The Bikeshite Thread

[Stinkwheel]

25 minutes ago, Snake Charmer said:

A friend of mine bought one when we were 16, px'd his SS50 for it as he wanted something faster. 🤣

Holy Cow!! If the MT-5 was faster than the SS50 then it must have been 'really' slow.

Honda used to take the restriction rules seriously and everyone else just didnt 

[Cavcraft]

6 hours ago, Stinkwheel said:

Holy Cow!! If the MT-5 was faster than the SS50 then it must have been 'really' slow.

Honda used to take the restriction rules seriously and everyone else just didnt 

You're not kidding there! Still hear the odd tale of SS50s (including 4 speed ones) doing 60mph back in the day and being faster than a Fizzy or AP50. All I can say is the drugs were clearly a lot stronger in those days if people actually believe that.

 

Anyhow, dragged this out the other day, ready to take for an MOT. Checked the date on the V5 and it turns out it's test (and tax) exempt now.

 

Had problems with the plug, someone suggested trying Brisk (Czech made) so I rang them. Really nice and helpful fella, told me that NGK weren't made like they used to be and couldn't handle the heat range of old bikes (or something like that) then a couple of  seemingly tall stories about how these plugs were far better. Have fitted one so will see how it pans out. 

[Stinkwheel]

16 minutes ago, Cavcraft said:

You're not kidding there! Still hear the odd tale of SS50s (including 4 speed ones) doing 60mph back in the day and being faster than a Fizzy or AP50. All I can say is the drugs were clearly a lot stronger in those days if people actually believe that.

 

Anyhow, dragged this out the other day, ready to take for an MOT. Checked the date on the V5 and it turns out it's test (and tax) exempt now.

 

Had problems with the plug, someone suggested trying Brisk (Czech made) so I rang them. Really nice and helpful fella, told me that NGK weren't made like they used to be and couldn't handle the heat range of old bikes (or something like that) then a couple of  seemingly tall stories about how these plugs were far better. Have fitted one so will see how it pans out. 

Fingers crossed on the plugs. I had similar issues with NGK's last time i had a TDR250, it would eat them. Never used to do that back in the day

I had a CB125TDC the same colour  and comstar wheels as your MBX50 (thats what it is right?) that thing gave me PTSD at how crap it was (mind you it had been abused silly and i bought it from a5 Breakers in Dunstable for 75 quid 

[Snake Charmer]

20 hours ago, Cavcraft said:

You're not kidding there! Still hear the odd tale of SS50s (including 4 speed ones) doing 60mph back in the day and being faster than a Fizzy or AP50. All I can say is the drugs were clearly a lot stronger in those days if people actually believe that.

60mph was the moped holy grail, the L plate equivalent of being ton up.

Easy to make an SS50 faster than an AP50 or FS1E, C70 top end and front sprocket to start with, l had great fun with my '73 4 speed in '81.

[Stinkwheel]

40 minutes ago, Snake Charmer said:

60mph was the moped holy grail, the L plate equivalent of being ton up.

Easy to make an SS50 faster than an AP50 or FS1E, C70 top end and front sprocket to start with, l had great fun with my '73 4 speed in '81.

I found the 65cc kit for my late fizzie along with a micron exhaust made it a lot better. Lending it to other people though, always ended up with it broken, I learnt to stop doing that 

[Bren]

MOT'd for another 12 months - probably last time I take it for it's test - it's not suited to somebody the wrong side of 50. I will bleed the front brakes again is the lever is a bit soft for my liking.

[tom13]

5 minutes ago, Bren said:

MOT'd for another 12 months - probably last time I take it for it's test - it's not suited to somebody the wrong side of 50. I will bleed the front brakes again is the lever is a bit soft for my liking.

Looks great. I love these. Are you selling it?

[Bren]

2 minutes ago, tom13 said:

Looks great. I love these. Are you selling it?

It's looking likely. I am not made of rubber anymore.

[tom13]

2 minutes ago, Bren said:

It's looking likely. I am not made of rubber anymore.

How much does these go for now?

[Bren]

7 minutes ago, tom13 said:

How much does these go for now?

Have a look on ebay to get an idea. Values can be all over the place based on mileage and condition. Mine has only done 23k and the colour is unusual. Have the pillion seat and handle as well as the books that came with it.

[Cavcraft]

On 27/04/2024 at 11:30, Snake Charmer said:

60mph was the moped holy grail, the L plate equivalent of being ton up.

Easy to make an SS50 faster than an AP50 or FS1E, C70 top end and front sprocket to start with, l had great fun with my '73 4 speed in '81.

Have had a 'reconditioned' C70 top end fitted to my SS50, which threw up a few issues which are hopefully now sorted. Or at least hopefully once the bike is running again.  Not updated the sprocket though, but will look into that.  

On 27/04/2024 at 12:11, Stinkwheel said:

I found the 65cc kit for my late fizzie along with a micron exhaust made it a lot better. Lending it to other people though, always ended up with it broken, I learnt to stop doing that 

That's something I should do. It's been away for a tune-up but remains 50cc. He reckons the Allspeed is probably holding it back a bit, seemingly you can get pipes actually made to suit your level of tuning, or something like that. I think one of the 'Fizzy' lads has just had 12 horse power at the dyno on his. That's mega impressive, imho.

[Stinkwheel]

10 hours ago, Cavcraft said:

Have had a 'reconditioned' C70 top end fitted to my SS50, which threw up a few issues which are hopefully now sorted. Or at least hopefully once the bike is running again.  Not updated the sprocket though, but will look into that.  

That's something I should do. It's been away for a tune-up but remains 50cc. He reckons the Allspeed is probably holding it back a bit, seemingly you can get pipes actually made to suit your level of tuning, or something like that. I think one of the 'Fizzy' lads has just had 12 horse power at the dyno on his. That's mega impressive, imho.

12 horses is mega impressive, the same an old school restricted 125 from a road fizzie is actually fantastic I think. Wonder how fragile it might be now though 

[Cavcraft]

The MT50 reminded me why it's mileage between MOTs is always so low: It managed half a mile today before conking.

[hairnet]

Ffs

[catsinthewelder]

@hairnet Did you visit the diving club?

[hairnet]

7 hours ago, catsinthewelder said:

@hairnet Did you visit the diving club?

Pervert

[gtd2000]

On 26/04/2024 at 14:37, Cavcraft said:

You're not kidding there! Still hear the odd tale of SS50s (including 4 speed ones) doing 60mph back in the day and being faster than a Fizzy or AP50. All I can say is the drugs were clearly a lot stronger in those days if people actually believe that.

 

Anyhow, dragged this out the other day, ready to take for an MOT. Checked the date on the V5 and it turns out it's test (and tax) exempt now.

 

Had problems with the plug, someone suggested trying Brisk (Czech made) so I rang them. Really nice and helpful fella, told me that NGK weren't made like they used to be and couldn't handle the heat range of old bikes (or something like that) then a couple of  seemingly tall stories about how these plugs were far better. Have fitted one so will see how it pans out. 

Back in the day, when I was running around on my Fizzy, one of the lads had an SS50 that was faster than all of our mopeds.

It wasn't until we upgraded to 125's (GP100 in my case) that he finally admitted that he'd put a C70 engine into the bike 😆

The Nanfang 50, that I bought a few years back, would actually indicate 57MPH, down a very slight hill. Didn't have the power to pull the skin off a rice pudding but a CRF70 top end soon cured that. No increase in speed but could get up hills better.

[hairnet]

Ffs

[hairnet]

800 miles not finished yet

[hairnet]

There was a thing at kiltulla

 

Shoulda gone

 

[Snake Charmer]

 

On 05/05/2024 at 12:41, gtd2000 said:

Back in the day, when I was running around on my Fizzy, one of the lads had an SS50 that was faster than all of our mopeds.

It wasn't until we upgraded to 125's (GP100 in my case) that he finally admitted that he'd put a C70 engine into the bike 😆

The Nanfang 50, that I bought a few years back, would actually indicate 57MPH, down a very slight hill. Didn't have the power to pull the skin off a rice pudding but a CRF70 top end soon cured that. No increase in speed but could get up hills better.

The small capacity increase seemed to give more torque, my SS50 was certainly better into the wind as 72cc, even two up with skinny teenagers. My 18st Father as a pilion was funny, laughing his head off as l struggled to keep the front wheel down.

I found the standard bike frightening in rush hour traffic, hardly able to keep up and pulling out of junctions was suicidal. I remember valve bounce down Priest Hill Old Windsor at about 45mph. Less than two weeks later I fitted the C70 top end and it would go steaight to 45mph and valve bounce on the flat. With the C70 front sprocket it would get up to 50 quite easily and a bit faster downhill.

I eventually had the 5 speed gearbox, bigger carb and front disc off a later bike on there rescued from a river. With the ports opened out, early C90 inner valve springs, heavier clutch springs and extra plate it would get to the holy grail 60mph, most of which was done in 4th revving the granny out of it and it would just about hold the speed in top if wind conditions were favouable. It really needed a slightly bigger back sprocket to drop the gearing a little.

I managed to slipstream a coach on a dual carriageway once and coaxed it up to 65mph for a short while until it pulled away, the engine was singing its head off and l had to back off at one point as I was catching up. A rev counter would have been nice.

The only two mopeds I could not keep up with  locally were Fantics, a GT Super Six and Caballero Enduro, they were faster accelerating but about the same speed on the flat and once the gap was there no amount of tucking in was going to let me catch up. A friends FS1E DX was faster as it had a YB100 engine, that used to be fun riding about together.

[gtd2000]

1 hour ago, Snake Charmer said:

 

The small capacity increase seemed to give more torque, my SS50 was certainly better into the wind as 72cc, even two up with skinny teenagers. My 18st Father as a pilion was funny, laughing his head off as l struggled to keep the front wheel down.

I found the standard bike frightening in rush hour traffic, hardly able to keep up and pulling out of junctions was suicidal. I remember valve bounce down Priest Hill Old Windsor at about 45mph. Less than two weeks later I fitted the C70 top end and it would go steaight to 45mph and valve bounce on the flat. With the C70 front sprocket it would get up to 50 quite easily and a bit faster downhill.

I eventually had the 5 speed gearbox, bigger carb and front disc off a later bike on there rescued from a river. With the ports opened out, early C90 inner valve springs, heavier clutch springs and extra plate it would get to the holy grail 60mph, most of which was done in 4th revving the granny out of it and it would just about hold the speed in top if wind conditions were favouable. It really needed a slightly bigger back sprocket to drop the gearing a little.

I managed to slipstream a coach on a dual carriageway once and coaxed it up to 65mph for a short while until it pulled away, the engine was singing its head off and l had to back off at one point as I was catching up. A rev counter would have been nice.

The only two mopeds I could not keep up with  locally were Fantics, a GT Super Six and Caballero Enduro, they were faster accelerating but about the same speed on the flat and once the gap was there no amount of tucking in was going to let me catch up. A friends FS1E DX was faster as it had a YB100 engine, that used to be fun riding about together.

When I was running around on the Fizzy, I had no idea at all about the possibilities of doing any modifications other than fitting an "expansion chamber" or box as it was first mentioned to me. I couldn't see what putting a "box" on an AP50 exhaust would do but my pal said it would be making his ped run faster!🤣

I remember another pal, who sheared the front end off his Yamaha V80 and thinking that the engine looked very similar to the unit in the Fizzy but as that time I simply assumed that all bikes had dedicated parts and that was all you could use! 😆 He wanted £`15 for the remains, at the time but I had no ability to repair it, so didn't think about it.

My little Fizzy would do 40MPH, if I was sitting bolt upright and 46MPH, with my head on the clocks. The fastest I ever saw on the clocks, was 56MPH, down a pretty long and straight hill but I knew nothing about fitting a slightly bigger front sprocket either.

Back then, I wish I knew an H100 engine would go in an MT or MB frame and a YB100 could have easily become a Fizzy! 😉

[Stinkwheel]

What I have been doing today. Swapping it to the powder coated frame so it eventually looks better 

[andyberg]

No matter what, it will always be great, it's a 2 stroke 😁😁

[RayMK]

I've never ridden a Fizzy.  The only 50cc machines I've ridden are as follows:

Raleigh Runabout.  It was a friend's machine. He let me have a go on the private roads on a housing estate.  It was the first powered machine that I had ridden.  Despite its grandad looks, lack of suspension, single speed, centrifugal clutch and probably tiny power output it impressed me.  It seemed much faster than my pushbike.

Peugeot BBCT (1967).  Bought brand new in Roermond, Netherlands about 2 years after the Raleigh experience.  It had front suspension and fractionally more power than the Raleigh. 30mph barely achievable. 25-27mph typical.  I passed my BFG test on  it and rode it every day to get to school - not far - RAF Wegberg to Rheindahlen, about 2 miles, if that.  I even took my friend on pillion (cushion on the parcel carrier and accessory footrests added) to Nideggen and back from Rheindahlen (70km each way).  A year or two later I rode it back from Germany to Nocton Hall, Lincs, taking two days. Also did Nocton Hall to Braemar, Inverness and Portree and back for a 10 day holiday.  I've not ridden it since 1982 but still own it. It last ran when my son was about 15.  He's now 44.

NSU Quickly.  Bought by my brother - his first powered transport.  When he bought it we still lived at RAF Nocton Hall but Dad was posted to RAF Halton shortly afterwards, before my brother had organised his licence or insurance. I was volunteered to ride it down to Halton for him as I had a provisional licence and my Norwich Union 'Rider' policy covered me on any bike up to 250cc.  The Quickly made a lot of buzzy fuss to reach nearly 30mph.  I think it had 3 gears on a handlebar change.  Halton was achieved but the vibration had loosened many fittings and fixtures, some of which had to be tightened several times en-route.

Mobylette 50V.  Bought 2nd hand to commute the 10 miles each way when my Peugeot had become unreliable and a bit later when my 3 wheeled transport burnt to the ground.  The 50V had a CVT and under favourable  conditions could reach 40mph.  Hill climbing was disappointing.  It required pedal assistance to get up Amersham Hill in High Wycombe.

Suzuki AP50.  A rather poorly example owned by a relative.  It would barely run and I was tasked with fixing it in the 1980s.  I got it to start reliably, run fairly reliably but I could not get more than 42mph out of it.  Having proper gears at least enabled it to tackle Chiltern Hills much more successfully than my Mobylette or Peugeot.

All seems to be a long time ago!

[catsinthewelder]

@RayMK 

1 hour ago, RayMK said:

Peugeot BBCT (1967).  Bought brand new in Roermond, Netherlands about 2 years after the Raleigh experience.  It had front suspension and fractionally more power than the Raleigh. 30mph barely achievable. 25-27mph typical.  I passed my BFG test on  it and rode it every day to get to school - not far - RAF Wegberg to Rheindahlen, about 2 miles, if that.  I even took my friend on pillion (cushion on the parcel carrier and accessory footrests added) to Nideggen and back from Rheindahlen (70km each way).  A year or two later I rode it back from Germany to Nocton Hall, Lincs, taking two days. Also did Nocton Hall to Braemar, Inverness and Portree and back for a 10 day holiday.  I've not ridden it since 1982 but still own it. It last ran when my son was about 15.  He's now 44.

Christ, makes our LE-JOG effort on 125s look like amateur hour!

[RayMK]

46 minutes ago, catsinthewelder said:

@RayMK 

Christ, makes our LE-JOG effort on 125s look like amateur hour!

Being young and foolish helps!  I also did Nocton Hall to Fair Oak  (near Eastleigh, Hants) at least three times on the Peugeot - to see my friend, the one who endured the Nideggen trip.  Fortunately, old age prevents  me from doing such things now but there are still odd days when I certainly feel daft enough.  I enjoyed your LE-JOG trip a while back.  Doing it on a 125cc bike in today's traffic is brave enough, but on a 2nd hand Chinese 125 is heroic.

[808 Estate]

The Interceptor has arrived.

[Sham]

I do like these - looks lovely. They ride well and sound great too.

I was tempted but was put off by the short service intervals.

[Cavcraft]

Bloody hell that looks nice.