It is possible that you are thinking of incorporating Sachs wheels into your Puch if you are a restoration enthusiast or a fan of vintage mopeds. Whether you are an aesthetics purist, or a performance-focused rider, the fitting of Puch with Sachs wheels is quite interesting. But it is not as simple as it sounds because some technical aspects and projections have to be made to determine whether it is safe and possible.
Where Would I Find Sachs Wheels?
Sachs wheels are most commonly seen on mopeds and motorcycles manufactured by the German firm Fichtel & Sachs. Such wheels are well known for their robust and accurate construction which is aided by the use of strong hubs and high quality rims. More importantly, they are designed to suit a variety of bike models thus increasing their attractiveness to custom builders.
Exploring Puch Mopeds
Having been made in Austria, Puch mopeds have now progressed to be popular for their no frills, easy to use approach and a vintage style that many people would love. There is a special appreciation for models like the Puch Maxi where the components are so easy to access and allow for a number of additional features to be added. It is these unique factors that allow Puch wheels to be interchanged as Puch mopeds are designed with puch wheels that have a distinct set of mounting points.
Can You Put Sachs Wheels on a Puch?
The short answer to that question is yes but it is not simply a case of swapping. Sachs wheels can be adapted onto a Puch as long as a few crucial elements are considered, those being the axle specifications, measuring of the wheels, the type of brakes, and how well the wheels are aligned. With some modifications and technical work, the swap is totally doable.
The Process of Putting Sachs Wheels on a Puch
Confirm Compatibility
• Axle Specifications: Check the thickness of the axle on the sakhs wheels as well as on the puch frame. Should the specs be different, it is better to have spacers or adapters ready.
• Wheel Dimensions: Check the sizes of the sakhs wheels in terms of diameter as well as width in relation to the original puch set of wheels. A size variation will have an effect on the swingarm and frame clearance.
Check the Brakes
• Sachs wheels are likely to have either a disc brake or a drum brake. Where there is a compatibility issue with your puch in relation to the steering system then you may have to get a new set of calipers and hubs or change them.
Align the Chains
• Now the Puch engine sprott will have to be placed inline with the sprocket of the sachs wheels. Out of line placement will eat away the chain or force detachment. Customizing the positions of the sprocket may be required.
Check Frame, Swingarm, and Fenders Clearance with Wheels
• Sacke wheels need to be fitted to Puch’s frame, swingarm, and fenders in order to check clearance issues. If the wheels are wider than the earlier fitted ones then the swingarm adjustments need to be made.
Change the Point of Contact Area
• The Sachs wheels and Puch frame may also have a different orientation of mounting points and in such case the mounting points may require some custom brackets or spacers or modification to the brackets.
Benefits of Installing Sachs Wheels in a Puch
• Improved Durability: High quality material used in these wheels makes them more durable than the average moped wheels.
• Cosmetic Improvement: Due to their specific designs, they are great for improvement in the vintage look of Puch mopeds and are thus frequently used in restoration work.
• Increased Performance: Several advantages can be gained from Sachs wheels provided they are properly installed, such as enhanced stability, better handling, and better ride quality.
Difficulties in Incorporating the Sachs Wheels in a Puch
• Need for Customization: It is quite rare that the Sachs wheels perfectly fit a Puch frame without some alterations, and more often than not, this requires special tools or skill sets.
• Expenses: Installation of additional parts including brake adapters and brake supports tends to push costs higher.
• Lengthy: Fitting installation might be lengthy as completion of installation requires each and every fitted part to be operative.
Guidelines to follow for a successful installation
1. Invest in Necessary Equipment: Basic tools like wrench, pliers, and a torque wrench I believe are indispensable. You may also need to adjust a sprocket or hub which may require some special tools that you might not have.
2. Get Help from Professionals: You can always modify your vintage mopeds by talking to a mechanic or going to the forums for vintage moped enthusiasts if you are not sure about what changes to make.
3. Test Before Usage: Once the wheels have been fitted on the moped, check the alignment, the brakes and general functioning of the machine before actually riding it.
FAQs
1. What equipment do you use while installing the Sachs wheels on a Puch?
For this you will need basic equipment such as wrenches, pliers and a torque wrench. Depending on the project that you are tackling, some custom spacers, sprocket puller or even a brake adjustment tool might be required.
2. How do you rate the Sachs wheels relative to the Puch wheels should one not be wary of the changes needed for upgrading?
The performance and consistency of Sachs wheels is relatively better and improves what is basic on Puch wheels, however it all comes down to your requirements and how much changes you are willing to do.
3. Is it true that all Puch models can be fitted with Sachs wheels without any modification?
Not all Puch models would be able to fit without any alteration since it depends on the framework size, the axle size and even the brake that is used.
Are Sachs wheels a good fit for Puch mopeds? Do I have to cut the Puch frame for Sachs wheels?
Yes, This depends. Packages with spacers or other mounting points on the swingarm may fit Sachs wheels as well.
What benefit can I get when I use Sachs wheels on my Moped?
Yes. The strong built and accurate design can give you good handing and stability which can improve your overall riding experience especially at vintage mopeds.
Where do I get Sachs wheels for my Puch scooter?
Apart from vintage motorcycle parts shops, I have seen some on eBay, Moped forums, and classic moped restoration sites.
If I want to install Sachs puch wheels on a puch, will it take a lot of hassle for me to do that? Is it worth the time?
For someone who enjoys improving moped durabilty & looks of it then yes the time it takes to do that is worth. However, this is an activity that is for people with some modicum of technical expertise.
Conclusion
So, this is the million dollar question, can you put Sachs wheels on a Puch? Definitely, however one would consider it as a bit challenging and not exactly a walk in the park. By investing some time and working hard into the project, and its planning, one is able to turn their Puch into one that would do justice to the fuss over swapping its ordinary wheels for the much more sophisticated looking Sachs wheels. For the moped restoration enthusiasts, this outcome is time and resource worthy investment.
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