[funkykar]

What comes to mind to anyone hearing TVS 50 is a Moped acting as a mini LCV ferrying a good amount of load. The rest of the time, it's likely a hard-working man or his entire family on it. It was such a savior for the middle and lower-middle class. It truly was magical and can be called a wonder machine. To buy it was quite affordable and maintenance was such a breeze too. It surprisingly could handle a lot of load for all it is just a puny 50cc. This also meant a very good FE.

I always saw plenty of them while growing up. I never got a chance to ride one. Most in family and friends circle either had a Luna moped or a Scooter and above. Most time I felt pity to see them being overloaded. However, it was so common that subconscious, later on, would process it as -If its a TVS 50 or an M80, it is meant to be used like this . This probably was the most sold moped of all time. Though it came with other variants like Champ, heavy-duty etc, the TVS 50 always will remain iconic.

I had the aspiration of getting a TVS 50 moped ever since I restored my Suvega moped (Restoration thread (1980 Suvega - Luck by chance!)). A known doctor friend Srikanth Narayana told me about a good TVS 50. I somehow couldn't visit it for a few weeks. Then one day, I made up my mind and visited. Went prepared to get it home if it was good. The doctor's known mechanic had purchased from his customer and had for resale.

The moped was stashed for many months and wasn't running. The very first time I saw it


Mechanic adjusting breaks


Original paint, Seat is in bad shape, broken yoke. Needs some work before it can run


Another angle


Genuine odometer reading. Fresh!


Requires this ignition key


See how it fired up so easily despite being a non-runner for many months

https://youtu.be/_WaKXVBEPhU

Just after the mechanic made it to run


Tyre cracked and would need change


The mechanic took it for a quick spin before handing it over to me

https://youtu.be/Fm3e6Sy7d-k

[funkykar]

I was extremely happy to buy this moped. More so as this was in brown color and a not too frequently seen color. The green is what strikes to mind for anyone who remembers a TVS 50. Though the paint was in excellent condition, it felt very scratchy. A small photoshoot with original paint:

Pics taken near iconic Windsor Manor bridge


Paint looks fantastic, yet I am not happy with it


Near iconic Windsor Manor bridge


Though the paint looks pretty good, I wasn't too happy. I then decided it int, would be a good idea to repaint and make it fresh. Hence the thought of restoration came. The engine was very crisp and did not need any attention.

On one of the weekend's, the carburetor needed to be cleaned:

https://youtu.be/Fm3e6Sy7d-k

The restoration

After restoring the Suvega, I had all the needed resources to restore a TVS 50 on my fingertips, literally yes! I called Mechanic Raju and explained what I intended to do. My condition was everything that should happen at my doorstep. As I was working I did not have time to visit the service center often. If he works at my doorstep, I could peep once every couple of hours and see progress. Spares shouldn't be an issue for a TVS 50 and least of the worries.

On the pre-decided day, Mechanic Raju comes home and disassembles everything. Here are the pictures:

Mechanic Raju getting started


The disassembly process


The engine is off now


The engine, wont be opened. Its a perfect runner


WIP


Most of things are now off


Removing the recently installed new seat, including new plate


the exhaust


At my home compound


The tank


Chassis, at my home compound

[funkykar]

The painting process

All of the disassembled components were handed over to the painter. The place is operated by a tinker named Prince at Jayamahal. There was very little tinkering to be done. Mostly a little denting of the tank. If not, it was only a proper paint job. I spoke to chief painter Muthu who was more than happy to take up the job. I told the theme was to keep everything original. He was to choose and get the exact shade of paint etc.

I was busy with work most time and hardly saw them do the work. As they have worked on several of my earlier vehicles, it was Ok and I know they do a good job. Below are some of the pics taken during the tinkering, Patti, and paint process.

All components ready for tinkering


After tinkering


After Patti work


Chassis Patti check


Chassis Patti work


Chassis Patti check


Mudguards and misc items Patti work


Tank Patti work in progress


Silver items and misc


Work in progress


Work in progress


Work in progress




Silver bits drying after paint


Silver painted items


Tank being painted

https://youtu.be/BLuCM3L3gR8

Chassis after being painted


All components loaded in OMNI

[funkykar]

The assembly process

Mechanic Raju goes missing for a few days once a while. This is quite normal. After a few attempts, finally got a hold of him. He was very happy with the way the paintwork has been done. Also, a day before, I got new spokes and rims fitted to the hubs and a new tire too.

Here are the pics of the assembly process. Mid assembly, we went to a store and purchased a lot of parts/consumables too.

Raju has scattered all components to be available in easy reach


Wheel hubs with new spokes and rims. 1 new tire too


Raju preparing the wheel


Raju preparing the wheel and brakes


Raju preparing the rear wheel


Raju setting everything


Rear wheel is now fit


Chain being fit


Front wheel and fork fitted


Handle and rest being fitted


Most items fit except engine


[i]Pedal and other misc items fitted/I]


Preparing shock absorber leg


WIP


Had to wrap quick due to bad light and showers


When work resumed


Wiring and coils fit


The engine being cleaned with brush and petrol

https://youtu.be/j6cnBYQeCLE

After engine was cleaned with a brush and petrol






Engine cover being cleaned


The clutch being cleaned


Clutch being cleaned

https://youtu.be/tM7oSMuYAjc

Engine after it was fitted


Engine and its guard in place


Coil needed some work and a new condensor


New H/L gives a sweet look


New switch


Final of the works


It was finally the moment of truth. All fitted and fired up very easily. Mechanic Raju is tuning the carburetor
https://studio.youtube.com/video/BFNgbFSmSGY/edit

[funkykar]

Just after restoration was completed, I did a couple of small test rides. All was good. I visited a local hotel for my favorite filter coffee. The security guy was confused as to which vehicle this was without the decals. He was wondering if it's one of the new electric bikes which we more often these days. When I said it was the TVS 50, he had a nice blush!



Now, I headed off to the nearby number plate shop to get the number stickering done as well as add the decals. I knew this was done by them best and not the mechanic. I was glad that the shop did say they will put the decal stickers on. I felt very relieved.

GAve a wash before taking to num plate shop



Sticker set given by my spares shop. Had purchased even before buying TVS 50


Num plate guy in action


Was quite meticulous


Some work in progress

https://youtu.be/9ELFC1mdsQ8

After the stickering


After the stickering


After the stickering


Regn number sticker in progress


Front has the sticker number now


Back has the sticker number now



Headed for a quick Test Ride





Starting km reading post restore, my 0

[funkykar]

It was the time to reveal this machine to my close friends BHPians Arun1100 and GreenDay. They actually had no clue about my acquisition, forget the restoration. Needless to say, they were elated and had a very good time with the puny moped.

In front of my home



Clicked while in motion


Pic in front of the majestic Vidhana Soudha. The pride of Bangalore.











Arun (Arun1100)


Gaddappa (GreenDay)


Mee


Mee


Pic of the scooter group


Finally, we stopped by for breakfast! Late Puneeth pic reminds us further that life can be so unpredictable. Condolences to the soul who departed too early, a void no actor can fill.

[funkykar]

Finally some videos of the Moped in action.

Arun demonstrating the safe use of Moped

https://youtu.be/E2DNKowJQgU

Me riding in hesarghatta

https://youtu.be/OBaRCP0p5XM

In front of Vidhana Soudha

https://youtu.be/ZaeCWNROGU0

CREDITS

- Dr. Srikanth Narayana, for helping me find this TVS 50.
- Mechanic Raju who restored and maintains it regularly.
- Prince garage for tinkering and painting. Painter Muthu who painted it.
- Friends Arun1100 and Greenday are always around for anything I need.
- Team-bhp is an excellent platform for we enthusiasts to express ourselves and allow to share our experiences with others!

[Aditya]

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line. Thanks for sharing!

[autocrat]

What a wonderful restoration story again Karthik! Congratulations and thanks for so many nice details

[condor]

Another classic revived ! Congratulations, Karthik !

The TVS50 does bring back memories. Our first vehicle, and the one I first actually rode.

Btw, I had posted about one Champ that's sitting in our neighbourhood:

[sponnappa]

Awesome even we have one in the garage waiting to be restored. The original color used to be,what TVS called as 'Sea Grey' but was painted green before the last FC.

[adisan]

Truly iconic! Thanks for sharing.
I vaguely remember riding pillion on one very very long back.

[paragsachania]

Of everything that was wonderful in this entire restoration process the most I liked was the new set of stickers that added the missing element after the fresh coat of paint and then of-course the legendary 2 stroke engine note from the moped us 70s/80s kids have grown up listening to.

Congratulations for yet another awesome and successful restoration job.

PS: Going by the growing list of the classical beauties that you are restoring, your signature itself will be longer than some of the posts that you might make in future .

[VER_10]

Great restoration work! Brings back sweet TVS memories from my childhood. Our first vehicle was a TVS champ. We continued with TVS until my college days. Upgraded from TVS champ to Super XL to Scooty and then I purchased my Apache RTR 160.

One of the great things of the TVS 50 and the Champ were that you could pedal them back home even if there the engine malfunctioned.

[vasanthn21]

The first motorised two wheeler I rode was the TVS 50! This was way back in 1998!

I rode all over Bangalore with this vehicle! It gave a FE of about 70 kmpl, so it was very easy on the pocket. Helped me learn how to ride in the dreaded Bangalore traffic (to be fair, the traffic back then was not as scary as today).

Wonderful to see this restoration. It is so nice to see these engines fire up so easily. On a slightly different note, I drove an old Maruti 800 a couple of years ago, and the engine cranked up the moment the key was turned (unlike the modern day cars!). I see the same with the TVS! Single engine with no self start, but starts easily with a kick!