Motobecane Mopeds are Beautiful (but Frustrating!)

[@borderlands6606]

I had one new and your guy is correct on all counts. Getting a spark out of a Moby could be a nightmare, I stayed so fit running with that thing and pedalling it to start. All the juice was where the weather came in. Also the carb was temperamental to atmospheric conditions, it would struggle to hit 30 mph one day, and another day would spin out at 43. However they were everywhere in France, so I guess the locals were so familiar with the Mobylette's many foibles they had a workaround for them all. I'd love one now but they've gone cult in the UK.

[@owincarmody7865]

My first ever moped was a 1975 motobecane. Man am I lucky I am somewhat mechanically inclined!! Mobys are a pain but are so worth it once running good. I got mine for free and some guy had it under a tarp in his yard. It was missing a coil and the carb was shot. I put a new coil on it also did a condenser just to be safe and I haven't had any spark problems as of now. I just recently put the airsal 74cc kit with a Dellorto sha 15:15 carb on a molassie shorty intake and man does it rip! I love my moby and always will. I learned a lot from my moby some good some bad lol.

[@TravisTutorial]

Awesome! There is certainly a great selection of kits and aftermarket parts available in general for Mobys, people forget that they imported a ton just like Puch Maxis.

[@owincarmody7865]

Yah I would love to get a maxi I like the deign. I will forever and always love my moby, way to many crazy adventures and meany mor to come! I'm thinking about posting a video or my moby on my channel, I'm just waiting for better weather, New England weather sucks!

[@SDsailor7]

Have you ever worked on a Indian moped?I have not seen many videos here on youtube about those mopeds?Cheers

[@TheGameBest7]

I have 2 1977 motobecane mopeds in perfect condition and i have never had any condenser problems. To properly clean points you open them and then use real fine sand paper to not damage them.

[@bootsmanaa]

hi dude, i just started my motobecane that had not run for over 15 year, we slapped a new gurtner to it and boom started like nothing, so satisfying and so much charm these bikes have

[@knikkihill3900]

HI this is Jennifer aka knikki hay I just had to bragg I bought this Motobecane from Will months back Im from Calli where it will now live thanks I love it and so does the rest of the west coast an everyone who sees it I named it Bender from Featureamma cuz Its got a shinny Metal ass. And I Love it. p.s. that float needle for the hobbit was the right one and (the Beast) is now back cruzing the the redwoods of the lost coast. THANK AGIAN, AND HAPPY RIDING.

[@christophermarin3231]

That's gorgeous regardless. I myself have a 1974 motobecane. And I'm hoping to do the complete repair video for people who want to rebuild them in the future. They are a pain though since I'm fairly new to mopeds, let alone European ones

[@diogeneslamp8241]

Hi, Just because you have to change the coil and points on all of them and all the lightbulbs, (which are burnt out), they are sturdy, well made great handling bikes! Why be frustrated, you usually need to change the variator bushings, if it has one, and the carbs i have , the 2hp and the model 7 oddball ar1-10 (want a 12), are good and work great. but on most you can throw another carb on and be good. The 1980 moby I have is really great- I think it is actually more sturdy frame wise than my 1978 puch sport mk2 I once had. Myrons mopeds in cali did a great job keeping me on the road. I also used treats a lot

[@TravisTutorial]

I can definitely agree that a lot of care went into the moby design. In good condition, it is probably one of the strongest stock mopeds you can have, but for a novice looking to take one on as a project, it can be pretty intimidating!

[@tim5067]

hey guys maby there is a 2,3 mm screw you can get in your atomizer just like my bing on my sparta met bike just a mention because it looks alike

[@Mister_Mustard]

1977 Mobylette 50v here - dumb question, but which side of the engine mount does that little spacer go on? Took the mount apart and didn't see that little sucker til afterwards. Any advice would be helpful, thanks!

[@robertscarpati3327]

Best looking moped hands down. Motobecane are beautiful bikes. Restore the one with the mags good luck!

[@alanjaj5997]

hello i have motobecane mobylette 1975 and i need to know how to hook up a new condenser on the outside of the bike.

[@coolwhip8497]

Where does the grounding cable from the ignition coil connect to?

[@richardcamacho904]

Hi travis I know you dislike the motobecane can you tell will if he can make a video on timing with the le partie cdi I get seem to time my ignition and get it started.

[@wetdewlap8741]

Where are you guys located?

[@stephen063078]

Your channel is awesome! I just purchased a 1977 Motobecane 40t with a leaky fuel tank. What do you recommend to make the repair? Thanks.

[@TravisTutorial]

Stephen Vinson Thanks - ah a rigid moby, nice!! So Motobecanes and Puch Maxis are tough because the tank is integral to the frame and provides structure. If it were me I would source a new frame since the structural integrity of the bike could be compromised OR have a welder friend (or radiator shop) braze where the leak is then weld on some plating to toughen things back up. On bikes with removable tanks I've had fantastic luck with the POR15 cycle treatment kit which is a de-ruster and liner kit but comes with a patch of fiberglass you apply to the outside at the same times as you coat the insides.

[@stephen063078]

Thanks for the quick response. Well sourcing another moby frame is out because those are very hard to find around here and when they do come up the person selling is wanting a ridiculous price. I'm not sure about brazing I talked with my buddy who has access to welding equipment and he is apprehensive about doing that on a gas tank. I could take it to a shop but that's probably expensive. Have you had any experience with gas tank repair putty? If so what are your thoughts? Thanks!

[@TravisTutorial]

Stephen Vinson Yeah there is a lot of prep work involved before you can put a torch to a tank, there are some good MopedArmy threads about it. I used that $7 gas tank repair putty on a Benelli tank once, it seemed to hold and be "okay" but it was starting to bubble and it never really hardened so I wasn't super confident about it. It says on the package no prep work required but I wiped it tank down good and hit it with some fine sandpaper anyway.

[@stephen063078]

Stephen Vinson I think I will try the repair putty this weekend if the weather cooperates. Thanks for the info.

[@tylersyx6070]

Gurtners work great when you light an M80 inside one!

[@bootssuave1]

I got a 78 and lights stopped working do you know what might be wrong?

[@TravisTutorial]

When lights go from working to not, and the bike still runs normally, the order I check things is usually this: 1) Bulbs (you'd be surprised...) 2) Bad grounds/disconnected wires 3) Lighting coil...as a last resort

[@bootssuave1]

Thanks but idk where the lighting coil is

[@gunnarmage1598]

boink boink HARLEY

[@zacc988]

Motobecanes are sweet I want one :/

[@jdmtyteeeyo]

you two act like they are so hard to work on when really they are not. I've purchased many mbk mopeds and never had half the issues you are talking a about.. its a French bike and more reliable than most bikes out there once dialed in, you are running a stock bike with almost 40 year old parts! what do you expect,.. get updated parts if it bothers you that much , welcome to the moped world

[@TravisTutorial]

For what it's worth, one of the nicest, smoothest mopeds I have ever ridden was a factory AV88 Spanish made Motobecane owned by another member of my moped club. However there are nuances about them that can be challenging for a beginner, and very frustrating once go-fast parts start getting thrown.