All scrubbed up!

Cleaned up and ready to go. It's not a perfect job but it was never going to be. The parts have been lightly rubbed down and will be painted with 'copper' Hammerite.  Why Hamerite? well it reacts with rust, nuetralising it and it's very hard wearing. I love painting by hand and I'm looking forward to getting on with it. 

Magneto magic

Managed to get the magneto off.  Another lovely touch with these machines is the coil placed opposite the lighting coil. It makes the whole engine a complete unit even when its removed from the frame. Love it.

Measuring up

OK Millie the bores 0.875" in diameter. Got that?

Forks

Just stripped the forks down. I had no idea the kind of suspension which is available. The forks were seized solid but after some oiling I can see the suspension has reasonable travel and is quite responsive. However the internals are well worn and I'll need to make several special bushes incorporating seals to bring the forks into good repair.

And now a word from our sponsor....

An insight into the origins of the name 'Motobecane' (The name of the company which manufactured the Mobylette)

Motobecane was a French manufacturer of bicycles, mopeds, motorcycles, and other small vehicles, established in 1923. "Motobecane " is a compound word made up of two colloquialisms stuck together. “ Moto" is a slang word for motorcycle; "becane" is slang for "bike."

              So there you go.