I am looking for an older (70-90's) moped to purchase and tinker with. I have an amateur's interest in mechanics.. but still just rookie skills. Question: How do the old brands stack up as far as ease of maintenance/engine rebuilding and availability/expense of parts? Would you rank the major brands according to your opinion and experience? Thanks for all replies. From the plains of South Dakota! /mike
I just bought a 1977 Puch Newport, and it's been great. So far, the parts I've bought were a couple of Carburetor gaskets, a stock fuel shut off valve, fuel line and filter, and a perfomance exhaust. There aren't any places I know of in South Dakota that sell moped parts. I bought all my parts from www.themopedjunkyard.com They have a huge selection of parts for most mopeds (mainly Puch and Tomos) From what I hear Tomos makes an excellent moped, too. Where in South Dakota are you?
Central part of South Dakota.. Onida (pop 800) 30 miles north of Pierre.
I would say Tomos first, but Puch is so close a second as to not matter much.
The Tomos Bullet, Tomos Silver Bullet, Puch Newport, Puch Maxi, and Puch AustroDaimler (A really nice singlespeeder) are all very nice sets of wheels you can get your hands on cheap, are easy to tear down and fix - and you can still get parts for all of them.
I would try to steer clear of Jawa's, I've seen a couple of solid-running ones, but most of the used one's you find were lemons right off the lot.
-Ree
yea
Ree is right on the jawa's i own 2 of them. Bought both for 25 dollers. The one is an 85 it almost runs, and i have a 210 that has some motor work to be done. but i lucked out i know someone with parts to fix them up he was a jawa dealer! also I think Garelli's are a great bike, but it is very hard to find parts! i don't know what worng with me i alway buy the rare bikes!! well if i was you i would get a tomas one or the best bike out there now.
Good luck!
Scott H.
in terms of parts available, i've heard puch is the way to go. but ... italian bikes (or bikes w/ minarelli engines) are also good. they were mass produced and engine/carburator parts are easy enough to find. it might be harder to find frame parts, but they are very reliable engines and have a great reputation among many of us.
Thanks, Ree. I'll be looking for those models. I'm checking classifies daily (internet) but I don't know where those "cheap" ones are hiding.? If you hear where a grandma is giving up on her ped.. please email me. Thanks.
I agree with Miguel, i have found the Minarelli based mopeds the easiest to work on, followed by puch, and then sachs. But, damn the italian bikes are stuffed with style.
dan
Moped Army
Swarm and Destroy.
I've got 17 Motobecanes- They seem pretty good,just got 15 of them so i'll let you know later how they are to work on...The 1st two I got ran and continue to run super - a 1977 and a 1978...The other I got as project bikes-hope to get 6 or 7 running and have spares...good luck...
I think Motobecanes are a nightmare to work on. My first bike was a motobecane, and it just wouldn't work with me. Good luck, 15 of any moped is a great thing, where did you get them all?
dan
moped army
swarm and destroy
if your looking for simple you cant beat the Minarelli engine. the electrical system is only 3 wires. I've never seen one that we couldnt at least get running.
daveb
Dave,
Isn't that interesting? My Moto-F#$%&*^-becane also has only three wires.
Ron
I've never re-wired a Motobecane, but give me 20 feet of wire and half an hour and I'll re-wire a Minarelli. It's like they were made to be tinkered with. My Minarelli is without a doubt the crappiest looking moped in the Decepticon Moped Army, but it's still my favorite moped. Check out a pict in the member's section.
daveb
Dave,
I checked the pic out, where's the gas tank on that bike? is that it under the seat?
I agree on the Minarelli engines are easy to work on, that's what I have also.
Yep, it's under the seat. I'm going to try and mount a second one i have from my Concord (rest its broken frame and forks) on the front because the Cimati tank only holds a half a gallon.
daveb
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