Bikes of yesteryear and long forgotten : Anybody still riding them?

riteshpawar · 30th April 2011, 02:18

Kevine thanx a lot for that thread update... Beharam's Ind Suzuki AX100

I owned a 1992 model of the Hero Puch Turbo Sport with 2 gears. its was a 65cc engine and a good 4.15 bhp at less than 3000 rpm. Hero Motors claimed it gave 91 kms to a litre of petrol. However, when I did several calibrated fuel runs of 100 ml petrol, riding at a constant speed of 40 kmph on the highways with no traffic at all it gave me just 6 kms. Multiply that with 10 and you get 60.

Even a full tank to full tank gave not more than 65 average.

It was a pre-mix oil-petrol bike. Company specs said 30 ml to a litre of petrol of 2T oil for the first 1000 kms and then later reduce to 20 ml.

Now this was the problem, there were no fuel bunks selling 2T oil pouches those days

The tank capacity was 4 litres and reserve of 1.5 litres. The fuel tank was below the seat and space only to keep a tool kit and bike papers so one could not accomodate even a 250 ml oil bottle. So either one had to put the oil first then ride to the fuel bunk or else rely on the fuel bunks to put their oil which was a 20w40 which was then used to put into the Yezdi and Bajaj scooters.

The oil going in first would clog the fuel filter and then the carb. Which further led to clog of the spark plug and the excessive smoke from the exhaust.

There used to be one lub then called Castrol JETX which did help however again one had to put it in first and then get to the fuel bunks.

Though, this bike was the first in its category with an awesome 0-60 kmph pickup in less than 8 seconds leaving several 100cc JAPS far behind at the traffic signals. I personally done this with the Hero Honda and Ind Suzuki.

Then the next powerful bike in its category was the Bajaj M80 with a 4.5 bhp 80cc engine.

The design was Porsche and engine was Austrian Puch.

The 3 gear edition was the Hero Puch Shakti.

Turbo Sport was the same Hero Puch engine but with more pickup, allow mag wheels. Came in two colors - Candy Red and Carbon Blue (maybe wrong about the blue) mine was the blue one (it was more of a Navy Blue color)

The bike had a CDI ignition without battery, very poor horn quality even cycle walas wouldn't budge on the roads as the horn was behind the head lamp casing however when I placed the horn outside near the number plate it was a BLAST !!

The head lamps were a 25w / 25 watts 6 volts and a 35 / 35 w bulb did not help. I am 5ft 11 and when I rode it only I could sit on the seat and no pillion could be accomodated.

Then in 1994 - 1995 they introduced a 6v Battery edition and then a 12 volts battery edition with a self start. However after that it bombed owing to expensive spares, no other mechanic except Hero Honda dared touch it, the bike was over priced compared to a geared mini bike.

I have some great memories with this bike. I had actually dared to ride it 5 times Mumbai - Pune, once Mumbai Goa, twice Mumbai Valsad. The bike was too light and if a truck or even a Fiat or Ambassador over took me at high speeds the bike would dance all over the road

I remember this especially on the Mumbai Goa highway it was like a horror movie.

Most unique part of this bike was the handle lock, no one could even guess where it was .. In the front of the bike just below the head lamp cover and just between the two screws that mounted the number plate.

Those days with pocket money limited to Rs.250 a week this bike was awesome for me owing to the mileage.

I'll upload some of pics with the bike in a later post.

riteshpawar · 30th April 2011, 02:25

Anyone still riding Hero Puchs around here ?? or if someone can upload some pics please do so.

Anybody has ridden other Hero mopeds ? There was an Ankur model with a 3 gear engine of 50cc .

Also anyone heard of a company named Punjab Scooters Ltd ?

riteshpawar · 30th April 2011, 02:43

Just found some bikes manufactured by Puch Austria -- awesome pics sent by a friend in UK and another one in Austria who has some of these in his stable.

Do post your comments

riteshpawar · 30th April 2011, 02:54

Who launched India's first Moto-Scooter ??

Mopeds India Ltd

The company was incorporated in Coimbatore as Mopeds India Limited by the textile group VLB under V. L. Balakrishnan. The plant was set up in early 1960s in Tirupathi. Though the central office was in Coimbatore, R&D was done in the Thirupathi plant. The first model, the Motobécane Mobylette, was designed in 1949 in France but was manufactured in several countries for the next 48 years, finally selling close to over 14 million mopeds

Automobile Products of India commenced the manufacturing of scooters and mopeds from 1955. Between 1955 and 1960 only API produced mopeds. During the first half of the '60s, three companies namely Mopeds India Ltd (1965), SZUL Gwalior (1964) and Pearl Scooters Ltd (1962) entered the mopeds arena. Mopes India Ltd launched 'Suvega'. Soon, Kinetic Engineering Limited, a part of the Kinetic group of companies, launched the moped -- Luna -- in 1972. The company also introduced the first gearless scooter

Name of the first scooter launched by Scooters India Limited??

The correct answer is Vijai Super.
The public sector undertaking Scooters India Limited -- formed in 1972 -- is situated near Lucknow [ Images ]. SIL, which bought over plant, machinery, design, etc from Innocenti of Italy [ Images ], has the world rights on the trade name Lambretta, Lambro and Lambrittini. In 1975, the company started its commercial production of scooters under the brand name of Vijai Super for the domestic market. In the same year, it launched Lambretta scooters for the overseas market.

The public sector undertaking Scooters India Limited -- formed in 1972 -- is situated near Lucknow. SIL, which bought over plant, machinery, design, etc from Innocenti of Italy, has the world rights on the trade name Lambretta, Lambro and Lambrittini. In 1975, the company started its commercial production of scooters under the brand name of Vijai Super for the domestic market. In the same year, it launched Lambretta scooters for the overseas market.

Ajaybiz · 2nd May 2011, 15:08

Anyone have info to share about Sportif? Made in collaboration with Francis co, I think during 1983-85, India's first moped with self start, indicators and battery ahead of it's time.

glomus123 · 4th May 2011, 10:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by riteshpawar

Just found some bikes manufactured by Puch Austria -- awesome pics sent by a friend in UK and another one in Austria who has some of these in his stable.

Do post your comments

Nice find.Three of them are similar in design to the Escorts bikes viz. Rajdoot, Rajdoot runabout scootter and the Bobby.

Sudarshan · 4th May 2011, 11:02

Here are few pics , I have a 1985 model Yezdi 250 & I still ride it ( regularly ) . It was bought new when I was 18 Years old & since then its my first choice ride .

Me , then aged 18 , somewhere on NH 4

Me Now , 26 years later , somewhere in the Jungles of Maharashtra

Bikes of yesteryear and long forgotten : Anybody still riding them?-scan0051.jpg

Sudarshan

riteshpawar · 5th May 2011, 00:02

Thanx for posting the Land Rover pic Sudharshan. Are you in Pune and is Land Rover still with you ?

Is that the 1957-1960 model ?

We had driven in one of those all over Himachal Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh some 28 years ago. It belonged to one of my dad's contacts when he has heading the Medical Association. Obviously I didn't drive legally though our driver (a Sherpa) used to let me get into the driver's seat when my parents were not around.

Sudarshan · 5th May 2011, 06:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by riteshpawar

Thanx for posting the Land Rover pic Sudharshan. Are you in Pune and is Land Rover still with you ?

Yes , Near hotel Vaishali FC road , the heart of the city .Both of the vehicles are my daily rides & the Landy does a bit of off-roading too .

Quote:

Is that the 1957-1960 model ?

this is a 70 registered series 2a .

Quote:

Obviously I didn't drive legally though our driver (a Sherpa) used to let me get into the driver's seat when my parents were not around.

Such memories have a long lasting impact , ask me . these actually fuel your passion towards your liking of cars

Sudarshan

Leepower · 5th May 2011, 08:26

Hi Sudarshan, I have seen both parked royally at your place. I have to pass by your place to go to my office. Both seem to be in excellent condition. Keep up the good work!!!
P.S. I am yet to master the art of riding yezdi while wearing chappals!!!

riteshpawar · 11th May 2011, 00:12

Anyone still riding the Kinetic 100cc + bikes or the LML 100cc + bikes ?

Lets get some photos of them too ... long forgotten in our ride towards the JAPS

Kinetic had two awesome bikes Aquila 250 cc Tourer with a V-Twin oil cooled engine giving 26bhp @ 7500 and another was the Comet which had an oil cooled V-Twin 250 cc engine, the GT250 (have uploaded some snaps ... if you got anymore please feel free to upload)

LML bikes:

Freedom DX

Engine4 Stroke, Single Cylinder, Air CooledCubic Capacity109.15ccMax. Power8.5 BHP @ 7550rpmGear Box4 SpeedIgnitionCDIFront BrakesDrumRear BrakesDrumFront Tyre2.75 X 18Rear Tyre3.00 X 18Wheelbase1235mmGround Clearance165mmDry Weight111 KgTank Capacity12.25 LitresPrice On Road MumbaiRs. 46440

Freedom Prima 110

Engine4 Stroke, Single Cylinder, Air CooledCubic Capacity109.15ccMax. Power8.5 BHP @ 7550rpmGear Box4 SpeedIgnitionCDIFront BrakesDrumRear BrakesDrumFront Tyre2.75 X 18Rear Tyre3.00 X 18Wheelbase1235mmGround Clearance165mmDry Weight111 KgTank Capacity12.25 LitresPrice On Road MumbaiRs. 47660

Freedom Prima 125

Engine4 Stroke, Single Cylinder, Air CooledCubic Capacity124.88ccMax. Power10.7 BHP @ 8000rpmGear Box5 SpeedIgnitionCDIFront BrakesDiscRear Brakes130mm DrumFront Tyre2.75 X 18Rear Tyre3.00 X 18Wheelbase1235mmGround Clearance165mmDry Weight111 KgTank Capacity12.25 LitresPrice On Road MumbaiRs. 52080ColoursBlack, Silver

Freedom Topper

Engine4 Stroke, Single Cylinder, Air CooledCubic Capacity124.88ccMax. Power10.7 BHP @ 8000rpmGear Box4 SpeedIgnitionCDIFront Brakes130mm DrumRear Brakes130mm DrumFront Tyre2.75 X 18Rear Tyre3.00 X 18Wheelbase1235mmGround Clearance165mmDry Weight111 KgTank Capacity12.25 LitresPrice On Road MumbaiRs. 49540ColoursBlack, Silver

anekho · 11th May 2011, 01:00

Anyone have pictures of the Royal Enfield Silverplus?

alok_balsekar · 11th May 2011, 02:24

Here is a vid of my 1962 "Tank Ignition switch" Jawa Model 353 at Idle.

Just LOVE the sound of it!!! So irregular, yet it does not die out.

Also, as an afterthought, got my 1983 RD350 and 2003 RXZ 5-speed.

Link here:

JAWA_RD350_RXZ | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

350biker · 11th May 2011, 18:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by alok_balsekar

Here is a vid of my 1962 "Tank Ignition switch" Jawa Model 353 at Idle.

Just LOVE the sound of it!!! So irregular, yet it does not die out.

Also, as an afterthought, got my 1983 RD350 and 2003 RXZ 5-speed.

Link here:

JAWA_RD350_RXZ | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

WOW !! simply love the way the jawa tuning has been done. It is far far better music than what even A R Rehman can produce. Keep up the good work and hope that the Jawa is restored in its pristine glory.

alok_balsekar · 11th May 2011, 20:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by 350biker

WOW !! simply love the way the jawa tuning has been done. It is far far better music than what even A R Rehman can produce. Keep up the good work and hope that the Jawa is restored in its pristine glory.

All the stuff has been bought including the OE mudguards, Restored Ammeter and switch on the tank console etc.

I even got the Miles-Per-Hour Meter from the US from E-Bay.

Was planning to restore the bike, but bought the rxz 5s. So will have to wait a while longer.

30th April 2011, 02:18	#121
riteshpawar BHPian Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 91 Thanked: 28 Times View My Garage	Re: Bikes of yesteryear and long forgotten : Anybody still riding them? Kevine thanx a lot for that thread update... Beharam's Ind Suzuki AX100 I owned a 1992 model of the Hero Puch Turbo Sport with 2 gears. its was a 65cc engine and a good 4.15 bhp at less than 3000 rpm. Hero Motors claimed it gave 91 kms to a litre of petrol. However, when I did several calibrated fuel runs of 100 ml petrol, riding at a constant speed of 40 kmph on the highways with no traffic at all it gave me just 6 kms. Multiply that with 10 and you get 60. Even a full tank to full tank gave not more than 65 average. It was a pre-mix oil-petrol bike. Company specs said 30 ml to a litre of petrol of 2T oil for the first 1000 kms and then later reduce to 20 ml. Now this was the problem, there were no fuel bunks selling 2T oil pouches those days The tank capacity was 4 litres and reserve of 1.5 litres. The fuel tank was below the seat and space only to keep a tool kit and bike papers so one could not accomodate even a 250 ml oil bottle. So either one had to put the oil first then ride to the fuel bunk or else rely on the fuel bunks to put their oil which was a 20w40 which was then used to put into the Yezdi and Bajaj scooters. The oil going in first would clog the fuel filter and then the carb. Which further led to clog of the spark plug and the excessive smoke from the exhaust. There used to be one lub then called Castrol JETX which did help however again one had to put it in first and then get to the fuel bunks. Though, this bike was the first in its category with an awesome 0-60 kmph pickup in less than 8 seconds leaving several 100cc JAPS far behind at the traffic signals. I personally done this with the Hero Honda and Ind Suzuki. Then the next powerful bike in its category was the Bajaj M80 with a 4.5 bhp 80cc engine. The design was Porsche and engine was Austrian Puch. The 3 gear edition was the Hero Puch Shakti. Turbo Sport was the same Hero Puch engine but with more pickup, allow mag wheels. Came in two colors - Candy Red and Carbon Blue (maybe wrong about the blue) mine was the blue one (it was more of a Navy Blue color) The bike had a CDI ignition without battery, very poor horn quality even cycle walas wouldn't budge on the roads as the horn was behind the head lamp casing however when I placed the horn outside near the number plate it was a BLAST !! The head lamps were a 25w / 25 watts 6 volts and a 35 / 35 w bulb did not help. I am 5ft 11 and when I rode it only I could sit on the seat and no pillion could be accomodated. Then in 1994 - 1995 they introduced a 6v Battery edition and then a 12 volts battery edition with a self start. However after that it bombed owing to expensive spares, no other mechanic except Hero Honda dared touch it, the bike was over priced compared to a geared mini bike. I have some great memories with this bike. I had actually dared to ride it 5 times Mumbai - Pune, once Mumbai Goa, twice Mumbai Valsad. The bike was too light and if a truck or even a Fiat or Ambassador over took me at high speeds the bike would dance all over the road I remember this especially on the Mumbai Goa highway it was like a horror movie. Most unique part of this bike was the handle lock, no one could even guess where it was .. In the front of the bike just below the head lamp cover and just between the two screws that mounted the number plate. Those days with pocket money limited to Rs.250 a week this bike was awesome for me owing to the mileage. I'll upload some of pics with the bike in a later post. Attached Thumbnails
	(1) Thanks

30th April 2011, 02:25	#122
riteshpawar BHPian Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 91 Thanked: 28 Times View My Garage	Re: Bikes of yesteryear and long forgotten : Anybody still riding them? Anyone still riding Hero Puchs around here ?? or if someone can upload some pics please do so. Anybody has ridden other Hero mopeds ? There was an Ankur model with a 3 gear engine of 50cc . Also anyone heard of a company named Punjab Scooters Ltd ?
	() Thanks

30th April 2011, 02:43	#123
riteshpawar BHPian Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 91 Thanked: 28 Times View My Garage	Re: Bikes of yesteryear and long forgotten : Anybody still riding them? Just found some bikes manufactured by Puch Austria -- awesome pics sent by a friend in UK and another one in Austria who has some of these in his stable. Do post your comments Attached Thumbnails Attached Images
	(1) Thanks

30th April 2011, 02:54	#124
riteshpawar BHPian Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 91 Thanked: 28 Times View My Garage	Re: Bikes of yesteryear and long forgotten : Anybody still riding them? Who launched India's first Moto-Scooter ?? Mopeds India Ltd The company was incorporated in Coimbatore as Mopeds India Limited by the textile group VLB under V. L. Balakrishnan. The plant was set up in early 1960s in Tirupathi. Though the central office was in Coimbatore, R&D was done in the Thirupathi plant. The first model, the Motobécane Mobylette, was designed in 1949 in France but was manufactured in several countries for the next 48 years, finally selling close to over 14 million mopeds Automobile Products of India commenced the manufacturing of scooters and mopeds from 1955. Between 1955 and 1960 only API produced mopeds. During the first half of the '60s, three companies namely Mopeds India Ltd (1965), SZUL Gwalior (1964) and Pearl Scooters Ltd (1962) entered the mopeds arena. Mopes India Ltd launched 'Suvega'. Soon, Kinetic Engineering Limited, a part of the Kinetic group of companies, launched the moped -- Luna -- in 1972. The company also introduced the first gearless scooter Name of the first scooter launched by Scooters India Limited?? The correct answer is Vijai Super. The public sector undertaking Scooters India Limited -- formed in 1972 -- is situated near Lucknow [ Images ]. SIL, which bought over plant, machinery, design, etc from Innocenti of Italy [ Images ], has the world rights on the trade name Lambretta, Lambro and Lambrittini. In 1975, the company started its commercial production of scooters under the brand name of Vijai Super for the domestic market. In the same year, it launched Lambretta scooters for the overseas market. The public sector undertaking Scooters India Limited -- formed in 1972 -- is situated near Lucknow. SIL, which bought over plant, machinery, design, etc from Innocenti of Italy, has the world rights on the trade name Lambretta, Lambro and Lambrittini. In 1975, the company started its commercial production of scooters under the brand name of Vijai Super for the domestic market. In the same year, it launched Lambretta scooters for the overseas market.
	(1) Thanks

2nd May 2011, 15:08	#125
Ajaybiz BANNED Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,440 Thanked: 320 Times View My Garage	Re: Bikes of yesteryear and long forgotten : Anybody still riding them? Anyone have info to share about Sportif? Made in collaboration with Francis co, I think during 1983-85, India's first moped with self start, indicators and battery ahead of it's time.
	() Thanks

4th May 2011, 11:02	#127
Sudarshan BANNED Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Pune Posts: 1,200 Thanked: 880 Times View My Garage	Re: Bikes of yesteryear and long forgotten : Anybody still riding them? Here are few pics , I have a 1985 model Yezdi 250 & I still ride it ( regularly ) . It was bought new when I was 18 Years old & since then its my first choice ride . Me , then aged 18 , somewhere on NH 4 Me Now , 26 years later , somewhere in the Jungles of Maharashtra Sudarshan
	(3) Thanks

5th May 2011, 00:02	#128
riteshpawar BHPian Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 91 Thanked: 28 Times View My Garage	Re: Bikes of yesteryear and long forgotten : Anybody still riding them? Thanx for posting the Land Rover pic Sudharshan. Are you in Pune and is Land Rover still with you ? Is that the 1957-1960 model ? We had driven in one of those all over Himachal Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh some 28 years ago. It belonged to one of my dad's contacts when he has heading the Medical Association. Obviously I didn't drive legally though our driver (a Sherpa) used to let me get into the driver's seat when my parents were not around.
	() Thanks

5th May 2011, 08:26	#130
Leepower BHPian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Maharashtra Posts: 366 Thanked: 78 Times	Re: Bikes of yesteryear and long forgotten : Anybody still riding them? Hi Sudarshan, I have seen both parked royally at your place. I have to pass by your place to go to my office. Both seem to be in excellent condition. Keep up the good work!!! P.S. I am yet to master the art of riding yezdi while wearing chappals!!! Last edited by Leepower : 5th May 2011 at 08:28.
	() Thanks

11th May 2011, 00:12	#131
riteshpawar BHPian Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 91 Thanked: 28 Times View My Garage	Re: Bikes of yesteryear and long forgotten : Anybody still riding them? Anyone still riding the Kinetic 100cc + bikes or the LML 100cc + bikes ? Lets get some photos of them too ... long forgotten in our ride towards the JAPS Kinetic had two awesome bikes Aquila 250 cc Tourer with a V-Twin oil cooled engine giving 26bhp @ 7500 and another was the Comet which had an oil cooled V-Twin 250 cc engine, the GT250 (have uploaded some snaps ... if you got anymore please feel free to upload) LML bikes: Freedom DX Engine4 Stroke, Single Cylinder, Air CooledCubic Capacity109.15ccMax. Power8.5 BHP @ 7550rpmGear Box4 SpeedIgnitionCDIFront BrakesDrumRear BrakesDrumFront Tyre2.75 X 18Rear Tyre3.00 X 18Wheelbase1235mmGround Clearance165mmDry Weight111 KgTank Capacity12.25 LitresPrice On Road MumbaiRs. 46440 Freedom Prima 110 Engine4 Stroke, Single Cylinder, Air CooledCubic Capacity109.15ccMax. Power8.5 BHP @ 7550rpmGear Box4 SpeedIgnitionCDIFront BrakesDrumRear BrakesDrumFront Tyre2.75 X 18Rear Tyre3.00 X 18Wheelbase1235mmGround Clearance165mmDry Weight111 KgTank Capacity12.25 LitresPrice On Road MumbaiRs. 47660 Freedom Prima 125 Engine4 Stroke, Single Cylinder, Air CooledCubic Capacity124.88ccMax. Power10.7 BHP @ 8000rpmGear Box5 SpeedIgnitionCDIFront BrakesDiscRear Brakes130mm DrumFront Tyre2.75 X 18Rear Tyre3.00 X 18Wheelbase1235mmGround Clearance165mmDry Weight111 KgTank Capacity12.25 LitresPrice On Road MumbaiRs. 52080ColoursBlack, Silver Freedom Topper Engine4 Stroke, Single Cylinder, Air CooledCubic Capacity124.88ccMax. Power10.7 BHP @ 8000rpmGear Box4 SpeedIgnitionCDIFront Brakes130mm DrumRear Brakes130mm DrumFront Tyre2.75 X 18Rear Tyre3.00 X 18Wheelbase1235mmGround Clearance165mmDry Weight111 KgTank Capacity12.25 LitresPrice On Road MumbaiRs. 49540ColoursBlack, Silver Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Eddy : 27th March 2018 at 14:47. Reason: Removed formatting tags
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11th May 2011, 01:00	#132
anekho Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: . Posts: 1,995 Thanked: 684 Times	Re: Bikes of yesteryear and long forgotten : Anybody still riding them? Anyone have pictures of the Royal Enfield Silverplus?
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11th May 2011, 02:24	#133
alok_balsekar BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: mumbai Posts: 115 Thanked: 40 Times View My Garage	Re: Bikes of yesteryear and long forgotten : Anybody still riding them? Here is a vid of my 1962 "Tank Ignition switch" Jawa Model 353 at Idle. Just LOVE the sound of it!!! So irregular, yet it does not die out. Also, as an afterthought, got my 1983 RD350 and 2003 RXZ 5-speed. Link here: JAWA_RD350_RXZ \| Flickr - Photo Sharing!
	() Thanks