moped "Karpaty" 1/35

On the post-Soviet territory, the "Karpaty" moped is one of the most popular small two-wheeled vehicles. Compared to similar units, this vehicle stood out for its good quality, practicality, and original design. Among its features, it is necessary to highlight the three-wheel coupling. The two-speed gearbox provided a smooth start and maximum speed (45-50 km/h).

Despite the difficulty of tuning the unit, its popularity was greatly influenced by its ease of maintenance and the possibility of self-repair for all components. The original spare parts for the "Karpaty" moped were made of high-quality metal, although the technology of that time often suffered from design and technical flaws.

The vehicle's luggage rack could withstand a considerable load. The tires had a high tread, allowing the vehicle to be used in winter conditions. The drum brakes were sufficient for the weight and dynamics of a small motorcycle. The power unit itself was a conventional two-stroke engine. Almost any owner of this moped could replace rings or pistons.

The closest competitor in terms of characteristics was the "Verkhovyna" vehicle. However, the ignition system, coupling unit, design, and some other indicators of the "Karpaty" moped significantly surpassed the competition. Additionally, it competed with the "Delta" and "Verkhovyna-7" models. While these variations had modernized components, the advantage was given to the "Karpaty."
There are several reasons for this. Firstly, the price of the "Delta" was higher, and it was produced in Riga. Secondly, the improved "Verkhovyna" had a warranty mileage of 6,000 kilometers and a service life of 15,000 kilometers before major repairs. Meanwhile, the "Karpaty" moped had 8,000 and 18,000 kilometers, respectively.

Generations of people, especially in rural areas, have learned every little detail about this machine. Here's a brief overview of the main components:

The air filter is located directly behind the carburetor. The gear control lever is on the left, and the brakes are on the right. The clutch handle, throttle, and front brake are also located on the handlebars. It's worth noting that there is no electric starter, so a popular method of starting the engine was to push-start it or use a kickstarter.

Almost every owner could repair the "Karpaty" moped on their own. Often, the engine had to be disassembled. No matter how complex this task may have seemed, thanks to the simple design of the engine, it was accessible and could be done quickly and efficiently.

If the cause of the breakdown was worn-out bearings, crankshafts, or piston rings, the engine had to be disassembled. This was a relatively simple procedure, but reassembling everything correctly could be more challenging. However, with careful attention to the process and following the instructions, it was quite achievable.

Exhaust gaskets could be cut out of dense cardboard and greased with grease. It is important to tighten the nuts with the optimal force, avoiding insufficient tightening or thread stripping. The "Karpaty" moped runs on a mixture of gasoline and oil, and it does not have a separate oil reservoir. The recommended fuel is AI-80.

What are the technical specifications of the "Karpaty" moped? The characteristics of its main components are as follows:
Weight - 55 kg.
Maximum load - 100 kg.
Wheelbase - 1.2 m.
Length/Height/Width - 1.8/1.1/0.7 m.
Clearance - 10 cm.
Maximum speed according to the passport - up to 45 km/h.
Fuel consumption per hundred kilometers - 2.1 liters.
Frame type - welded tubular construction.
Front suspension - telescopic fork, spring shock absorbers.
Rear suspension - swingarm with shock absorbers.
Overall braking distance at 30 km/h - 7.6 m.
Tire sizes - 2.50-16 or 2.75-16 inches.
Power unit - V-50 carburetor, two-stroke, air-cooled.
Displacement - 49.9 cc.
Cylinder size - 3.8 cm.
Piston stroke - 4.4 cm.
Compression ratio - from 7 to 8.5.
Engine power - 1.5 hp.
Maximum torque - 5200 rpm.
Transmission - two-stage, manual or similar with foot shifting.
Other characteristics of the "Karpaty" moped are as follows:

Electrical equipment - contactless electronic ignition system with AC generator.
Transmission - multi-disc clutch.
Fuel tank capacity - 7 liters.
Engine transmission ratio - 4.75.
Equivalent ratio from transmission to rear wheel - 2.2.
Carburetor type - K60V.
Energy supply - 6 V AC generator with a power output of 45 W.
Filter element - air filter of paper type.
Exhaust gas system - muffler with baffles for exhaust throttling.
Fuel mixture - gasoline A-76-80 with oil (ratio - 100:4).
The clutch of the "Karpaty" moped is an innovative solution for that time. It is a three-disc or multi-disc type unit. This design was surprising for low-power two-wheeled vehicles.

The "Karpaty" moped was first introduced in 1981 at the Lviv Motorcycle Plant. Five years later, a model called "Karpaty-2" was released. The second version of the moped was 0.2 hp weaker and 1.5 kilograms lighter than its predecessor. Otherwise, both modifications were identical. The closest similar moped in terms of characteristics was the Riga Delta.

During the period from 1988 to 1989, over 260,000 "Karpaty" mopeds were produced. In the latest versions, the developers set the mileage limit for warranty repair at 18,000 kilometers. There were a few more modifications, namely:

"Karpaty-Sport" (larger front wheel diameter, foot gear shifting, upward-mounted muffler).
"Karpaty-Tourist" with a windscreen.
"Karpaty-Lux" with turn signals.
In recent years, the production of the discussed units has been discontinued. There are several similar variations of Chinese production available.

There are many devoted supporters and opponents of this moped. The former mostly include those who enjoy tinkering with their own machinery and achieving certain results. If we analyze the majority of reviews, we can determine what users like and what they have a consistent negative opinion about.

The "Karpaty" moped has the following advantages:

Economical.
Practical.
Easy to repair.
Good handling.
Decent design.
The users identified the following drawbacks:

Low speed.
Lack of original spare parts on the modern market.
Quick overheating in hot weather.
Not very reliable shock absorbers and weak side shields.
It is worth noting that some enthusiasts of two-wheeled vehicles collect entire collections of Soviet-made mopeds and restore them.

The price of the "Karpaty" moped depends on its condition and modification. The moped, with a price ranging from $100 to $500, can only be purchased on the secondary market. It is relatively easy to find the appropriate model on online platforms that specialize in buying and selling.

The "Karpaty" moped, a legend of the Soviet motorcycle industry, remains popular among true enthusiasts of lightweight transportation. Its notable features include ease of repair and operation. Among its competitors, it stood out as the best representative of motorcycles with an engine capacity of up to fifty cubic centimeters.

Despite its drawbacks (low speed, reliability issues with certain components), the reviewed moped was produced in several modifications. As it is known, demand creates supply. Considering that over 300,000 units were produced in just three active years, it can be said that "Karpaty" was a favorite among multiple generations.