Found an all original 1978 batavus hs-50. Great shape and runs even better. $150. Anyone know anything about these? Is it worth the money? Looks like a little motorcycle with cranks and pedals. Thought it would be fun.

I am not an expert on Batavus 'brommers', but pehaps this source can be of help >>>

https://www.batavusbromfiets-club.nl/...s%20export.htm

https://www.batavusbromfietsclub.nl/U...eds%201976.htm

$150 is cheap around here, some markets (L.A.) have strong 'Ped scenes and can bring top dollar. Some states require titles, some don't, that can have a big impact on price. I don't know if it's still true, but the age to legally ride a moped in Indiana used to be 14.

Sounds like fun.

Have a pic?

I haven't bought it yet, trying to decide wether to get it or not

Sounds like a fair price, assuming it's solid and all there. Make sure the gas tank isn't rusty on the inside.

I have an early 70's (I think) Jawa moped and I was continually fighting with rust inside the tank clogging the jets in the carb. Tried some magic rust converting/coating stuff inside the tank, didn't work. Added an inline fuel filter, got clogged (by little pieces of rust) after a few minutes. Tucked it in the back of my parents' barn and haven't touched it since... I check for a replacement tank now and again. I think it would be fun to have the moped with me in the city for times I don't feel like riding a bicycle, but I doubt I would actually use it much.

Every time I rode away from home on one of my Batavus mopeds I always came walking back , I liked my Moto Guzzi's, Safari's & Puch's much better always bought me home in running condition & were much faster then the Batavus.

Glenn

I had one when I was 14. Loved it. It was a gateway drug to Vespas and Lambrettas. be careful.

Unless you are really into mopeds and know what you're doing I wouldn't recommend a Batavus. The M48 motor is a pain in the butt to get any kind of speed out of. There are very few after market parts also. If it's the M56 motor you're in even less luck. They have a toothed belt on one side that doesn't exist anymore and always wears out.

Now if you're willing to swap the motor for something more common like a Minarelli V1 or Puch E50 then I would say go for it.

-Aron

I got an HS-50 new in 1978 when they became legal in MD. Rode it for a few years, even commuting when I thought it worthwhile vs. my Chevy Nova (which might have been slower still). After a few years, I decided to have fun with it. I stripped off a lot of stuff like fenders, installed "drag bars" from a motorcycle shop, and foot pegs on the back axle so I could ride lying down. Installed a SuperTrapp muffler, polished the manifold (uh, mono-fold?) and matched it to the carb and made my own low-restriction air cleaner among other things. Mounted a tire-drive speedo and roughly calibrated it. Got up to 52mph indicated on the flat, and I'm hoping that soon my hearing will return to normal. I think it's still in a nephew's shed.