My Mopeds – 12V.dk – Carsten Lorenzen

13. July, 2022

Yamaha DT50/80MX

My newest touring moped, a Yamaha DT50MX – with an RD80 engine, lets just call it an optimized DT50MX, or DT80MX? As usual, pretty rough state. I invested a lot of time in the frame and engine, but close to no cosmetic repairs. I use it to haul lots of luggage and the paint would just get ruined anyways. The engine is a five speed with 79 ccm cylinder that i have ported to get a little power increase. I used a low hung Simson moped exhaust to get more space for panniers. The ignition is a modified HPI 2-Ten from a newer DT model, so that i have nice 12V light and a little battery to power my phone. The ignition curve gives me lots of bottom end torque. The whole thing is fed by a classic Dellorto PHBG 21 mm.

Pictures and descriptions here:

13. July, 202213. July, 2022

Honda Camino PA50

When i was 12 years old, i got a Honda Camino, my second moped. It’s always been on my mind, so i thought that i had to get one again. I got a really trashed one and saved it from its doomed state. Used lots of hours and money on it. But never fell in love with this moped, and sold it again. That’s how it goes sometime…

But still, lots of pictures from the restoration – maybe you like it more that i did:

29. March, 202130. March, 2021

Piaggio Grillo Cargo Bike

I bought a Piaggio / Vespa Grillo some years ago at a moped market, got it very cheap and it ran. But it was filled with defects, but i planned to restore it anyway, as i tend to do. The plan was to use it for my annual moped holiday, so it had to have more storage space and a variomatic system to climb larger hills with all the added weight.

The frame wasn’t in a good shape, by coincidence i found a nearly complete one for cheap, with an ok original paintjob and lots of good parts on it. So i made the best moped out of all the parts.

The engine got some small upgrades to carry all the weight, and maybe a little added fun 😉
Watch the galleries below and check the descriptions for further details.

Engine and drivetrain:

Frame:

10. April, 201930. March, 2021

Vespa Cross Bravo

I will be competing in a cross event later this year, a two hour moped cross event held by me and my friends from the Small Pistons. Our goal is to ride machines that are restricted in a way that they are close to a stock moped. A small class with a maximum of 50 ccm and mostly stock parts and original engine cases. That’s the one i will compete in.

I had an old Bravo frame in my pile of moped parts, and a lot of other surplus parts. I only had to buy a cylinder, airfilter and other smaller bits. So it was an easy choice to make.

There are only two 50 ccm tuning cylinderkits available, one from DR and one from Athena. The latter seemed to be the best choice, but both are pretty mild. Since i’m using the stock engine case, a 13 mm carburettor will be the largest i can fit. It will be driven by a fixed pulley transmission, as variomatics aren’t allowed in this class.

Check the build progress of the frame, from start to finish here:

The engine build can be seen here:

The bike is running as it is now, but i will do more tuning of the cylinder and further adjustments of the clutch and gear ratio.

A quick video of the first test drive:

24. September, 201830. March, 2021

Vespa Super Bravo 1996

A new moped in my collection, again a friend that had bought more than he could handle. I can’t get enough of these Piaggio mopeds, so i had to buy it.

It had a broken subframe and gear reduction, other than that only minor repairs and maintenance.

The engine got my standard treatment, DR 43 mm, SHA 13 mm and adjusted case and crankshaft.

Lots of pictures and comments in the picture gallery.

Engine:

Frame:

3. July, 201830. March, 2021

Motobecane TM4 – 2018 update

My trusty Motobecane TM4 had some issues that i’ve pushed off for some time now. The original cylinder was a bit weak and the engine needed some new bearings. The moped has sat many years, only had 1200 km on the odometer when i got it. That has led to condensation in the engine, everything above the oil level was a bit rusty, and especially the ignition side mainbearing.

The engine is easy to work with, took me 5 hours including cleaning and making my own gaskets. New bearings and seals.

My german model had a Gilardoni R2051 cylinder mounted, i’ve never been truly happy with it. I got myself a N2052 model with a bit longer port duration. I like the way it rides now, more power over all. Maybe i’ll upgrade the carb at some time, at the moment it’s a Dellorto SHA 14.12 that i’ve drilled to 13,5 mm venturi.

Check the gallery for all the details:

12. March, 201830. March, 2021

Puch Monza – The Ugly

Finally some time for my own projects again. I’ve started to build a Puch Monza from all kinds of spare parts, leftovers from other projects or parts that where to ugly to re-use.

Nothing will look good or be close to a original Monza, my only goal is that the mechanics work perfectly and that it can carry alot of baggage.

Frame pictures are found here:

And the engine pictures here, remember to read the picture comments: