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

 

[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!

 

[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!

 

[Nomisf]

After putting it off for way too long, I had to do the last bit of paint - the mudguards.

Their mounting screws were totally locked solid..



So out came the angle grinder...



And after more painful prep - they went into paint! I am so getting stuff like this dipped and powdercoated next time!



Next, while trying to drill out snapped bolts - I snapped a drill. Stupid seat !



Once that was done, I totally went full lazy and used hammerite direct to rust paint for the seat base. Looks cack, is cack - so won't be doing that again!



Once the mud guard was dry, it was time for all new shiny fasteners! Excuse the dirty paint, my hands were greasy and the shed was dusty...



Front Guard and lights/dashboard back on.



Rear guard and light wiring back in,



Wiring loom back on, excuse the filth - I kick started it with muddy boots in the rain.. poor paint!



Cable tray and carb back on, with new - bigger jets in the carb for now - until my dellorto manifold arrives,



I need to find some tin side panels to cover the workings, but for now it can live without until some come up at a reasonable price.

Only need to sort a number plate, documents and refit the rear wheel now - and its MOT ready-ish.

 

[Nomisf]

A short video of the silly AC electrics on this bike - and its frankly hilarious horn

 

[Nomisf]

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Thanks

This really puts a smile on my face. I was a sort of moped specialist for all the local yoofs when I lived in holland and at one point owned 5 mopeds. I always grabbed one of my two Tomos for errands and shopping because they always started at first or second kick, even in -10+ weather. They weighed nothing so actually accelerated fairly decently but topped out at about 40mph derestricted. The two speed auto was an absolute peach and never threw a fit in about seven years of good, hard abuse. I could wheelie the things for days, had more fun on those things than all the more modern stuff (SR50, Gilera Runner, Puch NRG, and many more). I eventually got bored of the low speed and stripped the engine. It got a Polini cast iron 70cc, 19mm carb, K&N, and some or other fancy exhaust, think it was Malossi, can't remember. That thing was ridiculous. It was almost impossible to keep the front wheel on the ground until se in gear and it topped out at 65ish. Not once did it seize or give any issues although I always added a wee bit more oil to the tank when I filled it up. The gearbox took the abuse too, and trust me when I tell you this: very, very few mopeds have endured the abuse we gave ours.

Absolutely loved it, I hope you enjoy yours as well




EDIT: As for this:



Hold the horn down and rev the engine, it goes up and down in pitch with the engine RPM

Another useless fact, the bike in the film Hot Rod was a Tomos too.

I found out about the horn by accident - put a smile on my face as it revved up Might have to watch Hot Rod just for that.

Appreciate the back story also, its one of my favourite things about this bike - the stories it stirs up in people!


I am now waiting for a couple of parcels, and the V5 document to show up - its nearly roadworthy !

 

[Nomisf]

Got a box of goodies from NL today, courtesy of TOMOSHOP.NL,



Fitted the fork protectors and speedo drive - 10 minute job!





Looks much better!

Fitted the number plate, nice shiny aluminium one.. £8 !



I also got the manifold for the dellorto carb, so thats going on next!

 

[Nomisf]

So after much faffing around with the ever competent DVLA, something arrived in the post...



This might be the least hands any vehicle I have owned has been through...



I decided the Dellorto 14/12 was too much of a pain sitting under the frame, as re-jetting meant dropping the engine, so I improvised. There are no aftermarket bent manifolds for the A3 engine, so copper tube had to do!





Turns out the extra length has really pushed up the torque!

New levers came next, as the throttle assembly was trashed and sticking and the grips were nasty.







Time to sort out some more paperwork... !

 

[Nomisf]

Well, the big day came and went....


Wahey!



Thats an actual, genuine, no backhanders MOT!

 

[Nomisf]

Where's the standard "Exhaust noisy" advisory?!

My tester is old and deaf

For anyone who can stand my voice, here is a bit of mucking about on the old thing,

 

[Nomisf]

Ha! I know exactly where you live. I have mates who live 2 streets down from you.

Small world ! It's actually my parents house, but I grew up down there

 

[Nomisf]

That's brilliant little thing, but you need to get busy on the exhaust port with a dremel The auto gearbox seems a bit reluctant to change down, is that normal for these?

I certainly do! I think I also need to re-create the inlet manifold with a larger diameter pipe, and less bends.

Not sure on the gearbox, I should probably take it apart and check everything out - as its the only part i didn't open.

 

[Nomisf]

So after sitting in my shed for the Winter, I brought the little Tomos out - and alas my homemade manifold has disintegrated.

With the pain of trying to locate/create a decent manifold for the A3 egg cylinder, I finally broke,

And ordered a DMP Jug/Head kit to take her up to 65cc! And a whole load of bits to support it,

Lets see where this leads...

 

[Nomisf]

This is my favourite thread

Today's pay day and you have me seriously considering doing something naughty...


Does yours not have the little mechanical choke lever on the side of the carb?

High praise

You are welcome to anything that's left of the first bike, if you like (Frame, Semi-Shagged Spoked Wheels, Seized Engine, Carbs) etc - that + £200 you would spend on that one would (might ) make a nearly roadworthy bike

It does indeed - it clicks off when you go full throttle!