Thx Neil the organizer for inviting the mopeds to the event, all the volunteers, motorized bicycle/moped riders for coming out and make it another successful event.

The next race is Saturday June 1st, 2013. We’re thinking about renting a U-Haul truck to load a couple of mopeds from Los Angeles area and encourage more moped riders to come play with us. Email Tomahawk Mopeds if you’re interested.

RACE RESULTS:

1- FAST CLASS:

After a fun and very close battle Tomahawk Peugeot 103 rcx 50cc moped (no pedals) won 1st place in the unlimited fast class (11hp and up), Scott motorized bicycle racer 212cc 4T took 2nd place, and Ryan local moped builder finished 3rd place with the Tomahawk Motobecane av10 50cc moped.

Combined 11 HP Bikes class + UnLimited Class + NoPeds +eBikes:

1st: #174 Chris Naulet – 2 Stroke 50cc TOMAHAWK TUNING NOPED
2nd: #3 scotto- 4 Stroke 212cc Predator HF 1st: Motorized Bike
3rd: #191 Ryan Mayer – 2 Stroke 50cc TOMAHAWK TUNING NOPED

2- MID RANGE CLASS:

In the MID RANGE class, Steve motorized bicycle racer won 1st place, and Tyler moped racer from Long Beach “Knuckleheads mopeds” took 2nd place with his Puch once speed  65cc polini.

Mid Range (8hp) + Mopeds:

1st: #8 magrider 4 Stroke Honda GX 120
2nd: #199 Tyler Moped Puch one speed 2 Stroke 65cc polini
3rd: #79 Gbrebes Gilbert 4 Stroke 5 hp Briggs

3- Chinese 66cc PRO CLASS:

David’s 3 official riders at Arrow Motorized Cycles team took 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in the PRO class 2 stroke 66cc 2 stroke Chinese motorized bicycle only.

1st: #88 Jim Rust ARROW MOTORIZED CYCLES
2nd: #87 Jeff Fitzgerald ARROW MOTORIZED CYCLES
3rd: #89 Ryan Scruggs ARROW MOTORIZED CYCLES

4- Chinese 66cc AMATEUR CLASS:

Here are the results for the 66 cc 2 Stroke AMATEUR Class:

1st: #68 VeniceMotorBikes Norm ( Pistonbikes.com Grubee Aluminum Gas Tank Frame )
2nd: #59 headtrama Andy ( JnMotorsBikes.com Walbro Stage 1 Carb w Adapter )
3rd: #73 John K. ( CRmachine.com Billet Aluminum Head )

RANDOM PICS:

Custom motorized bike by “Big Boy Cycles” with a turbo charged and fuel injected Honda 114cc 4T automatic motor with electric start.

Another “Big Boy Cycles” custom bike, twin Chinese 50cc motors, and  a stock Chinese bicycle in the amateur slow class.

Tomahawk mopeds with pegs Peugeot 50cc (estimated 14hp) 1st place and Motobecane av1o doppler 50cc (estimated 10hp) 3rd place in the unlimited fast class.

Monster bicycle 212cc 4T Harbor Freight Predator motor with lots of custom bits (estimated 18hp)

Mid range class (12hp max) motorized bicycles.

Quadricycle 196cc 4T Harbor Freight motor, and Motobecane “7″ moped for sale.

“Knuckleheads” race mopeds from Long Beach, Jake’s Honda Hobbit 70cc, Tyler’s Puch top tank one speed 65cc polini, Puch Pinto one speed 70cc Kstar, plus Sophorn’s Puch Maxi one speed Gilardoni 74cc.

VIDEOS:

1- Video Part 1, Morning in the pit after all the heat races.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iI0YdfIdQps&feature=youtu.be

2- Video Part 2, Afternoon main race Chinese 2 Stroke 66cc PRO class.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1O1DTC8Dnxw&feature=youtu.be

3- Video part 3, Afternoon main race MID RANGE class (8hp).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NzuXtYPZ3Y&feature=youtu.be

4- Video part 4, Morning heat race combining 12hp + UNLIMITED class.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QK1xuh1icHs&feature=youtu.be

5- Video part 5, Afternoon main race combining 12hp + UNLIMITED class.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5u74TfU6EMk&feature=youtu.be

BONUS VIDEOS:

- Motobecane TEKNIX crank $75 available at TREATS put to the test.

https://www.treatland.tv/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=MBK-TEKNIX-CRANKSHAFT

Video Part 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ns76FoX7BRA&list=UUpmRXys5jX0-1m51Xh0Ixew&index=13

Video Part 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THa648eJztQ&feature=youtu.be

- Motobecane STOCK cdi “Le Partie” available at TREATS put to the test.

https://www.treatland.tv/motobecane-CDI-p/motobecane-cdi-ignition.htm

Video Part 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUwOr7Xf_LI&list=UUpmRXys5jX0-1m51Xh0Ixew&index=13

Video Part 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6y-8qoPInE&feature=youtu.be

Photo from the last race event in October 2012. Tomahawk 50cc mopeds won 1st and 2nd place in the fast class.

Getting ready for the SoCal motorbicycle race event at Grange’ race track April 13th in Victorville, Apple Valley.

Je me prepare pour la course velo motorise’ au sud de la Californie au circuit Grange’ Avril 13 a Victorville, Apple Valley.

Mopeds are invited to the Saturday April 13th SoCal Motor Bicycle Racing extravaganza. Please have your safety gear, DOT helmet, knee and elbow pads, gloves, ankle protecting footwear.

Areal video of Grange’ raceway… rad!

- Moby 50cc air cooled:

I sold my bidalot engine and rebuilt quickly a 50cc doppler engine for the Arpil race. I’m using a cheap Teknix crank $75 to put it to the test and a stock cdi “Le partie” $75 from Treatland.tv with a new high quality coil.

J’ai vendu mon moteur G1 bidalot et rapidement remonte’ un moteur 50cc doppler pour la course d’Avril. J’utilise un vilo Teknix $75 que je veux tester et un allumage origine $75 a Treatland.tv avec une nouvelle bobine interne de meilleure qualite’.

Cheap Motobecane Teknix crank and cdi from Treatland.tv

https://www.treatland.tv/motobecane-crankshaft-p/mbk-teknix-crankshaft.htm

https://www.treatland.tv/motobecane-CDI-p/motobecane-cdi-ignition.htm

Moby 50cc video test run:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7ZJOdLB8_8&list=UUpmRXys5jX0-1m51Xh0Ixew&index=2

The transmission 11×59 is tuned for quick acceleration at the short go kart track with top speed 55-60 mph max at the end of the straight away.

La transmission est regle’ a 11×59 pour favoriser les accelerations sur le petit circuit de kart avec vitesse de pointe max 90-95 kmh au bout de la ligne droite.

- Peugeot RCX 50cc h2o Bidalot:

Since the last race fall 2012, I stiffened the EBR fork, cut off some of the clutch pulley shoes for better take offs and accelerations, also went up 2 teeth from 72 to 74 rear sprocket to be quicker off the turn since the bike couldn’t hit top speed on the short straight away.

Depuis la derniere course automne 2012, j’ai durci la fourche EBR, couper la gomme des machoires de poulie pour des meilleurs departs et accelerations, aussi monte’ de 2 dents de 72 a 74 sur la couronne pour des sortie de virage plus rapide vu que la machine n’atteignait pas sa vitesse de pointe dans la ligne droite assez courte.

Video first start:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPVhvkBtcEs&list=UUpmRXys5jX0-1m51Xh0Ixew&index=1

BONUS VIDEO:

“Corrida super moby interlagos”

Motobecane moped race in Brazil March 31, 2013. Photos by Thiago Pinheiro.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wQ8zRw9geU&feature=youtu.be

BONUS PICS:

For fun:

Electric scooter E-Speed concept by KTM Austrian brand revealed at the Tokyo Motor Show.

Electric motor: power 11 kW- torque 36 Nm – speed 53 mph

Lithium-ion battery 4.36 KWh

40 mile range

Regenerative braking system to recycling some electricity to the battery

For commuting:

Electric scooter XO2 by XOR Motors:

100% developed and manufactured by a young south of France company. The scooter should hit the market very soon in 2013 in France, Italy, Spain, Benelux, Switzerland, Germany, after a lot of interest shown at the 2012 ECMA biggest international motorcycle show in Milan. There’s also a lot of interest from buyers in Asia, Singapore, Japan.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=usaMzqoV8Tk&NR=1

Price: 3,100 euros ($4,000)

100% approved by the European safety regulations.

Long lasting motor 100,000 miles, zero friction, zero engine parts ware.

Electric motor brush less 8 KW – 75 mph top speed with some of the fastest acceleration for a scooter

50 mile range

Battery fully charged in 2 hours

The scooter can be folded in 20 seconds and legally carried on trains or subways.

Video: Electric XO2 scooter vs Yamaha Xmax 125cc #1 sold scooter in France

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wgj80gqm3k

I’ve been very busy… writing and keeping up a blog takes a lot of time. I didn’t want to saturate the blog with too many articles making it difficult for the new blog readers to catch up having to go back through so many previous posts. I started to post more about the Tomahawk activities on the right side of the main page but realized that a lot of people only surf the web with their iPhone and completely miss all the frequent updates because the right side is not displayed on their small phone screen.

Some people have asked me to start posting more, so here’s what’s going on a the Tomashop…

- DUAL 103 SOLD:

I just finished the Dual Variated Peugeot 103 and sold it to a friend for $2,300 a steal considering the rareness of that set up, some of the vintage Polini and Giraudo parts, the amount of work, powder coating, disc brake, etc… My consolation is that it stays within the family and will be taken care of. It’s a unique piece of art that we won’t find in the streets anytime soon.

I’m hoping to do a good photo shoot sometime in the beginning of April and maybe bring a video.

This is not a top speed bike more like a cruiser with 50 mph top speed. By design a dual variated transmission absorbs a lot of the engine’s true power and needs to constantly rev high. It makes it harder to tune the transmission for perfect overall power.

MOTOR:

Polini air cooled 50cc W kit ported – Vintage Polini 50cc h2o head – Polini cases small reeds – Doppler crankshaft small taper – MVT internal cdi variable advance – Dell orto 19mm carb – Simonini circuit pipe (just for the photo) but changed to Giannelli Black Gun better high rpm pipe – stock clutch – Vintage Giraudo variator – Vintage dual variated swing arm – Yamaha Zuma scooter radiator – Polini water pump modified with timing belt pulleys.

CHASSIS:

1989 Peugeot 103 frame flat tank sides, imported from France – Honda CT70 rear gas shocks 330mm – Peugeot seat with custom upholstery – EBR hydraulic fork – custom disc brake adapted to stock 1978 spoke wheel – Tomahawk fork brace – Red candy apple and Flat black powder coating.

- MOTOBECANE AV10 – 90′s MBK Magnum Racing XR F1 Assistance:

This is a restoration project for a customer.

A super rare moped that we won’t see anytime soon in the US, on a blog or even less running on the streets. It took the owner at least a year to hunt and import all the parts from France. We’re going to try to restore the bike close to the 90′s stock looking version with that original hot pink paint by importing an MBK scooter model small fairing with the exact same paint match, the vintage moped pink fairing is too rare and too expensive. But the motor won’t be 50cc h20, it will be a Parmakit 70cc air cooled for now.

The original 90′s F1 Assistance (stock 50cc h20, kick start, disc brake, etc… $1,600 back then) and the Tomahawk project:

1996 Scooter MBK Rocket F1 assistance series fairings that we need for a color match:

I just got the stock hydraulic 30mm Paioli fork back from polishing satin finish and already rebuilt it with new oil and dust seals imported from France by Yamaha Genuine parts.

- TOMAHAWK Moby av10 race bike 2013:

I built a new Polini 50cc h2o stock cases 21mm carb for my motobecane race moped but the chassis upgrades are far from being done, radiator, electric water pump, battery, temperature gauge, square swing arm, aluminum launch lever, 3 star mag wheels, custom bracket for rear aluminum sprockets, 250mm scooter disc brake, grimeca caliper, custom bracket, Paioli 30mm adjustable hydraulic fork missing 2 special aluminum washers to be machined.

Mbk Booster front 250mm disc by Doppler, perfect bolt pattern match for the Mbk 51 magnum 3 star front wheel.

There’s a motorized bicycle race event in Southern California coming soon Saturday April 13 at Grange’ race track in Victorville. Few mopeds are invited and I want to bring that bike to the track as well as my Peugeot RCX 50cc h20. So I need a temporary engine.

I’ve just rebuilt a ported air cooled 50cc Doppler kit, stock cases, 19 carb and will also use that oportunity to test the cheap Teknix crank $75 and a new high quality internal ignition coil replacement for the stock cdi $75 “Le partie” sent by https://www.treatland.tv/motobecane-CDI-p/motobecane-cdi-ignition.htm

I’ll bring some reviews on the Teknix crank and cdi internal coil after the race in April.

I’ve already made the Part 1 videos. Check out those links:

Teknix crank – Part 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ns76FoX7BRA&list=UUpmRXys5jX0-1m51Xh0Ixew&index=2

Internal coil – Part 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUwOr7Xf_LI&list=UUpmRXys5jX0-1m51Xh0Ixew&index=1

I met a very good group of people that might come back to Grange’ in April to participate in the Southern California motorized bicycle/moped event, first official race of the season 2013.

Here are few pics and a video of my trip to the track…

FINK’S MOPED

Check out their facebook page Fink’s Moped Co-Op

Fink’s moped crew at Grange’ track:

Tyler of “Knuckleheads” moped gang from Long Beach-Los Angeles, ripping his kitted 70cc Derbi Variant in the straight:

Mike of “Woolly Bullies” moped gang in Los Angeles, looking for leftover chili inside Chris Hernandez beetle car and shooting guns during the race’s lunch break.

Video of my trip to the race:

BONUS RACE:

First official Motobecane moped race in Brazil January 20th, 2013:

On board video:

Maicon Fuser #1 moby street racer/tuner and Super Moto professional rider showing his amazing skills during practice laps with his yellow moby XR tubular frame 70cc air cooled. I think he won the race event.

(At the beginning of the video, check out how Vinicius Magnusson from Facebook/Moby Racing starts his moby er3 variator idler bearing function with the “cardboard trick”, he needs a Tomahawk Pull Start )

BONUS PICS:

Puch E50 racing in Switzerland.

FRENCH MOPED RACING 50cc variated:

Vintage photo: Peugeot 103 dual variated 50cc race moped.

The top teams are gearing up for the 2013 season:

Bidalot RS 50cc variated technology, Neo CNC machined cases with Derbi euro Bidalot Factory 50cc race kit, Mykitech race pulley with custom lightened clutch bell with aluminum fins.

Bialot 50cc custom CNC cases with cooling fins+ cylinder head + intake manifold + variator + lightened Bidalot clutch pulley + mbk av10 aluminum swing arm.

550 euros for the cases bolts included + 120 euros for the variator shaft adpater

or 600 euros for complete pack cases + adapter

Uses Derbi euro 2 crankshaft, seals ans bearings 6204, all cylinder kits, stock or internal cdi and stock reed block or V force 3 Honda CR85.

CNC machined cases for variated mopeds using all Derbi Euro 2 engine parts. All h2o cylinder kits 50cc to 90cc (25+ hp). Plus a special machined shaft to adapt the motobecane moped variator malossi variotop 115mm, combined with a good modified heavy duty clutch pulley like Doppler or other.

Special shaft adapter for malossi moped variator 120 euros:

Malossi moped variator:

Derbi euro 2 50cc 6 speed engine:

MAXISCOOT:

New 2013 MXS racing kit 90cc GP  for Minarelli horizontal, Minarelli AM6, Derbi euro 2, euro 3 + racing exhaust 90cc GP + crankshafts stroke 46mm – rod 90mm.

Stock with no modifications 25- 27 hp. With racing combustion chamber 29 hp.

Feb 2013, new Airsal 50mm kit 7 transfer ports and new tech bridge exhaust + 2 auxiliary ports.

Uses stock crank stroke available for 6 speed Derbi euro 2, euro 3, AM6 engines and Minarelli scooter engines.

Other CNC product by Neo:

Minarelli scooter engine twin cases adapter.

BONUS PICS:  Drag scooters

Come beat Tomahawk’s ass at the next moped race October 20th 2012 at Grange’ Race Track. It’s a motorized bicycle event but mopeds are invited and may have their own class. My 50cc race mopeds don’t have pedals so I’m already disqualified according to rules and can’t win any trophy, but I’ll come to play with my fellow moped racers from Los Angeles.

I always get up too late, then load my 2 bikes + equipment, get a cup of a coffee + french croissant, stop at 7-eleven to buy my lunch turkey sandwich + orange juice . I often miss the practice session setting up my canopy and tools, but I’ll be there to support moped racing. See you around 10 AM!

Track fees: Spectators $10, Racers $35

If you plan on participating can you please email Tomahawk with a pic of your moped + engine size, stock or unfinished race project, so I can post them in this article. That’d be really cool thx. Knowing in advance how many mopeds are coming could help organizing the classes and make a trophy.  The race is coming soon so get your bike ready!

Here are the 2 race mopeds 50cc I’m bringing to the track (no pedals):

1- Motobecane av10 50cc  air cooled Bidalot. Total budget $1200 including used/new/free engine parts, used rolling chassis ($150 bought in LA), custom paint.

Before (1978 stock av7)                                           After (race moped Bidalot av10)

2- Peugeot 103 Rcx 50cc h20 Bidalot. Total budget $4000 including complete bike’s expensive shipping cost from France in 2009 for the first air cooled version + latest chassis and h20 engine upgrade 2010/2011.

Before (2009 French fairing version)                        After (2012 US no faring version)

Motobecane av10 50cc first start June 2011:

BACK FROM THE RACE:

Thank you all the racers and volunteers for supporting motor bicycle/moped racing and making it another great successful event!

For more pics and stories from the bicycle racers check the motor bicycle official forum at motorbicycling.com

- FAST CLASS bicycle/moped:

1st:    Christophe with Tomahawk Peugeot 103 RCX 50cc h20 moped 13/14 hp (estimated)

2nd:   Ryan with Tomahawk Motobecane av10 50cc air cooled moped 11 hp (estimated)

3rd:   Morini 50cc h20 bicycle 11.5 hp (dyno)

4th:   200cc 4 stroke bicycle 16+ hp (estimated)

- MID RANGE CLASS bicycle/moped:

1st:    Puch Maxi moped from Ventura

2nd and 3rd: bicycles

MOPEEEEEEEEDS !!!

Another fun day on the track! I want to thank Neil the organizer and the bicycle racers for letting us compete in their event, and all the moped racers who came, all the “knuckleheads” racers from Long Beach ( South LA), Puch racers from Ventura County (West LA), Ryan and Curtis local racers (Apple Valley desert) who brought a home made dyno and an umbrella girl!

Next year 2013 we need more umbrella girls and moped racers from Los Angeles, Riverside, Orange County and even San Diego! If we have enough racers and room in the bicycle schedule it would be great to create and fit 2 moped classes 80cc limit: 1) Non-variated Puch-Tomos… 2) Variated Motobecane , Derbi, Peugeot, Honda… If not we will still play in the bicycles slow, mid range and fast class.

PHOTOS:

- Tyler “Knucklehead” Derbi 70cc racer in the Tomahawk pit early morning, local racers Curtis,umbrella girl and Ryan loading the bikes late afternoon:

- Knuckleheads race mopeds from Long Beach:

The Puch maxi on the right is FOR SALE $500. I rode it on the track and it feels really good.

- Amazing Puch moped racer from Ventura County who won 1st place in the bicycle mid range class. He rides his moped so much in his neighborhood that he’s super comfortable and very quick on the track.

- Sophorn Sin with his red chopper Chinese bicycle who also owns a Puch maxi moped and goes to every single bicycle or moped event driving miles across California and other states with his Suzuki mini truck. He’ll be at the San Francisco moped rally next month November 2012. Super rad dude! Plus photos of other race motor bicycles slow/mid range class:

- David retired boat racer and 2 stroke tuner from Arrow Motorized Cycles watching one of his Chinese bikes 66cc class on Ryan’s dyno (9.5 HP) + the 2 young racers 16 and 21 years old on his team:

- Morning qualifying heat races. Mid range class: Ventura Puch racer single speed. Fast class: Tyler riding his white Derbi dual variated 70cc air cooled, Ryan riding Tomahawk Motobecane single variated 50cc air cooled, bicycle racer riding a fast Morini 50cc h20 with new racing clutch:

VIDEO:

Early morning in the pit, Ryan’s dyno, qualifying heat race #1 mid range and fast class. I only completed one lap in the fast class heat race #1 due to a new belt and variator tuning problems. I went back to the pit to adjust the variator weights and grabbed my camera to get some footage off the track. Ryan won the heat race #1 with the Tomahawk Motobecane 50cc air cooled 11 hp in front of a bicycle Morini 50cc h20 11.5 hp and another bicycle 4 stroke 200cc about 16 hp.

QUICK NOTE:

At the end of the video 7:50 min watch Ryan excellent rider ripping with the Motobecane av10 between 11,500 and 12,000 rpms with the cheap motobecane cdi $75 from Treats that a lot of people complain about because of a rev limiter, coil screws coming off or failure after few miles. I never had any problem with it. Make sure to ground it good like for any cdi, Loctite all the coil and pick up screws before assembly, don’t use a plastic cover or drill it to keep the cdi temperature down, silicone the 2 stator plate screws into the cases to avoid air leaks. As far as the cdi box with rev limiter I never had that problem so far after installing more than a dozen on street or race bikes.

Treats Motobecane cdi $75

If you can’t see all the videos because the blog page is too heavy for your computer to download, go to the Tomahawktuning YouTube channel.

GOPRO VIDEOS:

On board videos fast class qualifying heat race #2 and final official races.

It was a battle between the 2 Tomahawk 50cc mopeds and the 2 bicycles 50cc morini and 200cc 4T. The bicycles racers stepped up their game and the Tomahawk mopeds are no longer winning races as easily as the beginning of the season. But there’s still room for improvement on the engine (compression ratio + race fuel, transmission, etc…) and chassis (lighter parts, better front suspension, etc…) that we haven’t really worked on, dominating the events so far. Now that we know where the competition stands we can make the right adjustments during the winter to regain a slight advantage one race at time. The top bicycle racers are already planning on upgrading their tires with better grip. We’ve got a race now, it’s very exciting and motivating for next year!

We’re gonna stick with 50cc max engine in true French moped racing tradition but we might upgrade the motobecane bike with a slightly more powerful and consistent polini 50cc h20 kit stock cases 21mm carb. If we build a fast motobecane single variated 70cc h20 28mm carb we’re going to be around 20 hp so even with a fairly small cc engine we would have too much power for the current fast class. The problem is, because of all the different types of engine and transmission, the fast class is limited by horse power to 11 hp max which is hard to really control (unless each bike passes a dyno test) and not by the cc. With an 11 hp limit regardless of the cc or engine type the playing field is definitely more “leveled up” and prevents builders from using bigger and bigger engines in search for more power. It’s a really good thing but it becomes more a riders race and not so much a competition between tuners trying to get the most power out of the same engine cc, which is also a big part of motor racing.

There are just not enough bikes on the track with the same engine type and cc to create a” fair” fast class. Even during this recent race event the 4 fastest bikes competing in the fast class were above the 11 hp limit. The only class that seems to work with specific rules and enough bikes is the 2 stroke bicycle Chinese engine class 66cc max. So it’s all fun for now with a good atmosphere and it seems very flexible with the fast class rules as long as everybody agrees and monster mopeds with powerful 2 stroke 20+ hp or electric bicycles 30+ hp stay out of the competition.

The top 4 bikes in the fast class this weekend:

Mopeds Motobecane av10 BIDALOT 50cc air 11 hp (Ryan 2nd place) and Peugeot 103 Rcx BIDALOT 50cc h20 13/14 hp (Christophe 1st place).

VS Motor bicycle MORINI FRANCO Italian 50cc h20 11.5/12 hp S6-C kit discontinued I think (3rd place) and Honda or Harbor Freight 200cc 4 stroke, about 16+hp (4th place).

VIDEO 1:

Morning heat race #2.

I adjusted my Peugeot RCX variator and haven’t had time to brake in the new belt but can at least participate in the fast class 2nd qualifying race and start in the back to get some footage of the other racers. The Morini 50cc bicycle is the quickest off the line and controls the first laps. I feel a little rusty on the track and don’t like my tire pressure but I’m able to pass thanks to my Peugeot faster top speed. Ryan better rider and more fearless getting off the track a few times is right behind me with the motobecane waiting for an opening. He finally passes me in the slippery hairpin where he’s quick with better lines and takes the lead for the final lap on his way to win the qualifying race. But at the 9:00 min mark he falls in the second left turn and almost gets castrated by my front disc or spinning variator but avoids it with a nice MATRIX move . I regain control of my bike but loose momentum and get passed by the Morinini 50cc and 4T 200cc bicycles and finish 3rd place. Ryan is fine with just a scratch in his lower back and will be able to compete in the final race, what a true racer! The crowd loved the action!

VIDEO 2:

Final official race.

50cc Bidalot vs 50cc Morini Franco.

The 50cc Morini bicycle quicker off the line takes the lead again. I try to keep with him but can’t find a way to pass him. My front fork feels very soft and bottoms out when I brake hard. My clutch with soft springs is sticky and grabs a little too early. I can hear the 200cc 4T bicycle and Ryan’s motobecane close behind me. I give up the chase and let Ryan pass me, he’s a quicker rider knowing the track well and may have a better chance to pass the Morini bicycle. I can now relax and follow his lines. Ryan finally takes the lead and I’m also able to pass the Morini bicycle after he makes a mistake or slows down in a turn maybe due to fatigue and loss of concentration.

It’s now me and Ryan. I’m starting to feel a little more comfortable on my bike with better lines following Ryan and quicker off the turn pressing harder on my launch lever. The disadvantage as a mechanic is that when I race I think about the engine parts and doesn’t always give 100% afraid to make the engine scream too much and blow up something. A pure racer doesn’t have that problem and opens full throttle not listening to the engine or worrying about mechanic failure, he can fully concentrate on riding and winning the race.

The last 3 laps were my best moment since I started moped racing for the very 1st time in 2010 at the Polini Cup USA. Being neck and neck with Ryan and listening to those two 50cc French variated mopeds with launch lever made me feel what I would have probably felt if I had a chance to compete in French moped racing as a kid growing up in France but it never happened. My childhood’s dream finally came to reality. Thanks for the treat Ryan! I can’t imagine what it would feel in a pack of 6 or 7 bikes like that. I never felt that even at the 2010 polini cup against monster Derbi mopeds 75cc dual variated. There’s something very special about 50cc single variated bikes with launch lever. It’s right in the middle between a dual variated and 6 speed bike. It’s an automatic variated transmission but you can control it with the launch lever which requires skills to master and specific ankle position in the right turns to avoid rubbing your foot.

Back to the race… I’m putting a little bit of pressure on Ryan but don’t want to make us both crash again like in the qualifying race, this time we’ve got to secure 1st and 2nd place against the Morini bicycle. I’m happy for Ryan if we wins the race but I’ll take advantage of any opportunity. Right before the final lap Ryan loses focus and makes mistakes going wide twice leaving an open door in the slippery hairpin usually not my strongest part of the track but I take the inside using a move that Ryan himself taught me in the pit… I secure my lead in the straight with my better top speed and controls the final lap trying to close the doors and avoid any mistake. I pass the finish line in 1st position. A well deserved win against strong competition this time. I’m very happy!

Final words…

After this amazing weekend I found some new motivation for moped racing next year. I’ll race if we need more bikes on the track but I want to spend more time in the pit now helping moped racers fix their bikes or even built them a bike off season.

I really encourage any moped rider from Los Angeles area to come play with us next year. The adrenaline is way higher racing on the track than in the streets. Bring your fast or stock mopeds to the track and test your skills against other racers in a way safer environment. It is so much fun and there’s so much to learn as a rider or a mechanic.

BONUS PICS:

Bob Turkman, flagger and timer extraordinaire! + Neil the organizer cleaning up oil spill.

SOLD

ENGINE:

Stock av1o cases, doppler crank, doppler 50cc cylinder, doppler head, doppler stock 2 petal reed valve, dell orto 19mm carb, doppler exhaust modified, stock mbk cdi, mbk kick start, doppler er3 variator, doppler pulley, malossi belt, stock engine spring, custom launch lever.

 
CHASSIS:

Modified Motobecane 50v frame, custom powder coating paint, custom swing arm, rear Fox shocks, custom seat mount, seat upholstery, EBR hydraulic fork stiffened, custom fork stabilizer, tomahawk aluminum clip-ons, custom disc brake, Grimeca caliper, Grimeca 3 star wheels.

BEFORE                                                                    AFTER

SPECIAL THANKS TO:

Remi Cusso french tuner who taught me so much about 2 stroke french variated engines over the past 3 years, Mevlin (Mel-Mar body shop) for the custom swing arm and disc brake mount, Safety Cycles for the technical tips on the FOX SHOX, Justin for the powder coating job, Dean for the seat embroidery, Armando for the seat upholstery, VF racing for the custom brake line, and Treats for all the moped parts!

Little test ride after reassembly.

The new belt needs to be broken in and the fuel mixture is kept on the rich side to protect the new engine. The variator weights and carburetor jetting will be re-adjusted after the break in period.

BONUS VIDEOS by Rafael moped racer in Brazil.

Those kids are getting faster and faster thanks to the new performance parts they’re getting from www.treatland.tv in the US.

Here’s one of the fastest motobecane av10 70cc Athena air cooled ported and tuned by one of the top tuners Maicon Fuser.

Another super fast motobecane av10 by Maicon Fuser using a Derbi Am6 75cc h20 kit adapted, custom 4 petal reed block, malossi variator, doppler clutch pulley. That bike scares and blasts the other 70cc motobecane racers.

Some of those streets moped racers also meet once a month at a race track, including Rafael with his motobecane white front fairing + his friend and rival Marcelo with the motobecane dark blue racing seat.

This is a commissioned bike but I didn’t build the engine. I just hooked it up, installed and timed the cdi + new rubber mount dell’orto 19mm carb with the right settings. Also serviced the variator. Lots of work and small custom parts to make everything fit on that bike.

I replaced the unnecessary polini 4 petal reed block with the stock 2 petal athena reed block for better 50cc performance with the stock cases, the carb even clears the frame much better now. I installed a launch lever + tomahawk Xtreme clutch pulley kit.

I also converted the front wheel loose bearings to sealed bearings, installed a disc brake with custom caliper bracket.

I installed the lights, brake light, horn, kill switch, water temperature gauge.

Video 1sr start:

Some serious h20 50cc power with stock cases + 19mm carb + stock cdi. I still need to adjust the water pump belt, install the variator belt and drive chain.

Test runs:

After testing a different type of a needle close to the one I normally use, the bike felt rich during the first test run. I went back to old needle set-up, down jetted the carb, tuned the variator but toned it down for daily street use. The bike runs good but I’m waiting for a water temperature gauge to get a reading at top speed and make sure the too small polini radiator is able to cool down the engine. Normally when ported that malossi 50cc kit gets more hp but looking at the exhaust it didn’t seem like the cylinder was ported but just mounted stock. Still plenty fast for a 50cc daily rider.

BONUS TIPS:

I’m rebuilding a peugeot 103 engine with 50cc malossi kit + stock cases.

Here’s what happens when you use the high compression malossi head for 50cc or 70cc with decompressor option. They made a tiny hole in the combustion chamber to give you the option to either use a decompressor or a plug it from outside. The problem with that bad design is that hole creates a heat bubble at top speed and will blow up a hole in your piston or combustion chamber. It’s better to use the malossi head no decomp version. Or if you want to use a high performance head with decomp for 50cc or 70ccc the best is probably the polini one, you can always plug it as well. (not as good performance as malossi or doppler but much better than stock head)

Malossi high comp head decomp  vs no decomp version

Polini and Doppler high comp heads

Be careful when port matching the peugeot stock cases. There’s not much aluminum for the secondary rear transfer port, it’ very easy to drill a hole. It’s better to find somebody who can weld your cases with aluminum or be conservative with the porting. I don’t recommend to use JB weld to fill up a hole in the cases, it might crack at high temperature.

Also, on the variator clutch side, make sure to use the right metric screws for crank seal cover plate. It can easily come off and rub against the clutch bell. When buying an after market peugeot variator, you should disassemble it and check every parts.  Most of the time you have to grind the balls plate, thrust plate spring, and nylon washers before installing it. Test each single part on the crankshaft first to make sure the slide perfectly but don’t over grind them.

Stock peugeot cases by Tekinx + stock variator

Moped performance parts available at treatland.tv

BONUS VIDEO from SCOOT TV SHOW:

Latest Scoot TV video #5 “moped division” by Honest Mike.

PEUGEOT h20 SUMMER COCKTAIL:

Almost done with Melvin’s Peugeot 103 RCX Doppler engine.

Recipe:

Start by machining the cylinder top deck and head to modify the port duration and compression ratio, mix some peugeot polini cases small reeds with a motobecane polini intake manifold, cut and adapt some malossi vl7 4 petal reeds to replace the polini 2 petal reeds, add a small drop of  locticte, hand cut few paper gaskets, port the exhaust as a nice finishing touch and serve with a fresh dell’orto 21mm carb for a powerful 15hp liquid cooled 49cc cocktail.

Melvin might decide to use the peugeot engine on a lighter motobecane frame.

SNEAK PEEK:

Back from powder coating Moby Rockstar red EBR fork stabilizer + Moby av7 70cc green project.

We must have done a good job with the lines cause a lot of people think we started off a motobecane 40T rigid frame (no suspension) but we just chopped the tail a 50v frame (with suspension) and modified the swing arm. The bike does look like a cool rigid frame because of the small shocks position.

Pictures of disassembly + Melvin’s moby 50cc polini (65mph) new seat ready for paint and upholstery Ruckus style.

BONUS PIC by Edison:

West Coast master moped builders convention at the Tomahawk shop (Shaw, Christophe, Melvin).

VIDEOS:

Test run and disassembly.

PLUS:

Puch Maxi Gilardoni 74cc project. I’m gonna machine the cases to fit the wide cylinder skirt + tap for 7mm malossi studs, port the cylinder and cases + mikuni24mm carb + estoril pipe. That kid is gonna fly on that light frame!

LOS ANGELES LAST MINUTE MOPED RIDE TUESDAY JUNE 26th:

Edison’s street BBQ Filipino style  is open for business! Check out his blog PSST BBQ  psstbbqla.wordpress.com

He’s doing his first test run Tuesday June 26th in Silver Lake at the farmers market 1515 Griffith Park Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90026 (corner of  Sunset Blvd) from 4:30pm to 8:30pm. Go check it out!

For the occasion we’re throwing a short moped ride. Meeting is at 6pm at the Tomashop, ending at PSST BBQ around 7:30pm to test Edison’s delicious bbq sticks (chicken, pork, sausage, etc… even grilled chicken booty on the menu). If you’re available come join us and show some love!

Video:

Scoot TV on location. Thanks everyody for coming and support Edison’s new street food business.

ALSO:

I’m planning on going to the Myron’s Mopeds ride # 93 (one of the oldest moped stores in LA owned by Shaun) this Sunday June 24th from Fountain Valley to Laguna Beach, CA.

Check out their website for more info if you want to join the ride. It should be really fun at 30 mph max but one open road for fast bikes along the pacific coast. There will be at least 30 bikes. I’m bringing my stock TOMOS.

about-the-myrons-rides

Back from the ride, it was really fun. Video by Honest Mike:

I was the only moped racer there but what a blast!

Peugeot 103 Rcx 49.9cc h20 moped 15 hp.

I had some mechanical problems in the afternoon practice. My old belt flipped and shredded, 2 engine cases bolts holding the launch lever rubber bracket broke. I though it was over. But luckily I had a new belt and was able to buy 6mm Allen screws on the track at the go kart shop and was helped by a bicycle racer. The brand new belt not broken in yet through off my variator weights + launch lever setting and I didn’t have enough time to fine tune them. So I kept the variator a little heavy to be safe but lost some acceleration off the turns. Listening to my engine on the videos I could have used a 2 teeth bigger rear sprocket on that short track to make the engine saturate earlier at 3/4 in the straight instead of almost the end. There was also room to lean out the carburetor main jet for better throttle response and rpms but once again I decided to keep the engine safe and reliable. Finishing a race is more important.

Overall, a fun race day with good action. I had more time to connect and make friends with the bicycles racers. Some people came all the way from San Francisco. I finished 2nd in the unlimited class behind a fast electric bike 30-40hp? with insane acceleration and in front of a dual variated 200cc 4t 20hp. I test rode the e-bike and I never felt anything like it! The torque is nuts and everything so quite you feel like flying. I couldn’t even open full throttle because of the short go kart track and the bike’s front end lifting off the ground like crazy! To compete in the bicycle races they had to stretch the frame otherwise the bike flips over! I wasn’t allowed to take up close photos of the bike cause the prototype motor is kinda secret, gotta respect that. I retouched the photo to hide the motor. But using side covers would have been a good idea to keep it top secret

What an experience and a rush, I’m hooked. It made me want to build a super fast e-moped with a similar set-up. The  motor temperature was only 55 degree Celsius (130 Fahrenheit) and you could touch it right after the race which is rare for any engine. They finally got reed of overheating problems thanks to their custom aluminum housing with fins. Their next step is to upgrade the chassis with an Aprilia 250 RS to exploit the full potential of the electric motor. For now, they’re keeping the bicycle frame for the electric motorcycle race event July 1st at the big Laguna Seca Raceway in Salinas, CA (1h north of San Francisco).

www.mazdaraceway.com

Steve on the left with his 2t 50cc morini 12hp bicycle with ebr moped fork and mag wheels (bought at treatland.tv) + Dave on the right, a 2 stroke guru and legend from Orange County (Arrow Racing) who’s been racing for 20+ years with his brother Jimmy flat track motorcycles, boats, etc… they were in the 1971 motorcycle movie “On Any Sunday” starring Steve McQueen. They’re retired now and race bicycles for fun, making and selling custom performance parts for Chinese 2t engines.

More photos of the other bicycle racers, Harbor Freight 4t 200cc , Chinese stock 2t 50cc and 65cc modified, etc…

VIDEOS:

If you can’t see the videos cause the blog page is too heavy for your computer, subscribe to the “tomahawktuning” YouTube channel.

1- The afternoon qualifying race unlimited class 8 laps. At the 3:35 min mark fast e-bike pedal chain gets stock,  I take the lead. I slow down later to video tape the following racer and let him pass. At the 8:55 min mark watch that 200cc 4t 20hp bicycle ridden by a new 15 year old racer loosing the drive chain. I pass and take the lead again to finish 1st.

2- The official night race unlimited class 12 laps. My 50cc moped is slow off the start lane because I have a sticky clutch that I didn’t have time to service between race events. The monster e-bike is way faster in the straights but slower in the twisties. I can catch up but can’t pass due to its long frame, too dangerous and I’d be blasted again in the long straight anyway.

3- Prize Ceremony: “Once you go e-bike, you don’t go back”

4- Fast electric bike on board video:

BONUS PICS:

> Photo of the last race June 2nd 2012 at Grange’ race track in Victorville, CA. Me on my 11hp motobecane 50cc air cooled battling against Ryan (left) riding “Le monster” 74cc air cooled. The next race will be back at the same track October 20th 2012. Please, please, please… come and join us with whatever moped you have, fast or super slow it doesn’t matter. Lets make it a fun and epic event. It will be cooler than the summer races. But for safety please make sure to bring full helmet, gloves, elbow and knee pads, shoes covering the ankles, lots of water too.

$35 for racers – $10 for spectators. Here’s the track info. www.grangeracetrack.com

Hopefully some footage of the event by Scoot Tv moped division coming soon in this post.

> NEMA (North East Moped Racing Association)

That same Saturday 16th 2012 was taking place the official 1st race of the moped racing season in the North East, Tomahawk happy to be one of the sponsors. Well done guys. Check out their website for racers bio, events, results, etc…

northeastmopedracing.com 

Photos stolen from Alexander Johnson’s Facebook who seems to have won the 4th class, Pro 60-80cc piston port/reed valve with wet/dry clutch with unlimited carb and pipe.

I see pegs… Are we assisting at a shift in US moped racing with no pedals? Humm…. I don’t feel so isolated now. Unless you’re an Italian racer I find pegs more efficient and safer on the track, you can lean way more. Pedaling can’t really help make your monster 80cc moped go any faster, at that speed it’s all engine powered. Mopeg racing yeah!

> Plus, Scooter racing Italian style.

The brand new Doppler 49.9cc ported engine feels good. Stock cases, stock 2 small petal reeds, 19mm carburetor, stock cdi.

No air leak, good throttle response and carburetor transition. It’s time for a test run after few break in sessions. Then after all the final adjustments, take the bike apart for painting and seat upholstery.

The motobecane parts for that engine set up are available at Treats moped store:

treatland.tv

BONUS PICS:

Melvin’s motobecane av10 49.9cc polini air cooled  64 mph GPS uphill in downtown LA short streets + his Peugeot 103 RCX 49.9cc h20 project with Doppler cylinder top deck machined down to increase the power to 15 hp.

Porting phase 1:  Small polini cases + malossi vl7 4 petal reed valve.

Phillipe Danh from Team “No Gear” located in Torrance California (south Los Angeles) and David Tiger the French pastry chef from San Francisco are getting ready to make an other attempt at new speed record at Bonneville salt lake in July with their motobecane av10 50cc. They’ve just received their 4th generation engine ported and assembled in France by a master tuner. No pics sorry, just the 2nd generation was na av10 Bidalot 50cc h20 kit and the 3rd a 50cc variated minarelli Am6 transmission chopped, the first engine was a stock av10 50cc h20 kick start. If the new engine is ready they’ll do a first test Sunday June 10th at El Mirage Dry Lake in North Los Angeles desert recreational parks. I’m gonna try to make it or wait until July for Bonneville. I’m also planning on checking out their amazing projects at their motorcycle shop in Torrance, CA www.frogspecialties.com

You can follow their adventures at www.nogearracing.com

Didier, Phillipe, David:                                             David:

1st generation stock av10 h20 engine kick start 47 mph + rider and pastry chef David Tiger (pronounced Teejay):

2nd engine with av10 Bidalot 50cc kit 74 mph and 3rd 50cc AM6 motorcycle engine chopped to adapt a Conti aluminum variator 120mm (blew up I believe):

They’re also starting a new project to compete in the 50cc motorcycle category. Custom frame with 6 speed AM6 engine Bidalot 50cc h2o kit. Photo taken in France with the very popular Peugeot 205 car in the background (80′s generation right and modern 206 model left).

Video of the 2008 world speed record with a 50cc at 145 mph / 235 kmh:

The engine:

A turbocharged 2 stroke AM6 50cc engine from a 2002 Aprilia RS motorcycle:

New 2012 Aprilia RS4 50cc:

ALSO,

MOPED RACING:

If I have time, I might bring my monster Peugeot 50cc h20 to another motorized bicycle race June 16th at ADAMS race track in Riverside, CA to support the other racing  organization and my new friends bicycle racers. It’s only 1h from LA. Mopeds racers are invited to race in their own category. So if you missed the last race at Grange’ here’s a second chance to come play with your moped. Fees are $35. The event starts at 1pm with heat races then lunch break at 4pm then official races til 10pm.

Here’s the website and map: contact

BONUS PICS:

Edison’s “Psst…BBQ” hitting the streets of LA soon + Rockstar Moby updates + Melvin’s moby new damper.

Plus, TOMAHAWK stabilizer brace for hydraulic EBR fork hand made by Mel-Mar, soon available at Treats!

Successful hunt in France, 4 peugeot 103 frames 80′s flat side tank ready to be shipped.

Merci Christian Mouchet!

Latest project by custom builder Jewel Dream (France):

Derbi Variant 20hp                                                  220 yards in 9.7 second at 67 mph

Moped racing in Africa:

Stock Peugeot 103 50cc ported – fastest bikes top speed over 60 mph – 150 racers – 12 miles twice at full throttle – No rules, no helmet or gloves – Open riding style – knowing how to negotiate the turns is key to win the race – The winner gets a brand new $1200 moped.

First I want to thank everybody again for coming to the event. It was smaller turn out this time for the bicycles racers (no e-bikes either) but a good turn out for mopeds racers. Thx Honest Mike from Scoot TV who rode 200+ miles to the desert on a Zuma 125cc scooter with his buddy on a Honda Elite 125cc. They couldn’t make it to the track in time cause their GPS took them on a wrong route to Lake Arrowhead . But we hung out after the race at some local moped racers house and I gave some of my footage to Mike. Scoot Tv Moped Division video coming soon…

Race results:

- I won the slow class with my stock Tomos, 2nd Curtis on a Garelli + pipe, 3rd was a other stock Tomos I think, 4th Chris Hernandez on stock Tomos + pipe. It took me some time to adjust racing with pedals. I crashed and damaged my left pedal.

- Ryan (local racer) won the fast class with the legendary “le monster” 74cc Metrakit peugeot malossi cases variated moped built by the Orange County moped guru Shaw, I finished 2nd with my Motobecane av10 50cc (good battle), 3rd place was a 200cc 4 stroke motorized bicycle I think. I was so stoked to see Shaw’s monster moped on the track. That bike was built heavy for the street and hasn’t been running for almost 2 years but blasted on the track thanks to Ryan’s amazing riding skills. Well done guys! Next time in October I need to bring the big guns and race my fast Peugeot to be able to beat that bike. Or just upgrade my Motobecane av10 50cc with h20 kit + 21mm carb but same chassis setup for exciting close battles. (Bonus pics of Ryan’s moped garage and backyard where they repair people’s moped).

“Le monster” bike:

More race moped pics:

Motorized bicycles:

Chinese bikes modified with performance parts, custom malossi reed intake welded (piston port plugged), custom crankshaft, custom air and h20 cylinder head, etc…, 2 stroke 50cc h20 morini engine, 200cc 4 stroke Harbor Freight engine.

BONUS VIDEO:

Edison building a custom Tomahawk BBQ.

I won’t bring my Peugeot 103 RCX 50cc h20. The bike is too fast and doesn’t really qualify in any class right now.

Only 1 day before the 2nd race of the SoCal Motorized Bicycle racing 2012 season.

Saturday June 2nd from 9am to 5pm at:

Grange’ Race Track

The morning heat races start at 10 am, they determine your position on the start lane in the afternoon.  It’s also a good time to pratice if it’s your first time o the track. So if you decide to race your moped I recommend to come early but if you can’t you’ll still be able to race in the afternoon starting in the back. Driving early from LA might be a good idea to avoid traffic too.

There are 3 motorized bicycles classes based on power and speed in which you can race your moped, slow/medium/fast. The morning heat races also help finding out in which class you belong. The stock Tomos and other mopeds will probably belong in the slow class and kitted bikes in the medium or fast class.

Last minute Tomahawk motivation boost for undecided moped racers:

The moped winner of each class will get a Tomahawk prize and a $50 gift certificate at Treats!

All mopeds are invited to come play with the bicycles racers! Let’s make it bigger and even more fun than last time. I didn’t have time to build a race bicycle but I’ll bring at least one race moped + my new stock Tomos ST that I’ll be racing against Chris Hernandez from the Woolly Bullies. Well I gotta make it start first, it broke down after few days. So bummed… I thought a stock Tomos would be super reliable. Learning lesson… never brag about how good your bike runs

We’re planning on doing another BBQ. Come with your family and friends to taste Edison’s amazing burgers and spend a fun moped afternoon. Chihuahua racers are welcome too!

I got up at 4:30am Saturday morning. I fixed my Tomos yeah! I’m ready for the Knuckleheads Moped ride tonight in Long Beach and the race in June. Can’t wait to be back on the track with all those guys.

It was a problem with that damn oil pump injecting too much oil in the carburetor. I got rid of it without any hesitation and filled up the tank with synthetic premix fuel. I also changed the rear sprocket down to 22T for better top speed. The bike feels much better now.

There’s nothing like a rewarding early morning ride, “a la fraiche” (crispy morning).

BONUS PICS:

Hand made av10 kick start plate + hydraulic EBR fork braces:

Back in business at the new Tomashop: Working on a front disc brake and custom swing arm.

Tomahawk and Mel-Mar working the magic. Watch the shocks dude!

Plus…

Hunting for peugeot 103 sp frames in France (old 70′s style and new 80′s style flat side tank).

My back is sore but it was worth it. It’s a nice little nest to build custom bikes, repair and restore mopeds. We’ve got the tools, the bikes, now we just need to hang a photo of a moped babe to make it a ligit shop.

It’s party time tonight Friday night at 7:30pm. Come and hang out with us. Honest Mike from Scoot TV will be there to cover the event. I saved plenty of room on the red doors for his stickers, yeah!

Next Monday I’m finally back to fixing mopeds, I can’t wait. We’re gonna build some amazing bikes there and we’ll happily serve the LA moped community.

BBQ Party:

Thanks everybody for coming, it was really fun.  We’ll try to throw more moped parties in the future.

Video by Honest Mike – Scoot TV Show. Thx dude, that was fast editing!

Additional video:

Here are some photos I stole from moped racer Julien Dore’,  MIR35 racing team and moped parts store owner (leaning on the peugeot 103 race moped photo above).  The first race of the 2012 South of France organization (TGO) took place in March at Chatillon sur Indre race track.

Check out those amazing vintage motobecane and peugeot race mopeds 50cc single variator with launch lever:

Air cooled 50cc peugeot 103, Gr1 19mm class (left) and Motobecane Av10 50cc, stock-ish 15mm carb class (right):

Liquid cooled 50cc Motobecane Av10 with standard pivot engine mount, Open carb class:

Liquid cooled 50cc Motobecane Bidalot RS  prototype frame with parallelogram engine mount, Open carb class:

Slideshow:

This bike was supposed to be a commissioned top tank project but it didn’t happen. So I decided to keep it as my new daily ride. I’ll eventually convert it to a top tank later.

I’m having so much fun and will keep it stock during the break in period. But I’m sure it’s just a matter of time before I open up the engine to modify the clutch, secondary transmission, port the stock cylinder, modify the stock pipe, and upjet the carb for better top speed at barely no cost.

Compared to my custom motobecane or peugeot mopeds I noticed right away that Tomos stock mopeds don’t feel very stable. But I guess I’ll get used to it and adapt my riding style. I kinda want to race it against other stock Tomos mopeds Sat June 2nd at Grange’ race track.

First day out and I already got some compliments at the corner market. A 2012 Tomos moped doesn’t look as cool as a custom vintage moped but still gets noticed for only $1300 ST version and $1100 Sprint premix fuel/oil version (no turn signals, small headlight fairing).

Smooth ride from Tomashop Filipino Town to Downtown LA – Disney Concert Hall.

European version :

TOMOS EX

BONUS PICS:

The Tomashop is almost done. We’re gonna throw a little BBQ party for the grand opening next Friday 18th starting at 7:30 pm. Very casual, stop by and say hello.

PLUS,

Look what I spotted on the parking lot of Home Depot, a rare Citroen 2cv “two horsepower” (taxable 2hp), rad…

Incroyable, une “deux chevaux” garee sur le parking d’un grand magasin de bricolage pres de chez moi (genre Le Roy Merlin). La 2cv a ete importee aux USA a environ 1000 exemplaires mais n’a pas connu de succes a une epoque la ou tendance etait plutot a la grande voiture avec gros moteur.

Citroen in USA

2CVAlthough the 2CV was a tremedous sales success in Europe and throughout most of the world, when it was introduced with little fanfare to the American public in the early sixties, it became quickly apparent that the 2CV was an impossible sale to the average American driver. In the sixties the American auto manufacturers were still competing as to who could produce the biggest car with the largest engine and the flashiest fins. The fuel-efficient, underachieving, oddball-looking 2CV was a laughable abnomaly to the American buying public. Little more than a thousand were sold in less than a ten year period and, in 1970, several dozen were destroyed by Citroen when left-over models from the previous model year could no longer meet the increasingly stringent DOT standards. Citroen decided that destroying these unwanted 2CVs was more economical than shipping them back to France.

Much of the USA’s current 2CV population was imported in later years by enthusiasts (some with incorrect registrations and ID plates). The 425cc models are the most readily available but not really practical for anything other than around-town driving (as are the earlier 375cc models). The 602cc-engined Deuches can keep up with most of America’s traffic flow and parts, for the 1970 and on models, are also more readily available. Be wary of buying Eastern and Northern cars as the scantily-clad 2CV’s sheet metal is a magnet for rust (especially in the floor boards and wheel arches). Fortunately, with the aid of a repair manual, the car is easy to repair and home restorations, although just as time consuming as any other car, are certainly possible.

Manufactured from 1949 to 1990

Probably between 800 to 1,000 in North America

VIDEO:

How the latest 2cv models were fabricated in the 1990 in Portugal to please the passionate customers after the production which started in France in 1948 stopped in 1988.

James Bond escaping with a Citroen 2cv:

Melvin the moped ninja is working on James stretched Honda Hobbit:

I measured the Hobbit original length from axle to axle approximately 43 1/4 inches. After stretching the frame the length was 45 inches just like the green Puch free spirit top tank . So the modified Hobbit frame is not too long but will actually handle better than stock. Fast hobbits tend to wheelie too easily and the light front end feels too dangerous at top speed. We also modified the swing arm to clear the air filter and make it easier to service the carburetor without having to take the engine down every time.

VIDEO:

Cutting the hobbit engine mount.

Bonus pics from Edison:

Finally a place to put all my stickers. I knew there was reason I kept them for 3 years.

Leleu front wheel custom disc brake anti-lock system, peugeot rcx rear sprocket/disc brake project.

After taking a quick break from building the Tomashop I filmed Melvin working on the moby rockstar project front wheel custom disc brake.

Because of the demand this is now a service that we provide. We can pretty much adapt a disc brake to any bike. If you need that upgrade on your moped just send us your fork, wheel, caliper , rotor and we’ll take it from there. Our tools are not fancy but they get the job done.

Depending on each project, prices start at $300. This includes custom made aluminum rotor mount, caliper bracket and labor.

If you don’t have the parts we can provide them at additional cost.

I think Melvin likes my new right angle drill. I can say good bye to it. Au revoir ma petite perceuse…

Commissioned custom disc brake for Peugeot Leleu front wheel to be installed on a motobecane moped in Chicago.

BONUS PIC:

Bernie’s next next project Derbi liquid cooled flat reed dual variated.

Many options for that build. Kit Airsal 90cc, Barikit 78cc, Parmakit 80cc,Parmakit 95cc, etc….

Derbi Variant with Pro Race cylinder kit, polini clutch and variator, oko 24mm carb, PVL cdi:

BONUS VIDEOS:

Teaser video by Nicolas Danevel who traveled from March to May 2011 through San Francisco, Los Angeles, Denver, Richmond to film a moped documentary. The final video will be ready soon on his vimeo channel.

LIVE FAST/ RIDE SLOW

Video Rebecca Dreyfus of the March 20th 2012 moped rally “Whiskey Business V” organized by the Bourbon Bandits.

Melvin is selling his fast motobecane av10 50cc polini fully loaded. He’s building his next fast moped a Peugeot 103 RCX 50cc Doppler h20 electric water pump with stock clutch pulley and kick start.

ENGINE:

Stock mbk cases, doppler crank, ported 50cc W polini kit, doppler high comp head, dell’orto 19 carb, doppler exhaust with custom ball joint, mbk cdi, kick start, doppler er3 variator, doppler clutch pulley with Tomahawk Xtreme kit + special 2 way bearing with outer grease nipple for easy maintenance, custom launch lever.

CHASSIS:

Custom frame brace, custom disc brake, custom swing arm, 5 star mag wheels, Ebr hydraulic fork with custom brace, custom clip-on handlebars,  custom seat and upholstery, LED tail light, brake light, Ruckus front headlight, 6v battery, key switch, kill switch, horn, gps aluminum mount, rotating license plate holder.

Peugeot 103 RCX project:

Frame with stock kick start imported from France. Stock clutch pulley and Doppler 50cc h20 kit from Treats. The engine will be ported, assembled and tuned by Tomahawk.

The Tomahawk moped nest is taking shape:

The roof frame is done.

Look… a little wounded bird landed next to the Tomahawk nest:

Commissioned project moby 40T frame with 6 star mag wheels + stock av10 cases, polini reed block, powerful malossi 50cc h20 Gr2 kit, stock cdi, 19 carb, stock cdi, doppler er3 variator, doppler clutch pulley, doppler spring. We’re gonna bring this awesome bike back to life with a new ebr fork + disc brake.

Two very powerful 50cc motobecane engine builds in progress:

Stock mbk small cases + stock 2 petal reed valve + 21mm carb + stock cdi, doppler er3 variator, electric  water pump.

Just got those 2 polini 50cc h20 kits from Treats. For proper seal, the heads and cylinders will be machined to fit 1x 45mm and 4x 7mm viton O rings to replace the weak polini head gasket. The combustion chambers might be machined and modified later to fit Bidalot flat head pistons. The cylinder decks will be milled down to raise the port duration to Gr2 specs and the W shape exhaust ported for high rpm monster power. That motobecane setup should be faster than my race moped peugeot 103 rcx 50cc h20 + malossi cases + 21mm carb.

Thanks Treats! treatland.tv

Team Remi Cusso finished 1st overall dominating  the event with the #48 motobecane Bidalot RS 50cc single variated with parallelogram ridden by Antoine his new pilot. You can witness the slight edge in power when listening to Remi’s engine in the straight away. I remember easily recognizing that specific sound among the other bikes on the track watching a race live in 2011. The magic touch…

Antoine did really good for his second race with a 50cc variated moped and first time on a new track. His amazing riding skills allowed him to place 1st in each 3 rounds and get the fastest lap time. He placed 3rd in the final 4th round due to a belt problem. It’s very early in the season but it looks like he has a good chance to win the 2012 championship in the 50cc variated moped prototype class.

Well done guys! Keep it up.

VIDEOS:

Posted by Phillipe 45 years old who started moped racing in 2010 to fulfill a childhood dream (kinda like me). He contacted in Remi 2010 who helped him build a motobecane av10 race moped. That’s his second season and he’s starting to progress as a rider and tuner. Unfortunately he just broke his clavicle bone in that last race and will be down for 6 weeks but he’ll be back. Here’s  his #67 race bike with new 50cc engine setup  scootracing89 cases for powerful Derbi h20 kits bridge exhaust + lightened Mykitech clutch pulley:

The energy in the pit early morning. Remi shares a guru’s trick showing how to use the roof steel frame to tighten a Bidalot variator when you don’t have a vice on the track. This is high level skills, don’t try this at home he’s a professional… lol

Antoine #48 won 1st, 2nd and 3rd round:

In the final 4th round Antoine’s belt slipped or broke at the 8 min mark. It happens sometimes with powerful 50cc variated engine even when you use a very precise and linear parallelogram. He learned his first lesson as a new variated moped rider, replaced the belt and got back on the track to finish 3rd.

BONUS PICS & VIDEOS:

What’s happening at  Tomahawk Mopeds ?

Melvin finished the stretched out Honda Hobbit 70cc mikuni 24mm carb + dio intake + Sebac 380mm shocks.

Ported and assembled the 50cc Doppler engine for the rockstar moby project. Melvin is working on the disc brake custom aluminum mount and wheel spacers.

Machined the 50cc polini cylinder top deck and fin for the peugeot 103 dual variated project. Found a new machine shop 20+years experience. Ported and assembled the polini engine + Bidalot head. Serviced and assembled the vintage Giraudo steel variator to fit a new motobecane malossi belt.

The motobecane malossi belt seems to fit perfectly. Gas shock 330mm + Giannelli pipe. Next, make a strong rubber engine bracket, install the internal cdi and rubber mounted 19 carb, new bearings on the dual variated reduction gear, build a front disc brake.

I’ll try to finish that back before the next race June 2nd. It won’t be as fast as with a standard swinging engine setup + launch lever but should be fun to ride with quick accelerations. The good new is I can mount a solid exhaust instead of a ball joint system.

Tomahawk race moped peugeot 103 RCX 50cc single variator photographed by Hilary Andrew (The Gaskettes moped gang).

Woolly Bullies moped gang represented!

First I want thank Neil the organizer, the motorized bicycles racers, all the moped riders and spectators (locals or from LA) who came to support the race event April 7th 2012 at Grange’ tack in Victorville. Thanks to Melvin and Edison for cooking those delicious hotdogs and burgers. It was a good turn out and everybody had a blast, on and off the track.

Lots of people are already talking about bringing their fast or stock moped for the next race or just hang out on the track June 2nd.  Tommy Erst fast moped racer retired after the polini cup might even come next time to race one of my bikes, stoked if his schedule allows it! Brian Warrington moped racer (Latebirds gang) wants to bring his fast peugeot 103. Some moped riders from Orange County are pumped and already working on their kitted mopeds to be ready in 2 months.  We might also see more female moped racers.

STOCK TOMOS CLASS WHY NOT?

Also, I was talking to people in the pit and it’d be nice one day to have a stock parts only tomos class, no performance parts, to compete not with your bank account but your riding skills and maybe just a little bit of porting allowed and stock pipe modification to please the tuners. I guess every model would allowed even with A35 engine with reed may have a slight advantage. A55 racers could prove them wrong Maybe it could already happen in June if enough people show up and get it the mix with the slow class or mid range class (to be determined in the morning practice session). We could make a special prize for the Tomos sub category winner. It would be so much fun elbow to elbow with at least 10 Tomos on the track. I’ve heard the Tomos chassis handles pretty good too. The problem is most Tomos on the streets already swapped their stock pipe for a performance pipe right away. Because of that my buddy Melvin recuperated lots of stock pipe brand new, so we could try to provide some missing pipes for the race. So Tomos onwers and racers, get your bike ready and come play with us next June 2nd at the same track!

What a fun day! I haven’t felt that kind of energy on a track since the moped 2010 polini cup (Northern California). I think it’s important to keep moped racing alive for our community and the moped culture in general. If it’s in good spirit, it brings people together, creates some excitement, helps develop better moped parts, and attracts new people.

PHOTO SLIDESHOW:

It felt good meeting new moped people and catching up with old friends I haven’t seen for while, being too busy building bikes and no time to go on moped rides anymore. Special thanks to Honest Mike from “Scoot TV Show” (youtube channel) who drove from Los Angeles 1h30 with his Honda 250cc h20 scooter (75mph) to get some coverage. Check out his 2nd episode on youtube soon, wait the end of  his videos for the moped division.

Mike just posted a video on his other “2Digit Riderz” channel. Looks awesome man… Thx!

Special thanks to my buddy Shaw a moped guru with 20 years of experience and legend in the community. I hope he comes back in June with a racer riding one of his fast bikes. He showed up to watch the races with his stock Mbk BMX av10 50cc engine 45mph, the only one in the US. Motobecane only made less than 30 in the 80′s, organized one race with a couple of those bikes in the US and that bike stayed in the country as a prize for the American kid who won the race at the time. Shaw got it years later trading a bike with the kid’s dad. Cool story uhh! That bike is for sale by the way but only for collectors ready to spend $3000, with Shaw’s signature for free

The lesson I’ve learned from this weekend is that racing is not just about winning or building the fastest moped with the biggest crazy monster engine that’s going to beat every bikes, discouraging people, and probably blow up before the end of the race. Plus riding up front alone is not fun at all.

The most important is to have fun with your friends on the track elbow to elbow with somehow mopeds equal in power and chassis equipment, but also fun in the pit sharing your passion for mopeds. The key is to build a fast but safe bike with a reliable engine to compete all day and the rest of the season with your friends. Stockish bikes were doing fine too compensating with really good riding skills. Practice on the track is the key to become a better racer. If you have a monster engine but spend most of your time repairing in the pit, you never progress and end up quitting not enjoying racing.

More photos, videos and details coming soon… but here are the first videos:

VIDEO 1

This is a morning heat race in the mid range class. I’m riding my peugeot 103 RCX (fast class) just to have fun with my moped buddies and bring some on board footage. Chris Hernandez from Woolly Bullies is riding my moby av10 50cc, Tyler is riding a Honda Hobbit, rider from Riverside with a Puch maxi, local riders Ryan on a Honda Urban Express and Curtis on a Garelli. I got off the track early to save my engine for the fast class heat and afternoon races. I’m taking off the start lane slow due to clutch shoes that need to be serviced or a spark plug ignition problem at low rpm.

VIDEO 2

I won the morning heat race motorized bicycle/moped fast class. The fastest e-bikes in the straight weren’t there yet. I knew my bike was fast so I didn’t give 100%. I wanted to check out my competition first, other bikes strengths and weaknesses. That’s usually more what you do in the practice sessions. Some high level moped racers even skip practice to save their engine’s full power for the race. Some even turn off their engine soon after the race and push the bike back to the pit. The heat races are actually important and determine your position on the start lane for the official race in the afternoon. You can also put a little bit a psychological  pressure on the other racers and make them doubt in the afternoon. In racing, every little thing counts

I’m competing here with my peugeot 103 rcx 50cc h20 moped single variator + launch lever against motorized bicycles Harbor Freight 200cc 4t dual variated and e-bikes. No Morini 50cc h20 12 hp engines this time.

55 degrees Celsius = 130 degrees Fahrenheit ideal water temperature reading at full power.

VIDEO 3

This is it! Afternoon official race mid range class. Neil let me participate with my Peugeot 103 rcx (fast class) to play with the other mopeds and get some good on boar footage. I think Chris Hernandez (LA) finished 3rd with my white motobecane av10 50cc #191 behind the winner an old green “piston bike” and 2nd e-bike I think.  Tyler (Orange County) yellow hobbit #199 was doing good but had some carburetor float problem in the straight and couldn’t finish the race. Ryan Mayer a local moped and dirt bike rider with the Honda Urban Express #167 showed amazing riding skills sliding with his skinny tires.  Rider from Riverside rocked a white puch maxi with license plate and even lights on sometimes! Jake Martinez (Orange County) had some mechanical problem all day with his awesome blue Puch magnum top tank, bike a little heavy and with bad weight distribution for the race track, he’ll be back with a better moped next time.  I gotta say, there’s something special about moped/bicycle racing in America, the bikes, the racers, the outfits, the riding style. It looks like a fun video game. Enjoy the race!

VIDEO 4 (Short video because my camera went out of battery)

I won the fast class moped/motorized bicycle official race. I’m racing with peugeot 103 RCX 50cc h20 single variator against the fastest bicycles 200cc 4T dual variated (they didn’t seem as fast as last race in Nov 2011), and the electric bikes even faster than the last time. The orange e-bike rider with 2 cameras on the helmet was the fastest top speed bike of the day and blasted me easy in the straight. I was getting 55 mph top speed vs the e-bike 65+ mhp. But I would catch up at the end of the straight with less weight, better  brakes and engine braking power. I was also a little faster in the twisty, e-bikes seem to be very heavy and need to adjust the power with electronic controllers for smoother acceleration off the turns. They seem to brake slower due to their weight and no braking engine forces.

No excuse but it was my second race in a roll coming off the mid range class and I was getting a little tired and my engine too. At mid race, I was starting to feel the pressure. The fast orange e-bike was getting better in the twisty and slowly catching up on me 4 turns behind but his super boosted electric motor heated up and burnt. Once they become reliable with a better cooling system and adjust the crazy torque in the turns those e-bikes are going to be hard to beat and fun to compete against for any fast moped.

BONUS ARTICLE:

The same weekend across the Atlantic the 1st moped race of the 2012 season was taking place in northern France. My friend Remi master tuner brought 2 race bikes. One of his pilote 50 years old Chi King broke his leg last year. He recruted a new young pilote Antoine who comes from the 50cc motorcycle racing world. That was more a test race and his first time on a moped 50cc single variator + launch lever. Thanks to his good riding experience and the power of Remi’s bike he was able to win a round and placed 3rd overall. Well done guys! He’s shooting for  the 2012 season title, good luck to him and Remi’s team. This is the highest level of moped racing and it’s become tougher every year with people coming with big guns. Believe or not Remi’s has the smallest budget and recuperates old vintage parts here and there that he brings back to life. Other racers kinda make fun of him cause his bikes don’t use modern high tech parts or don’t look shiny but he wins races with his skills and experience, haha…

He’s riding a Bidalot RS prototype moped with 50cc G3 Bidalot engine 28mm carb 18hp restricted on purpose at 14,500 rpm for reliability. 14,500 rpm (some reach 15 to 16,000 rpm). Those “fast class” bikes don’t look much like mopeds anymore because they evolved over 30 years of racing. Most of them use Bidalot custom aluminum frames, real adjustable 32mm hydraulic forks, wide magnesium wheels, front and rear brakes, and full motorcycle fairing. But they use motobecane 50cc moped engine technology with single variator + launch lever, with huge intake cases like Bidalot G3 or custom made, some use small stock motobecane Av10 cases + 50cc h20 kits + 19 carb and still get 15hp out of it.

Here are some pics of Remi the mechanic and his 2 race bikes, left Relica tubular light steel frame, right Bidalot RS aluminum frame:

The vintage 20 years old Bidalot 50cc G3 engine he rebuilt for the Bidalot RS bike just before the race:

Here’s Antoine the new pilote in the middle with 3rd place trophy and his RS bike #48.

VIDEOS :

Bidalot RS on board footage of the 4th round, it’s fast. Notice at the end of the video Antoine following Remi’s instruction to turn off the engine soon after he exists the track to push the bike back to the pit and save the engine parts. The less the engine runs the better the performance, his bikes only run on the track and for the races, I don’t think they even do the practice sessions. His rebuilt engines after each race start for the first time only once they get to the race event.

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From outside the track:

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Commissioned custom moped Motobecane Av10 Doppler 50cc. The next level.

Two light weight Fox racing Shox 2012 Float RP23. Adjustments: Rebound, PorPedal on/off, 3 position compression, Air spring pressure, 50 to 300 psi. Safe max load recommended per shock  250 lbs (bike + rider) with 25% compression damping.

Tomahawk and Melvin Martin teaming up.

Bonus Videos:

Fun afternoon, nice weather, good laughs and good seafood!

Good Friday ride in downtown LA with the Tomahawk crew. Lunch at Fisherman’s restaurant and quick stop at Dynasty scooter shop. Zuma 125cc stretched out with big bore 260cc kit, honda hobbit 70cc polini, “pucha” puch maxi with honda hobbit engine 70cc, motobecane av10 50cc doppler.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbszKrYzsTg&feature=youtu.be

Just quick a reminder to moped, scooter and motorized bicycle riders living in Southern California, that the race is coming this Saturday April 7th at Grange’ race track in Victorville desert just 1h30 away from Los Angeles.

My crew and I will bring a portable BBQ and drinks. I’ve been told spectators can drink beer as long as they keep it low key. So bring bring your moped and have fun with us on the track or just come with your friends and Chihuahuas to watch the race or enjoy a hot dog or burger cooked by sushi master Edison.

Some motorized bicycle racers will be there Friday night for a BBQ party and moonlight ride on the track. If you’re planning on racing it’s recommended to come early Saturday morning. The track opens at 7am for practice until 9:45am. The heat races start at 10am, lunch break around noon, the official races around 1pm.

Track fees: Racers $45 – Spectators $10

Message from Neil Senior the race event organizer:  “Only 5 days to the first 2012 SoCal Motor Bicycle Racing event at Grange Motor Circuit. The weather forecast is clear and calm with temperatures in the 70′s.
Going to be a really great turnout for this race with mopeds ranging from slow to fast to very fast! Please reserve a moped race # by choosing one between 150 to 199 then emailing me at MotorBicycleRacing@gmail.com. Thanks”

Here ‘s the mopedarmy link for more details.

SoCal Moped Race Sat April 7th 2012 Grange Track, Victorville

Video of the last race Nov 11, 2011 I attended with my 2 race mopeds. You can see my motobecane av10 50cc air cooled 11hp with fairings at the time on the pause image at 9:15 min.

NHK adjustable steering damper:

Just in time before the race, I installed a steering damper on my motobecane av10 50cc race moped:

Peugeot 103 rcx 50cc race moped.

Custom mounts for GoPro HD Hereo2.