I am renovating a Solex 3800 moped

The cycle part of the SOLEX 3800

Thorough cleaning removes dirt and all traces of dust.

The framework : a complete inspection in order to locate the points of rust, shocks and paint chips to be treated. The restoration of the frame begins par a complete dismantling, followed by stripping to treat corrosion and remove old layers of paint, then the stages of protection against oxidation and the final paint.

Remember to also treat unpainted parts such as screws in order to complete the final result.

Remember to work in a well-ventilated room.

If the frame does not require painting, after thorough cleaning, pass a product polish using a soft cloth, then polish to restore the shine to the paint. Prefer a solid product to apply rather than an aerosol product containing silicone which gives an ephemeral shiny appearance that disappears with the first shower.

The rims : depending on the general condition, they will be thoroughly cleaned. If the paint is faded, a light sanding followed by two coats of paint will give them a nice look. If the chrome of the rims is pitted, it is possible to have them sandblasted then re-chromed (for a perfect job, contact a specialist).

If they are too damaged (deformed, warped, with bumps or hollows, cracked, several missing spokes, significant presence of rust) they will have to be replaced.

The tires: tires quickly lose their strength and grip properties over the years. First visual observation: lack of relief on the tread, cracked sides, possible hernia, traces shock, snag on the tire, deformation and loss of flexibility of the tire. Have you noticed one of the faults? Make the change.

The most common dimensions on solex mopeds are as follows:

For widths: 21.75 inches.

For diameters: 19 inches, almost all models have tires corresponding to these dimensions.

Take inner tubes of a very high quality.

Another important point is to put in place rim tape new. This is a rubber band that is placed around the circumference of the rim to protect the inner tube and prevent it from rotating inside the tire .

The hub: carry out an inspection. In most cases, the bearings are worn out and need to be replaced. If not, clean and grease.

Braking: brake systems and pads will be checked.

Chain, crown and pinion: wear parts par excellence, the installation of new elements is essential.

The motor part

The tank: drain old gasoline from the tank, pump and carburetor bowl. Also bleed all the pipes and replace the gaskets and hoses if necessary. Replace the small pump diaphragm gasoline.

Replace the oil filter.

Engine : the originality of the Solex lies in the position of its two-stroke engine, straddling the front wheel. The motor is driven par the intermediary of a friction roller resting on the rubber of the tire. In addition, the moto-pro grouppulseur is mobile around an axis, which allows it to be raised to transform the machine into an almost ordinary bicycle.

The Vélosolex engines are of very simple design and therefore robust and easy to repair.

Wear parts like the segmentation, gaskets and spark plug that guarantee engine performance will be replaced.

Other parts to replace

Cables and sheaths : no renovation or restoration without a complete replacement of cables and sheaths and hoses.

Handles and levers : handles and levers suffer over time. A replacement resuming the aesthetics of the original parts can be considered. For the accelerator, it is better to keep the body of the handle in order to preserve the reliability and the solidity of the whole. Connecting the cables, fitting the brake light switch to the handle, and hooking up the horn will complete the job. New liner grips will be installed.

La seat must very often also be replaced. Many models in line with your renovation or restoration are available.

The rear light is too often broken or missing.