My Moped , Shiney bits done time for a rebuild

[Albie]

I think Im finally getting the moped done. Last 3 months and been so busy with club stuff and others. I picked up my plating yesterday of various bolts brackets and rods.

Pleased that 63 items were just £30 to plate. It will do for a now anyhow. I have started reassembling the bike tonight but still have to put engine gaskets together and still has yet to run.
I still have to paint the rear wheel too and the black exhaust. The micron needs a header pipe making ( anyone know a man who can )

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l209/albies4/Project%20Suzuki%20GT%2050%20restore/Gt50010.jpg
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l209/albies4/Project%20Suzuki%20GT%2050%20restore/Gt50009.jpg
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http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l209/albies4/Project%20Suzuki%20GT%2050%20restore/Gt50012.jpg

[NattyBoy]

A credit to you Albie and a great story taking it from someones shed to this. Had a funny five minutes a year or so ago. I was looking for my old sports moped - a MBX 50 Honda - to restore for old times sake. Anything sports moped wise is creeping up in value quite nicely. Couldnt find one though...

Get the details sent into practical sportsbikes (specialist mag for modern classics) - they'll love that.

Some advice mate - get those zinc plated parts dosed up with a well shook can of ACF50 to keep them nice.

[scrapps]

looking good Albie

[He11cat]

Thats fab I love the Suzi star wheels :)
Credit to you.

[J.P]

Looks spiffing.

[Albie]

After 9 years in a shed today she kicked into life at the second kicked. I finally breathed enough cleaning and care to make it run. Not running perfect but not suprising really. Its running on choke maybe because of the race filter but not had a chance to tune it yet. Just need to repaint the swingarm after welding some chainguard brackets on and then it needs tyres and the lights sorting. Oh and a new flasher relay.

Nothing exciting, but is to me after 100 of hours of hard graft

<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/hy1tvoH4c_k?hl=en&fs=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Scott1]

Good stuff, been following the blog, a lot of effort has gone into it so good to see it running, will you be riding it to Arrow Mill next year?

[Albie]

Lovely bike! - I'll race yer when she's tuned up Albie!

Had my SS50 Cafe Racer on the TT course this May in pre-TT week - such great fun these peds (mine is tuned mind!) - have to use every inch of road and every rev - but really rewarding and fun stuff!!

http://inlinethumb33.webshots.com/37216/2379837200071649086S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2379837200071649086kvzFWF)
http://inlinethumb42.webshots.com/46697/2548543730071649086S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2548543730071649086Euzyxf)
http://inlinethumb47.webshots.com/21294/2252425590071649086S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2252425590071649086JfcpAc)
http://inlinethumb41.webshots.com/47080/2158406500071649086S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2158406500071649086VTkgeJ)
http://inlinethumb14.webshots.com/45965/2696019260071649086S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2696019260071649086nvWHoP)
Ade

Thats a cracking bike. I totally hooked on these little peds. I know they aint fast but its the roots of our teens and such easy bikes to work on. Being older it becomes much more understandable what we didnt know at 16.
I doubt if the GT50 will get anywhere near your ss as its restricted. Isle of man must have been a hoot.
Are you on the Sixteener Special Sports Moped Forum
http://www.sixteener-special.co.uk
Good guys with some cracking bikes and loads of restorations.

Arrow Mill I doubt as I love my monster too much. If anyone wants to trailer it up for me fine.


She now has indicators and light but headlights dont seem to work as yet. Something starnge going on. Indicators work but not flashing. New relay probs. Horn ok. Side /park lights work. Brake lights work.

Wheels look better gold I think than that black one I tried.

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l209/albies4/Project%20Suzuki%20GT%2050%20restore/Gt50020-1.jpg

[Rally]

Great to hear it has run again and is looking fab!

[Albie]

Im so pleased Alun. It makes it all worth it. I got to a point thinking what if engine is crap. Its your fault you see.

These mopeds need a life unlike the plastic crap they build now. Gears and big wheels. Speed has nothing to do with it.

[utopia]

That looks like a really tidy job, Albie. Well done indeed.
I can just picture you, first time out, flat on the tank, throttle on the stop, and er.... not going very fast.......;)
What next then....a 70's two-stroke trials iron, perchance ??
Personally, I very nearly weakened for a 400cc kawasaki triple motor a month or so ago. I could hardly resist the mere £180 (plus USA import costs) that was being asked. I fancied building it into a modern chassis somehow. Probably would have ended up costing a fortune though. I was even contemplating building a frame for it myself, which is way beyond my experience.
You're obviously a bit better at getting on with things than me, though. I bought a basket case Norton Commando for £60 in 1979...... Its still a basket case.

[Nonnie]

That's very lovely and very shiny!

[adrianbalchi]

Albie these Peds are so much fun! - you will get more attention (positive stuff) than any tricked Monster I am afraid - don't expect to 'pop into town' on her and not draw a crowd
http://inlinethumb19.webshots.com/48722/2683489260071649086S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2683489260071649086AtSZkl)
I am (occasionally) on the ped forum and went to their Bolney to Brighton run which was erm.....smokey!

Album here of run assembly - AJW Greyhound and Fantic in there plus a lonesome SS50 http://thumb6.webshots.net/t/76/76/1/7/62/2702107620071649086PGacbH_th.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/album/577715698lbFpRn)

After my lung transplant I joined the VMCC and have done a load of runs with the Guys there through leafy back roads where every millisecond saved by late braking helps bag another place - great fun just like being sixteen again!! and all at 45mph so not much risk of speeding tickets!!

Back in late 70's my pal Charlie had a restricted GT50 - I seem to remember all he did was go up on the front sprocket and remember him being able to pull 45mph given time? The secret to these peds isn't always tuning but aligning wheels correctly, right tyre pressures, right tyres, well lubed and adjusted chain etc - just reducing loses and keeping engine at peak performance - oh and a diet of fags and diet coke to keep the weight down

Re IOM - was a legend! My SS has evolved to 70cc then 90cc then 102cc and now has a bigger stroke and barrel giving me 124cc! So no longer a Ped but has all the thrills of a 60's 50 racer!

Most fun was the Police chasing me as they had mis-read my reg number - took a Police Range Rover 10 miles to catch me after spotting me at Ramsey hairpin and only stopped me on the run down to Creg ny Baa! I saw the blue lights behind and assumed (like you would) that he was after one of the 170mph Sports Bikes? but he pulls over a 1974 70mph ped!!

Ade

PS love the gold wheels

[Albie]

That looks like a really tidy job, Albie. Well done indeed.
I can just picture you, first time out, flat on the tank, throttle on the stop, and er.... not going very fast.......;)
What next then....a 70's two-stroke trials iron, perchance ??
Personally, I very nearly weakened for a 400cc kawasaki triple motor a month or so ago. I could hardly resist the mere £180 (plus USA import costs) that was being asked. I fancied building it into a modern chassis somehow. Probably would have ended up costing a fortune though. I was even contemplating building a frame for it myself, which is way beyond my experience.
You're obviously a bit better at getting on with things than me, though. I bought a basket case Norton Commando for £60 in 1979...... Its still a basket case.

Oh you must sort out the commando.I will give you £60 for it then :D
I have a list of I would likes to own for a while as always had a fondness for all of these. I was not able to own the bigger bike back then due to being an underpaid young man

Yamaha XT500 expensive to buy now basket or good
Yamaha RD350 lc or RD 250 lc
Yamaha RD400
Honda 125 or 250 trial/trail
Yamaha fs1e in popsicle purple like my old one
Yamaha SR500
Moto Guzzi 850 Le Mans MK 1
Laverda Jota

[Albie]

Albie these Peds are so much fun! - you will get more attention (positive stuff) than any tricked Monster I am afraid - don't expect to 'pop into town' on her and not draw a crowd

I am (occasionally) on the ped forum and went to their Bolney to Brighton run which was erm.....smokey!

Album here of run assembly - AJW Greyhound and Fantic in there plus a lonesome SS50 http://thumb6.webshots.net/t/76/76/1/7/62/2702107620071649086PGacbH_th.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/album/577715698lbFpRn)

After my lung transplant I joined the VMCC and have done a load of runs with the Guys there through leafy back roads where every millisecond saved by late braking helps bag another place - great fun just like being sixteen again!! and all at 45mph so not much risk of speeding tickets!!

Back in late 70's my pal Charlie had a restricted GT50 - I seem to remember all he did was go up on the front sprocket and remember him being able to pull 45mph given time? The secret to these peds isn't always tuning but aligning wheels correctly, right tyre pressures, right tyres, well lubed and adjusted chain etc - just reducing loses and keeping engine at peak performance - oh and a diet of fags and diet coke to keep the weight down

Re IOM - was a legend! My SS has evolved to 70cc then 90cc then 102cc and now has a bigger stroke and barrel giving me 124cc! So no longer a Ped but has all the thrills of a 60's 50 racer!

Most fun was the Police chasing me as they had mis-read my reg number - took a Police Range Rover 10 miles to catch me after spotting me at Ramsey hairpin and only stopped me on the run down to Creg ny Baa! I saw the blue lights behind and assumed (like you would) that he was after one of the 170mph Sports Bikes? but he pulls over a 1974 70mph ped!!

Ade

PS love the gold wheels

Thats 3 bikes in red I have with gold wheels. Well the monster will be going back to carbon soon anyway. I like the simplicity of your honda. The Suzuki may be changing colour on the original tank I got to the Sheene design but I either have to find another rear tail cowel or get a race seat. I would like to keep it stock or be able to put back to stock in a hour. I bought this tank NOS and although not its original design is of the same year. Im still looking for a painted style front mudguard if you have any contacts or a racey 70's style one like the RD lc's. Some on ebay but too wide for my forks which are 100mm or 4" across.
The wheels do for sure look better in the gold. The black one I tried looked to modern and dull and did nothing for me. Just need tyres now to get her rolling. I have a set of Michelins but have cracks on the side walls. I want to put tyres on only once.

[adrianbalchi]

Hi Albie

Re tyres - are you looking for original set up or 'the best' to give you the best ride experience?

I tried a few - including Michelin M45 which were good overall but the BEST IMHO because they have tenacious dry grip and excellent wet weather performance are Metzller ME22s - used a back one up in 4,000 miles since SS has been 125cc but I am a fuss pot and they would probably do 6,000+ really
http://inlinethumb41.webshots.com/47080/2158406500071649086S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2158406500071649086VTkgeJ)
http://inlinethumb19.webshots.com/48722/2683489260071649086S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2683489260071649086AtSZkl)

[Albie]

TBH I dont know much about moped tyres. I would at the moment prefer something cheap but decent looking ie like proper bike tyres. The ones that came on the original wire wheels were like something pre-war with a flat profile like a sidecar. The michelins were ok but the tread pattern looks like a bicycles. Someone recommended Kings for now at around £40 a pair. Thats 2.50 x 18" front and 2.75 x 18" on rear. I saw some on Wemoto site when I got some bits. Only problem was they seem to think the rear is 2.75 x 17" and then someone on the SS forum said he can order some Kings for me in the correct size.

My budget is running out now but thankfully almost there.

[adrianbalchi]

Ooh - Kings... bit cheap n cheerful when I had some on a small Honda - I appreciate your budget but have a look at the ME22

M&P have 2.50 17 ME22's from £22.99 and 2.75 17 for a pound more - have a look - nice and soft tyre and easy to get on the rim without damaging - can also vouch for them at 70mph cranked into Creg with a Police Range Rover trying to cut me up... =;)

http://www.mandp.co.uk/productinfo.aspx?catref=505710&tier1url=Tyres&tier2url=Road-tyres&tier3url=Metzeler&tier4url=ME22

They were 7th in the MCN top ten best wet weather tyres - but also reviews rate particularly high in the dry (I know you'll be avoiding rain!)

http://www.tirestest.com/motorradreifen/metzeler/me_22/index.html

[Albie]

Ooh - Kings... bit cheap n cheerful when I had some on a small Honda - I appreciate your budget but have a look at the ME22

M&P have 2.50 17 ME22's from £22.99 and 2.75 17 for a pound more - have a look - nice and soft tyre and easy to get on the rim without damaging - can also vouch for them at 70mph cranked into Creg with a Police Range Rover trying to cut me up... =;)

http://www.mandp.co.uk/productinfo.aspx?catref=505710&tier1url=Tyres&tier2url=Road-tyres&tier3url=Metzeler&tier4url=ME22

They were 7th in the MCN top ten best wet weather tyres - but also reviews rate particularly high in the dry (I know you'll be avoiding rain!)

http://www.tirestest.com/motorradreifen/metzeler/me_22/index.html

Mine are 18" rims. They do 2.75 for rear but not front. Damn that. I will keep looking.

[adrianbalchi]

Those Nice Chaps at Tyresales UK do the ME22 in that size - but it costs a bit more - they are also available on eBay but for more again:

http://www.tyresalesuk.co.uk/cgi-bin/engine.exe/tyresearchsubmit?Width=2.75&Profile=0&Size=18&Man=5&pairdealsize=0&pairman=0

[a7avenger]

Album here of run assembly - AJW Greyhound and Fantic in there plus a lonesome SS50

My first bike was an AJW Greyhound, still have fond memories of it.:)

[Albie]

Almost there. Today the seat was recovered after GT did a good job welding some strengtheners on the edges.I did have to clean it all up though. :D The red seat trims fitted a treat and although one end on both are damaged due to corrosion they dont notice much and the new strap also looks good. The seat cover is not 100% as I noticed the panels are not quite equal but its me being fussy. The swing arms gone back on and still waiting for the new chain guard so I put the damaged one on. Tyres this week too so hoping next week it will be rideable.
Jobs still to do.
Neutral light
Tyres and tubes
Headlamp new one required asap as inside in a patch
Chainguard new one coming
Mudguard front to be changed asap
Decals for seat cowel
Engine needs a carb service again. Running rich.


http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l209/albies4/Project%20Suzuki%20GT%2050%20restore/344.jpg
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http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l209/albies4/Project%20Suzuki%20GT%2050%20restore/356.jpg

[Rally]

Looking good mate, i'll show the pictures to it's old owner when it's finished. He will be shocked but also very pleased. :thumbsup:

[Albie]

Cheers mate , Hows your brothers BMW coming along then ?? I have found good tyres for less cash here so others maybe interested

Taken the plunge and gone for Metzler ME22. I have used this site so fingers crossed they come up trumps as the price is better than anywhere I have seen.
2 off 2.75 x 18" for £62 delivered.

You may be interested in the prices for your 17" rims on mopeds Adrian

http://www.oponeo.co.uk/moto/motorcycle-tyres/

[Rally]

[QUOTE=Albie;400205]Cheers mate , Hows your brothers BMW coming along then ??[QUOTE]

Not very quickly to be honest. All the powdercoating and polishing is done, but it is missing some vital bits and it's holding me up. I'm off to Germany again later in the year, so feel the possibility of it going back in bits if he can't find the rest of it! :scratch:

[gary tompkins]

The Metzlers are the business Albie

I had them on my CB50J and it transformed me into a 16 year old motorcycling god..

...in my mind

http://www.mopedmuseum.de/sonstige-mopeds/pics/honda-cb50j.jpg

[Johnnyrob]

Brilliant thread.

The GT is really taking shape. Reminds me of my old RD50MX (I used to be a Yamaha RD boy / man).

I remember the SS. They were quick. When I was at 6th form a fella had one then and it outpaced all the FS1Es. Well except one; my mate had fitted a YB100 engine in it. That was cheeky!

[Cutter]

Love this - and the Honda too. Lovely little bikes and amazing resto work.
I know it's because I am getting older myself but older stuff just seems cooler :)