Puch Maxi S

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Famed for its ease of maintenance, reliability and rugged build quality, the Maxi range of mopeds was manufactured in the 1970s and 80s by the Austrian firm of Puch.

UK sales gained a boost in 1971 with changes to the learner laws that meant 16-year-olds could no longer ride anything over 50cc on L-plates, while the oil crisis of 1973 also boosted the popularity of a machine that was capable of 120mpg. Originally using pedals to enable it to pass the legislation for 16-year-olds, these was dropped on later models when the moped law became based on speed limited performance, later models gaining a kick starter after the pedals disappeared. While the basic Maxi made do with a rigid rear, the S version had a sprung rear suspension set up while there was also an LS model with a longer dual seat and a Sport model with a two-speed engine.

The Puch offered here is a full suspension Maxi S model with a V5C that confirms it was first registered in May 1982. The last MOT expired in 1998 which is when the moped was acquired for the Stondon Museum Collection, so the usual precautionary checks are advised before it is returned to the road once more. As the machine is now some 33 years old, it is eligible to participate in the regular events organised by the active ‘cyclemotor’ section of the VMCC where the requirement is that machines should be at least 25 years old.