Puch Differences

Its been awhile since I posted something so I thought I'd post about the different Puch frames...

Most Common types are:
Maxi
Magnum
Pinto
Swinger
Freespirit

More lesser known types:
Cobra
Dart
Korado
Macho
Magnum LTD
Magnum X
Murray
Newport

The two main differences in frames are either stamped vs tubed construction. The other differences are small details such as make of the frame, for instance the Murray isn't built by Puch, same goes for the Pinto. The frames on the Maxi differ from other models too, I forget which one but they use different fenders, such as the rears. As for the tubed frames there are major differences, one would be the overall length of the frames, the Magnum frame is the longest, while the Murray/Freespirit follow behind that with the Pinto and Swinger having the shortest frame.

I know with that the Murray frames use about a 2" diameter pipe with a wall thickness of .120" which I think would be about the same as all other tubed frames. The mopeds with top tanks or rather the ones with a crossbar with a tank on them would be the Magnum series, which would include the Cobra, even though the Cobra and Magnum look similar there is one difference in the frame and that is that the Magnum has a bend on the crossbar while the Cobra is strait. The crossbar is also smaller in diameter compared to the rest of the frame being around 1.75" in diameter.

As for other minor differences in the frame is the suspension. Magnums use different length forks and shocks then the others. Same goes for the Maxi's vs Murrays vs Pintos. The different length forks and shocks will assemble onto other Puch mopeds but there will be a difference in the tilt of the bike. This would be like adding Magnum forks to a Maxi, the front end would be higher then the rear.

The other differences are the engines used, there are 2 types, the E50 and the ZA50. The E50 is a single a speed engine while the ZA50 is the 2 speed model. The Magnums, Cobras, and Maxi Mk2s had the ZA50 while Maxi's and just about everything else has the single speed engines. If you don't know what engine the bike has, on the right side of the engine the clutch plate is squarish on the ZA50, roundish on the E50.

There are also a difference in stock cylinders, there are sleeved cylinders and aluminum cylinders. There are also hi torque cylinders which are sleeved but have a smaller diameter bore with a piston thats offset and different when compared to a non-hi torque cylinder which gives it's high torque ability. The hi torque cylinders have 3 number series, the 11,22, and 33. As for the aluminum cylinders, there are new and old style stock cylinders with many different kits.

Since most stock mopeds are restricted, there are usually restrictions with the carb. This would include the intake manifold, or the bent tube attaching the carb to the cylinder. Normally they are either 12 or 14mm's, there may also be restrictions which can normally be taken out. As for the Carb itself, they usually correspond with the carb, you will either have a 12mm Bing carb w/intake or a 14mm Bing carb w/intake.

This is a basic overview, if you have any questions look at MA wiki...

Things to learn...

After several days of having the new air filter on, I put on a new front sprocket. I took off the front snap ring and decided that it was garbage and that I'd have to buy a new one. Now you can go the easy way and buy one online, well I went the long but shorter route(if that makes sense) and drove to the hardware store. Somehow I never really thought how hard finding a 16mmx1 snap ring was going to be... I ended up going to 3 hardware stores, 2 box stores, and a partridge in a.... in the end just let your fingers do the walking and phone places.

So after the installation of the front sprocket, with the new snap ring, it seemed a little wiggly. After reading online that it was normal in 1 post, I was off! Moped Mondays at Founders, where everyone was running late so I decided to go for a ride. Well after probably riding 20 or so miles, the new sprocket decided it didn't want to be attached to my bike and kindly went and hid somewhere. So luckily I was 1/4 of the mile from the GRGR shop and rode my moped on the sidewalk like a bike. I soon asked on MA forums and the answer I received was a "snap rings have a rough and smooth side" take a look at one, like all sheet metal, its smooth on either side, if I go across that posting I'm going to call BS on it.

Anyway not a whole lot of riding, though the short time I did ride with the new 17t sprocket, it was noticeably faster! Going up hills was just a wee bit slower but who cares?

Right now I have a new rear sprocket and will keep my original 15t sprocket on. So it'll be gear at 15:42 instead of 15:45, only problem is the pedal chain is too short and will require some lengthening due to the fact that it limits the drive chains length as well due to the rear wheel is limiting the whole thing.

The Gooch will ride again!

Moped Problems Fixed

Found out why my moped was running on the slow side, it was due to air leaks in the carb. I was able to remedy this by putting new gaskets in the Bing carburetor and there was a noticeable difference in the performance. My guess is the leak started when I replaced the my jet for the second time after figuring out that I had jetted it to high. I also think my speedo is way off and just got worse so I really need another means of figuring out my speed and on top of that the engine doesn't like to run in hot and humid weather.

I did tho put on a new high flow air filter after I got the moped tuned and after the install it runs like a champ. One guy that rides every Monday, on a similar moped, with a better cylinder, a 28mm pipe that looks stock, and a 18t front sprocket was riding and I was able to out perform him where before he would usually out run me when he reached his moped's top end.

As it stands now, my moped has plenty of bottom end, I probably will do a sprocket install tonight and with a little luck I'll have a higher top end and will hopefully cruise a whole lot faster.

Moped Problems...

Moped is acting up, I hear a load, high pitched noise when I'm up to speed but anyway I'll figure it out. I assume its either exhaust, clutch, or I highly suspect the carb. I haven't put on the new sprockets because of this issue, I also have a new high flow foam air filter.

I plan on taking off and putting on a new exhaust gasket, take off and put in new carb gaskets and seals, and probably replace the tranny fluid. If that fixes it, I'll probably put on sprockets and the high flow filter. If that fixes it I'd be happy and there'd be great rejoicing!

Sprockets!

Today I just received 3 sprockets, 2 for the front and one for the back. I don't plan on making my gearing that tall, the highest would be 18:42. Basically what I bought was a 17t and a 18t sprocket for the front and a 42t sprocket for the back. With the 16:45 setup I can have 6 different setups which means I can only go up in speed.

Many might think this is a stupid idea but with my Proma GP pipe on the stock engine my power band is really nice. I can basically beat everyone off the line and probably to 25mph from there on out my top speed is lagging. So in a effort to boost my speed I plan on exchanging some bottom end for some top end. Either I'll find a happy medium or I'll just have extra sprockets, if successful I'll have a good top speed and a happy off the line accel.

As for the hot weather, its quite humid and the dewpoint is high, which makes me hitting my top speed nearly impossible. Seemed better on top of a hill on Burlingame for about a few blocks. Didn't really matter this Monday on the weekly GRGR ride, it was all city streets so I blasted off from stop to stop while everyone with their top speed tuned bikes were struggling, though they did buzz past me when I hit the 20's.

Hopefully tomorrow I'll have some time in the morning to work on changing out my front sprocket, don't really know how to do it but I hear there is a snap ring. Maybe I'll take a few pictures and make a tutorial on how to do it.

'82 Murray is almost done....

Well at first I bought the Murray thinking I'd throw a kit on it but after riding it I became attached to it. Its like with cars, you have one for awhile and it grows on ya, while others you just wish they'd die so you could sell it for scrap. Speaking of which, does anyone want a '96 Taurus?

Either way, I've tinkered with it abit and have it cruising 35mph+ and hopefully with some sprockets will make it go 40 and thats pretty much how fast I want it to go. I learned alot, everything from tires to cables, to exhaust and up jetting. I think this summer I'll just add some bearings to the engine and maybe tune the clutch and thats it for this moped.

The only question is what to get next? I know the GRGR like the E50 engine and can mod the shit out of them but I'm kinda looking at a Tomos LX, now I know that probably made a few people shudder but its a moped that I've wanted for awhile. Sure they are gay because they are what they are but I like the top tank look and want to make it a mini crotch rocket. I haven't seen one that goes 70mph yet and would love and try to make one go that fast with a 70cc or 75cc or even a 80cc kit.

Right now I'm just waiting for a cheap moped to go on sale nearby but they always go the same day and my schedule would have to align with the stars in order to make a sale go thru.

Sapporo Moped Contest Continues...

With less than six weeks remaining to submit a picture, there really hasn't been a whole lot of great photos. Most are of scenic landscapes, others with just a person on them, while others are just random things. People don't really seem to try a whole lot except for one community. Said community has a lot at stake, if you can't guess this community then you fail at life. Well maybe not if you said photography but the community I'm talking about is the moped community. The scooter community is opening up too....

When Sapporo has a "show your star moment," and there is a random dog in the photo, it really just indicates that the person put to much thought into the photo. There are also those photos that look good but don't really deserve to be in this contest. Some photos are very creative but again don't follow the stated primus of the contest.

Anyway here are some of my favorites that I found, I didn't get to cycle through all the photos but I probably went through a couple hundred, maybe more. Even so I think these are pretty awesome, I didn't put them in order of awesomeness either because they are all pretty awesome. I also added annotative opinions because I thought I'd do something different.

Mopeds and fire, the only things that are missing are beer and tits. Either way the glare and shadows of this photo are pretty amazing. The silhouette created in the foreground with the giant fire in the background, along with the motion is pretty sweet. 

With the colors and the moped the thing that brings this photo together is the two people on it. Having a girl on the back puts a image of love and something most guy would want. The heads being cut out also makes it great in the sense that it could be anyone with their girlfriend or possible perspective girlfriend. (by far my favorite one out of the mix)

This photo probably wouldn't mean much outside of the moped community but riding in style at the Dorais race track with graffiti has a certain weirdness about it. Yet its a awesome image, even with the contrasts between the rider, the track, and the crowd the colors kinda bring out the most.

Rally pic=instant favorite, especially with such a awesome picture. The road goes off into the distance but its covered up by the guy in the foreground so its a well balanced picture of super awesomeness.

Moped in a bowl is out of place and yet you can imagine the amount of fun it could possibly be.

This photo just has vintage appeal to me and with the simple jump makes it somewhat classic...