We had already worked with Mr. R., as the Workshop had fully restored his Solex.
No doubt satisfied with the final result, Mr. R. decided to entrust us with his 89 for a complete restoration.
This 89 is one of the last models produced, with its "light" slightly pearlescent bronze color.
The "orange" or "bronze" or "garnet," it's a sturdy moped, a reliable utility vehicle capable of transporting either building blocks or simply Sunday croissants!
The 89 is known worldwide for its robustness and is still widely used daily as a workhorse on the African continent.
Let's remember that the 89 was also manufactured abroad: under the Kaptein brand in BENELUX, GAC in Spain, and Riverside in the USA.
"Our 89" is one of the last models produced, with its "light" slightly pearlescent bronze color. Given its excellent original condition, we'd bet it transported croissants rather than building blocks 🙂.
However, it also shows its age: paint a little dulled, scratched, pitted in places, chrome starting to pit, rear mudguard cracking, rubbers beginning to disintegrate... in short, it's time to give it a new lease on life before "losing" too many original parts.
Objective: a complete restoration using as many original parts as possible since we still can. On the engine side, restoration as well, because, like all two-strokes of a certain age and sometimes the exterior appearance, the oil seals have lived and dried out. As soon as the engine is "more" solicited, we'll quickly see air leaks at that level, alas!
As usual, a restoration begins with a complete dismantling, an examination of the parts for sorting: Beyond repair, to be restored, OK.
Then by a general sorting of what will need to be done: painting, zinc plating, chroming, cleaning....
We finally end up with 3 or 4 boxes "to be treated"! Let's go!
Happy Sunday and enjoy watching 😉