Going uphill

Hey,

So my 1978 Puch newport is working! I get some pretty good speed when I'm on flat ground (although I feel like it is capable of a bit more). It sounds like it is trying really hard. I'm not sure how fast I'm going, the spedometer needs to be fixed, but I am definitely not at 30 mph.

When I start to go uphill, it really struggles. It takes me up there but really slowing, maybe 10 mph or less. Kind of like a faster jog. I'd like it to take hills like a champ.

What sort of improvements should I make? I feel like I may have some air leakage. Not much at all though. The timing may be off very slightly. Very very slightly.

Any thoughts?

Re: Going uphill

raise compression, good pipe, make sure your timing is on the mark and the points are clean and gapped correctly.

Re: Going uphill

as far as timing being on the mark... 18.5-21mm is a pretty big distance when it comes to turning the flywheel. Is stock pipe good enough or should I drill holes/buy a biturbo?

What should the spark plug gap be set to?

Thanks, I'll run a compression test and buy a torque wrench asap.

Re: Going uphill

check for that leak and timing, gap is .016-.020, what hp model is it? if it's 1 or 1.5hp ditch the head gasket and intake port restriction if there is one, you may need to upjet a little to match, and an expansion chamber pipe that is good in the low end like the tecno estoril would help yeah.

Re: Going uphill

Thats .016-.02 before TDC, right? I'm not sure about the HP but it is either 1 or 1.5. The head gasket, you don't mean the aluminum gasket, do you? Because that was off before and it was leaking air like crazy. The intake port is restricted, it looks like a gasket that went a little overboard, covering the intake hole and replacing it with an arbitrarily smaller hole.

I may upjet and experiment, but I bet i will see some serious gains if I make some simple improvements, just hoping to get some good solid advice from you guys about what sort of improvements.

Re: Going uphill

get a performance pipe... proma gp..tecno estoril are good low-mid pipes. you could expierement with re-gearing. new hi-flow air filter to go with your new pipe. you will need to up jet when you get a pipe and air filter

Re: Going uphill

I will eventually get one, but for now I feel like I want to run stock and get it looking and acting nice.

Is it normal to bog down on hills with a stock Puch e50?

My friend has a tomos that seems to laugh at hills.

Re: Going uphill

your not going anywhere with that stock pipe. they suck. a proma gp is only $70 and air filter like $15 and you will be surprised how HUGE of a difference it makes.

Re: Going uphill

thanks for the advice, is the proma gp better than a biturbo?

Re: Going uphill

i've never personally used a biturbo.. i've heard both good and bad about it. but my buddy has the proma and he loves it, it performs super good on his bike. i just ordered one today for myself.

Re: Going uphill

definitely re-gear for hills though.

Re: Going uphill

alright, fair enough. While i've got you here, what sort of gear size/# of teeth is good for hilly areas.. keep in mind I dont _only_ want to go up hills, i just want to be able to do it without looking at my wristwatch.

Re: Going uphill

find out what you're at right now, front and rear.

if you down size you're rear you gain top end.. up size the front you gain top end, and vice versa

so if your rear is like a 36 tooth maybe go to treats hq on ebay and look at what he has, i think he has like a 42 tooth. that might do you justice.

Re: Going uphill

and if you have an air leak..FIX IT! asap

Re: Going uphill

thanks for the help, ill let you know what I do...

Now to try to find a deal on some exhausts...

Re: Going uphill

mopedshop.com has the proma in stock...well atleast they did this morning. check now. $70!! super cheap for a good pipe. and no problem, i don't normally speak up in these threads i just lurk around and read. but definitely keep us updated.

good luck

Re: Going uphill

biturbo is not so good on hills. go with DMP or tecno estoril

Re: Going uphill

BootyClap Ninja /

before you go throwing upgrades on your ped...like you stated make sure that shit runs as good as it can stock FIRST

throwing upgrades on a bike is not the best way to fix problems as it will only alleviate the real underlying problem.

Re: Going uphill

I keep reading this post and get more and more confused... why would I want to remove the head gasket, ever?

Re: Going uphill

For a hill climbing e-50 I like the #1 cylinder, HC head, 14+ intake, 14 bing, proma GP, and 14X45 gearing. With this setup I'm hitting 33 at WOT on the flats and can climb 6% grades at 23-25 no problem. I live in a valley that's at 5600' above see level at the base and 10,000+ on the tops/sides; I've ridden to just over 8000' so far, so trust me I ride hills regularly. The same set-up with 18x45 is getting me over 40 but sucks up hills bad.

I don't like the estoril on a stock cylinder at all, and I tried both on the same set-up (last night); I'm actually starting to think I don't like it all but I'll have to see how it does on the Poliini and Metra 65's before I pass that judgment for sure. It's too quite too, I like loud poppy pipes.

Re: Going uphill

Removing the head gasket brings the head that much closer to the cylinder/piston upping the compression. Generally puch's will still seal fine without one; I personally use them but run HC heads.

Re: Going uphill

Thanks derek, nice solid input right there. Do you have a head gasket? What about your intake gasket?

Re: Going uphill

Sorry, ignore that post, I just saw your posted a response a little upwards in the thread. They really need a delete post option (or I need to be more careful)

Re: Going uphill

Coco you've got mail

Re: Going uphill

.016-.020 is the _spark plug gap_

you can download the manual and the 1.5 to 2hp conversion bulleitin from here http://www.1977mopeds.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=page&id=8&chapter=0&zenid=13e150bc4fede79c0c586ffb1e89fe8e

Want to post in this forum? We'd love to have you join the discussion, but first:

Login or Create Account