[NiInJa]

Thanks for keeping your bike in mint condition !
These bikes were the first ones on which we learnt our IC engine basics and other lessons !



I have a fond memory of this bike, There was one of this bike in our society and the owner left for the Gulf in a huff. She left the bike as it is and we kids (I was in 7th std, my brother in 9th) broke the lock and began riding it in our society premises, dont know how there was no ignition lock or it was just faulty. The best part of the bike was that it was ridiculously fuel efficient, we used to collect 5 Rupees each and bring about half litre of petrol from the pump nearby and ride it just for fun, everybody liked the process of starting it where we had to pedal her and then disengage the clutch. Of course, all of this was done away from the eyes of our parents.

[anjan_c2007]

Yes, its still running but very less used now a days. The TVS 50 of mine has now become 35 plus years old ! Unbelievable, because it feels like just the other day, when it came home from the local showroom. The waiting list was six months long then, but the dealer could give me the moped after a three month wait. And for about 10 years till 1992-93, it has served me very well, being a beast of burden many a time. Come the other two wheelers in my garage, the TVS 50 got more rest, but was never fully rested. It has done my duties very sparingly till about a decade back. As said, its very less used these days , but is kept fit and running always. Here it is, after a very recent clean-up job.











(the front fork rubber pair packing has been changed )

[Rob UK]

Cool bike! Here's to the next 25 years!

[anjan_c2007]

Reviving the thread with some anecdotes about my blue angel, the 1983 TVS-50, it was brought home on 23.01.1983 by my Dad and brother who had gone to take delivery from the then local dealer M/S Shreejee Agencies, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Road, Nagpur. Incidentally, 23.01 also happened to be the birthday of the late leader Netaji S.C. Bose. I was posted out and hence could not be present on the D-Day 23.01 but soon after came on leave to experience rides on my blue angel. The moped took about four to five months to be delivered as there was a waiting list, but we got it in two months courtesy Mr Girdharidas, to whom we had gone for engine work, quite a few times.

The Chandaks were too old in automobile business in our city and their sister firm M/s G.G. and Company in the same building was then managed by the family patriarch Mr Girdharidas Chandak. They were into engine re-boring and repair business for all car and truck engines. I had seen some two wheeler engines too getting re-bored here. They were amongst the oldest in this business in the city.

Mr Girdharidas Chandak's two sons (one was Purshottam) were managing Shreejee Agencies and they had newly been appointed as a TVS dealer.

I had also bought my red Ind Suzuki AX-100 from M/s Shreejee Agencies in mid 1986 after a waiting time of about six months.

My TVS-50 shared the two wheeler garage at home with my Dad's Lambretta regn no. MTX 3500 (1975 factory shade radium light green and smoky grey) and being lighter and easier to manoeuvre, it soon became a favourite of so many visiting relatives coming to us from time to time. Many had never driven a gearless moped, but were experts with Vespas and Lambrettas. One owned a Fantabulus too. But very luckily, despite the multi-hand usage, my blue angel remained in good shape mechanically fighting all odds. Many would ride double seat, as it had a licensed capacity for two passengers (rider+ pillion).

It was constantly delivering about 55 kmpl, with the consumption hovering around 45-50 kmpl during double riding. I used to add Castrol 2T oil on my own, without purchasing the 2T oil-mixed petrol from the petrol dispensing outlets. Those days they used to either manually add the 2T oil, or else many had auto dispensers where the oil would be added from another dispensing unit to the petrol. As a rule, I would add 25 ml of oil per litre from a small graduated bottle to the tank and reach the fuel outlet that was very near our home. I would queue up with cars (if any), get the petrol only option, while a few two wheelers waited in a queue for their turns get fuel+2T oil. And they would all look surprised that a tiny moped owner gets in queue alongside cars, buys pure petrol minus 2T oil and disappears soon after. The two wheeler queue would have just 4-5 two wheelers at peak hours, while for the car, there would hardly be anyone waiting. This was the scenario in our city in the 1980's.

And as you can read in the box portion, I would do every job as a DIY enthusiast for my new moped like cleaning, washing, oiling, greasing and cleaning the spark plug regularly. The DIY jobs started soon after the three free services got over with the ASC. The two stroke engine spark plugs are notorious as carbon gets deposited in no time, due to its engine technology. It pollutes too with its smokey, light blue exhaust. The carburettor would have to be cleaned once in a while and for this the moped would have to be tilted and the plastic guard at the base for the carburettor unscrewed to access the Spaco carburettor. It had a reed valve between the carburettor and the aluminium block which accessed its engine. I had changed the reed valve only once. The dry air filter element would need to be dismantled and blown with a bicycle pump to be cleaned. The drive chain would have to be tightened from time to time, as double seat riding I found was proving strenuous for the drive chain. And a loose drive chain would mean higher engine rpm, not commensurate with the rear wheel rpm.

I once went to receive a bulky colleague weighing nearly 80 Kg at the local railway station. He was coming from Hyderabad and was moving to Calcutta. Nagpur halt was enroute to change trains. I received him at noon, went home, he had lunch and took him back on time to drop him at the railway station. This was sometime in late 1983, when the moped was not even a year old. The moped though carried his 80 Kg weight, with my nearly 60 Kg at that point of time, unfailingly. He was dropped at the railway station. After a few days of use, I noticed a perceptible drop in power and some engine abnormality. White smoke was emanating in excess. That's when I had to do some thinking as to what could be wrong? The spark plug had become too oily. I tried to access the piston rings first. Opening the top four nuts over the engine head with cooling fins, that secured the engine block , I could get access to the piston top/crown. There was oil and the spark plug had fouled up with oil spillage from the engine. The engine block was dismantled carefully. The full piston could be seen (Mahle- Goetze) and I could see some minute scratches on its surface, but not at all serious needing a change. I dismantled the piston detaching the two circlips on either sides, needle sleeve bearing (the via media between the gudgeon pin and the piston), then removing the gudgeon pin and left it there. As there was no much damage, the I touched the connecting rod at the top and said "bye bye", and "I would not like to see you again sometime very soon." Soon, I bought Shellac, a standard size piston ring set of two and the two new aluminium gaskets to refit the block. I found carbon deposits on the piston crown (oily) and also on inner side of the engine head (dry). These were scraped with due caution and got rid off. After carefully refitting the new piston rings on the piston and refitting the piston with care, the engine block came back resting over a new gasket at its base. It was a bit tough to get the block smoothly back through the piston with new rings. I used 2T oil liberally and some very gentle push made the engine block reach back to its position. Then the new head gasket and the Shellac were put in place above the engine block. This gasket rested between the block and the engine head. The four nuts were tightened very carefully. Had no torque wrench but here, one cannot tighten one nut fully at first leaving the three others. Like changing car wheels, all the four have to be brought to a lesser than full tight position. Only slowly thereafter, one by one tightening needs to be attempted. With double 2T oil in the tank and some on the engine before fitting the cleaned spark plug the pedal start, blue angel soon fired back to life. The test ride made me feel that it was back to January 1983, when it was brand new. Thereafter, I made it a point to do minimal double seat riding and also told all who used it in our family to ride single as far as possible. The "innocent" 80 Kg visitor sitting on the pillion, plus the so many months of double riding had all taken its toll. The check up was timely, else it would have required a re-boring/ engine block change. I used double 2 T oil thereafter for some 1500 kms keeping this as the "running in" period.

Post # 18 from funkykar's thread by me relating to my blue angel :-

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motor...-restored.html (A Humble '97 TVS 50 - Restored)

Having owned a TVS 50 (1st generation) since 1983 (first owner), I have been doing all sorts of tinkering and mechanical jobs on it very soon after the three free services were availed at their dealership. I must say that it has been my teacher too, as I learnt so many things mechanical while working on it. More than 99% of the nuts and bolts are TVS made and seldom fail. Even as on date, I am yet to spot any rust on these galvanised iron nuts and bolts. It's engineering is extremely rudimentary and the machine is built to tolerate too much abuse and overloading. Just can see the so many self employed folks Loading their goods on it to earn their living.

In the earlier days, my moped with its superb 0-30 kmph acceleration would be the first, post the traffic signal turning green to move out of the traffic ahead of all. Being gearless was a great advantage. Slowly, we had other brands launch much more peppier models.

My moped lying unused since about eight years, with only regular starts periodically is being readied again to be fit and healthy. I will be updating its thread soon. With a little efforts, spares are coming by even as on this date. I prefer to do most of the jobs myself as there could some unknown, few mechanics surviving here in my city who have expertise in its jobs. Most have quit the scene and the newer generation doesn't know or touch such old machines.

I have now taken up restoring my blue angel (it still dons its factory paint) back to its glory. It's engine has fired and a test ride is due soon. I am getting many things done up now just a few days after it celebrates its 39th anniversary on 23.01.2022. Some pictures of the work going on now:-



Its avatar in 2011 when it was in use though not regular



The dealer's sticker still affixed- please note the then five digit landline number- its seven digits now!



The old and the new- number plate repainted, new horn, new bulb for taillight, new air filter hose (topmost above the horn) and so on











The TVS made nuts and bolts still serving flawlessly



CD-TVS our mark of excellence ! The company then was Sundaram Clayton Ltd.



The company stickers on the fuel tank

More in future posts, as it gets more TLC.

[anjan_c2007]

Please check out the then spark plug packing from the 1980's that was once fitted to my TVS-50 and the new packing of a new spark plug for the moped. The new packing is so anonymous and does not specify any makes/models that it is compatible with. The only common observation is that it bears the same code number 9240033 532-079 / W 175 Z1.

[Rolling_Stock]

Hey Anjan,

Congrats on your restoration program.
The only missing element is the cute little storage box adjacent to the seat to carry essentials. This was a trademark of a family guy those days.
When I inherited it from my father, the first thing I removed was the box giving it a look of a bachelor.

[anjan_c2007]

The TVS-50 again got some of its due TLC today. Many of its spares have been changed. Its engine has fired back to life. The full taillight housing including cover and bulb, front headlight bulb, air filter hose pipe were all changed.


As it looks now


the new tail light + newly painted number plate

The spares box has also revealed some history of spares fitments done earlier to my blue angel. The standard sized piston and the piston rings + gudgeon pin + bearing + engine gaskets were all changed on 29/03/1999 just to rejuvenate the engine as the old piston had been doing its duties since 16 years then. There was no engine seizure but the power delivery was not as it was earlier. The reed valve was also changed roughly around the same time. Also a new Spaco carburettor costing some Rs 3200=00 was fitted and the old one has been found. I have kept CB points,clutch plate, clutch/accelerator/brake cable wires all as spares. All these changes as described above had revitalised the tiny moped and it was running errands for me as and when needed. parking such a lean and small moped was no issue in crowded places.



Spares including the rusted old tail light housing



The factory fitted Spaco now as a spare



Spare CB point



The old reed valve enclosed in the packing supplied by the aftermarket manufacturer



Spare clutch plate just in case ??





The old piston (factory fitted) and a gasket (two photos)



Gudgeon pin bearing, piston ring set all now retired



The used parts packing cover with the date.



The wire cables



The mat in waiting



Carburettor repair kit



The dirty carburettor guard placed below the carburettor for protection (OE)



CB point and condenser just in case



A spare clutch plate

Today, after the fitments as stated in the first sentence above, I took out my blue angel for a spin. It covered the few kms flawlessly. I am getting some more spares in a day or two. Again shall work upon it during the next weekend to make it look more chic and do a few errands again for me.

[anjan_c2007]

Originally Posted by Rolling_Stock

Hey Anjan,

Congrats on your restoration program.
The only missing element is the cute little storage box adjacent to the seat to carry essentials. This was a trademark of a family guy those days.

Thanks for reviving good old memories RS. Mine didn't have it though, as the petrol filler pipe protruding above the tank was handy to fasten market bags and also those portfolio bags/folders with papers etc as and when needed. But not as securely, as the box can do good safekeeping.

Just today, 23/01 my angel in blue has completed 39 years.

[anjan_c2007]

Back on the road today after 14 years. It was inactive since 2008 after doing its duties since 1983.

I attended to its repairs and replacement of spares, all by myself. These were during a prolonged period of more than two months. This was due to my attending to it whenever time was available. Some spares were tough to come by. The entire fuel system was cleaned starting with a thorough petrol tank cleansing to carburettor. To clean the fuel tank, some Harpic with some bleaching powder in a tankful of water works too well. This water +Harpic + bleaching powder mix needs to be kept for at least 12 hours or more. Thereafter, it needs to be drained and lots of water used to flush out the impurities that have all enjoyed a very good hospitality all through in a tank that's not in regular use. And thereafter many hours of sun drying is good to dry all the water and moisture from the tank. Harpic + bleaching powder also clears a lot of rust from within the tank inner side.

A lot of spares incl the reed valve, taillight, horn, carburettor float, pin, fuel pipe, bulb of the headlight, coil/condenser, spark plug and many tiny bits and pieces were replaced. The piston crown, inner head were cleared of the carbon coat. Gaskets have to be replaced and Anabond 696 applied as sealant. Even the reed valve needs two gaskets, one on the crankcase side and the other on the carburettor side. I cut these pieces to proper size as new ones are hard to come by. Anabond was applied to secure fit the reed valve. The reed valve if dirty creates starting trouble and the engine switches off on its own after a minute post the start. Even the carburettor with a little dirt especially in its passages, becomes problematic. The entire carburettor needs dismantling followed by a good petrol wash. Use of a cycle pump to drive away the dirt and also use of a thin wire to clean passages and the main and slow jet in the Spaco carburettor are very desirable. It's not exactly very DIY friendly, as the space between the air filter hose (rubber +plastic coupling) and carburettor is too small. Being at the very bottom, accessing these need patience and a little skill.

It was a real pleasure working on this tiny and rudimentary machine. It has been my teacher since decades. Mopeds with tiny engines are very sensitive to even minor changes in fuel or oil quality. We do DIY jobs on larger machines that take some such fuel quality fluctuations with lesser niggles. But this one will say, "You better throw out the impurities else I am saying I'll not move further."

Pending taxes incl green tax since 2010 with penalty and fitness fees have been paid. It has done well with a PUC activated on VAHAN.
Within a few days it's fitness will be done.

I am quite attached and love this machine because it's my first ever purchase with my own money. It dons the factory paint and stickers till date. In the modern day traffic these move at a snails pace and rear end hits could not be totally ruled out, if it doesn't keep pace with the moving vehicles remaining a laggard. But all these beliefs and sermons aside, what really prompted and very much inspired me to take up this machine as a project apart from being my first love, was the daring adventure by Mr Girish Venkatraman, who has recently done he Kanyakumari to Khardungla drive on his 1996 TVS - 50 very successfully. In fact, I had met him en route while he was doing this adventure praising his grit, will power and adventurous mindset while attempting and successfully completing the entire distance. A link to the thread created for Mr Girish is posted below the two pictures.





The link to a TVS 50 doing Kanyakumari to Khardungla very recently piloted by Mr Girish Venkatraman :-

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/trave...e-biker-3.html (Kanyakumari to Khardungla on a TVS 50 XL | Girish Venkatraman, the invincible biker)

[anjan_c2007]

After putting in all of one's 100% efforts the happy feeling gets mixed with elation and pride when the engine first starts firing after a long, long gap and it does so continuously under one's control of the throttle till stopped.

It is an indication that the loved machine has returned back to its once good mood and is willing to go places, now getting cool with its owner. In other words, the machine sound illustrates and says that all your DIY efforts have been vindicated.

[anjan_c2007]

Today was the day for my TVS-50 ! Emerging out in fine fettle a few days back, I had quite a few trial runs of the blue angel on the roads. It has performed almost like new and still gives the punch during the 0-30 kmph acceleration. I took it to the local RTO office where it was registered 39 plus years ago for the 2022-27 fitness test.

With all the papers intact after payment of the Green Tax+ fitness fees + smart card fee+ courier fee to registered address and the mandatory PUC test, the tiny machine was put up before a lady AMVI of the RTO office. She checked the chassis number and asked me to start it, checked the headlight and taillight working + horn+ brakes. It unfailingly started with a single crank of the pedal and the engine sound showed that the machine was well looked after, at least now. In fact, it was lying at home unattended for a long time. The lady MVI was very impressed by the almost mint condition of the little machine and complimented me. Someone in the crowd watching the proceedings shouted "TIGER ZINDA HAIN" also complimenting the tiny machine.

In fact, of all the machines that appeared for the fitness tests today mine was the only moped.

And it is now fit from this date in 2022 till 2027.



New taillight and newly painted number plate













Cleaning the petrol tank and drying it on the terrace for a full day. Please notice some of the the dirt and sediments that came out of the petrol tank during the wash. All these were not clicked



It has become almost a bicycle now without the petrol tank



The factory fitted fuel tank cap















Today at the RTO office where it was registered 39 plus years ago but now in its latest avatar appearing for its test and passing with fitness for 2022-27

[anjan_c2007]

The tiny two wheeler, my TVS 50 completes 40 years since the day it was registered and delivered to us. We took delivery of MZU 8954 on 23/01/1983 coinciding with Netaji Subhas Bose's birthday.

Though very sparingly used these days, it had got its official 5 year fitness till 2027, earlier in 2022. My thanks to Jain Scooters proprietor, Mr Sharad Jain and Ilango Paneerselvan, an engineer and friend, who spared their valuable time and efforts to get me all the spares necessary to keep the machine fit.