Rockstar Moby, Dark Dream edition
Custom moped 1978 Motobecane Av10 50cc 2 stroke variated transmission.
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.
Moby 40T malossi
I fired up the Motobecane 40T 50cc malossi liquid cooled after one week of work.
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.
Let’s bake it!
Test runs are done. It’s time to powder coat the bike. (peinture au four)
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.
Back from the ride, it was really fun. Video by Honest Mike:
Tomahawk new ride
Tomos ST 50cc 2-speed automatic, auto mix oil injection.
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.
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:
Moped Ninja
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.
Melvin’s motobecane 50cc polini for sale
$4000
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
Rockstar Moby
Coming soon…
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
Scoot TV episode 1
Honest Mike from Lo-Def Productions is starting a new Youtube Cannel “Scoot TV” covering all kinds of scooter events happening on the West Coast and some mopeds stuff of course. I’m excited, I’ve always been a fan of his videos. That guy is everywhere and edit his videos so quick all night long. Can’t wait for the cable tv show one day…
You can follow scoot TV on Youtube or Facebook:
Follow also Honest Mike on Youtube and Facebook. Here’s the latest video of last weekend big Ruckus ride sponsored by Alpinestars and Honda USA. Watch the end of the video for some underground tunnel moped action. Mike his editing tons of videos this week from the last moped ride in San Diego.
You can also join his facebook new “2Digit riderz” group. Anything from 49cc to 99cc.
There it is:
San Diego 1st Skunks moped rally video by 2ditgitriderz. Thx Mike!
BONUS PICS:
Bernie moby 40T with new motobecane stickers.
BONUS VIDEOS:
Brazilian moped street racing updates:
I just got those videos from Rafael and Marcelo the fastest street racers between 75-80 mph (120-130 kmh) with their motobecane Av10 and XR. They’re big fans of the Tomahawk blog.
Those street race mopeds in Brazil were already fast but now that they’re starting to get all the good racing parts from the US thanks to Treats treatland.tv, h20 kits, launch lever, etc… things are getting serious and people are dropping a lot of money to be the next fastest moby on the street!
I’ll be posting an article with more photos, engines setups, videos and interviews soon. On a good day Rafael might beat Marcelo but most of the time Marcelo is the man . He even beats a motorcycle CB 300 on the 2nd video.
Hey Rafael, I’ve noticed that Marcelo’s engine revs higher and sounds better tuned than yours. That might be why he’s got a slight edge. Maybe he’s using a better exhaust (it looks like a ninja G3 on the pause image). You may want to work on that 
Rafael’s race moped Caloi XR 70cc Athena kit, motobecane av10 stock cases, malossi 4 petal reed block, 24mm mikuni carb, stock cdi, “thunder biturbo” modified popular pipe in Brazil, stock variator, 11 x 54, custom launch lever, custom nitrous bottle.
The Mobyx Reloaded
Here’s the latest Motobecane Av1o project with new custom paint + all the bells and whistles by Melvin (Mel-Mar body shop in Filipino town, Los Angeles).
The bike is almost done, it just needs the pulley + chain. The wheels might be powder coated black. We’re sending the seat to the upholstery shop next week and making white Motobecane gas tank stickers.
Check out all the custom features fabricated by Melvin: swing arm, frame brace, fork brace, disc brake aluminum mount, steel clip-ons, launch lever, exhaust push springs ball joint + seal ring inside, doppler er3 variator converted to clutch function with a brass bushing inside, hidden 6V battery, wiring harness, horn, brake light, key switch, cup holder and even a cigarette lighter… lol
That bike is super fast with a ported Polini W 50cc kit + stock cases, and so torquy that we need to use a 13T front sprocket. We’re going to replace the screaming Giannelli pipe with a doppler pipe to lower the rpms and modify the power band better suited for street riding.
VIDEO:
I’m wearing my famous blue latex gloves after pouring a think coat of POR 15 tank sealer in my peugeot 103 rcx race bike to seal a micro leak in an inaccessible area. The previous owner welded a screw on the tank at the base of the fork tube creating a leak that I couldn’t completely fix after few copper brazing welding attempts, the metal got heated too many times in the past.
2nd Round:
I designed and got the seat back from the upholstery shop, nice work. The K&N decals might be temporary until we get white Motobecane ones but they kinda look good. Melvin has a obsession with stickers and won’t stop!
As soon as the new seat is on……”sell it!”
DOPPLER EXHAUST:
Ball joint converted to fix mount based on vintage RGD exhauxt system. No more oil leaks or loss of power. This is a prototype that works great but we’re working on an improved version based on the vintage RGD pipe with “pump” high temperature bellow system with variable length when the engine swings back, from long for low end power to short for top end speed. That system was very effective back in the 80′s and the RGD for peugeot and motobecane was one of the best ans solid pipe. Once we test the final version and like the results we might start making more and sell them.
Test run 1st generation prototype:
BONUS PICS:
I ‘m building a Motobecane av10 engine kick start for a customer in Chicago with stock cases, Doppler 50cc kit, stock head decomp valve (for easier push start “cardboard trick” with Doppler er3 variator bearing clutch function), 19mm carb, dopppler pipe mvt cdi. I’m also testing the new Av10 race crank by 1977mopeds.
You can follow that build here: Moby av10 build… 77 race crank put to the test
I fabricated a quick copy of the missing original kick start unit plate.
Here’s the kick start in action:
Ending the break in session. Carburetion and fuel mixture kept rich.
Final test run: The 1977mopeds race crank passed the test!
I’m sure it would hold fine but the crank would need to be tested with a bigger 70cc set-up with more pounding and vibrations, especially with the heavy stock variator but it passed the test with a 50cc doppler kit high rpm street version with stock head and unmodified doppler exhaust.
The engine is still warm and ready to ship back to Chicago!
Tazrider and the French Monkeys
I just found some cool photos of two moped builders latest projects in France.
- Custom mopeds by Tazrider:
Peugeot 103 and Motobecane Av88
“Meugeotbecane” twin Av7 h20 head dual variated!
- Custom mopeds by the French Monkeys:
Motobecane 4oT
BONUS PICS:
- Cafe’ Peugeot 103 dual variated project by Tomahawk:
I got inspired tonight and started working on a side project. I haven’t built a Peugeot 103 for a while and missed it, that bike got me excited again. Even though it’s going to be hard to let go that rare dual variated swing arm, I’m thinking about selling the bike for a reasonable price. So if anybody is interested in commissioning the project, email me before I finish it. I’ll try to keep the cost down using used spoked wheels, used ebr puch magnum fork and adapt an affordable front disc brake (safer) or used stock peugeot fork with drum brake, stock shocks or affordable upgraded ones, decent tires, used Tomahawk clipons, work on the seat, etc… I haven’t decided about the paint yet, I might keep it as is for now.
The best set-up with that dual variated swing arm is a high rpm 50cc kit. I might also include that rare vintage race track Bidalot 50cc kit (ported) with special cooling fins. I raced that engine at the 2010 polini cup and once tuned perfectly it’s very powerful, faster than most 70cc. I’ll replace the the thick 103 spx Giraudo racing crank with a standard 103 racing crank to adapt any standard small taper variators on the market. My second option is the small polini or 1977 cases with a polini or doppler 50cc kit from Treats. The bike should have fast take offs with decent top speed and fun to ride on the weekends, intriguing friends and neighbors.
Peugeot vintage race track Bidalot Radial 50cc kit:
Disassembly of my first generation Bidalot race engine, old school, imported from France in 2009. Bidalot 50cc kit air cooled, Giraudo 103 spx crank, high rpm FAG celeron riveted bearings, stock 2 port cases with creation of 3rd port, polini single flat reed, Bidalot intake manifold, 19mm carb. The port matching was done poorly and the cases wrongly assembled with gasket + silicone but the kit still blasted. Before heating the cases, I noticed a thin crack in the left half case, it might have affected the engine’s power causing air leaks during my last few races. I’m not sure what happened, it could have been caused by the front wheel hitting the engine and knocking the cylinder head off center, during my first crash when I bent the front fork doing a full spin with my bike. Or the thin ported cases may just have had a weak spot. Now I definitely need new engine cases 
Head gasket after my crash. Bidalot racing gaskets have multiple aluminum layers to modify your squish.
Since everything is bigger in America, I could also use one of my 70cc kits in stock (malossi and polini W port) with air cooled or h20 head. It wouldn’t be as fast as with the 50cc kit but more like a low rpm torquy cruiser bike, still with fast take offs.
I’ve got most of the parts in stock, pedals, controls and cables, mvt cdi, bearings and seals, 19mm carb, stock clutch + rad vintage GIRAUDO racing variator. All I need to complete the bike is new shocks, maybe a disc brake assembly, headlight, tubes, engine cases + crank.
Peugeot race cases by 1977mopeds + Polini 50cc kit by Treats :
You can follow that build on moped army:
Tomahawk peugeot 103 dual variated project
BONUS VIDEO:
French punk rock band, LES ANIMALS – “Chevauchee Fantastique”
Test ride: Tomahawk clip-ons and pulley Xtreme kit
Last night I test rode my motobecane Av10 moped 50cc with the Tomahawk 28mm clip-ons and the Doppler clutch pulley with the Tomahawk Xtreme kit + push/pedal start one way bearing HFL 3030 wider than stock (I had to lightly grind the circlip to clear the shoe springs).
CLIP-ONS:
The tubes can be cut or inserted deeper but I wanted to test the widest position with the tubes 10.5 inches long from the clipon. Even though I was afraid that the aluminum tube gauge might be a little too thin, matching the standard handle bars steel gauge (to fit any bar end without drilling), they were actually strong enough after braking hard with my upper body weight on them and hitting the potholes of Los Angeles bad roads. The advantage is their super light weight and if you crash they’ll probably bend or break before the expensive CNC machined clipon part. The racing position with 8 degree angle felt good, I like them.
PULLEY XTREME KIT:
The heat treated 8mm posts + the triangle brace are bulletproof. The brace is not stainless steel so remember to wipe it with oil to protect it from potential rust. The push start HFL 30/30 one way bearing upgrade is wider and feels stronger than the stock doppler 30/20 bearing, with no shuttering problem. So far so good, the best one out of all the one way bearings I’ve been testing. The clutch pulley doesn’t shutter anymore. Thanks for the tip Naz! (moped builder and racer from Seattle).
VIDEO:
Back from the ride. The clutch grabs a little late at high rpms with the strong clutch stock springs, feels good for track but might be annoying, loud, and fuel consuming for street riding. Also, my piston ring is completely worn out with loss of compression and power, the engine revs high but with less torque doesn’t pull as hard as it used to. The Bidalot 50cc kit is a 3rd hand with thousands of miles on the nikasil and a leaking exhaust ball joint, the port duration was also set for high rpms and top speed for the track, not low end power. I couldn’t go full speed, too dangerous with the cell phone is my left hand.
CLIP-ONS RAFFLE:
The raffle ended today Wednesday, Feb 1st 2012. Thanks everybody for the great feedback!
And the lucky winner is….
#15 SCOTT BIRDSEY
From the Mohawk Mammoths, Albany NY. http://mohawkmammoths.com/
Congrats man! Email us your shipping address so you can rock those Tomahawk clip-ons on your bike soon.
103 RCX, lets powder coat
After 2 years, time for a new look to get pretty and ready for the 2012 race season.
Motobecane rubber bushing mounts on Peugeot frame phase 2:
Special brass guides and bushing housing by Tomahawk, aluminum spacer by Overkill, welds by master welder and manufacturer of Apache helicopter parts.
Plus, motobecane old 19mm intake conversion to stock square shape for better gas flow with welded aluminum (no cheap JB weld for “Mr. High-Tech”).
Amsterdam represent!
Hi Christophe,
This is what I made with a friend and my son of a 2005 Ramzey Comfort (which is a Turkish Peugeot 103 clone with kick start as you might know).
We’ve built the moped for my girlfriends son’s birthday next week. Today was the first time on the streets of Amsterdam and it attracted a lot of attention from passers by.
We bought the original bike for €50 and managed to keep the total cost at about €250, by using a lot of second hand stuff from adds on the internet.
We visited the tomahawk website often after my son discovered it last year when he got an old Peugeot 103 for his eleventh birthday from my father as a learning project.
Through this email I’d like to thank you for the inspiration.
Keep up the good work!
Best regards,
Wim Gietermans
Amsterdam
Holland
Motobecane do Brasil
A little window on the growing Brazilian moped scene.
I’ve been told that Motobecane is the most popular brand and I think the only one that was imported in Brazil, some models were built with tubular frames like the Mobylette XR. Their bikes are super cool and fast reaching 80mph top speed tricking their stock engines or using whatever is available. Performance parts are rare with no moped store and expensive in Brazil with crazy customs taxes when imported.
They’re just starting to get some good stuff from the US like the Doppler ER3 variators thanks to Treats http://www.treatland.tv, and trying to learn more about how to tune their variated AV10 engines french racing style reading the Tomahawk blog. I don’t know if they’ve mastered the launch lever with proper variator tuning yet but they’ve discovered the nitrous boost kit and the Redbull baffle… rad!
Thanks Augusto (blue XR) and Vincius (navy blue av10, orange XR) for providing the pics and links. If I made any mistake let me know. PS: I don’t know if you watch UFC mixed martial arts but I’m a big fan of Anderson Silva Brazilian fighter.
Videos of moped meeting, street and freeway races, plus WMX motorized bicycle AV10 engine with an awesome guitar soundtrack:
BONUS VIDEOS:
For those who are new to the Tomahawk blog and motobecane french variated mopeds. Here are some old classic videos I posted 2 years ago of a friend and master tuner in France (Remi), showing the power of a motobecane av10 50cc h20 Bidalot engine big intake 30mm Keihin carb with a Bidalot clutch pulley. It’s also a good reference for those who build fast 50cc mobys, it gives a good idea of what a powerful and perfectly tuned 50cc engine should sound like. Use it to tune your bike just like you would tune a musical instrument and compare with the sound of your engine’s videos.
In the 2nd video test run, the engine spring and variator weights + launch lever are perfectly tuned causing the belt not at ideal temperature yet to grab a little weird making the powerful engine swing back and forth but it usually stops once the belt gets warm and you can counter that effect by pressing with your foot on the launch lever. Cf 90 doesn’t mean it’s a 90cc it’s the motobecane av10 year model 1990, listening to that crazy engine I’ve had people asking me and getting confused, it’s just a 49.9cc only allowed for moped racing in France anything bigger is by law registered as a motorcycle, pedals or no pedals. I’ve actually test rode that bike during my last visit in France and never felt anything like that on a moped before, it sounded and felt like a powerful 80cc kit.
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x9kowt_mbk-51-cf-90-g3-bidalot_auto#rel-page-3
PLUS, if you don’t mind fairings on mopeds, here are some of the nastiest motobecane av10 h20 and peugeot 103 moped builds in France have seen so far:
Motobecane av10:
Peugeot 103:
ALSO:
Special thoughts for a moped friend Daniel Nguyen from the Woolly Bullies moped gang and his family. Daniel was a super cool guy full of life, he recently tragically died in LA too young at 28 years old. It’s a very sad time for the moped community. It reminded us how precious life, family and close friends are. Keep riding your mopeds and Carpe Diem!
Tribute video by Honest Mike:
T-Hawk c’est fini.
Time to enjoy cruising the streets of LA.
Peugeot 103 70cc malossi h20 custom built:
Stock 1978 Peugeot 103 lvs 50cc before the transformation:
Los Angeles River:
Mobylette av10, doppler clutch pulley
I’m going to start using my motobecane race frame to build, tune, test and ship complete engines. So if you’re interested in replacing your av7 cylinder inducted engine or building a fast av10 case inducted engine, just contact me for more details. I will also build a Peugeot 103 test bike for kitted engines or solid 45 mph 50cc sotckish engine. Whatever fits your needs and budget. Moving to a new shop next year, I may start doing it with other mopeds like Puch and Tomos. I’ll continue to take special orders for custom moped builds.
I just received a set of 2 way regular bearings to replace the push start one way bearing on the Doppler clutch pulley and use a kick start unit to start the engine.
VIDEO:
Here’s a test run with the HK 3020 bearing.
The stock Doppler clutch pulley is available at Treats moped super store http://www.treatland.tv
https://www.treatland.tv/motobecane-av7-av10-doppler-clutch-pulley-p/motobecane-doppler-pulley.htm
103 streetfighter, just a small tease
I’m rebuilding the bike with slow precision like a meticulous surgeon.
Back up LED bicycle lights by Knog made in Australia:
Bonus Video:
I don’t know all the details but I’ve learned through Neil the organizer of motorized bicycle racing in Southern California that a group of people drag race old mini bikes in the streets of Long Beach (south Los Angeles). It started just as a ride and BBQ event but now it got really serious with bikes going 90 mph and racers talking trash. Check out the Oldminibikes.com forum for more info.
http://www.oldminibikes.com/forum/general-minibike-talk/7079-drag-racing-mini-bikes.html
T-Hawk Grabber Blue
It’s the final phase, time to rebuild the ultimate Peugeot 103 street moped.
Frame + headlight + fender 70′s Ford Mustang grabber blue painted by Melvin’s Mel-Mar auto body shop in Los Angeles Filipino town.
Aluminum mag wheels + seat + steel parts silver reflective clear powder coated (light mirror effect) by Embee Performance (exhaust & piston ceramic coating, aluminum anodizing, nickel plating) in Santa Ana, Orange County.
Small steel parts flat black powder coated by Pyramid Powder Coating in Sun Valley.
T-Hawk, I’m ready
Today was the last day before the very first start of my Peugeot 103 streetfighter. I finished all the electrical wiring but I’ll make it look cleaner once I reassemble the bike with a new paint. It’s hard to hide all the wires with so many electrical components. I decided to keep the mini fuses protecting the electric pump and battery circuits exposed though, for a quick and easy access.
To save time I decided not to test ride the bike, I’ll do the final tuning once the bike is painted and reassembled. I will also have some stainless brake lines custom made for the front and rear disc brakes.
Tomorrow is the big day. Hopefully I’ll be able to start the bike and post another video. I took my time and double checked everything but you never know with mopeds, anything can go wrong. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.
VIDEO:
The bike is 90% done and ready for a paint job. I can’t wait to blaaaaaaast the streets of downtown LA late at night, sitting far back on the saddle with a tight grip on the handle bars.
First start:
Yeah! T-hawk is finally born and took its very first breath of oxygen in Hollywood Griffith Park. The bike is so sexy that it already got harassed by people jumping out of the bushes.
The engine fired up right away, it’s not tuned yet but has an awesome sound. The bike feels really solid with no resistance in the wheels, chain or rotor discs. It’s a little heavy with all the equipment but that will increase the stability at top speed and keep it safer on the bad roads of LA. It actually feels and looks more like a small variated 70cc motorcycle and not much like a moped anymore, kinda like top tank mopeds.
It’s now time to disassemble and paint all the parts. Once the bike is done I’ll post some photos and videos of the test runs.
Engine setup available at http://www.treatland.tv
Malossi cases, doppler crank, malossi 70cc h20 kit, mvt millenium cdi, dell’orto 21mm carb, giannelli pipe.
Peugeot 103 streetfighter, la derniere ligne droite
Enfin j’espere…
I’m starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel and should be able to fire up my street bike project very soon. I’ve been waiting 2 years for this moment.
Today was important, I hooked up all the water hoses to the motobecane stock radiator, the temperature sensor and the electric water pump. I just need to wire the pump to a regulator/rectifier or a small separate 12V battery.
Here’s what’s left on the list before finally starting the engine and do a bunch of test runs before painting the bike:
Finish all the electrical wiring (cdi, regulator,battery, fuse, water pump, vapor tachometer + temp gauge, lights, kill switch), lock the pedal shaft so the pegs don’t spin, custom make heavy weights for the malossi variator + the doppler spring way too strong, install the chain, the disc brake lines, the throttle + cables, mount the motobecane engine mount rubber bushings (rare on a kitted peugeot frame but recommend to absorb the vibrations and prevent breaking parts like the exhaust, etc…) Now I wish I would have bought a 50cc h20 engine for less vibrations and overheating problems but at the time I had the “small piston complex” and wanted the biggest bore available like everybody else. That being said, the bike is so heavy that I might need the torque for a more comfortable ride and forget about a screaming engine or top speed.
Few hours away…
I just have to finish all the electrical wiring, install the throttle + choke cables, the fuel line, brake lines and I’m ready to fire up this bad boy!
We learn everyday. I just found out on Facebook that the peugeot 103 RCX/SPX engine is actually rubber mounted and the mount comes in 2 brackets connected together with a thick square piece of rubber between them. It seems like you take the engine down by just removing the bolt on the lower bushing and leave the black bracket on the frame. The more popular 103 SP version in the US doesn’t come with rubber bushings, the bike vibrates a lot with a powerful kitted engine often braking the exhaust. The answer might be to modify that engine mount by welding a rubber bushing just like on the 103 spx (left photo). The big polini cases with aluminum arms vibrate and sometime a powerful engine set up brakes the arms. The best cases are the malossi ones with 70cc kits and 21 mm carb minimum or the smaller polini cases (but expansive) using the stock peugeot mount steel bracket (maybe reinforced or rubber mounted would be the best) with a 50cc kits 19 mm carb max.
Bonus pics from french blogs:
A peugeot 103 spx prototype project with malossi cases, peugeot malossi crank 42,1 mm stroke (instead of 39,1 mm stock stroke) + new 85 mm rod (instead of 75 mm) adapted from an AM6 Minarelli scooter crank, Piaggio/minarelli scooter malossi MHR 70cc h20 kit (try to find the studs…), PVL digital ignition, Stage 6 exhaust modified, Conti power jet 28 mm carb, Conti CRX 4 petal reed block, RGD peugeot 103 variator, Giraudo clutch pulley, Giraudo engine spring. Rad…!
Video:
A new electric drag scooter prototype by MXS Custom. Check out that cool white Teflon 3D mold of the Zuma scooter cylinder ports.
TSM Mania
What’s going on lately with all those peugeot TSM on the streets. I thought they were super rare in the US. That’s the second one coming to the shop for an engine rebuild. I don’t complain though, even if I didn’t grow up with peugeot top tank mopeds, I’m starting to really like them.
Here’s what’s on the menu:
Replace the stock cylinder with a Gilardoni 50cc kit + dell’orto SHA 15 mm carb + polini flat single reed valve + simonini circuit pipe, everything else stays stock. This is my favorite engine set up for a peugeot moped with 45 mph top speed, reliability, fuel efficiency, and easy port matching with the new stock 3 ports cases. That TSM has the 2 ports cases 70′s model so I need to create a 3rd rear port to match the cylinder.
The simonini circuit pipe is a great low and mid range exhaust with a popping sound and also clears the pedals easily but I may have to lose the center stand… not sure, and maybe cut + weld or bend the baffle to fit it in a tight spot between the stand and the pedal (you can also slightly bend or shave the pedal arm). For greater top speed I would recommend a Giannelli exhaust but you definitely have to lose the center stand and slightly bend the pedal or mount the pipe low.
Here are some pics of my very first peugeot 103 project in the US with a used 50cc stock engine 3 ports imported from France + 15 carb SHA + Giannelli pipe dopller baffle. That bike had good gas mileage and 50 mph top speed with stock cylinder exhaust port slightly modified, I miss that kind of engine set up. Then I pimped it with powder coating, chrome plating and a Ponili 70cc kit + malossi cases.
Peugeot TSM engine disassembly and rebuild with Gilardoni 50cc kit, case port match, modified port duration, new crank seals:
Same stock-ish 50cc engine setup available at Treats, http://www.treatland.tv:
Pics of the bike rebuilt with the new engine and video of the 1st start. Notice how the simonini circuit baffle barely clears the swing arm and the pedal even after bending the arm a lot to give it a wider S shape. I can pedal start the bike but once the engine gets in high rpm and swings back it’d probably be safer to ride it with the right foot forward or bend the pedal arm even more but it will get way shorter than the left arm.
Video 1st start, the carb is not tuned yet:
Bonus Pics:
Vintage dual variated swing arm right side transmission for peugeot TSM and 103 fast take offs.
Motobecane 40T 50cc first start
There’s nothing like the sound and smell of a brand new engine.
The bike started right away which is always a relief and a good sign. Today was a very hot day with triple digit temperatures. I’ll wait for cooler temperatures to tune and test ride the bike. I kept the idle high because there’s no clutch. With a big main jet for safety and break in, the bike is a little rich at low rpm. The engine feels good though with lots of power and should make that light bike for a motobecane an other 50cc ripper. We’ll tell people it’s a 70cc, shhh… The chain makes a weird sound because of those new after market front sprockets with teeth that don’t always line up perfectly. I need to work on that or just let it wear itself down.
I still need to hook up the lights, tune the carburetor and variator + launch lever. Then we’ll send the bike to the body shop for a new paint and seat upholstery. This is probably the last time you see the original orange paint. Once the bike is completely done, I’ll probably post some photos and videos of test runs with the lucky owner.
Engine Set Up:
Stock cases, doppler crankshaft, 50cc doppler kit, doppler head, doppler stock 2 petal reed block, doppler intake manifold, 19mm dell’orto carb, stock cdi, doppler exhaust, doppler er3 variator, stock engine spring, doppler belt, doppler pulley, transmission 11×56 for now.
Configuration Moteur:
Carters origine, vilebrequin doppler, kit 50cc doppler, culasse doppler, clapets 2 lamelles origine doppler, pipe admission doppler, carbu 19mm dell’orto, allumage origine, pot doppler, variateur doppler er3, ressort moteur origine, courroie doppler, poulie doppler, transmission 11×56 pour l’instant.
The electrical wiring is done with headlight, tail light, brake light, regulator and kill switch. I’ll use some heat shrink tubing to hide and protect the wires. The bike is now ready for a strip-down and paint job.
Exclusive photos of the freshly painted frame at Melvin’s body shop, 2 more coats to go.
Videos of 1st start and test runs:
Morning break in session 1/2 throttle up and down the hill with cool down period between each round. The bike will get a final tuning after the paint job.
Test run:
After 2 years of honing my tuning skills I’m finally having fun blasting with those 50cc variated french mopeds. I think that once you’ve learned the fundamentals of 2 stroke tuning and that you have a good formula to build fast engines using cheap stock 50cc moped parts as much as possible, it’s time to stick with the basics and stop searching spending time experimenting with crazy 70cc or even scooter parts. Why try to reinvent the wheel, riding is more fun. “Gonflage des cyclomoteurs” is a good vintage book out there that brings you back to the basics of 50cc moped tuning wrote by the 80′s master tuner Didier Thomas who now works for Doppler but unfortunately it’s in French.
I modified the Er3 variator and replaced the doppler belt 13.2 mm with the wider malossi belt 14.3 mm. The bike should have better low end + better top speed using the variator’s full 100 mm range. By pressing on the launch lever we’ll be able to push start the bike and compensate for a more slippery belt sitting all the way down flush against the variator shaft. Once we’re able to get a real heavy duty clutch pulley on the market, nothing’s gonna touch those fast motobecane 50cc stock cases or be more fun and fuel efficient, especially if we start using 50cc h20 kits.
Quick tip:
I recommend to always disassemble a brand new Doppler Er3 variator before installation to check and lubricate the weights arm pins, grease the arms head and damper yellow plates, tighten the 2 guide pins with a drop of blue Loctite (or they’ll fly off at high rpms) and grease them.
50cc engine set-up tested on the video above available at http://www.treatland.tv
BONUS PICS and VIDEO:
I’m doing the monthly ride tonight with the motobecane av10 50cc Bidalot to test the malossi belt with the modified Dopller Er3 variator and 11 x 54 transmission.
Quick tip:
When you don’t ride your fast moped very often, it’s important before each ride to always check your brakes, tire pressure, chain tension and maybe grease the pulley’s bearings and the 2 variator guide pins + check for loose bolts due to vibrations on those french variated bikes. As a general rule, use regular thick grease for slow moving parts like variator guide pins and liquid grease for fast moving parts like pulley bearings. Also, always carry a tool kit, extra spark plug, belt, exhaust springs or emergency wire.
Back from a night ride with the Latebirds moped gang and awesome views of LA city lights from Mulholland Drive.
Before the ride I tested the malossi belt. Compared to the doppler belt, the variator felt heavier and harder to control with the launch lever. It feels like I’ve lost some snap and 10% of the acceleration probably because of the different cross-section shape of the belt, I may test that belt again with smaller weights. I couldn’t push the bike to full speed because of the traffic but it feels like the malossi belt pulls a little more than the doppler belt and would increase the top speed. At that point with 65+ mph top speed, the bike is fast enough to ride in the streets of LA and I would probably choose the best belt for quick acceleration over 70+ mph top speed.
The good thing about those 50cc Gr1 stock cases engine 19 mm carb @ 12,000 rpm max is that you could almost race an entire season without having to disassemble the engine for a check-up. That’s not the case with a faster 50cc Gr2 or Gr3 engine bigger cases + bigger carb @ 15,000 rpm like my yellow peugeot 103 RCX malossi cases 21 mm carb 14,000 rpm. After 3 or 4 race weekends that bike is way overdue for an engine disassembly and full check-up, looking for signs of detonation in the combustion chamber, wear of top cylinder nikasil, piston + ring + wrist pin bearing, rod and crankshaft bearings, seals, variator guide pins + weight arm dampers, etc… to prevent an engine failure. I really need to do it before any future race or monthly test run but I’ve been lazy and not looking forward to it since everything fits so tight on that bike and makes the engine dismount a little more difficult.
It’s always funny to see people’s reaction in their cars when I tell them it’s a 50cc moped. They should make a gta moped game version of this. That’d be so rad.
Tomos Top Tank, it’s on!
This is the first Tomahawk Tomos project using a brand new 2011 ST model.
CHASSIS:
The step through tank will be chopped off with a tomahawk and replaced with top and lower tubular cross bars to mount the 2.5 gallon fuel tank. The bike will get a custom paint, a bullet headlight, low rise handlebars and probably a long seat.
ENGINE:
No major modification will be done in order to keep the bike reliable and fuel efficient. The stock exhaust might be modified, the carburetor upjetted and the rear sprocket downsized for better top speed.
It should be a fun bike with a retro touch but keeping some of the Tomos ST lines, and should also offer convenient daily commuting with the auto mix oil injection and the large capacity fuel tank reducing stops at the gas station.
Parts from http://www.treatland.tv are already on the way.
BONUS PICS:
Edison’s custom Puch Free Spirit top tank built by Melvin in Filipinotown, Los Angeles. The stock engine runs like a clock. Cool bike, well done guys!
Plus, my dad’s oil painting for my birthday ready to be shipped next week from France. Can’t wait…
ALSO:
Check out that cute blog “Les Mobyletteux” (the mopeders) that talks about two french students who have just discovered a new passion for mopeds. They plan road trips with their motobecane av88 and try to learn the basic mechanic skills.
http://lesmobyletteux.blogspot.com/
Back in business
Motobecane 40T 50cc project.
See you in few weeks for a video of the test run at 60+ mph.
Quick tip:
In 2 stroke performance, porting is less important than quality of engine assembly by paying attention to every detail.
Now there’s really no spoked or mag wheel on the market that Tomahawk can’t adapt a disc brake on, with cheap and fast technique.
BONUS VIDEOS:
Mbk 51 / Motobecane Av10 kick start function.
That might be a good option for those who want to run a Doppler clutch pulley with a regular bearing instead of the fragile stock one way bearing necessary to push start the bike.
Two things you need to know:
1- The motobecane av10 engine is rubber mounted so don’t kick too hard like on a dirt bike or you will damage the rubber bushings over time.
2- Each time you kick, the lever comes back up. The actuator gear slightly rub against the flywheel nut, wearing off the teeth over time. Just get an extra set of those two parts and grease them.
I’ll try to keep you informed when we start getting some of those in America soon…
Repositioning the lever for stronger spring tension:
Notice the kick start, h20 50cc engine, gas shocks, square swing arm with pegs on the Mbk 51 90′s stock version. Some models even had an hydraulic fork with disc brake.
