Foo - Well, it's ALMOST a bicycle...

I couldn't figure out whether to post this in the 'Catch of the Day' thread on C&V, post myself in the 'Numbskull of the Day' thread in the same sub-forum, or just start a new thread over there and beg for help. So crap, when the subject is a rolling joke such as this I s'pose Foo will at least garner me the most humorous responses :). OK, so it doesn't actually roll - the wheels are locked up. This is what I know: It's made by Steyr-Daimler-Puch and branded 'Sears Allstate'. It used to be red and white. It was free.

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o5/cincophoto/puch1.jpg

Anybody around here know anything about old mopeds? How 'bout repair/service manuals... or a carburetor? Oh god, what have I done? :D

That thing looks bad ass! :eek: Hope you get it running!

I know a lot about small engines (and bigguns too) but I'll tell you those nasty brakes are the most likely culprit to your wheels being locked up.

If it's two-cycle and they didn't winterize it, you might as well replace the carb and all the fuel hoses now. That stuff turns to this wierd waxy stuff when it sits for a long time.

That thing looks bad ass! :eek: Hope you get it running!

Thanks! I'll totally give you a ride when it's done, but only if you'll wear a blond wig and whisper sweet nothings... uh... disregard that.

It needs love. :(

I know a lot about small engines (and bigguns too) but I'll tell you those nasty brakes are the most likely culprit to your wheels being locked up.

If it's two-cycle and they didn't winterize it, you might as well replace the carb and all the fuel hoses now. That stuff turns to this wierd waxy stuff when it sits for a long time.

I'm actually the only employee at an auto restoration shop so I have the big stuff covered too, but I never bothered to learn much about small engines. I may have to pick your brain a little if the engine's not totally trashed and, of course, if you wouldn't mind. It'll be a while before I do anything with it since I have several other projects going at the moment. And as far as I can tell it's a 1957-59 Puch MS50VA so it's definately a two-stroke. It's also missing the carb and fuel lines so I guess I'm ahead of the game :D. I'd figured on the brake pads being seized and I just hope they'll separate from the drums when I try to take 'em apart. Hmmm, I wonder if I can come up with a barrel of WD-40 big enough to soak the whole vehicle in... ;)

I couldn't figure out whether to post this in the 'Catch of the Day' thread on C&V, post myself in the 'Numbskull of the Day' thread in the same sub-forum, or just start a new thread over there and beg for help. So crap, when the subject is a rolling joke such as this I s'pose Foo will at least garner me the most humorous responses :). OK, so it doesn't actually roll - the wheels are locked up. This is what I know: It's made by Steyr-Daimler-Puch and branded 'Sears Allstate'. It used to be red and white. It was free.

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o5/cincophoto/puch1.jpg

Anybody around here know anything about old mopeds? How 'bout repair/service manuals... or a carburetor? Oh god, what have I done? :D
You might be able to get some info here at these links:
http://www.omnieye.com/mc/question.html
http://oldroads.com/arch/CST2002_8_253_32_51_AM.html
http://www.cybermotorcycle.com/euro/brands/sears_allstate.htm

This might at least give you a starting point

You might be able to get some info here at these links:
http://www.omnieye.com/mc/question.html
http://oldroads.com/arch/CST2002_8_253_32_51_AM.html
http://www.cybermotorcycle.com/euro/brands/sears_allstate.htm

This might at least give you a starting point

Thanks Tom. I was aware of the existance of cybermotorcycle.com but I hadn't poked around there too much. I'm kinda surprised that oldroads has any info about mopeds - I'll see what I can turn up there and maybe whip up a post on that other site. The good news is that I can grab a service/parts manual from motorwestmotorcycles.com.

Cool find! I had a SDP moped years ago. It was marked a lot like yours but was red & tan. Never ran, missing some key electric components. Back in the times before anyone ever thought of the interweb as a giant 'help manual'.

As far as a carb goes, I'd look towards a Honda 50/70/90 style with the elbow that attaches it to the cylinder. Probably tons easier than finding an OE repmacement.

Congrats on the catch, and good luck with the resto. Looks like it will be a blast!

:beer:

A sidedraft carb off a 70's-80's 50cc dirtbike (Kawasaki,Yamaha ect)will work fine, watch the jetting...but you probly alread knew that. :)