How you can, but don't have to do it - the rare 1976 Puch Maxi S was turned into a 5-cylinder moped (7 photos + 1 video)

German engineer Uwe Oltmann, who restores vintage car engines, likes to modify mopeds in his free time. One of his latest creations was a project based on the classic 48 cc Puch Maxi S from 1976, which was turned into a real monster. The volume of the resulting two-stroke vehicle exceeds 127 dB.





The first thing that catches your eye in the resulting moped is the motor, or rather motors. The customizer took five standard single-cylinder units, increased their volume from 48 to 70 cubes, equipped them with more efficient carburetors and reinforced centrifugal clutches, and then connected them together. At the same time, the three lower two-stroke engines are united by a common shaft, and for the upper pair the engineer designed a special belt drive.

Puch mopeds never had an electric starter. The engine was started by pedals. However, Altmann's 5-cylinder Maxi S does not have them. Therefore, a complex scheme is used for starting: the clutches on four motors are disconnected, and the latter is turned with the ignition on using the rear wheel. After the first cylinder warms up, the remaining clutches are closed one by one. By the way, it’s also not possible to turn off the unit just like that. To do this, you need to turn off all the candles.

Altman did not limit himself to a complex power plant alone. The customizer significantly modified the rear of the Maxi S frame, and also adapted a number of extremely rare parts for it, such as the swingarm created for the Aprilia RS 125 R GP prototype, which Ralph Waldmann raced in the 125 cc MotoGP class in 1993. Altman borrowed a WP Suspension fork from the same compact sportbike. It is claimed that there are only 60 copies of this pendant in existence.

The craftsman’s serious approach is also evident in the choice of wheels. A three-spoke disc manufactured by PVM is installed at the rear, but Altman had to make the front one himself. Well, the Pfeil studio is responsible for the unusual color of the moped and the airbrushing.

Actually, the fact that the 5-cylinder custom Puch Maxi S is more of an exhibition piece than a means of transportation should not surprise anyone. In addition to the complex procedure for starting and stopping the engine, it is worth noting its volume. The two-stroke 350cc unit produces 127.5 dB. For example: the sound of a jackhammer at a distance of one meter is estimated at 120 dB.

It is noted that Altman plans to stop at five cylinders. The master has been working on a V10 made from tiny Puch engines for some time now.