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:
Rockstar Moby 1st start
Ca respire…
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:
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.
Team “No Gear” 50cc speed record
Remember that bike?
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.
50cc French moped racing 2012, TGO Chatillon sur Indre
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:
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
Moped racing is back in California!
In 2013 we should organize one big rally/race event in Sacramento area with all the West Coast moped racers from San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, etc… and from other states for those who want to make the drive.
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:
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.
For Sale: Heavy duty Doppler pipe for motobecane
$185
New exhaust PUSH spring system designed and tested by Melvin on his Motobecane Av10 polini 50cc ripper.
With that system no more broken PULL springs due to strong vibrations from your kitted engine.
It even comes with an extra set of longer screws if you install the header extension spacer for lower rpms or bigger volume 70cc kits.
The pipes are brand new and come with the ball joint and all the hardware still in the plastic bag.
No more “secret feature”, Melvin’s special springs system is now available for your fast moby.
To order email Christophe at tomahawkmopeds@ymail.com
The Beast, birth of a drag moby
So this is it. I’ve made the decision to use a motobecane Av10 moped frame instead of my Hodaka motorcycle top tank frame. It will be lighter and faster.
I’ve got 2 months to cut, grind, weld, order all the missing parts to finish the project and register the bike as a moped by the end of March for the “Super Sunday” big Ruckus ride in Los Angeles.
I’m super excited about that project but no more talk, it’s time to build.
Engine:
Two stroke minarelli horizontal scooter engine 23hp imported from France (Mbk nitro/Yamaha Zuma) with Malossi MHR 77cc h20 kit, Malossi crank 85mm, Stage 6 digital cdi, Dell’orto 28mm carb flat slide, Stage 6 R1400 exhaust, Malossi over range transmission kit, Stage 6 clutch pulley, Stage 6 gears.
2012 French moped racing, the pressure is on!
50cc single variated moped racing was big in France in the 80′s and 90′s but slowly died early 2000 because of the scooters and 6 speed bikes becoming quickly popular among the new generation more interested in drag racing with 80+cc set-ups.
In 2007 moped racing made a slow come back with old school tuners/racers and few young racers. Since then, the sport has grown every year but still needs new blood to survive.
For the first time this year, companies like Bidalot (pioneer of moped racing and #1 brand for performance parts in the 80′sand 90′s) are stepping in wanting to help the sport grow, by submitting their ideas like introducing an open class up to 80cc the most popular displacement among young racers today (scooters/6 speed in drag racing and speed track racing). The idea is not really welcomed by the hard core an long time 50cc moped racers but could attract new racers to secure the future of the sport. Some argue that Bidalot has always been only about business and fear that they want to jump in just to tap into a new market to sell their modern racing parts, with a risk that they could start controlling the rules like they did back in the days.
The 2012 season is going to be the busiest since 2007 with about 30 bikes in the 50cc open class (no cases and carb size limit, open chassis) in the northern championship with top moped racers traveling for Belgium to challenge the french racers.
The southern championship is packed as well with new crazy bikes this year in each class, 50cc open, 50cc gr1, and the most popular 50cc stock-ish.
Reading all the french blog we can feel that everybody is excited and starting to feel the pressure, working hard to finish their bikes on time for the 1st race starting late march. Some of the teams are even getting a sponsorship this year, that’s a good sign.
Some random pics of current race bikes and new projects under progress, mainly from Northern France. Some of those guys are getting serious for the 2012 season, bringing out the big guns! I’ll try to plan another trip this year and go to one of their races, last year I went to one of the Southern France championship event, gained tons of experience and brought some cool moped parts.
Bonus Video: A look inside Polini Motori.
Tomahawk 28mm clip-ons prototype
So far so good…
Made in USA.
The 1st batch is here! The clip-ons will be FOR SALE very soon here on the Tomahawk blog and at Treats http://www.treatland.tv
Working late nights getting the clip-ons ready, compressed air cleaning, thread and quality control, aluminum 7/8 tube cutting, Allen screw assembly.
Perfect racing position with a fix 8 degrees angle just like on my Peugeot 50cc race moped.
- BONUS PICS:
Sneak peek at the “Transformer moby” project by Overkill (chassis) and Tomahawk (race engine).
Engine set-up:
Stock av10 cases ported, Doppler kit 50cc air ported, Malossi crank, Doppler stock reeds, Dell’orto 19 carb, Doppler pipe, Mvt cdi, Bidalot Junior variator, Doppler clutch pulley, stock engine spring, launch lever. Probably an h20 50cc set-up in the future.
Check out the size of that fat rear tire (3 inch tubeless) with the wide stock mbk av10 magnum square swing arm! I can’t wait to see the future gas tank side covers with aluminum CNC machined motobecane raised 3D logo.
Engine cases disassembly:
Case matching + billet LED tail lights:
Cylinder porting:
Setting the transfers and exhaust port duration at Gr1 moped racing specs + Bidalot variator.
VIDEO:
The engine is built so tight with precision.
All surfaces were carefully checked. The crank perfectly centered. The cases are assembled with special crank seals not available at any moped part store, new grade 8 7mm bolts + stainless steel spacers. The head is mounted with malossi long nuts M7 and stainless steel thick spacers + O ring and professional super resistant sealant. The squish is safely set for 91 octane fuel. Blue Loctice applied where needed.
Next is the ignition with timing set for high rpms + aluminum welding inside the intake manifold to match the stock reed block for a perfect gas flow.
Even though the cylinder is not lubricated yet on that video, the compression is already very strong! Just what we need for crazy 50cc power.
PS:
I’m getting ready to build my cafe scoot /drag ped project powered by a minarelli 77cc 23hp dual variated scooter engine. I’m still undecided and looking for advice. Please check out my last post on mopedarmy to help me take a decision, thanks.
My motorcycle frame is a Hodoka Ace 100:
Happy new year and long live mopeds
2011 has been a great year for mopeds. Best wishes for 2012 and happy mopeding.
Some random videos to celebrate the new year.
Peugeot 103 vogue made in France, actually made in China since 2006:
Tomos club in Japan:
Peugeot 103 recent build by Gregoire Blachon, Nashville Tennessee:
Motobecane av10 chopper home made kick start:
Puch maxi 80cc eurokit drag racer:
1976 OW! strian Puch maxi 2hp back to life:
Tomahawk new shop
So it looks like in January 2012 Tomahawk is finally leaving the underground “James Bond room” for a bigger shop at Overkill high end baja buggy parts in Anaheim, Orange County. Perfect location in an industrial zone to build and test screaming mopeds all day long.
I’ll keep an antenna in Hollywood for small projects and moped repairs but I’ll use the new shop to build all the future custom bikes. With our new fast mopeds we’re gonna show the Ruckus scooter people of OC what’s up. I’m also working on fabricating future Tomahawk moped parts:
Some aluminum clipons with steel chromed tubes for 28mm moped fork like the EBR and maybe later 30mm for Tomos fork, with future options like anodizing, powder coating, tubes stainless steel, titanium, etc… Also an aluminum launch lever with bearing that mount on the pedal shaft for pegs or pedals use + a bracket ready to bolt on motobecane or peugeot engine cases. The launch lever is a must-have part on those variated french bikes to get the most out of your engine by pressing down on it with your foot. It’s like downshifting on your variated transmission, it gives you that extra power that no other moped offers (even with a dual variated transmission), launching the engine into high rpms for quicker accelerations to reach top speed or be the fastest climbing hills.
I’m also going to design and test a new engine spring for peugeot and motobecane since none of the polini or doppler works perfectly. I’m trying to work on a new Tomahawk clutch pulley or a heavy duty kit to upgrade your doppler clutch pulley ER2. And a bunch of other parts needed for french bikes and later think about good parts for Puch and Tomos.
We’ve got a couple of projects lined up, another fast 50cc Doppler motobecane av10 project, the “Motomos” a Tomos A55 with custom extended swing arm top quality welds and streetmate front end disc brake with maybe a motobecane variated engine, my Tomos ST Harley top tank and my Minarelli 77cc h20 drag moped. There’s gonna be some long nights but let’s do this thing!
More frames waiting for a Tomahawk extreme makeover:
Black Peugeot 103 vogue short swing arm 50cc h20/air cooled, Green peugeot 103 RCX short square swing arm 70cc polini h20, White peugeot 103 mvl dual variated swing arm with high rpm vintage Bidalot racing 50cc air cooled and wide 2.5 inch mag wheels with stock threaded holes for disc brake, Yellow old new stock motobecane av10 frame zero miles not even a single drop of gasoline in the tank. How do you like that moby frame drg7? I know know you want it bad.
For a man of means, a future 25hp 86cc h20 monster peugeot or motobecane moped using the CNC machined Mykitech cases from http://www.treatland.tv to adapt all the powerful high tech minarelli scooter parts imported from Europe + the Mykitech clutch pulley.
France, custom scooter minarelli engine + peugeot 103 monster scooter:
New Vespa Quarantasei Concept and BMW Concept C (with cameras replacing the mirrors) in 2012:
BONUS PICS and VIDEOS:
The US moped scene is just the best and probably the biggest. If you don’t own a moped yet watch that video and go get one!
A 1979 film about moped safety.
Great art work and T-shirts by Tyler Conway “Bright mind designs” in Denver, inspired by the Tomahawk custom mopeds:
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.
x8crsu_cf-90-de-remi-g3-pour-2009_auto#rel-page-4
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:
From AV7 to AV10
Here’s a motobecane 50cc engine I built for a customer who wants to swap his av7 engine 2 ports cylinder inducted and experience the power of a better av10 engine 3 ports case inducted reed valve with lubricating holes for the crank bearings.
I’m using used stock av10 cases, used crank + new bearings and seals, new 50cc doppler kit, used stock RMZ head with decomp, used stock cdi (also have a back up new mvt cdi), new 19 carb, new doppler exhaust, new doppler er3 variator with bearing clutch function, stock double spring, no launch lever.
I’m using my wonder bread moby frame to test the engine, once perfectly tuned I’ll send it back to Chicago, ready to mount and blast after re-jetting.
If you’re interested in a similar set-up for your moby or build a whole bike just contact Tomahawk.
Short video 1st start a mano:
2h break in session with rich carburetion + heavy variator weights, and old doppler pipe (thx Tracy!)
The engine is ready for final test runs, carb and variator tuning. Then pack it and ship it.
Motobecane stock cases available at http://www.treatland.tv
AV7 AV10
Bonus pics:
Back from my meeting with Santa Claus after reinstalling my 50cc Bidalot engine, blasting everybody’s ears and racing some Ford Mustangs on Hollywood Blvd with my screaming 12,000 rpms pressing hard on the launch lever. I never get tired of it!
The perfect plug, the color looks richer in real with a nice light chocolate brown/brick red.
Bumble bee, the fast and pretty
New game plan. I’m going to use a peugeot seat with maybe upholstery, an ebr frame brace, a round headlight, a peugeot 103 spx kick stand, I will paint the wheels black and probably keep the bumble bee spirit by adding some yellow accents. Now it’s starting to look like a cool ped. I’ll try to update the article later with new pics.
Peugeot 103 RXC 49.9cc moped, 14 hp 14,000 rpm.
I don’t want my 50cc race moped to rust in my shop until the next race April 7th 2012 at Grange’, so I decided to remove the fairings and register the bike to blast it once in a while on moped rides. Before that I’ll do a complete engine checkup and will change the transmission for street riding top speed. The negative side is that the more miles you put on a race engine the less it performs at its full potential on the track for race day.
I installed a long seat and a Tomos square headlight for now to make it look more like a street moped american style. I’ll probably paint the wheels black, re-weld a straight frame brace, get a round headlight and modify the seat cafe’ style later. The purist french racers and bloggers are going to tease me for removing those awesome vintage Bidalot fairings but we can’t please everybody and since nobody races in California I have to take that bike to the streets. Plus the bike will also blend much better next year on the track racing against other mopeds or 50cc to 200cc and electric motorized bicycles.
The only thing missing is the license plate and the pedals but there were no pedals on the stock peugeot 103 RCX 90′s version with pegs and kick start like many other mopeds, Honda, Vespa, Motobecane, Tomos, etc… It’s almost impossible to install pedals on that bike, there’s no thread for a rear bicycle freewheel, no front sprocket on the shaft or even room to weld one. I’m still keeping the moped spirit by using a 49.9cc limit engine and after market Peugeot moped parts only, except for the auto electric water pump. Even the vintage Fournales ole0-pneumatic shocks were made for the 103 RCX frame.
Bonus video : Another fast Tomahawk 50cc motobecane.
Melvin’s motobecane Av10 polini 50cc kit with stock cases is almost done. He built the bike and I taught him how to properly assemble the engine and slightly port the cylinder W exhaust port. He custom made a swing arm, clip-ons handle bars, dual launch lever, exhaust ball joint springs system, cut and re-welded the frame’s tail to adapt new shocks (gave up the mono shock project), installed a disc brake and custom fork brace, etc… He always find new ideas using cheap parts available at his auto body shop.
I stopped by Friday night for his birthday and first start of his new moby. I reassembled the 19 carb with all the right settings, timed the ignition, tuned the doppler variator + launch lever. I did a full session breaking in the engine on the stand before doing some test runs. WOW… the 50cc polini kit rips! Good torque and some serious power even with the small 52T rear sprocket. That bike might be faster than any of our other mobys and Melvin is light too. Once completely done the bike will get a new paint.
Somebody’s gonna have a big smile on his face blasting through the streets of LA at 70 mph.
As you probably already know, you can find all those performance parts at http://www.treatland.tv the best moped parts store in the universe and build your own fast motobecane engine or have all the parts shipped to Tomahawk for complete assembly, tuning, testing, shipped back to you and experience the real 50cc power.
Who said Motobecane av10 variated mopeds can’t go as fast as one speed puch mopeds and hold top speed for miles?
I think those Turkish Kamikazes use a stock av10 bottom end + 70cc kit + modify stock pipe + small rear sprocket. Ok, they ride downhill on a light frame and small tires with an aerodynamic position but still that’s not bad… I read 80 mph on the speedometer. Those bikes don’t have good acceleration in the city though and are built to break records on the freeway.
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
