Stuff...

So I've been keeping my eye out for a few things and one project I've seen was a Puch Motorcycle for dirt cheap. A Puch '60s 250 or rather a Sears Allstate, either way I'd like to grab it even in the decent condition that its in. I am also thinking about how long I want to stick with mopeds, which I keep coming to the conclusion of "for a really long time," since I don't feel like getting my motorcycle license. So maybe the motorcycle is a pipe dream at the moment but one can always keep there eye on a few things.

Feb Update

It's been forever since my last post, as much as winter is a building season, it's also a collecting one for me. I've been told that the real time to build is during early spring, which I find is true, winter is starting to begin to look like a collecting season, where the build is on hold and you get everything you think you need. I'll probably begin to start assembling a few things but no until I put in a couple hundred dollar order into Treats.

Apart from collecting, the Ghost Riders moved out of their old shop. Some people ask why but in short it was due to internal differences. The last clean up of the shop was last week Monday, I attended and it was a sad sight seeing the graphetti being painted over. I seen parts being thrown away, luckily I was fortunate to grab a few things, grabed a the 3 different kinds of stocks Puch pipes, a Magnum muffler, handlebars, Murray forks, a Batavus long seat, and a few other odds and ends.

I hope there is a new shop soon...

Community Build Post Awesomeness

The build was great, even though its a week later but life keeps me busy so here it is. The build was as awesome if not awesomer then I thought it was going to be. Basically there was some awesome builds going on, mods being performed, and general tom foolery going on.

Quarter Kick was great enough to provide parts for me E50 build that I did not have and was able to use Chad's tools that I did not have and sorely needed. As for the actual work, there were plenty of experienced people there willing to throw a hand in to help every now and then. Questions were answered and general awesomeness ensued.

Food was awesome, Poor Richard's has probably the best breakfast menu ever created in man's history with everything from steak and eggs to chili omelets. Last day we ate at Martini's which had awesome food and beer. I randomly got Matilda from Goose Island Brewery there and fell in love with it, best beer this year that I tasted.

Oh raffle was great too! Won a pipe and after some horse trading got $60 and a 70cc Kstar reed kit. Didn't win the Puch Cobra :(

Here's some pictures:

Chad Burke's Community Build pre-awesomeness

If you play with anything that has 2 wheels, pedals, a motor, and live around the Fortress known as "Michigan," or have the means to make a pilgrimage to the Moped Mecca of the world or as it's known to the locals "Kalamazoo, home of Bell's brewery and some other stuff." Then you are in for a treat, okay I haven't been to the 1st one last year but around 20 people showed up to it, which was the 1st time, and now Facebook has over 80 people confirmed. So I'm guessing this is going to be the biggest Moped event where a ride isn't going to happen and there will be 1150% more beer and/or booze.(I plan on doing more because I plan on staying for the slumber party, w00t no driving home!)

When I heard of this I was thinking to myself that this will be awesome, get some help on a engine build, get away from home, drink copious amounts of beer, and maybe smoke(not weed, well at least not me). Now I hope to maybe help people out with my skills, weld shit up, give people bad advise, and learn something about albino hamsters.

How could this suck? It won't.

PS bring me a beer

PPS bring me another one

PPPS just bring me a 6 pack instead

PPPPS hell just bring a keg

Keep wrenching,

-da Goochman

Rusty Tanks

They suck...

I used vinegar, this didn't suck...

I also used pennies, which failed, therefor sucked...

Anyways if you have a tank, plug it up, pick your poison, and keep a eye on it. I'd also recommend using steel shot or BBs, either that or just nuts(as nuts and bolts). Pretty strait forward, chemically mill away and further mill the chunks off with nuts. Pennies just slosh around and don't do a whole lot.

Also, don't keep your petcock in, get a rubber stopper(s) or use other ways to close it up tight, like a dolphin's butt, water tight!

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!