January 9, 2002
3:46 PM Subscribe
Pity the poor moped. Not really a scooter, nor a motorcycle, yet more than a bike. The Moped Army (motto: "2-Stroke Power. Swarm and Destroy") attempts to bring some respect, or at least, geeky cult-like fanatacism, to this underappreciated mode of transportation.
When I was 16 I knew there was no way my parents would allow me to have a car. So, I settled for a Moped.
I was looking at all sorts of models. I mentioned this to the 72 year old owner of the local bank (who was also a car collector). He mentioned that he had two identical mopeds for sale - my pick, $250.
So, I ventured out to his house in the country. It turns out these were 1965 Daimler-Styer-Puch mopeds in brand new condition - one had 125 miles on it, one with 25 miles on it. Started with pedals, but had a real oil-bath clutch and two gears (with a handlebar shifter).
It still runs today, and while it is only 50cc it has a top end of nearly 50mph.
Now I wish I had bought both of them.
posted by hadashi at 5:22 PM on January 9, 2002
I was looking at all sorts of models. I mentioned this to the 72 year old owner of the local bank (who was also a car collector). He mentioned that he had two identical mopeds for sale - my pick, $250.
So, I ventured out to his house in the country. It turns out these were 1965 Daimler-Styer-Puch mopeds in brand new condition - one had 125 miles on it, one with 25 miles on it. Started with pedals, but had a real oil-bath clutch and two gears (with a handlebar shifter).
It still runs today, and while it is only 50cc it has a top end of nearly 50mph.
Now I wish I had bought both of them.
posted by hadashi at 5:22 PM on January 9, 2002
that is so cool, hadashi!
I love my scooter and haven't even looked at my car in months...
I say any mode of trasportation that gets you from points A to B is valid...especially when you can fill up on gas for $2!
posted by black8 at 5:33 PM on January 9, 2002
I love my scooter and haven't even looked at my car in months...
I say any mode of trasportation that gets you from points A to B is valid...especially when you can fill up on gas for $2!
posted by black8 at 5:33 PM on January 9, 2002
Please, anyone thinking about the wonders of a mass of 2-stroke engines clogging the roads: come to Taiwan and observe for yourself the environmental devastation wrought by the world's densest concentration of these things.
posted by Poagao at 6:50 PM on January 9, 2002
posted by Poagao at 6:50 PM on January 9, 2002
i had a moped when i was unemployed. it was a life saver. Honda C50 Club
posted by quarsan at 12:22 AM on January 10, 2002
posted by quarsan at 12:22 AM on January 10, 2002
To quote:
"Mopeds are like fat chicks, they are great fun to ride, but you don't want your friends to see you on one."
posted by Frasermoo at 12:48 AM on January 10, 2002
"Mopeds are like fat chicks, they are great fun to ride, but you don't want your friends to see you on one."
posted by Frasermoo at 12:48 AM on January 10, 2002
These guys are on the campus of WMU. The first time I saw them, I wondered what was going on. During summer nights, I would hear the buzz of groups of 5 or 6 mopeds going up and down the streets of my neighborhood. I wanted one so bad, until I realized that the skinny emo kids riding them weighed significantly less than I do.
Fat guy + Moped = Scary Sight.
posted by bryanzera at 5:20 AM on January 10, 2002
Fat guy + Moped = Scary Sight.
posted by bryanzera at 5:20 AM on January 10, 2002
These kids are the nicest! Poagao, good point, but the newer scooters (my Vespa, at least) have excellent emission control. During rush hours, I'd rather see a sea of scooters and mopeds than the current mass of SUVs (usually with one passenger, too).
posted by acornface at 7:37 AM on January 10, 2002
posted by acornface at 7:37 AM on January 10, 2002
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posted by aacheson at 3:49 PM on January 9, 2002