I know this is a recurring title, but this time its for real. The pinnacle of Derbi.
Packing some HEAT
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: derbi, derbi c5, derbi revolution, Free Spirit, puch, Start 5
A work in progress. Plans are for a 50cc ripper. All brackets built, pedals will be functional, ripping pipe clears all, together maybe the best moped ever Next up is some cosmetics, welding and assembly. If the 50 doesn’t deliver, maybe a 20+ hp scooter cylinder. Coming soon to a rally near you.
Filed under: repairs | Tags: cuperteens, cupertino, dellorto phbg, dellorto sha, derbi, derbi ninja, derbi revolution, derbi variant sl, derbi variant sport, mag wheels, variant
Just before the reno rally I spent a few days trying to get my thrown together derbi variant running. That should have been a relatively simple process figuring that the motor was running fine about a year ago in stock form. This clearly wasn’t the case. I did change a few things, primarily the top end, to a stock jug bored (long ago) to 60cc. I threw on the stock intake and carb and it ran rather well with decent pep and seemingly unlimited top speed. I went to ride it home (as I built it at Matt’s house way back in January) and it made it 1 float bowl in the stupid sha. I pedaled the rest of the way home.
So I tried cleaning the first carb, taking compressed air and carb cleaner to it twice. Same result, it died. So I tried a second 14.12 body with the same result. I asked Tom to borrow one, and this was even worse. It would kinda idle, but when reved it sounded like it was burping like there was a huge leak, but the seals were fine. So I tried cleaning that SHA again today to no avail (and why should anything change, the derbi has a spotless plastic tank).
Pissed off I finally decided to throw on Tom’s custom intake, his first from 3 or 4 years ago, 19mm funneled down to 14mm. My least favorite task on mopeds is running throttle cables, so I just pulled the throttle off ferbi which conveniently was already hooked to my dellorto phbg cap. I didn’t feel like routing the cable through the frame just yet, but I got it all bolted on and of course it fires right up and rides like a dream. It also fits in there super easy! Lesson learned: never use a SHA.
While working I also fixed the wiring which I kludged together back when I built the bike. Everything is much cleaner, the kill switch works as do the lights. So now the bike is almost done. It still needs fine tuning because all my dellorto jets are missing and my randomly picked phbg (84 main, 48 idle, needle ?) only works so well. The variator also needs some fine tuning to fully variate and reach higher RPMs. Despite it all, I think its a pretty cool bike that is fun to ride. With an air box it will keep the neighbors happy as well.
I’ve seen some stuff asking about switching derbi mags between bikes, and because all derbis have very subtle differences, the solution you come up with may be unique. This bike is older (PP) and had spoke wheels. Late bikes, or at least the Variant Sports, have brake hub tabs that are longer (they go lower towards the axle). I switched to a set of lowers from the variant sport so that the tab better held the revo hub, but the wheel couldn’t be properly centered. We then ground the hub down a bit so it all fit together. Fortunately rear wheels are easier as it seems just about all (but of course there are exceptions) have the same size tab for the hub regardless of the swingarm configuration. The biggest issue going to the revo mags is the cables as the ends on the newest variants are different. This is nothing some strong knarps cannot fix.
Finally a note if you are doing this: buy the fork lowers for whatever set of wheels you are switching to. All Derbi variants have the same fork uppers which allow all lowers to be 100% interchangeable. Tom had a spare set of revo mags and conviently forks, so he just swapped the lowers over and avoided ugly half-assed attempts at removing forks and grinding hubs.
the other day I went to get the derbi from matt’s house cause his garage is packed and I was pumped to ride it, but then it let me down. I made it maybe a half mile, then nothing. So I had the pedal the rest of the way home, thankfully mostly a slight downgrade. Sucked though, my legs were beat. I dunno what is wrong yet, probably a fouled plug or my sketch wiring fell apart. So that was a bummer, and now my shed is as packed as can be.
Still no snow in the forecast, bummer town.
I went hiking today in my waterproof shoes but I got a blister. Pretty sweet scenery, some big birds and a nice view. I made a big panorama from the top of the hill. Please note that its not nearly perfect. My image hosting site is sucking right now, so its on flickr, but they suck too, not letting me upload the full 12 thousand pixel image. So here’s the mini-version. Oh hey, can’t make anything out! Go interwebz! Oh yea, I know my camera’s sensor is filthy, working on it.
Filed under: Projects | Tags: dellorto, derbi, derbi variant, derbi variant sl, mikuni, puch magnum, puch magnum xk, puch polini
Got the beast running today. We had some little troubles with a bad head gasket then the wrong base spacing, but we got it all dialed in and it fired right up. Runs like a beast! Pretty quick, especially for a 12.12 sha. I can’t wait to get something bigger on there. We have some minor things to do still, but basically its all there. Score!
Sean got his new build fired up and its looking good. Obviously need some more little things, but hey, almost there and it sounds great.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: 505-1d, cuperteens, custom moped, derbi, derbi moped, derbi revolution, moped, motomatic mopeds, sachs g3, sachs g3 moped, square bing
So I need to get my g3 all spruced up because I never have and it was having some issues, so now is the time. I began going over everything and started to figure out what needs what. Clearly it needs a good cleaning, re-sealing of all the gaskets, new fluids, a new brake cable, the decomp sealed and some other misc stuff to make it all pretty and awesome.
While messing with some electrical stuff I realized how stupid the lower side covers are because there is a 4 inch gap between each some the top of the motor, the lower frame rails and wiring are all exposed. No good. So with Matt over I had to devise a quick plan to fix it. I found a black tray and measured it all out but I didn’t have any way to cut it out. Matt has a band saw but I knew I wouldn’t get it right the first try, so I devised a ghetto-fabulous rig of a hand operated scroll saw upside down in my vice. Super sketch but it worked.
I cut it all out with Matt laughing, did some fine tuning and this is what I got. Everything fits nice and snug and it sure looks better. I should take a picture of the before. Super custom! I was thinking maybe I should get the other upper cover (I only have 1 side), but I put that one on and found the fit was terrible. There is a huge gap between the seat and the cover and it look like poo. So no upper covers.
Oh yea, here is my new derbi thing. Maybe I’ll try and make a post explaining it all but its still all a mystery to me. Maybe try and guess everything on it, its a nutty machine. And of course Matt forgot the jet I needed so its not running right yet. Lame.
Filed under: Projects | Tags: cuperteens, derbi, ds50, ebr, metrakit, motomatic, oko, simoni, variant revolution
So there has been a fair amount of talk about getting some racing going again down in southern california as well as continuing the series up in the pacific northwest. In turn, I was getting prepared to build a cool 50cc french bike. Matt got me all excited and has started his, but last week I got an email from Tony regarding his radical derbi (1 of 2) that he built with Jimmy and motomatic. Of course I had to pounce, he offered a deal no one can refuse.
Sean and I went up to Sacramento yesterday (forgot my camera, dur!) to get our goodies and I must say I’m super excited. I wish the racing were a bit closer, but with a pretty mellow semester this spring and graduation beyond, its time to race!
I’ll post pictures as we get everything together. The derbi is insane. I can’t even begin to describe how much was done to it. Here is pistol pete riding it in April
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: cuperteens, cuperteens race team, derbi, HPI, hutchinson, michelin, motomatic race team, peugeot, polini cup 2010, polini., revoluiton, treats, vogue, vx4
I’m home, tired and don’t want to study, so lets talk mopeds some more!
Me and some superteens went out to atwater for some good old fashioned fun, because what could be better than mopeds, racing, hanging out, and super target, all 2 hours away from anywhere you’d actually go if you were a sane being. Of course we got there late, and of course the mopeds were on the track at that percise moment, so I missed practice. I wrongfully assumed it was like last year with 4 practices, but nope, this year it was 3, so I was down to 2. I was a little skeptical of the magnum (derbi?) just because I knew I’d be abusing the za, so I “tuned” it up (set the timing and “jetted” it, meaning it was good to go!), then got out there. The n8p was pretty dismal with my gearing choice (18×36) in that it would downshift on the hairpin and maybe the big wrap-a-round left, but otherwise I’d be in 2nd with no power through the turns. Not good, but once it hit on the straight, it went pretty fast, seat of the pants maybe 60, but probably more like 55 or less cause I couldn’t top it.
Rafter was really cool and let me throw a spare destroyer on there for the next one, and boy, what a pipe! I’d always kind of just dismissed destroyer power as a fad (really I’m just too cheap to lay down the scrilla), but it holds its own. Similar in its hit to the circuit, but later, and if you tempt the za long enough, it’ll pull through the band and shift right back into it. Fun stuff!
As many are likely aware, there were some rad builds this winter (or last couple weeks), and all were quite impressive. Jimmy and Tony worked together to build a pair of identical awesome flat-reeders. Each is stroked out, ported all nutty like, tuned pretty well, lightened here, strengthened there, and a custom pipe finishes it all off. This things are next level, and both definately have the potential to deliver some quick laps.
Tommy built a vogue, but got the massive mikitech cases and clutch pulley, is running the derbi metra, a 28mm flatslide among other insanity. Its fast, and when its fully tuned and ready, it will be head to head, power wise, the full length of the track.
Dean built the VX4, the most unique moped ever. It has a pinto frame, hobbit cases, derbi cylinder, moby crank, moby er3, derbi rear pulley, hobbit front variator and clutch, hobbit rear pulley and wheel, HPI, hydro ebrs, custom subframe, in-frame gas tank, and probably many other things I forgot. Regardless, its got the potential to eat every moped. The 2 pulley sets variate sequentially, the rear after the front, so tuning is a bit tricky. Unfortunately the bike sustained some damage in the 2nd practice, so he was out for sunday.
With so many (should have been more) amazing bikes, the racing was amazing to watch. Jimmy and Tommy are so competitive, and both go all out. The derbi’s would take the straights but tommy would always be there in the turns and made passes then was passed and so on, and some how Pete got up front on Tony’s monster. Rufus was out there on his bravo as well, not quite as fast, but he gets quicker every lap, so he’ll be exciting to watch.
This beast was 62ccs, something like 6 or 8 hp. Nuts!
I managed to win the e50 polini class as I violated every rule in the book. CDI, disk brakes, 24mm carb, za50, all prohibited, all present. I managed to score a sweet 2 foot trophy and some points. Kick ass! Best of all the bike survived. My fastest lap was 47.something, not terrible for the bike (last year I think I got down to 43 on tom’s derbi, this time the fastest in open was around a 42, and last year the fastest fast was about a 40 by jeff) And for those wanting to race, top tanks are worth their weight in gold. So nice to have something to hang onto. For Gabe, I forgot to check my main in the flatslide, but its either a 165, 180 or 205. Sorry buddy!
So I’m pretty excited for later races, and I really hope more people head out. I’ll be honest, its pretty lame no one showed up. Obviously we all have things going on and whatnot, but come on. We have restrictive rules created for a race with 2 people showing up to ride? That’s exactly the point I guess. Even if you aren’t building something crazy to battle the fast dudes, get out there. Track time is a lot of fun. I’m bummed I have to miss the next one, but I am more excited for June.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: derbi, derbi c5, derbi spacetronic, diablo
instead of sleeping or studying for midterms, I’m planning my c5 build
total is w/o pipe, duhhh. sleeep time now. too many statistics for one day.
this should easily be done over my winter break. Powdercoating my good tank and repainting the frame will be done later on, 1st step is a radical runner.
and check out this crazy stuff!
we are officially all pussies.
So I picked up a NOS garelli ssxl frame from a fellow out in Ohio (thanks for the tip brandon!). It’ll be here soon, then its going to chillax for some time. It may be nos, but that won’t stop me. Expect to see a gerbi later on. Probably won’t really begin to happen until summer, but I’d getting all the bits lined up. Its going to be radical regardless.
