Puch Maxi

Puch Maxi

Manufacturer	Puch
Production	1970s-1980s
Class	Moped
Engine	50 cc air-cooled two stroke
Transmission	single speed E50 or two speed ZA50 transmission
Fuel capacity	.85 gallons [citation needed]

The Puch Maxi is a moped that was manufactured by the Austrian manufacturing company Puch through the 1970s and 1980s that is well known for its reliability, ease of maintenance,^[1] and fuel economy (up to 120 mpg).^[2] These mopeds gained wide acceptance during the 1973 oil embargo and are still widely available for aftermarkets, and mint examples are still valued by collectors today.^[3] It is started using a pedal start mechanism where the user provides the force needed to start the 50 cc two stroke engine, or can be ridden like a bicycle when the engine is disengaged. The later models feature a kick start mechanism.

Models

The Puch Maxi comes in several models:^[4]

• Maxi S: this is the full suspension model with the single speed E50 (one speed) engine/transmission.

• Maxi D or LS: same as the S, but with a longer seat for a passenger.

• Maxi Luxe: A Maxi with a stock Hi-Torque head and mudflaps.

• Maxi N: A rigid frame lacking a speedometer that was the cheapest model, and dubbed the "Poor man's maxi".

• Maxi Sport MKII: Has a full suspension, mag wheels, the ZA50 (two speed) engine/transmission, a longer seat (but not long enough for passengers like the maxi D or LS model).

• Maxi Nostalgia: was only available in 1976. It is a black/gold Maxi with decals styled after Puch's turn-of-the-century motorcycle logo. Its predecessor is the Newport.

• Newport: Same as a Maxi S, but has different decals and hand pinstriping and sometimes a brown saddle, and comes with reflective whitewalls.

• Newport L: An updated Newport with swoop decals instead of pinstriping, a black transmission and flywheel cover, and a puffy saddle.

• Newport Auto-start/Oil Inject: A newport that features metallic paint, oil injection, and lacks a clutch lever.

• Newport II: Newport that features the ZA50 (two speed) engine/transmission.

• Maxi Guam Edition: a few Maxis that showed up in the USA that claimed to be manufactured in Guam. These have Honda-style controls where the switches integrate into the lever/throttle housings and come stock with turn signals and sidecovers that enclose a battery. Guam built Maxis are claimed to be built better than the USA models.^[5]

Engine

The Puch Maxi uses a 2 stroke 49cc gasoline engine that comes in three horsepower ratings, 1, 1.5, and 2 HP that limits the speed to 20, 25 and 30 mph respectively. However, these can be modified by de-restricting the airbox, carburetor, exhaust manifold, pipe, and the use of aftermarket and performance parts.^[6][7]

Transmission

The engine is coupled to either a single speed E50 or a two speed ZA50 transmission. The versions of the transmissions can be identified by the shape of the gearboxes: The E50 has a round gearbox whereas the two speed has a rectangular gearbox. Both transmissions use a centrifugal clutch.^[8]

References