Page 2 of 2

Re: Field find Motobecane mopeds; where to start?

Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 11:11 pm
by 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.

Re: Field find Motobecane mopeds; where to start?

Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2009 4:39 am
by 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.

Re: Field find Motobecane mopeds; where to start?

Posted: Sat Sep 26, 2009 6:41 pm
by 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.

Re: Field find Motobecane mopeds; where to start?

Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 9:41 pm
by 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.

Re: Field find Motobecane mopeds; where to start?

Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 2:21 am
by Wheelman-111
Greetings:

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

Re: Field find Motobecane mopeds; where to start?

Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 9:50 am
by 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.

Re: Field find Motobecane mopeds; where to start?

Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 11:15 am
by 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!

Re: Field find Motobecane mopeds; where to start?

Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 8:34 pm
by bradthreee
Great work! That thing looks cherry :geekdance:

Re: Field find Motobecane mopeds; where to start?

Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 1:50 am
by 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'.

Re: Field find Motobecane mopeds; where to start?

Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 2:13 am
by broke-chanic
:surprise: That bike is BEAUTIFUL!!! Very nice job on bringing it back to life and from what I see showroom quality :2thumbs: