The Alpha moped (72 cc) is the most common means of transportation among light motorcycle enthusiasts. This is due to the price of this equipment, its functionality and maintainability. Cross-country ability, speed and the small amount of fuel that is necessary to drive this vehicle put the Alpha moped (72 cubic meters) in popularity on a par with the most famous Japanese brands. This is no coincidence, because the engine that powers these light motorcycles is an exact copy of the Japanese “Cube” from, which is comparable in reliability to the AK-47. Single-cylinder engine 139 FMB with a volume of 72 cc. cm operates in all weather conditions and does not require frequent repairs or replacement of spare parts. Technical data allow the use of this vehicle in the most extreme conditions, including driving in the cold, on sand and on any off-road. This is the best light motorcycle for Russia. In rural areas, you can most often find the Alpha 72 cc moped. The photo of this model is easily recognizable. Simple and concise design, low price, good speed, maneuverability, maintainability, efficiency and a number of other advantages - this is what underlies the reputation of this type of transport.
Unique maneuverability
The record holder for cross-country ability among light motorcycles is the Alpha moped (72 cubic meters). The characteristics of its engine, dimensions and weight are very significant advantages. The Alpha's ability to overcome any off-road conditions is due to its light weight - 81 kg. To ensure confident movement through sand and mud, such lightweight equipment does not require a powerful and heavy motor. If there is a need to overcome a section of deep and sticky mud, a steep climb through sand, or ford a shallow stream or river, then you can always get off the moped and help it cope with a difficult section of the road, pushing it forward like a bicycle.
Due to the fact that the Alfa's wheels are thin, they can get stuck in wet sand under the weight of the rider. But without the latter, this moped can be dragged along any off-road terrain, helping it by running the engine in first gear at low speeds. In urban environments, if necessary to cross steps or high curbs, the Alpha can be raised in the same way as a regular bicycle. That's why this lightweight motorcycle can reach the most remote corners of the forest, on the banks of the river, where you can only get there by bicycle. Many lovers of hunting, fishing and mushroom picking prefer this particular moped due to its light weight. For heavier and more powerful vehicles, driving along a path that is blocked by a fallen tree in the forest will be an impossible task, but for the Alpha there is no problem.
Advantages of the model
First of all, it is worth noting that some characteristics of the Alpha 110 moped exceed the distinctive features of two-seater mopeds. For example, this motorcycle is equipped with a comfortable seat for a passenger and a capacious trunk. The seat itself is quite comfortable, and, moreover, even two adult men can fit on it. There have been cases when this moped carried three people. This is unsafe and should never be done, but the fact remains.
The Alpha moped climbs any hill without any problems
Also among the advantages of the moped is that you can make steep climbs on it without much difficulty - this is possible thanks to the four-speed gearbox. An experienced driver is quite capable of achieving maximum performance from a moped engine.
It is also worth noting the electric starter, which in case of unexpected unpleasant situations on the road allows you to start the moped - it is quite high quality.
The main advantages of a moped also include an increased level of comfort while moving. Thanks to this, the driver is able to make even particularly long trips. If we talk about the driver's seat itself, its seating position is quite high and comfortable, and the footrests are located exactly where needed. The steering wheel has a delicate smooth bend.
It is worth talking separately about the dashboard - it is quite informative, and due to the large size of the speedometer and tachometer, a quick reading of their indicators is possible even during bad weather conditions.
Good speed
The speed limit for this moped is 70 km/h, which is quite enough for highway driving. The Alpha's weight is small, and controllability at higher speeds is noticeably lost. Some fans of this technology are trying to modify the Alpha moped (72 cc), install a more powerful piston, a zero-resistance filter, sprockets with an increased gear ratio, modify the ignition system, setting it to advance, and achieve an increase in speed to 90 km/h. But for driving around the city in traffic jams, on country roads, on dirt and gravel, the speed capabilities of the Alfa are quite sufficient even without all these modifications; moreover, with an increase in power and speed capabilities, many important components and assemblies of the moped begin to wear out faster.
The design of the Alpha allows it to be equipped with more “solid” engine options, increasing its power to 8 hp. With. But Alphas with such engines more often require repairs, the service life of the most important elements of the chassis is noticeably shorter, and they also begin to experience dangerous vibration damage. A more powerful motor would require an increase in the mass of other structural elements. This would be a loss of many advantages, especially in cross-country ability and efficiency, which the Alpha moped (72 cubic meters) has. The speed characteristics of these mopeds are perfectly balanced with the lightness and strength of their structure and chassis.
Racer Alpha RC50: cheap and cheerful
Most Chinese motorcycles are produced according to the principle “the cheaper, the better.” The lightweight Alpla moped from Racer, which claims to be one of the most affordable bikes for beginners, did not escape this fate.
What do beginners usually choose when they want to join the world of two-wheeled vehicles with a motor? That's right - something inexpensive. This is a reasonable approach that significantly reduces the chances of ending the very first motorcycle season in some kind of accident, which, unfortunately, often happens to those who choose something extremely powerful as their first motorcycle. The Racer RC50 Alpha moped is designed specifically for beginners. It is inexpensive, weighs little, and is quite capable of teaching the skills of working with a manual transmission. Another important advantage is its cubic capacity - despite all the disadvantages of such a small motor, there is also a plus, because to drive the Racer Alpha, a category “M” license is enough. Of course, it is also subject to restrictions such as a ban on driving on highways, but these are nuances.
First look
For many motorcyclists originally from the USSR, the word “moped” means something very weak, archaic and unsympathetic. But the days of “Riga”, “Karpaty” mopeds and others like them are long gone, and modern lightweight 50 cc bikes look almost like motorcycles. The technical characteristics of the Racer Alpha 50 are also head and shoulders above those of its Soviet predecessors. Of course, when designing and producing this model, the Chinese clearly prioritized cost reduction, but, nevertheless, the moped turned out to be tolerable. More or less.
The first generation Racer Alpha looked like a guest from the past, but after a slight restyling its appearance has noticeably improved. The moped has been refreshed, acquired a more harmonious appearance and at the same time has hardly risen in price. As for the technical component of Racer Alpha, everything is as expected as simple. The Racer Alpha 50 engine, as the name of the model suggests, has a displacement of 50 cubic cm . Cooling - air, maximum power - 3 hp. At the same time, the maximum speed of the Racer Alpha is 75 km/h - not bad for a moped. It is worth noting that it is indeed capable of achieving the stated speed. As well as being able to teach how to handle the gearbox, the Alpha RC50 is equipped with a 4-speed transmission . 1-N-2-3-4 scheme is used , and not 4-3-2-1-N, as on some Chinese bikes of the same class. This is a significant plus that will be useful in the future if the motorcyclist decides to switch to a full-fledged motorcycle. The engine must be “twisted” to have some kind of dynamics, since the peak of power occurs at around 8500 rpm .
Engine
The reliability and unpretentiousness of the Alpha’s 72 cc four-stroke engine is due to its ideal design developed by Japanese specialists. Even in a somewhat simplified version, with the use of cheaper materials and lower requirements for the quality of components, the 139 FMB engine operates surprisingly reliably, which indicates the balance of all its structural elements. The power of this motor is only 5 hp. s., and the maximum number of revolutions per minute is 7500. However, thanks to a well-thought-out transmission with four gears, the Alpha engine copes well with standard loads in all ranges of its gearbox capabilities.
What are users saying?
“Alpha” is a motorcycle, reviews of which are predominantly positive. Owners note its efficiency, ease of maintenance, modern design, good maneuverability and maintainability. Most users are satisfied that the moped is equipped with safety bars, chrome inserts and two starting methods.
As for negative impressions, they also exist. Some consumers note that the assembly is not entirely reliable, the light elements are weak, and the paint wears off quickly, which exposes some elements to corrosion. It is worth noting that a driver’s license is not required for models with a volume of up to fifty cubic centimeters, and to operate more powerful modifications you will need to have an appropriate license.
Engine design
The design of the motor is very simple. There are two valves in the cylinder head - inlet and outlet. Their operation is ensured by a timing star located in the same place, the rotation of which occurs synchronously with the magneto through a chain drive. On the left side of the engine is a foot shift lever that operates a very simple system of gears mounted on two parallel shafts in the crankcase. The oil pump is driven by the timing chain and is located under the crankshaft. On the right side of the engine, inside the crankcase, there is a clutch unit, which is controlled by a lever using a clutch cable coming from the left handlebar.
general information
The Alpha motorcycle, the photo of which is presented above, has a power of from five to eight horsepower, depending on the modification. The model is equipped with a power unit with a rotation speed of eight and a half thousand rotations per minute. Starting is done with an electric or mechanical starter. The engine is coupled to a four-speed gearbox.
The drive from the engine to the wheel has a chain device. The dimensions of the equipment are 1 meter 80 centimeters in length, and 1.0 and 0.5 meters in width and height, respectively. The moped's weight of eighty kilograms makes it easy to transport it through wetlands or obstacles in the form of steps or ledges. Drum brakes are controlled using levers located on the steering wheel. The wheels of the unit are seventeen inches.
Prevention and repair of the Alpha engine at home
The engine of the Alpha moped (72 cc), like any vehicle, requires regular maintenance and repair. Regular oil changes are an important condition for prolonging its operation. The oil change process is very simple. The engine warms up, then turns off, and using a drain hole located under the crankcase, the hot waste oil is easily removed from the crankcase into a specially prepared container. Then new oil is poured in. Setting up the correct operation of the engine begins with adjusting the carburetor, with which you can enrich or lean the mixture. It is also necessary to regularly check the operation of the valves, setting the required clearances using a special 0.5 mm feeler gauge. Two or three times a season, it is necessary to check the tension of the timing chain, as well as the condition of its tensioning mechanism, rubber rollers and dampers. Any breakdown of the Alpha engine can be easily repaired. If traction is lost, it is necessary to remove the cylinder head and check the integrity of the valves. Burnout of valves is one of the possible breakdowns of this engine. To restore their functionality, you need to clean them and rub them in with paste again. This procedure is familiar to many owners of old Lada models. If the timing chain is broken, it is necessary to remove the generator rotor and replace all elements of the gas distribution mechanism, and when assembling the engine, you need to make sure by the marks that the generator rotor and the timing star are synchronized with the correct stroke of the cylinder.
The clutch must be disassembled and washed in gasoline once a season, since a viscous mixture of oil and metal powder accumulates inside it. With regular engine inspection, proper tuning and replacement of parts showing signs of wear, the 139 FMB will operate flawlessly. Repairing the Alpha moped (72 cc) does not require major capital investments and can be successfully carried out at home with minimal skills.
Answers from experts
Alexandr ***:
It seems that the police are breaking through the last letter. That is, A - up to 50 cubic meters, etc. in increasing order.
Prospero:
50 cu. The speedometer is lying.
giggles:
A - up to 50 cm3; B - up to 70 cm3; G - up to 100 cm3; N - 100 to 125 cm3; I - 120 - 125 cm3; J - 150 cm3; L - up to 200 cm3; M - up to 250 cm3.
Eugene:
I don’t know about others, but on racers the cubic capacity in the model is indicated as “racer alpha (RC 48Q)”... hence 48cm3
Roman Nikolaevich:
The engine says 48cm^3! These are the cubes!
Igor Andreev:
remove the cylinder head, take a caliper with a depth gauge, take readings and calculate, this will be the most accurate result. remove the cylinder head, take a caliper with a depth gauge, take readings and calculate, this will be the most accurate result. remove the cylinder head, take a caliper with a depth gauge, take readings and calculate, this will be the most accurate result. remove the cylinder head, take a caliper with a depth gauge, take readings and calculate, this will be the most accurate result. remove the cylinder head, take a caliper with a depth gauge, take readings and calculate, this will be the most accurate result. remove the cylinder head, take a caliper with a depth gauge, take readings and calculate, this will be the most accurate result. remove the cylinder head, take a caliper with a depth gauge, take readings and calculate, this will be the most accurate result. remove the cylinder head, take a caliper with a depth gauge, take readings and calculate, this will be the most accurate result. remove the cylinder head, take a caliper with a depth gauge, take readings and calculate, this will be the most accurate result. remove the cylinder head, take a caliper with a depth gauge, take readings and calculate, this will be the most accurate result. remove the cylinder head, take a caliper with a depth gauge, take readings and calculate, this will be the most accurate result. remove the cylinder head, take a caliper with a depth gauge, take readings and calculate, this will be the most accurate result. remove the cylinder head, take a caliper with a depth gauge, take readings and calculate, this will be the most accurate result.
Sergey Parfilov:
Remove a cylinder and calculate the volume from a school math course
Uncle Fedor:
According to his technical passport
Nechaev's novel:
on 110 I know that the timing star cover is square with ribs, but on those that are smaller it is round, smooth and chrome plated.
dve-america:
It is very simple to the eye: Along the cooling fins of the cylinder located horizontally under the carburetor - 50 cubic meters - 8 ribs - 72 cubic meters - 10 ribs - 110 cubic meters - 12 ribs - 125 cubic meters - a completely different type of engine (cannot be confused with 50 cm).
Recipes for increasing 139 FMB power at home
The most common way to increase the power of an Alpha moped engine is to replace the piston group with a version with a larger cylinder volume. As a rule, such a replacement adds power to the motor, but does not greatly affect the increase in the speed of the moped. There are other ways. The simplest is dual ignition. You can make a step on the protrusion located on the generator rotor housing by cutting off a 0.5 mm layer from half of its metal surface, from the edge that first touches the sensor during the working stroke of the rotor. This will give an increase in power by 5-10%. The diameter of the intake and exhaust valves can be increased. To do this, you need to bore holes in the cylinder head for wider valves taken from the 139 FMB piston group with a larger cubic capacity. This operation gives an increase in power by 15-20%.
Fuel tank
It is worth recognizing that the volume of the fuel tank of the Alpha 110 moped is not very large - the maximum amount of fuel it can hold is four liters.
You should know! These are the passport data, but for unknown reasons the tank holds 6.5 liters. Apparently, this restriction is intended to prevent the driver from overfilling fuel when cornering while leaning.
At the same time, due to the fact that the maximum gasoline consumption per 100 kilometers is two liters, the fuel tank can be characterized as an economical solution by the manufacturer. This fuel tank can only be filled with gasoline of the AI-92 or AI-95 series.
Tests were carried out and 98 and even 76 gasoline were filled. From the AI-76, the carburetor began to malfunction, the float chamber became clogged and the motorcycle stalled. The equipment ran well on the AI-98, but the cylinder overheated too much.
Maintenance and repair of moped chassis
Repair of the Alpha moped (72 cc), caused by major breakdowns, can be completely eliminated by carrying out regular preventive replacement of those parts that have obvious signs of wear. The chain on a moped should be replaced after each season or after 2000 km. The chain stretches very significantly, which increases wear on both sprockets. Due to the chain breaking at high speed, a situation with sudden locking of the rear wheel is possible, which can lead to a dangerous fall, injuries and even greater damage to the motorcycle. On the road, this situation can cause destruction of the tension elements of the rear wheel, severe deformation or complete destruction of the tension mounting sockets. Artificially shortening the chain contributes to rapid wear of both sprockets. After 7,000 km, tires completely lose their tread texture and traction. They need to be changed after 2-3 seasons of use. The clutch, fuel supply and front wheel brake drum control cables should be shortened after each season of operation due to their stretching. The rubber bands in the brake drums gradually deform, which increases wheel play. It is also better to change them after each season of use.
Vibration damage
Some moped breakdowns may be associated with the destruction of its load-bearing elements. The plastic front wing on the Alpha lasts longer than the metal one, since it is less susceptible to the negative effects of vibration. Engine mounting points on the frame can also be damaged due to vibration. To avoid this, you need to weld wide washers onto them. After 2-3 seasons, the battery loses up to 50% of its capacity, so its regular replacement is also advisable. Electrical clutch and turn signal sensors must operate normally. Both safety while driving and correct control of gear shifting depend on them. The standard rear shock absorbers on the Alfa wear out, which can lead to unwanted friction between the rear wheel and the inner surface of the rear wing. There are luxury rear shock absorber options for the Alfa that allow you to put fat tires on the rear wheels, as they can help raise the rear of the bike a little. If you handle fasteners with care, serious problems with the repair of this moped are unlikely.
Peculiarities
The equipment in question is equipped with front shock absorbers with hydraulics. The compact gas tank holds a volume of fuel that is enough for more than 200 kilometers. The moped “eats” AI-92/95 fuel. Decent carrying capacity allows you to transport one adult passenger.
The design of the unit is beautiful and original. For example, the muffler is made in the shape of a saxophone and transforms the pleasant sound of the engine. Chrome footrests complement the overall exterior, and the dashboard is equipped with various instruments and gauges, including indicators for turn signals, low beam and high beam. Rear view mirrors provide additional safety.
Run-in
Running in the Alpha moped (72 cc) does not take much time and has several main conditions for obtaining the correct result. It is necessary to strictly observe the speed limit until the first thousand kilometers, you must not overheat the engine by forcing it to operate at maximum speed for more than 20 minutes, and you should also change the oil after 500, 1000, 2000 and 5000 km.
Modifications
Review of the Alpha 72 cc moped. would not be complete without listing its main modifications. There are two frame options for this moped. This is high, with space for a large gas tank, and low, where the gas tank is small and the trunk is located above it. In terms of their characteristics, both versions of the moped will be almost identical, with the exception of the difference in the volume of gas tanks and a slight difference in seat height. "Alpha" is made by a number of Chinese manufacturers, so there are many parallel names for the same model. For example, the Omax Alpha 72 cc moped. is a purely Chinese version, and the Orion moped is 72 cc. - Russian assembly of the same model from Chinese spare parts, carried out at Velomotors enterprises.
Conclusion:
In terms of build quality, the Soviet moped is much better than the Chinese moped, but in terms of comfort and attractiveness it is inferior to the Chinese moped, because tell me that it is much more pleasant to change gears with your foot and start the moped with a button, rather than with a kick.
But since this is a comparison, I give my vote in honor of the Soviet automobile industry, but I myself ride a Chinese moped. You just need to take a frame from the Carpathians and put a Chinese engine on it, and it will be just an armored vehicle
But as for the quality, I can really say that the Soviet moped is much better in this regard, because once, while riding a Karpacz, I flew into a ditch, I kept thinking about the moped, well, I kind of drove diagonally down a hillock from the road, and then he rolled it out onto the road and examined it and saw that only the headlight on it was bent upward, not even the glass was broken. I adjusted the headlight, sat down and drove on. But on a Chinese moped one day in winter it simply fell on its side, and the driver’s footrest immediately broke off and the plastic was all cracked.
Equipment options
Existing modifications of the Alpha (72 cc) may differ in some design elements. There are also luxury versions of this moped. For example, the Alpha Racer 72 cc moped. has a more impressive and dynamic seat shape and stands out from other Alfas with the spectacular sporty contours of the gas tank. In fact, this is the same model of moped. Luxury versions can be equipped with hydraulic rear shock absorbers, an alarm system, plastic fenders, more attractive decorative elements, slightly more expensive turn signals and headlights, an expensive trunk and even leatherette saddlebags. But it will still be the same 72 cc Alpha moped, with the same technical characteristics, but 30% more expensive.
Characteristics of the Alpha motorcycle
Let's look at the main parameters of this moped using the example of a modification with a seventy-two cubic centimeter engine:
- The power unit is a four-stroke engine with a power of five “horses” and a volume of 72 cubic meters. cm;
- cooling type – atmospheric;
- number of seats – two;
- starting – kick starter and electrical system;
- net weight - eighty-one kilograms;
- transmission unit - mechanics with four speeds and chain main drive;
- shock absorbers - spring at the rear, hydraulic at the front;
- brakes - drums;
- The fuel tank capacity is 4.8 liters with a consumption of about 1.8 liters per hundred kilometers.
Alpha motorcycles have a load capacity of one hundred and twenty kilograms, are equipped with a tachometer, a metal case, crash bars, a kickstand and alloy wheels.
