A post WW2 Little Engine for a Bicycle - Conservative Restoration

This engine was marketed after the Second World War to offer ordinary people the possibility of moving around, using it together with a simple bicycle. In the video, in addition to the restoration process, I will briefly delve into the history of these engines, illustrating the reasons for their birth and the context in which they emerged. While I will be restoring this engine, I will not be following a total restoration approach; rather, I will adopt a conservative method that will preserve its' lived-in appearance. The video will end with the completion of the engine restoration, while the second part will focus on its assembly on the bicycle and the related tests
Where I buy my Repair Manuals: t.ly/ExbYZ
With my code EGO22, you will get a 22% discount
00:00 Introduction
00:24 The context of engines
02:34 A rest for 10 years
03:50 Disassembly
05:30 We remove the old grease
06:05 Washing with gasoline
06:49 Disassembly of bearings
08:12 Washing with degreaser
09:09 New bearings
10:09 Replacement of crankshaft and gears
11:54 New graease
14:36 Cylinder head and piston
17:21 Cylinder
18:03 Replacement of the thermal unit
19:04 Exhaust
20:20 A new capacitor in the old housing
21:58 A spark plug Magneti Marelli NOS
22:28 Cleaning the flywheel cover
23:23 Cleaning carburetor in ultrasonic tank
Credits:
histclo.com/essay/war/ww2/cam...
histclo.com/essay/war/ww2/eco...
unsplash.com
jenikirbyhistory.getarchive.net
philaphoto.com
License code: CBLM6432J3X14FD6

[@heinpereboom5521]

What a beautiful engine with an ingenious 3-speed gearbox! It is very special that people made such beautiful things at that time. Very good film of the restoration!

[@Ego.Reficio]

Thank you! ❤️

[@michaelb.42112]

AND it's 1947 ! So ahead of its time.

[@sheppowed4483]

7:27 what a very clever way to remove bearings from a blind hole

[@Ego.Reficio]

Thank you!❤️

[@LionWithTheLamb]

I have also seen slightly dampened bread used for that as well.

[@keesanker4241]

bread also works for this, watch out though, you can punch a hole through the engine case

[@Ego.Reficio]

Yes even bread works well, I tried that too

[@vsvnrg3263]

grease is the more accepted way. you wrap more or less electrical tape around the thread of the bolt to improve the seal.

[@johnnybgoode6466]

what a beautiful little engine - why can't they still be made like this today. You have to admire the engineers who designed this in the first place - truly incredible.

[@janek4913]

Corporate greed and tight emissions requirements

[@ironhead2008]

Emissions is one of the biggest reasons. This thing is a 2 stroke which means three things: an absurd power to weight ratio, mechanical simplicity, and pretty lousy emissions. You just can't make an EFI four stroke (mandatory for modern emissions controls) that matches it for simplicity and lightness.

[@copyright2024]

They do...

[@alptunatuncer3017]

@@ironhead2008this. This is the reason why you dont really see two strokes on the road anymore (dirt bikes dont go on the road as you know) even though they were all the rage in the 70’s. Even though 2 strokes are a lot more efficient than then used to be in the past, their prime has passed.

[@BRI33NOR]

What a lovely little motor. What a treat to see a real mechanic fitting new bearings without a hammer

[@dustinh4175]

Gotta do what you gotta do

[@nicholaslittle2312]

That was classy!

[@michaelb.42112]

My God, this is the coolest thing I've ever seen. I had NO IDEA these mods were available when Roswell happened. How ahead of their time. 60cc on a bicycle is INSANELY fast !!!! I would've given up 1982 Christmas to have one of these !!!

[@breezetixmoto]

Uhh probably like 40-50mph at most, not very fast lol

[@umeshmalhotra9432]

I ALWAYS LOVE EVERY VIDEO WHERE MACHINERIES GET OIL BATH OR GREASED .... LOVE FROM INDIA

[@SharkoonBln]

I´m impressed. Did not intend to watch the whole video, but I did. Very well edited. Those grease-shot alone are awesome 🙂

[@Ego.Reficio]

Thank you! I wanted to make it shorter but didn’t know more than part remove 😅

[@rod0700]

Thank you for not ruining the engine by filling it with paint, you are a restoration hero!

[@Ego.Reficio]

Ahaha Thank you!

[@peeps124]

Lovely! Very much looking forward to the next part too!

[@Ego.Reficio]

Stay tuned!

[@donparker1823]

Wow, great work! I kept being impressed by one specialized tool after another.

[@user-zo9dc1lu3q]

As Italian i can say only one thing : BRAVO !!!

[@moosehand8721]

Speaking of Italian build quality, I bet that little motor will outlast 100 of those China 80cc bicycle motors they sell online today. Italians make some fine engines. Minarelli motor in my rough house moped is the strongest 50cc there ever was unmodded.

[@sunfishensunfishen2271]

3 speeds but no clutch, what a peculiar design

[@fredtracy1673]

I would love to see it fitted to a bicycle of the same time period! cheers from Canada 🇨🇦

[@Ego.Reficio]

I’ll mount the engine on the bike that you see on the video thumbnail 😉

[@claudioragno4987]

Restauro minuzioso su tutti i particolari meccanici ! Appassionante ! Complimenti !!!

[@Ego.Reficio]

Thank you!

[@unusualfabrication9937]

7:27 that is GENIUS

[@jeromecabral192]

With these no driver's license is required in some states. Here in the state of Kansas still legal and no license is required

[@aleksp.5742]

Всё шикарно сделано, за исключением одного момента! Нельзя класть столько смазки! То же самое- попробуйте наложить под завязку, в редуктор угло шлифовальной машины! Это приведёт к перегреву и повышенному износу ! Но в этом видео, главное «лайки», а не грамотность сборки!

[@Ego.Reficio]

You can’t see it clearly from the video, but there are a lot of empty spaces in the crankcase that are not occupied by grease. Also consider that during operation the grease will tend to melt and this will leave even more space

[@kotborka]

Ну,ты сравнил).Этот тихоходный агрегат и не заметит полный редуктор,зато все будет хорошо смазано.

[@kotborka]

@@Ego.Reficio Жаль,что по сути уплотнений нет и нельзя залить жидкое масло.Хотя если постараться,то можно крышки доработать и установить современные резиновые самоподжимные манжеты и заливать обычное масло.

[@aleksp.5742]

@@kotborka Эксперт!

[@Ego.Reficio]

Yes, by changing the crankcases and using the oil seals, you could safely use the oil

[@cosmefulanito5933]

The fundamental thing was forgotten: Show it in operation.

[@Ego.Reficio]

In a next video I will put it into operation because this video is released very long. In the next video I will restore the bike, the tank and the crown, and of course I will mount everything to try it

[@rapidrrobert4333]

I like the blued/blacked fasteners, excellent touch. Not buffed, thank God.

[@crezey2149]

Came for the build, stayed for the lore

[@user-cd7kq1uj5e]

Vélo électrique :non merci Ancêtre du vélomoteur (moped) oui Ancêtre de la moto oui Très beau travail de restoration

[@Ego.Reficio]

Thank you!

[@biancoivan65]

Wonderful video Greetings from Italy 🙂

[@joyosetube]

Saludos desde España...has realizado un trabajo exquisito con esta restauración...desmontando hasta el último tornillo para dejaro todo casi en estado de fabrica...He pasado un rato entretenido observando como realizabas todo el proceso de restauración...Ahora solo queda verlo montado en una bicicleta y funcionando....

[@Ego.Reficio]

Thank you for the compliments! in the continuous of this video I will make a conservative restoration also on the bicycle and I will mount the engine to try it etc

[@beakittelscherz5419]

Actually the grease doesn't look too bad at all! lovely Motor! That must be the smallest Valve I've ever seen 🤓 Well done & Thanks for showing!

[@Ego.Reficio]

Probably, but once disassembled everything seemed right to change it

[@Op1zilla]

Very Cool, Weird looking piston I like it, an that Trick with the wet paper towel to get the inner bearing is Brilliant 👽👍🏻✨

[@Ego.Reficio]

Thank you! That shape of the piston is called a deflector, helps the escape of the combusted mixture and was used on the old two-stroke engines, where a lot of oil was used in the mixture because the oil at that time was of poor quality so you had to use more to get a good lubrication. This engine uses a mixture with 8% oil (in a liter of gasoline should be added 80ml of oil!)

[@11sjv]

you can also use bread for bearings like that

[@Op1zilla]

@@11sjv 👽👍✨

[@Ego.Reficio]

Yes I tried that too and it works very well

[@amirhoseinkargar3733]

i cant wait to see it in action

[@emanueletonielli4349]

Un intervento effettuato alla regola dell' arte su di un piccolo gioiellino d'ingegno senza tempo, il tutto con un ottimo editing video; piacevolissimo da guardare non annoia mai. Bravo!

[@Ego.Reficio]

Thank you! ❤️

[@Afro408]

Nice little moped. Looks like you're plagued by those mud budgies ( wasps) as we are downunda. I hate the little buggers. 😅

[@Ego.Reficio]

Thank you! For the moment I have found only those nests. Perhaps because the engine was for several years on that shelf and the place where it is located is very hot in summer

[@nz3230]

Коробка передач с шариковой фиксацией - это, конечно, гениально. Нигде ничего подобного на современной технике не видел. Подозреваю, что из-за ограниченности передаваемого крутящего момента, а также из-за развития традиционного вилочного механизма с бронзовымм синхронизаторами. Однако по меркам 40-х годов, когда даже на машинах обычным делом была КПП на 3 передачи без синхронизации, которая требовала двойной выжим сцепления для плавного переключения без рычания и хруста, вот такой компактный механизм 3-ступенчатой КПП был действительно гениальным решением. Ведь, из-за отсутствия угловатых элементов (таких как шлицы для зацепления шестерни с валом) передачи должны включаться мягко, а для их смены не нужно даже нажимать сцепление. Плюс, управление с помощью всего одного штока, расположенного внутри вторичного вала, делает весь механизм компактным.

[@kotborka]

Откуда там взяться "мягкости" включения)?Если не угадал,будет тот же хруст.единственный плюс таких механизмов-компактность.Слабенькая схема.А чтоб КПП прощала хоть как-то грубое включение тут уже нужен демпфер на сцеплении.А здесь дальше скорее всего была ременная передача,и могла работать,как сцепление.Увидим в продолжении,что там и как.

[@nz3230]

@@kotborka именно хруста в таком механизме в принципе не будет, потому что хруст - это когда шлицы вала и шестерни друг по другу скачут, но не могут зацепиться. А тут нет шлицов, потому что вместо них шары. Если механизм слишком быстро крутится в момент переключения - на переключателе (ножка там или рукоятка - хз) просто будет ощущаться сопротивление до того момента, как скорость вращения достаточно снизится, чтобы шток продвинулся и затолкал шар в пазы.

[@kotborka]

@@nz3230 Ага)),просто другой звук будет,хруст помягче)).Когда ты пытаешься затолкать шарики в выемки в шестернях)).Это ж металл,епта.

[@nz3230]

@@kotborka хруста там не будет в принципе. Потому что хруст - это когда угловатые детали скачут друг по другу. А шары круглые, выемки тоже. Я не пробовал такую трансмиссию, но опыт подсказывает, что при переключении передач на повышенных оборотах будет просто изменение тональности звука, до снижения до приемлемой скорости вращения. Это какая-то секунда, что не сравнить с хрустом вилочного механизма, который при спонтанном переключении без сцепления (да, я пробовал - на той же ВАЗ 2109 переключаться так можно, но при тонком подходе) может звучать несколько секунд и сопровождаться скруглением шлицов, которое вскоре приведет к выбиванию передачи.

[@kotborka]

@@nz3230 Молодой ещё,зеленый))!Шарики хоть и круглые,но пока не зайдут в зацепление,удары неизбежны,и будет это чем-то похоже на отбойный молоток или дрель с ударом,если включать грубо без сцепления.Да,можно и без сцепления тихо переключаться,особенно вверх,на разгоне.Но во-первых,нужна кулачковая коробка,чтоб были хорошие зазоры между кулачков,чтоб передачу можно было втыкать при некоторой разнице в скорости шестерен,нужен демпфер в сцеплении,чтоб сглаживать неизбежные удары,и кпп авто с их шлицевыми муфтами ,сидящими на шлицах почти без зазора практически не подходят для этого.А вот на мотоциклах вполне можно ездить без сцепления,или почти без.На разгоне даже газ обычно не сбрасывается,только чуть выжимается сцепление и передача сама входит).На снижении скорости приходится играть с перегазовками,иначе не включишь.Но можно.Так что хоть округло,хоть угловатое,но это железо)),удары неизбежны.

[@007tallguy]

Great video, thats one heck of a thorough restoration!! 😮

[@Ego.Reficio]

Thank you!

[@russellcollins5692]

Bearing in a blind hole, nice trick. Ta. Touched it only when nessasary 👊 Beautiful 🧚

[@Ego.Reficio]

Thank you!

[@JamesNickersonThePhotoShopGuru]

I am impressed with your skill and even more with your attention to detail, most impressed ... thank you for sharing your enthusiasm for restoring these older machines ...

[@Ego.Reficio]

Thank you! ❤️

[@Vivianissime]

Dans mon enfance, juste après la guerre, il y avait plein de petits constructeurs de moteurs pour vélos, qui utilisaient un galet pour entraîner un pneu par frottement. A 12 ans, en 1960, j'avais ainsi fait un petit tour sur le vélo motorisé du père d'un copain de mon âge, avec un moteur Garelli. On était loin du vélo à moteur des frères Werner de 1898, dont un seul est encore en état de rouler et que j'ai eu le plaisir de voir tourner en 1986 sur le circuit du Bois-Guyon à Dreux. Salut et fraternité*

[@quevicular]

I love the cake icing grease spooge application the best

[@parejaalan1974]

Great close up shots in video! I like how you showed the process of restoring the parts, and I'm surprised that instead of oil , grease was used in the engine.

[@Ego.Reficio]

Thank you! Grease was used because oil seals had not yet been invented. In fact, the fat being more viscous than oil makes it more difficult to get out of the holes. If you see the point where I take the breaker contact plate off, below it is a kind of brass washer and a felt pad, not an oil seal, just because they didn’t exist yet

[@derpydog1008]

​@@Ego.Reficioneat

[@nicholaslittle2312]

I can just imagine in the repair manual, it saying- use a liberal amount of grease 😅.

[@isekaiexpress9450]

Ah, sweet memories of childhood. I remember mounting such one on a Mishutka children bike, so my mom would allow me to store it in our small apartment, because the motorbike would be too big to fit in the elevator. Technically, you could wheelie it in, if it weren't for the exhaust... Ended up renting a garage.

[@Ego.Reficio]

❤️

[@alexkuss2001]

A classic engine restoration complete well done

[@Ego.Reficio]

Thank you!

[@michaellawrence6738]

this man loves his grease

[@Cypher916]

7:30 "Paper Soaked in water"... nice one ! learned something new :)

[@Ego.Reficio]

😉

[@fullmetaljacket7]

It's an old trick but I wouldn't do that on an aluminum case. Easy to crack. Use a proper puller instead.

[@juliusmilo5959]

Perfect job...

[@alekoskoulis9146]

Μπραβο φιλε πολλη ωραιο το βιντεο. Καλη συνεχεια σε οτι κανεις.Χαιρετισμους απο ΕΛΛΑΔΑ.

[@Ego.Reficio]

Thank you!

[@guillermogabrielsotoguzman5645]

Es un hermoso motor , pequeño y sorprendente con 3 marchas , una maravilla

[@DimasFajar-ns4vb]

wow and give it to expert sir for rebuilt

[@SR-gs8zo]

that yelly insid was better than any cosmo! 😁👍cool! it surely conserved it well!

[@ericmagnuson4170]

Flat head screws! Oh the joy of simplicity. Primitive but effective and accessible.

[@leonardarola]

Thanks for sharing. This was fantastic.

[@Ego.Reficio]

Thank you instead!

[@franklinpoma5302]

Excelente, didactico, Profesional. Un trabajo admirable

[@Ego.Reficio]

Thank you!

[@FixNewsPlease]

Cheesehead screws. You never see them anymore.

[@thra5herxb12s]

I'm surprised he managed to find replacement bugs for the exhaust pipe.

[@luizfernando-ko4gi]

Isso sim é uma restauração de qualidade!! Like e inscrito do Brasil

[@Ego.Reficio]

Thank you!

[@deepindercheema4917]

2:34 I like the polystyrene Helicopter being shifted to extract the 2 stroke on the shelf.

[@Ego.Reficio]

It is not a polystyrene helicopter. it is made of wood and plastic. Also that is vintage, from the 80s 😂

[@alfabethev2.074]

A joy to watch👍🏻

[@salvatoredrago8027]

I can't wait to see the video with the engine starting 😁. really compliments, excellent restoration

[@Ego.Reficio]

Thank you! Stay tuned 😉

[@blairguinea6811]

Beautiful restoration build Sir, you are a Master with lots of patience, subscribed and thumbs up, thankyou for your time

[@Ego.Reficio]

Thank you instead for watching the video and for the subscription!

[@Random-es7yo]

Nice to see a restoration done with some finesse rather than a vapour blaster.

[@handy335]

Very nice! Thank you!

[@robertscarpati3327]

Very nice video, Very good workmanship!!! Good Job.

[@Ego.Reficio]

Thank you ❤

[@frankandersson7112]

-Really nice rebuild! ❤

[@Ego.Reficio]

Thank you! ❤

[@RichardDKneller]

Excellent work

[@Demokratur-ks8lq]

"Did it run afterwards?" "No."

[@kostasagianozoglou9906]

Very good work,and amazing engine,greetings from Greece

[@Ego.Reficio]

Thank you!

[@Michjak91]

Super Robota !

[@earl228]

5:30 ASMR stands aside

[@boardernut]

excelente laburo

[@user-yd1by3vq4t]

Отмыть главно, это самое сложное и время всего больше на это уходит зато сборка качественная получится и собирать приятно и все мелкие дефекты видно

[@omrik3252]

What is the purpose of filling the engine compartments with grease? Great video thanks.

[@Ego.Reficio]

I did this because the gears need to be lubricated, and because the engine doesn’t mount the oil seals yet, the oil can’t be used

[@Seregium]

​@@Ego.Reficiomy grandpa said dont feel bearings and gears more than 1/3 with grease to let mechanisms go freely...

[@Ego.Reficio]

From the video, it's not very clear, but in the engine casing, there are many empty spaces not occupied by grease. Also, consider that with heat, the grease tends to become liquid and leaves even more space

[@Bianchi77]

Creative video, thanks :)

[@owais146]

SPLENDID MAESTRO

[@tolan-4947]

Аккуратно, без спешки.. и отличный результат!

[@Ego.Reficio]

Thank you!

[@andretraversy9391]

Bravo

[@justingray3456]

Even got a Magneti Marelli spark plug.👍

[@kotleta4634]

разобрал-очистил-собрал. шедевр!

[@Ego.Reficio]

Thank you!

[@rutikuiwa7133]

Fabulous restoration 👍👍👍

[@user-qs6ov5nl3q]

Сколько лет он хранится так в сарае что это за коричневое дерьмо которое надо было счистить -это осиные гнезда?

[@user-qs6ov5nl3q]

Когда этот двигатель выпускали?

[@user-qs6ov5nl3q]

Он заводится или нет?

[@Ego.Reficio]

@user-qs6ov5nl3q The engine was purchased 10 years ago. It’s been on the shelf for 8/9 years. The brown one is a wasp nest The engine was produced in about 1947

[@maxmoreirabhmg5896]

Bakana o video e principalmente o motor antigo e ainda perfeito eu tive uma Alpina feita no rio grande do sul Brasil.

[@dustinh4175]

Cool motor

[@EC5ABG]

Buen trabajo!!👍👌😍

[@Ego.Reficio]

Thank you!

[@robleary3353]

Great job. Shame couldn't see it running

[@Ego.Reficio]

In the next video you will see😉

[@AnkitTiwari0761]

Very nice and videos form my india🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳 bro❤❤❤❤ so love you ❤❤much

[@Ego.Reficio]

Thank you! ❤️

[@eduinnowner4005]

tenho uma halliener motorwerk de 1953, 2 marchas só falta o magneto, que é parecido como da sua!

[@sasquatch_886]

Awesome. For those who don't know this they actually still produce bicycle motor kits to this day. Basically a similar design but just made in china. They can work great, last a while, costs $100 or less on average for an entire kit too

[@Ego.Reficio]

Yes, in China they make a kit with engine, tank etc. I've never tried one but it doesn't seem like a quality product to me

[@sasquatch_886]

@@Ego.Reficio They work, they can last if you take care of them but it’s definitely a low quality product. Just need extra work

[@randomstuff4805]

​@sasquatch_886 hey, for 100 bucks, it's worth it just for the learning experience.

[@jozefbubez6116]

There were many such motors in post-WW2 Europe each with different levels of technical refinement most being very basic. By the second half of the 1950s, most fell by the way-side as living standards began to improve but from the technical perspective, I think they remain interesting.

[@Ego.Reficio]

That’s correct. I think like you about the interest these little engines have

[@theodor48ify]

excellente

[@kapteinsuperskoot6986]

Now THAT was a well-made video. And a nice little engine. Seems to be not your first rebuild. Nice.

[@Ego.Reficio]

Thank you! You’re right, it’s not my first rebuild. I’ve been enjoying restoring small engines and more for several years now, it’s just lately that I’ve decided to make videos to show them

[@kapteinsuperskoot6986]

@@Ego.Reficio I am really interested to see the finished product. That valve and actuator on the head intrigue me...

[@Ego.Reficio]

Stay tuned!

[@Epancrafting12]

This asmr very cool,,, clean engine

[@Ego.Reficio]

Thank you!❤️

[@takurider3912]

The inside is clean thanks to the large amount of grease.

[@For891]

My wife and I have these on our bikes and ride them all over place.

[@Ego.Reficio]

Do you have the same kind of engine?

[@For891]

@@Ego.Reficio No, I should have specified that in my original post. We use the recycled beer can ones from China. They are very similar but the quality isn’t even close. They aren’t bad once you now what to address when you get them.

[@Ego.Reficio]

I understand. I’ve never had one of those made in China, but I think they’re still fun to use. How do you solve the problem of having the license plate and the insurance, in order to move on the street?

[@For891]

@@Ego.Reficio in my state( Ma. ) As long as the engine is under 50 cc, it’s considered a moped and doesn’t require registration or insurance. My engine is 66 cc but I have a sticker that says otherwise. They really are super fun and much cheaper than electric. Well, for now at least.

[@Ego.Reficio]

Great, so you can use it without problems!

[@RonaldDaub-xi5jz]

Cool engine

[@user-px4gi7hi6y]

Поршень тоже интересный как и двигатель

[@jeanpautot1796]

l art de la restoration.😏

[@mBuster96]

Which degreaser do you use? Seems to work perfectly!

[@Ego.Reficio]

I use Chanteclair

[@TheDaniel366Cobra]

Hmm, a ball-lock gearbox. Interesting. They are not used anymore AFAIK, the last motorcycle manufacturer to use ball shifters was Hodaka.

[@user-th9wp3il6i]

Отличная работа отличная реставрация 👍👍👍👌 хотелось бы услышать звук мотора.

[@Ego.Reficio]

In the next video😉

[@user-th9wp3il6i]

@@Ego.Reficio Ok

[@dxz3]

forbidden caramel sauce

[@giovannirazza9938]

È proprio un bel canale, grazie.meglio quei tempi che quelli odierni, secondo il mio punto di vista.voi che ne pensate?!

[@Ego.Reficio]

Thank you! I think they were very different from our times. For some things they were better for others not. Surely they were a fascinating time

[@user-dv1sh6yw5z]

Мастер своего дела !

[@Ego.Reficio]

Thank you!

[@user-puzer1]

👍👍👍

[@pangeia1010]

1:12 Bonito motor 👍🇧🇷

[@MarcosAurelio-nm7ei]

Cade ele funcionando??!!!! Quero ver! Ficou lindo 👏🏻

[@Ego.Reficio]

Thank you! I’ll make another video where I’ll put it on the bike and try it out

[@nicholaslittle2312]

Start it up! Start it up!

[@Ego.Reficio]

In the next video 😉

[@estebangonzales545]

Buen trabajo de restauración felicidades, pregunta en ves de grasa no serua mejor aceite? Y cuantos cambios tiene? Aunque no le veo el clutch embrague

[@Ego.Reficio]

Thank you. The oil cannot be used because the engine has no oil seals, so the oil would come out. The gearbox has 3 speeds, but does not use the clutch. To change gear, you have to decelerate and engage it gently

[@estebangonzales545]

@@Ego.Reficio Gracias 👍 excelente.