MOPED ARMY

Nice bike, not many folks preserve these because there are no performance parts off the shelf for it. but they are well engineered and very reliable.

It is not the cutch that would be a 2 speed, it is the driven pulley that has a planetary gear system built into it.

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Careful tuning, porting and derestriction can get some pretty good power from them without removing reliability. Just no kits to slap on them...

Got some tires and a headlight switch and a generic taillight coming to get this rideable this winter. I like that Myrons link. Hope his info never goes away. I never have been interested in kits or higher performance stuff for any of my bikes other than sometimes a less restrictive air cleaner. I just like the nearly stock set-ups even if they only go 29 mph. Also I have the cylinder head coolant fill plug soaking in my favorite penetrating oil before I attempt to remove it. After treating some of the other rust spots I tried some paint left over from another project and it just so happens that Navistar 4421 (school bus yellow!!) is a perfect match for this color.

Indeed - just cleaning everything up, a little derestricting and match porting intake, transfer lead ins and exhause will make a good difference AND you will know you have reliability to ride all day long and into the night.

That things sweet bro

From Myron's info here's what my 40/2-R means: 40/2 is 29mph engine ( Type 255 engine somehow tweaked from 255 engine that only goes 25 mph- possibly slightly higher RPM limit). R is regular transmission NOT the 2 speed. There are different cables and an anti-back pedal mechanism on pedal sprocket for the 2 speed, beside the obvious pulley difference; none of which mine has, so mine is correct as a single speed with slightly faster engine. That's what I like about this hobby- always something new to learn and to share it with anybody that is interested.

I think I may have found the reason for not using this moped whenever it was parked. The clutch has no movement when I squeeze the handle. In taking it apart I think there is another spoked pressure plate that should go on top of #4. I have a new disc coming because of the broken ear and have reached out to some others but I believe this needs to seen by anyone interested because I think it's a standard Laura M48 engine/clutch. Any input sincerely appreciated as other work on the bike is progressing. When assembled with shown parts plate #1 compresses everything leaving no spring tension to operate the clutch. I have studied Myron's Pages relentlessly to arrive at the conclusion something is missing.

Examine the center hole of #4 very carefully. 9 out of 10 the center is stripped so that it wont lock onto the crankshafts "Double D".

If it is stripped or rounded out it's over for the hub

Got my graphics back from the sign shop today. While I sort out the clutch problem ( belt pulley hub is not rounded out) I just picked these up, copied from the one original one remaining on the bike . The tank is still a work in progress but is coming along nice.

Here is a set of pictures from an owners guide of a Montgomery Wards open road single speed with a solo engine . Its the same motor as a Solo odyssey. This is the clutch assembly , but i have the entire bike in clear pictures if anybody needs it .

Ooh, actually this would be nice... Any chance you could scan the page with the clutch assembly? I got this solo awhile back on a bike that was unfortunately pretty wrecked. Anyway the clutch never disengaged and wouldn't variate and for the life of me I couldn't figure out that clutch.

Well I got the clutch fixed. The plate on #4 hub in previous picture was held on by a cast retaining ring. I ground that ring off, removed the plate and cleaned out the grooves in the hub. I installed all new parts from Myrons in the clutch hub as per his diagram and it works as it should. This clutch operates OPPOSITE as you think of a car clutch. When you pull the clutch handle ( like stepping on clutch pedal) it ENGAGES the clutch to turn the engine over. When you let go of the handle ( like letting clutch pedal out) it DISENGAGES the clutch allowing it to free-wheel. Crazy but simple Austrian /German tech. I worked for VW for 27 years so I had to TRY reprogramming my brain to think opposite.

Gas tank done. The black hand - cut vinyl is my idea to cover some remaining pits as I didn't want to skim it with body putty or filler. Hate that stuff. Bike is nearly done but the cold weather here will slow the process down considerably. Tried to bring the whole thing in the house but got the old " what do you think you're doing? " look. Didn't push it.