Stock gearing for Franco-Morini bikes?

Trent Anderson /

Apr 09, 2019 11:50PM

I picked up an Italvelo Lloyds a few weeks ago, cleaned it up, greased the wheel bearings, installed a new petcock, fuel line, in line filter, and spark plug. After several rides around the block it goes around 35 downhill, 25 - 30 on level ground, and 10 - 15 up even the smallest hills. The previous owner installed a new piston and rings, but nothing was done to the bottom end, so it's possible the engine needs rebuilding.

This is my first Franco-Morini M01 bike and I am wondering what type of performance to expect from it. I haven't looked at the front sprocket yet, but the rear sprocket, 28 teeth, is tiny compared to my Minarelli bikes, which usually have a 44 tooth in the back. As I look at my other F-M M01 bike, a Scorpion SC-1, I see a similar sized rear sprocket on it as well. The Scorpion has 17 inch wheels while the Lloyds has 16 inch wheels.

So, what is the proper, stock sprocket gearing on Franco-Morini bikes for 20, 25, and 30 mph set ups?

Re: Stock gearing for Franco-Morini bikes?

Don Ohio /

don45640

Apr 10, 2019 12:03AM

28 teeth is fine. I have a 24 tooth on my Sebrings with MO2, but they have first gear so I get by with it. For the single-speed,unless you're on totally flat ground, I'd stay with 28 or more. I'm thinking they came out with 32-34 teeth.

Oh, and the minarellis gearing of the engine is way higher,so they need the huge rear sprocket. (edited)

Re: Stock gearing for Franco-Morini bikes?

Trent Anderson /

tanderson78 OP

Apr 10, 2019 12:13AM

So is the 20 mph difference between uphill and downhill normal or might I have an air leak due to bad 40 year old seals or a bad clutch or something?

Re: Stock gearing for Franco-Morini bikes?

Don Ohio /

don45640

Apr 10, 2019 12:17AM

With a 28T you are actually geared high for stock engine on hills. A 32 would pull the hills much better.

You also have different teeth numbers on the FRONT sprocket. I solved a power problem with just opening the airbox a little , upjetting a little, and buying a midrange pipe.

Re: Stock gearing for Franco-Morini bikes?

Tri-ped Dave O.D.B. /

chefhockey

Apr 10, 2019 04:44AM

Sounds like expected performance for a stock M01 to me. Check the intake as well. Many have a very restrictive one that measures out to under 12mm. That can be drilled out to 14mm or replaced with the larger one if you are not that good with tools. It helps a lot.

Re: Stock gearing for Franco-Morini bikes?

Don Ohio /

don45640

Apr 10, 2019 12:24PM

Yes, I forgot to mention that I drilled and dremeled(grinded also with drill) my intake out. This helps a lot.

Re: Stock gearing for Franco-Morini bikes?

kenny s /

kennys

Apr 11, 2019 07:04PM

How did you drill your intake? Did you just use a half inch drill bit and open up that 9 mm wide hole? or did you drill in that area showed in the photo? Im asking because I think I drilled too much of my intake. Im running very lean and cant figure out why. The pic shown is not of my actual mopeds intake.

Re: Stock gearing for Franco-Morini bikes?

Don Ohio /

don45640

Apr 12, 2019 12:28AM

no, a little each time. Clamp it down good and take slightly larger drill bit each time. Use oil on the bit. I just used a silicon grinding stone in a drill to finish it out. Rough is fine......…...just helps the miture swirl and atomize.

Re: Stock gearing for Franco-Morini bikes?

Benjamin The Wandering Pacer /

scottishsamurai

Apr 15, 2019 11:49AM

> Don Ohio Wrote:

> -------------------------------------------------------

> 28 teeth is fine. I have a 24 tooth on my Sebrings with MO2, but they

> have first gear so I get by with it. For the single-speed,unless you're

> on totally flat ground, I'd stay with 28 or more. I'm thinking they came

> out with 32-34 teeth.

>

> Oh, and the minarellis gearing of the engine is way higher,so they need

> the huge rear sprocket.

I have a similar setup as Don on my yellow Pacer SS with my M02. No sure what the front is might be a 12?. My Red Pacer SS M1 is running 14t x 32t and I get pretty decent speeds up hills. The M1 has different internal Gearing though. I have a couple gnarly hills in my neighborhood that I use for testing. I can check some of my other bike setups when I get home. I don't currently have any MO1s mounted to bikes since I am rebuilding the bikes but I can check what my Pacer Deluxe was setup with.

Re: Stock gearing for Franco-Morini bikes?

Trent Anderson /

tanderson78 OP

Apr 16, 2019 01:32AM

None of the hills that I climbed on my several rides were all that big. I was told that the bike had new piston and rings installed last year. I need to drain the over filled clutch bath and refill with the correct amount of oil (12 ounces). I could also try better 2 cycle oil and ethanol free gas.

That said, one of my Motrons was able to get a top speed of 23 mph and only dropped to 15 going up one of the steepest hills in the area. Of course, it's probably geared with a 9:44 setup. I just never expected to see a 20 mph difference between level ground and SLIGHT hill climbing on my first Franco-Morini bike. (edited)

Re: Stock gearing for Franco-Morini bikes?

Don Ohio /

don45640

Apr 16, 2019 06:23PM

> Trent Anderson Wrote:

> -------------------------------------------------------

> None of the hills that I climbed on my several rides were all that big.

> I was told that the bike had new piston and rings installed last year.

> I need to drain the over filled clutch bath and refill with the correct

> amount of oil (12 ounces). I could also try better 2 cycle oil and

> ethanol free gas.

>

> That said, one of my Motrons was able to get a top speed of 23 mph and

> only dropped to 15 going up one of the steepest hills in the area. Of

> course, it's probably geared with a 9:44 setup. I just never expected

> to see a 20 mph difference between level ground and SLIGHT hill climbing

> on my first Franco-Morini bike.

Just remember the Minarelli is geared almost twice as high(needs more sprocket reduction) as the Franco-Morini at the engine.

MOPED ARMY

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