Found in a barn at an estate sale. Guy want $150 for it. He thinks it's worth hundreds more. I'm not so sure about that.
I'm gonna pass on it, does not seem to be extremely rare, and I don't really need another project. Just thought it's kinda interesting....
Not specifically rare but cool color and does have an engine on it... If the engine turns over and the tank was ok, I'd do the $150.
Motor alone is worth it. I'd have bought it on the spot.
If I was still living in Nj, I would have bought it.
A 74 is pretty early; interesting even though it has those terrible (IMO) quill stem handlebars. I'd have offered $100.
I would've paid 150€ for it, the rear wheel is still there and with a bit of luck they just removed it to change the tire.
> Kim Jong illest wrote:
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> Motor alone is worth it. I'd have bought it on the spot.
The motor alone is worth it? Maybe I will go back tomorrow and see if he would lower the price.
I agree the stem for the handlebars is kinda cheesy.
One problem here in good ol' NJ... no title, no way to register it. Kinda kills resale value in the entire state, I think.
Other wheel was there. Not sure what else is missing besides the side covers and headlight.
The carb is half taken apart and it's missing the airbox too.
Great color. Those were the really early years in the US. Has that funky rear light with the rubber strap - which is gone on this. There was a purple color back then too that you almost never see.
These early ones were fast stock (relative).
If the tank was clean I'd do $150.00
> Keith K wrote:
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> Great color. Those were the really early years in the US. Has that funky
> rear light with the rubber strap - which is gone on this. There was a
> purple color back then too that you almost never see.
>
> These early ones were fast stock (relative).
Sorry, what do you mean by "fast stock"?
That motor probably needs a rebuild but that and a bath and I'd be sending it
So that early in the US they were 2hp and the ones I remember were 30+ stock. Good top end.
All that got modified down with more regulation.
They S I remember were white, that lime green you have, a cool purple.
They also have a weird inspection bolt right under the crank that can leak compression.
In the EU/Denmark the price of a Maxi in that shape is about 1000 USD :D
> Brian F wrote:
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> The carb is half taken apart and it's missing the airbox too.
Thanks for pointing that out. That's the kind of thing I am wondering- what is missing... Also obviously the side covers, which are probably impossible to find unless someone can fab them up.
> Jan Cono wrote:
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> > Brian F wrote:
>
> > -------------------------------------------------------
>
> > The carb is half taken apart and it's missing the airbox too.
>
> Thanks for pointing that out. That's the kind of thing I am wondering-
> what is missing... Also obviously the side covers, which are probably
> impossible to find unless someone can fab them up.
Uh, no. The puch maxi is the most common moped in the US. Used side covers are widely available, or you can get new production replacements for all of $31 at treats.
Carb parts and side covers are readily available. $150 is cheap, if your going to buy it
check the gas tank for rust (both inside and check for rot at the bottom of the exterior of tank) pull the magneto cover off and see if the engine turns, check for crank bearing noise. Check the stator/electronics for rust and or water damage. Spin the rims and check to see if there true. Inspect chrome parts/wheels for rust. Check to see if the engine number matches the frame stamp. Check mileage on the speedo. Note condition of the wiring harness, lights etc switches controls. Check forks for function and straightness.
Sell me those orange reflectors off of it and make some of your money back :)
So I went back for another look. Passed on it. Lots of rust in the gas tank, and the over all paint and chrome condition was only fair.... no spark plug so I couldn't check compression. Would be a good project for someone else maybe, just not me.
I would have paid double the asking price. Just about any moped you find is going to be a complete project. And if it isn't a project, it'll cost you $1,000 to buy it.
That one needs tires, tubes, tank cleaning, petcock, bearings, seals, etc. THEY ALL DO.
> Taylor King wrote:
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> I would have paid double the asking price. Just about any moped you find
> is going to be a complete project. And if it isn't a project, it'll cost
> you $1,000 to buy it.
Totally depends on location and what you want. Stock bikes that are running, or very close to it (carb clean, new gas, new plug) go for like $300 out here if they're not some crazy rare model or in exceptional condition.
Just the picture above and the $150 price had me sold. It would have been in my truck 2 minutes later.
So I ended up buying it after all. Several weeks after the estate sale, I was still thinking about this Puch- really like that it is a '74... so I drove past the old farm where the sale was, and saw all kinds of crap that hadn't been sold still laying there. Figured I'd leave a note in the mailbox saying I am interested in the Puch if it was still around. Didn't hear anything for a few weeks, then I got a call from the lady who lives there.
I ended picking it up and having a nice conversation with her. It was her dad's farm. He bought the Puch brand new for her, and it has been around ever since. It has about 1,700 mi. on the ODO.
Surprisingly, it has cleaned up nicely. I pulled off the cylinder, and removed the piston. Rings were basically glued in there, but I will get new ones.
Just thought I'd post a couple of fotos. Currently putting together a list of what I need to buy from Treatland or Myron's... Let me know what you think.
You likely don't need new rings . I'd just clean thoroughly and run 'em .
They'll probably get you at least another 5,000 miles down the road .
I don't care for green on any bike , but , yours' did clean up very nicely .
Hopefully that gas tank rust is just superficial on the paint not all the way through.
Neat color, hope the tank isn't too rusty and the stuff circled in red is only superficial but you may want to pressurize it with a bicycle hand pump and spray soapy water on that area and look for bubbles.
Unfortunately I broke one ring. I had soaked the piston for days on end in various fluids, but one ring just would not become unglued from the varnish under it.
Pretty sure the paint is just scratched off there, not rusted through. Getting the tank clean will be a pain though. Above that scratch, you can see an area where more paint is scratched off. Not sure why that part of the bike got so much abuse, but I think it is superficial. (edited)
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