Amelie – the Motobecane moped
Well, my historic vehicle has arrived from Perth where I’ve had it in storage – there will be more as the restoration progresses 😉
And last week I managed to get Amelie started – I’ve had this 1970 model French Motobecane moped since the mid 1970s and it’s been in storage for the last 15 years. The restoration might take a while but the main thing is knowing that the bike is basically sound 🙂 I have fitted the wheels, seat, pedals, handlebars, rack and mudguards. Bought a new spark plug, and new fuel line, poured in some two-stroke mix and squirted some ‘Aerostart”[tm] and after much grunting and furious pedalling, the engine started with a great cloud of smoke and a foul smell – but it goes! As it is older than 30 years it would now be classified as an historic vehicle.
The moped fresh out of the box – the “before” photo!
Cheers
Jerry
Comment by Jesse
congrats on getting the motobecane running. I have a 1979 motobecane motobellite and it has recently stopped running. I am without a manual and have been trying to figure out why it does not run all of a sudden. I believe it to be an electrical problem. do you have any suggestions or information to help me trouble shoot this. any info. would be helpfull.
thanks Jesse
Posted on March 9, 2007 at 4:32 am
Comment by jerry
Hi Jesse
Thanks on the congrats and thanks for reading the blog. You can find a complete workshop manual online here: http://www.mopedriders.org/article_view.php?faq=2&fldAuto=18
One thing you could check is the wiring to the alternator – I’ve found that sometimes a wire will come adrift from the stator – I’ve previously had to resolder it. I’m assuming you have no spark to the spark plug or lights. If you have lights but no spark the prooblem will be either in the points or th spark plug, coil, HT lead or spark plug.Good luck – cheers
Jerry
Posted on March 9, 2007 at 6:31 am