Field find Motobecane mopeds; where to start?

[Wheelman-111]

Greetings:

I confess I've never tried this myself, but try a chain soak in Coca-Cola after the oil bath. Not much to lose but that ice-cold refreshment. Unless you don't mind a little petrol for flavor.

[noiseguy]

You read my mind; I've been meaning to go buy a 2L of Coke to clean up some of the other bits on this bike. I've heard it cleans rust w/o attacking the existing plating, if any remains that is.

[Kenny_McCormic]

Coke is just a very mild acid solution(carbonic) with a bunch of HFC and other misc stuff in it. I boil chains in used motor oil.

[noiseguy]

OK, didn't care for the results from the Coke soak. Oil bath only from now on.

Thought I'd post up a pic of the completed black bike (I also have a blue one that I haven't touched yet.) It runs great now, with good power up to 30 MPH. The stock paint and chrome polished up nicely with some cleaner wax and 000 steel wool, respectively. I was impressed with the final results.

It took me about 10X as long to get this thing running as a Spree or Elite would, though. That said, I can see why people are into these. They're a lot of fun to ride in their own way. I've got it up for sale, but I'm beginning to have second thoughts... I may keep it instead. It kind of rounds out my collection of runners, which are all black bikes now.

[Wheelman-111]

Greetings:

Great job, Noisy! Those pics belong in a sales brochure.

[noiseguy]

Thanks! It came out a lot better than I thought it would.

I found a new derusting agent that I really like. Vinegar. Used it to clean out the tank; it also works great on derusting other steel parts. It takes a couple day's soak to clean something, but it's easier than scrubbing.

[Wheelman-111]

Greetings:

There are also commercial preparations of phosporic acid that do the same thing. Much more expensive and a lot less tasty in your Vinaigrette... Good tip and cheap!

[bradthreee]

Great work! That thing looks cherry

[mousewheels]

Nice pics - that's a very nice looking moped! If I can put in a vote it's a one handed five thumbs up 'keep that one'.

[broke-chanic]

That bike is BEAUTIFUL!!! Very nice job on bringing it back to life and from what I see showroom quality