For every engine rebuilt, for every moped put back on the road, I always give the buyer the same advice:
"I want to inform you that your engine is already several years old; the Solex is now a "collector's" vehicle. On zamac, oxidation causes "holes" and "cracks" which naturally weaken the assembly. I therefore advise you to take care of it if you want it to last a long time.
However, and despite all the care I have taken in restoring your engine, if you hear an abnormal noise, a rubbing, or a significant loss of power, do not hesitate to contact me."
This short sentence often raises questions, and elicits several types of reactions, ranging from curiosity to concern or simply disbelief. After all, I had the engine restored, so it should be like new!
So I wanted to create this blog to show you how destructive this corrosion can be.
Here, for example, is a roller support:
The alloy is corroded and has even perforated… meaning the strength of this part, on which the roller rests and turns, is… reduced to its simplest expression. It must therefore be replaced.
Here is the inside of an engine casing:
Here too, after micro-blasting, you can clearly see all the small indentations and cracks caused by corrosion… In this case, there's no problem for the engine; it can be restored and continue to run for another 50 years.
In more "serious" cases, we find micro-cracks in the casings. When hot, the alloy expands and the compression from the bottom of the engine "escapes"... and you have a sluggish moped for no apparent reason!
Even the beginning of corrosion on an engine mount bracket:
Here too, no problem, but sometimes the corrosion is such that the bracket is close to breaking... casing replacement is mandatory...
Hence the importance of the work we do at the Workshop BEFORE reassembling an engine: cleaning and micro-blasting allow us to get a good overview of the general condition of the engine and its parts, and to try to provide you with an engine that has been entirely rebuilt from A to Z, despite materials that are over 50 years old!
Naturally, if a part is completely beyond repair, the Workshop will inform you, and we will endeavor to find and replace it, so there's no need to worry about the future reliability of your engine.
Finally, a last piece of advice for your engine to last a long time: regularly clean the mud that accumulates under the roller!
This mud retains moisture and thus promotes corrosion of the alloy. Moreover, once dry, this mud contributes to roller wear and can even make a moped completely sluggish!
Finally, one last piece of advice: center your front tire well, and check the alignment of your fork, otherwise:
the tire rubs against the flanges and eventually pierces them... water, mud, and grease get into the clutch... I'll let you imagine...
Have a good trip!