Retro Content - 1987 Tomos Golden Bullet Moped Mini-Project

[Nomisf]

Not seen any ancient mopeds around these parts, so I thought I would bring my mini-project thread over from Retro Rides. I intend to do a reasonable job putting this thing back together for rattling around in my locale, between friends workshops/garages/shops etc.

Like all misadventures in my life, this one started while browsing the web. I found TravisTutorial on YouTube, and ended up looking at Puch Mopeds and the like - marveling at how cheap parts were, and how simple their oily bits are. Having decided that never owning a two stroke was a life sin, I mentally committed. So when I saw two, Barn find Tomos Bullet 50ccs at the local Stoke Row steam rally for £100 for the pair, my fate was sealed.

Owing to my excitement, the first pictures are a little naff,

Bike 1 is a wreck, seized engine, wheels, brakes and cables - with a crank case that more closely represents a wildlife pond...


Bike two however, apparently ran a few years back.



Although not on the road...


On this basis, Bike 2 began coming apart...





I then had guests, so It had to go to the shed...



At this point, I got angry that nothing was shiny yet - and set about doing something about this...



Turns out, even hefty anti corrosion primer won't stop a mag alloy furring up ... even under the paint > But alas, one wheel now has a decent 10ft paintjob..



Shortly followed by the other...



My inner magpie sated, I thought it might be nice to fix the rust on the frame...

Ancillaries have seen better days, brake cable corroded off in the lever...



And rounded screws in the switches (couldn't even see the slots before a wire brush..)



So naturally things escalated...



Now I know how I am spending the weekend....

 

[Nomisf]

A miss-spent saturday night later ....


This job is not easy...



But I have one wheel with tyre!



The frame is now in Primer, my got they made Nitromors useless! Wire brush it was...



Not a bad finish, and I hate paint...



Time to tidy the bombsite-bench and retire for the 24hrs of Le Mans!

 

[Nomisf]

Colour coat and Top Coat went on today ! I am totally fed up of paint!



I also tried to fit the tyre on the front wheel, but it looks like my new inner tube had a leak around the valve

 

[wazza300]

That's love when you dedicate living room space for a tomos moped

Project looks great so far,you did a good job of the wheels and frame

 

[Dogbreath]

The frame is now in Primer, my got they made Nitromors useless! Wire brush it was...

Yep, it's completely useless on most types of paint IME, barely does anything at all. It's also incredibly expensive, no one should even consider buying this overpriced junk.

It's still possible to buy the old type of paint stripper with Dichloromethane in it that actually removes paint (and is carcinogenic, wear thick gloves), but not from DIY sheds like B&Q. Paint suppliers are still permitted to sell this to 'professional' users for e.g. industrial applications, but it's not hard to find suppliers that will sell to anyone. Search for "Industrial Strength Paint Stripper" and you'll find it's easily available from one of the largest online retailers.

 

[wazza300]

Why didn't you have them media blasted/powder coated?

 

[unKle]

Takes me back hearing that name Tomos. Had a stack of these at the Royal Mail garage I did my apprenticeship in '88. Young Posties used them a lot before they were let loose in the vans back then.

And you're right about the two stroke sin, you're not a proper biker til you've owned a two stroke

 

[Nomisf]

That's love when you dedicate living room space for a tomos moped

Project looks great so far,you did a good job of the wheels and frame

It had to come through the house anyway, and I don't have a TV in the shed

Yep, it's completely useless on most types of paint IME, barely does anything at all. It's also incredibly expensive, no one should even consider buying this overpriced junk.

It's still possible to buy the old type of... ... online retailers.

I got caught out here, because the last time I used it was before the restrictions came into effect - it wasn't until I spoke to the guy in the hardware shop, he mentioned the change in ingredients.

I have a few friends who work in body shops, so next time round I will have a word with them.

Why didn't you have them media blasted/powder coated?

I wondered that about half way through stripping the paint, but when I looked at prices for the frame, bars, wheels and odds and ends - most places locally came back £200+ and this one is supposed to be a cheap project !

Takes me back hearing that name Tomos. Had a stack of these at the Royal Mail garage I did my apprenticeship in '88. Young Posties used them a lot before they were let loose in the vans back then.

And you're right about the two stroke sin, you're not a proper biker til you've owned a two stroke

Just the smell of premix has made me want an RD350 YPVS!

 

[Nomisf]

So last night I blew over the bars, book rack and swing arm in extra tough Hammerite





Also started lining up the shiny parts!



And thought bike 1 might like a look in - I can't believe how tightly the piston is seized in the bore!

 

[Nomisf]

Got on with some of the ancillary parts yesterday evening, painted again in tough hammerite !



Got stuck into the carb, this little Encarwi has 50% less parts than your average leaf blower carb..




But now its pretty and functional at least. The UKs main Dellorto dealer is down the road from me, so I may plump for a 14/12 SHA as fitted to the later Tomos A35...



Now on to the crusty engine...



First target, check the points and coils - if you don't own an impact driver, buy one - seriously, these screws would be stripped otherwise!





Stroke of luck, its "just like a bought one" inside, clean as a whistle! Still went over the points with emery board though!



While I had easy access, I also broke loose the gearbox filler and drain with the impact driver - for ease of use later...



And re-fitted the gold trim - because why not!

 

[Nomisf]

I worked from home today, so at 17:31 I was out to the shed like a rocket!

Figuring it was time to make this thing look like a bike again, I refitted the swing arm, book rack and rear shocks, then the wheel too!



Next was the tree, which uses a loose bearing race - so I carefully got the balls and grease out and managed the bottom race..



I had time to pause for a picture on the top race, and I didn't lose or have any spare balls! (oh err matron)!



Top yoke on...



About time for the engine I think! Refitted the carb...



First bolt in, as per the workshop manual - just like a hinge!



Dodgy airbox goes in next!



On with the chain that has been soaking in gearbox oil for a week - got all the rust off, although I still may buy a new chain in the near future,



Side cover and kick start, its starting to look whole again.



And finally, I threw on the forks and wheel from bike 1, just so it could stand on its own.

 

[Nomisf]

I may have thrown the new exhaust on - just to kick it over. 4 stroking like a rich piggy, but ....... it lives!

 

[benji182]

Keep us updated

Great job so far

 

[russell664]

Looks awesome - all shiny and stuff

 

[Fireskull]

Brilliant! Thanks for sharing

 

[misterjingo]

Great work!

 

[wazza300]

"When I get me moped out on the road I'm gonna ride...ride...ride,funky moped"

 

[.one.]

I still have that single some place

 

[Rilot]

Love it

 

[Nomisf]

Thanks All

Now it looks like a bike again, controls and ancillaries are the name of the game. Since I am most comfortable with electronics, I thought I would start there...

These screws don't look healthy



Trying to clean the thread...



Net result, 3 out one snapped...



Then had to drill out the rivets, only one disaster - but I have two bikes worth of controls.



Open, and super crusty ...



Time to clean these Up!


I did however, purchase some goodies.. SHA 14/12 and jets!