Several months ago Cherity and I finally consolidated our material excess from our $60 a month storage rental unit. In the process, I nearly decided to sell my prized 1980 102SP Peugeot Moped. It had been been sitting silently for 7 years. If
cars spend 90% of their day parked, like those vehicles, my moped was just taking up space.
But, I just couldn't let the retro ride slide into the hands of another. "Letting go," was just not going happen.
I opted to sneak it into my parents shop at risk of getting busted for using the only pathway available through the
once glorious work space. Not long after my stealth manuevers the 16.10 issue of Wired featured a story titled "High Gas Prices Pedal-Start Another Moped Revolution." It occured to me that I was, in fact, a silent trend setter! (http://www.wired.com/cars/futuretransport/magazine/16-10/pl_motor)
Last weekend my Dad and I returned “the shop” to its functional splendor. Two days of organizing, consolidation, male bonding, "letting go," etc. and voila, room to work on stuff once again!
Scooters and mopeds are getting some interesting press about whether or not they are really a environmentally sound alternative. Two stroke engines use gas that is mixed with oil for fuel. Here is an interview from OPB with the owner of P- Town scooters on the subject:
All these events deductively focused me to... an event. Yes, I decided to try and fire up the moped. It’s been kept in a near moisture free environment the last 7 years. My landlord at the Abbey Street apartment complex let me keep the bike in the laundry room. This was quite gracious considering she would not allow the storage of any other items in this common space. I don’t know why she cut me slack…. Maybe, the moped is deeply ingrained in the collective unconscious as the ultimate hybrid vehicle!?
I had the pleasure to produce radio commercials for Chuck’s Saw Shop for several years while working at 100.7FM The Point – More Stimulating Classic Rock. Chuck worked on motorcycles in addition to chain saws and small engine repair. One day, I eyed this moped in the back. I asked him how much and he let me take it home for free. Totally cool. Chuck really dug the ads I produced. He allowed me total creative freedom to create odd and clever commercials. They were fun to produce and he really felt they were effective because people came into the shop and commented on how funny his ads were. Check out a classic Chuck’s Saw Shop “You’ll use it a lot” spot:
http://www.ocean18.net/Audio/018%20Audio/Chuck's%20Saw%20Shop%20-%20Grandma's.mp3
Soon, thereafter, I polished it up and took it out for a maiden voyage. I shortly discovered the brakes were of little use! Not good... It fouled out and I was put into perma storage - until 4 days ago. After putting in a new spark plug and a fresh tank of gas/oil mix it fired up after I peddled like a damn maniac for 5 minutes. Eventually, I would realize that reading the text on the levers and buttons hinted at how to correctly engage the controls for proper operation!
Once I got it rolling it was a pretty cushy ride. However, It does not do well up climbing up hills at this point. Peddling up a steep incline is near impossible for an extended period of time. The cranks are short, it’s considerably more heavy than a bike and has only one gear. It also seems like its going to die if you do not keep peddling on gentle inclines as well.
I am hoping to squeeze some more power out of the engine because there are a lot of hills in Newportland. To make travel practical around here it will need to climb!
With this newfound excitement that the moped can be brought back to life I cashed in and began stripping it down. My neighbor Cage and I made some substantial progress Monday night working through the rusty bolts and simple yet perplexing design. To get the air filter off we had to slide the engine forward. It’s a lot of fun to work through it. It’s a scooter and yet it’s a bike. The moped lives!
I have been researching the web for an owner’s manual and discovering a sub-culture of interesting moped enthusiasts in the process. Check out some of the stories and organizations:
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2008/09/portland_moped_fans_get_some_b.html
http://puddlecutters.net/
http://www.mopedarmy.com/
