Velosolex, Anyone?

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dontwantapickle
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Re: Velosolex, Anyone?

#16

Post by dontwantapickle »

leave it as it is, just make it run good.
someone will love the Patina and and pay extra.

American Pickers: "Oh My God... It has original paint!"
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cbx4evr
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Re: Velosolex, Anyone?

#17

Post by cbx4evr »

I’ll be watching this thread closely. I just inherited this. My son is moving and doesn’t want to take it with him. It’s been in the family for about 20 years. When we first got it we went through it, painted it, got some farkels and it went well. It’s not running now of course so I have a bit of a project.

Wondering where you are getting parts from? Not too much available in Canada.
Solex 5000
Solex 5000
16572CED-A16E-404B-9F27-1B03D3EEF02C.jpeg (331.45 KiB) Viewed 407 times
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Lucien Harpress
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Re: Velosolex, Anyone?

#18

Post by Lucien Harpress »

Ooo, that's a looker. There were a few of these I was looking at that were yellow, but I liked the look of the headlight on the engine of the 3800, so I went with that. I can't imagine yours being too hard to bring back.

A majority (if not all) of my parts I've gotten from treatland.tv. The website has a SUPER-odd layout with some weird verbiage, but the ordering process has been seamless and shipping has been surprisingly quick (always less than a week). I've actually got a full tire set (tubes, rim tape, etc.) and spokes coming for mine. They keep things like gaskets and other more commonly used parts in stock relatively regularly, and even have full spare parts from time to time (rims, engines, etc.). I have no complaints so far.

As for mine, the motor is back on and runs SO much sweeter than when I got it. Only did a couple of miles, but no leaks so far. I also got most of my new cables sorted- I'll do the rest if/when I tear the frame down to get finished.

Image

Image

Image

Next up is wheels, though. My back rim needs straightened out and re-spoked, and both need new tires. Next week will probably mean the purchase of a new front brake as well- mine is completely rusted out and mostly useless, and for the cost of a new complete assembly, it's cheap insurance.
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete

All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
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delling3
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Re: Velosolex, Anyone?

#19

Post by delling3 »

I owned one just like this as a teenager, before I could get a driver's license. It was my freedom machine. There is not a "jockey shift", that handle is to pivot the engine up off the tire, allowing the operator to pedal like a conventional bike when the engine ran out of gas. The flywheel on these cast iron, with a heavy textured surface which rides directly on the tire - which is what provides the drive to the wheel.
delling3

1979 Yamaha XS750SF

Previous:
1978 GL1000 - JUNE 2017 BOTM: Sold
2006 Kawasaki Concours: Sold
1995 Kawasaki Concours: Crashed/totalled.
1976 GL1000: LAST RESTORATION, sold
1981 Honda CB900F Supersport: 3rd restoration, sold.
1979 Yamaha XS-750F: 2nd restoration, sold.
1982 Honda FT-500 Ascot: First (only) new bike. Family forces sale.
1973 CB500 Four: First restoration, long gone.
1972 Suzuki TS-100: First bike, sold.

Only dead fish go with the flow . . .
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Lucien Harpress
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Re: Velosolex, Anyone?

#20

Post by Lucien Harpress »

Yup, and apparently it's a big no-no to run the engine off the tire- there's no governor and there's a big risk of over-revving the motor. You also run the risk of that heavily textured roller burning a hole in your tire if you don't match the engine and tire speeds close enough.

Apparently there is a clutch that allows the engine to idle if the tire stops and engine speed gets low enough, but I'm not sure mine works- the front brake is attached to the throttle, and it's the only way to get engine speed way down at all (remember- she "idles" at wide open), and mine always dies when the tire stops. Still, it's really no big deal- pedal away with the compression released, get some speed, then drop the release, motor putts to life again.

Besides, to get to the clutch means removing that flywheel and coil/points plate under it, which is impossible without two different and unique flywheel pullers. Not worth it.
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete

All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
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cbx4evr
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Re: Velosolex, Anyone?

#21

Post by cbx4evr »

What size are your tires? Mine are 16" so the bike is a little on the low side for me. I'm dragging the pedals on the corners if I don't have them horizontal.


Edited to correct tire size.
Last edited by cbx4evr on Sun Jul 11, 2021 4:42 pm, edited 3 times in total.
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cbx4evr
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Re: Velosolex, Anyone?

#22

Post by cbx4evr »

Lucien Harpress wrote: Sat Jul 10, 2021 7:31 am Ooo, that's a looker. There were a few of these I was looking at that were yellow, but I liked the look of the headlight on the engine of the 3800, so I went with that. I can't imagine yours being too hard to bring back.
We have never been able to get the lights to work on this thing. Maybe this time around I'll spend some more time on it. When we first got it it was hard to keep my son off of it.

The bike was actually a dump find by a guy that would one day become the father-in-law of my other son. He had it for a bit, lost interest and gave it to the pastors kid. They had their fun with it and then had to move and couldn't take it with them. Offered it to my son and he rode it home 10 miles on the shoulder of the highway. We then set about getting it to it's current condition.

When we brought it home:
Solex Day 1
Solex Day 1
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Lucien Harpress
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Re: Velosolex, Anyone?

#23

Post by Lucien Harpress »

Yeah, this thing is definitely more bicycle than moped. I had a couple old Schwinns growing up that did the same thing if you decided to take a hard turn with your pedals in the wrong spot. Got the bruises to prove it, too.

I can't imagine getting the lights to work would be that difficult. I was shocked at how simple the wiring is. I know mine still runs 6v, but I'm not sure about the 5000. My tail light works, but the headlight was burned out, and good luck finding a 6v e10 base bulb anywhere. On the plus side, I don't think the lights did too much anyway, other than let people know you were there.

Tire size on mine is slightly different- 19x1.75. Goofy enough that I figured if I can get the correct tires, I may as well spend a bit extra and order some. And they come with that extra bit of rubber on the tread so they wear longer. Or so I've told myself.
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete

All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
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cbx4evr
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Re: Velosolex, Anyone?

#24

Post by cbx4evr »

Lucien Harpress wrote: Sun Jul 11, 2021 7:16 am My tail light works, but the headlight was burned out, and good luck finding a 6v e10 base bulb anywhere.
Amazon has them.
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Lucien Harpress
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Re: Velosolex, Anyone?

#25

Post by Lucien Harpress »

Nice! Thanks for the info.

I may have snagged one from eBay, but only because it was yellow. From France. So... I should get it in a couple months.

I took the opportunity to snap some photos today that I'm actually quite proud of.

Image

Image

Image
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete

All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
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Lucien Harpress
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Re: Velosolex, Anyone?

#26

Post by Lucien Harpress »

I may have to figure out how to add sound, but for right now enjoy my rather large brother enjoying a rather small French moped.

http://imgur.com/gallery/GZj7uJd
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete

All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
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wingrider
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Re: Velosolex, Anyone?

#27

Post by wingrider »

Is he the one that is into unique bikes?
2002 1800 Wing
2001 Valkyrie Interstate
1978 1200 EFI Wing with Motorvation Coupe Royale sidecar
1977 1200 Wing cafe/bobber project
1974 Suzuki GT550
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Lucien Harpress
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Re: Velosolex, Anyone?

#28

Post by Lucien Harpress »

Less "unique" and more "bikes in general", but yeah, that's him. (His current Schwinn count is like 35 at this point). He hates everything about this Solex, but still seems awful eager to ride it any chance he can get.....
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete

All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
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robbie202
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Re: Velosolex, Anyone?

#29

Post by robbie202 »

Lucien Harpress wrote: Sat Jul 17, 2021 9:40 pm I may have to figure out how to add sound, but for right now enjoy my rather large brother enjoying a rather small French moped.

http://imgur.com/gallery/GZj7uJd
that title made me lol
'77 GL1000
'03 Sportster
2020 KLX 250
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Lucien Harpress
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Re: Velosolex, Anyone?

#30

Post by Lucien Harpress »

Yeah. Imgur doesn't REQUIRE posts to be public, but I post them public anyway, just to see what kind of comments my random forum post pictures can get. The funny/idiotic titles are just a bonus. :)

Back on topic, I got another present, and honestly (thankfully), I'm running out of things I need for this bike. But it's always fun to celebrate a new pair of shoes.

Image
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete

All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
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