good luck!

Re: Cimatti Ramblings

Reeperette /

Nov 05, 2001 11:57AM

Well, the non-detergent requirement is to avoid "foam" buildup in there, and to ensure the quality/purity....some detergent additives might not be so nice for use in a moped tranny.

As for theft, just do a forum search for REPOST and you'll find a sheet of useful info to make very sure that puppy stays yours.

The four and five spoke jobbies are mag wheels, and quite easy to retrofit as long as you can get the sprockets and brakes to match up, and that's usually simple.

As for the operating temperature, I don't know offhand, but I don't think it'd go that high, Fred or Ron might know exacts on that, or not.

-R

Re: Cimatti Ramblings

Rog /

Nov 05, 2001 05:32PM

A radio hardly draws any current so it should be easy enough to hook up, lights are a whole other thing, you'd need a battery, and to use the magneto to charge the battery, not try and run lights straight off of the mag, the battery would be used as a regulator in this instance , plus your only gonna get about 1 amp out of the mag so the battery will only run so many lights for so long , but if you dont run them in the daytime you might be ok

Rog

MOPED ARMY

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