Motobecane problems also

Andy /

Dec 07, 2001 07:29PM

I have a 78 motobecane 50v that I am trying to get running to last me while I get together the last of the money I need to buy a new ped.

It has good compression and the carb is getting ready to get soaked in the high power carb cleaner but I have no spark. I have several questions for you guys.

1 There are 3 sets of wires coming out of the motor by the points/mag cover 2 look like they go to the lights etc. and have connectors one goes to the coil and come out through a rubber grommet. will the motor run with the other two unhooked or is this my problem? The two that look like they go to the lights are broken at the connectors and I was going to try to get running before I worried about lights.

2 How can I get the points cover off? pref without having to have an impact wrench I can't budge it (is it left hand threaded?) I wanted to check the ponits since this ped has sat for a looong time.

Thanks

Andy

ps I really don't want to light it on fire, and if I did I already know how to so that reply is not neccesary

Re: Motobecane problems also

Ron Brown /

Dec 08, 2001 12:45PM

Andy,

On the Motobecane, when you turn the lights off, the light switch actually shorts the alternator output to ground. One of the wires is head, tail and speedo lamps, the other is horn and brake lamp. When you start working on the brake lamps, keep in mind that the brake switches are in series and ground the alternator. Pull either lever, break the short to ground, lamp lights. This info will save you large handfulls of hair.

The alternator bolt is a left hand thread and removing or installing it without an impact wrench is tough. The book mentions using a "stroke limiter" in the spark plug hole, which is essentially a rod which scews into the spark plug hole to stop the piston. I find this a little scary. You could try having someone hold a 3/8" breaker bar in the bolt while you whack it with a hammer, but an impact is definitely the easy way to go.

You do most likely have coroded points and you should check the condensor while you are in there. It mounts on the cylinder side of the magneto plate and gets cooked by engine heat while the ped is running.

Good luck,

Ron

Re: Motobecane problems also

Ron Brown /

Dec 08, 2001 12:47PM

Andy,

I forgot to mention that if you just short the lamp wires from the alternator to ground, you will be tha same as if the lights were off. I really don't know if this affects the spark.

Ron

MOPED ARMY

Login or Create Account