1978 Puch Monza sports moped barn find project

Welcome to my auction for this extremely rare Puch Monza sports moped. I don't know a huge amount about these bikes as I was a Fizzy boy back in the day and the Puch bikes were a lot more expensive and ridden by kids from the posh end of town. They did not sell loads of these as although they had an excellent reputation for quality they were just so much more expensive than the Japanese mopeds of the period. I recall having a picture of the black JPS grand prix on my bedroom wall but could never afford one. how sad!!!!

The bike is a project but has many good points. It is almost complete and very original. It has obviously not had the hard life that a lot of these bikes had. The only bits missing that I can see are the speedo and cable. plug cap and unless I am going mad the ignition switch. Perhaps someone out there can enlighten me. I have a key that works the fuel cap but not the steering lock. However I have looked every where for an ignition switch to no avail. I am also baffled how you would switch the bike off once it was running! If you look at picture 8 you can see that the speedo hole and a blank where a rev counter could be fitted but no sign of an ignition switch.

The engine turns over fine on the kick start and has good compression. The gearbox works fine as does the clutch and front and back brake. It has been dry stored since 1996 near Chartres in central France and fortunately nothing seems to be seized. The pedal mechanism works fine but I think at least one of the foot pegs is not original as it gas the Yamaha tuning fork logo. The pedal cranks are not bent or twisted and having looked carefully I don't think the bike has been dropped. There are a few scratches on the side of the exhaust that I think come from going through a gate or doorway.

Cosmetically the paintwork is original and shows plenty of signs of use. The only thing to say really is that someone has begun to rub the rear seat fairing down. The chrome is dirty and has some surface rust but will clean up pretty well. The front mudguard has a split just in front of the forks which is a shame as the rest of the guard is in excellent undamaged condition. The rear mudguard is in really good condition. I have cleaned a section to see and it has come up really well. The chrome on the wheels will come up nicely with a bit of elbow grease.

The inside of the petrol tank will need cleaning as petrol has been left inside that has turned into an unpleasant black deposit.

If you have got this far you will be aware how rare this bike is but to give you an idea try finding another one for sale!!! I tried in order to get an idea of price without success so I will let the market decide. The auction will run to the end so there is no buy it now price.  I have listed the bike as 1978 as the manufacturers plaque on the headstock states reception in Paris March 1978. So the bike dates from after that but I don't know exactly. The frame number is 2109820 so maybe someone can date it from that. Please let me know if you can and I will add the information to the listing. Being a French model it may differ in a few aspects from a UK model. It has never been fitted with indicators or number plate as French mopeds did not require registration until 2012. It still bears its last insurance certificate showing that it was last on the road in 1996 (November).

There is obviously no log book with bike as it has never had one. I will supply a French cession de vehicle certificate to prove that it has come from within the EU and as such there is no import duty or VAT payable.

Please note that the bike is at present in the town of Chabris in the Indre department (36) of central France. I can arrange delivery to the Worthing area on the south coast  a few days after the end of the auction  for a price £50. Other delivery destinations are available but please email me for a price. Alternatively you are welcome to come to France to pick the bike up and I will offer the winning bidder one nights free accommodation in our B&B.

Payment is by cleared sterling cheque if you are having the bike delivered or cash on collection if you are coming to collect it. Any question please email me or call from the UK on 00 33 254051245

Also published at eBay.com