Myrons Mopeds

 Testi    made in Italy by Testi    Minarelli V1 engine

History: Testi is an Italian surname that means “texts” or “verses”. Read more at Registro Storico Testi (Testi Historic Register).

Testi and Minarelli learned about two-stroke engines from Sachs: Umberto Testi’s son Erio Testi worked in his father’s bicycle factory until 1953, when he was sent to Austria, at Fichtel and Sachs, to learn about small two stroke engines. After Erio returned, he transferred the two stroke engine knowledge to his friend Vittorio Minarelli. Vittorio then later went on, after years of automotive engineering study and practice, to form Fabricca Bologna Minarelli FBM, which sometime later became the successful Motori Minarelli. That is why all Testi’s have well-made Minarelli engines.

Testi makes Gitane, Cosmo Amico, Silver Foxi, and other minor brands. Like Minarelli, they were modest and “behind the scenes”, content to sell their products “plain” so that marketing companies could put their own names and logos on. Marketing names wanted you to think they made it themselves, so they would hide the true maker identities.

 

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USA Models

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comparing all of these photos, including the European models, you can see the Cricket is more heavy duty than the Mini Cricket, thanks to a reinforced frame, stronger rear shocks, wider fenders and tires. 

The original controls on most Testi mopeds are made in Italy by PV. But the 1977 Mini Cricket is shown with German-made Magura controls. That is likely an upgrade, because the PV controls break easy.

 

 

 

The elusive Minarelli V2 variator engine is 100 times less common than V1. Here is one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Non-US Models

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Testi components: Minarelli V1 (or V2) engine 20(1.0hp), 25(1.5hp), 30mph(2.0hp) versions, Dellorto SHA 14/12 (or 14/9) carburetor, CEV lights and switches, Domino or PV controls and levers, Grimeca hubs and brakes, CEV 6932 magneto, CEV or Veglia speedometer with LH driver.

Gitane               made in Italy by Testi              Minarelli V1 engine

 

 

 

 

 

 

All Gitanes came with PV levers, black plastic, that break easy. Many, like these shown, have them on one side only because the other side broke and was replaced with a Domino chrome lever and housing/perch. 

    1977-1978      1978-1980      Gitane (Testi) – US models

        CL200    =       Confort        curvy stamped steel frame-and-tank, enclosed chain

red,blu,grn,gold      red,blu,??

        OKS        =        Sport           tube frame with separate gas tank

 red, blue        red, blue, yellow,??

        Jeans      =                           fiberglass scooter body w/leg fairing, aka Testi Amico 

 white? 

        Cricket    =   Super Sport   monotrave type frame-and-tank, heavy duty model

  red, blue

 

Gitane components: Minarelli V1 engine 20(1.0hp), 25(1.5hp), 30mph(2.0hp) versions, Dellorto SHA 14/12 (or 14/9) carburetor, CEV lights and switches, PV controls and levers, Grimeca hubs and brakes, CEV 6932 magneto, Huret speedometer with LH driver, and CEV reflectors. 

Gitane chrome floor boards       $25 left side only, oxidized slightly, no rubber strips

Gitane Confort chain covers      $50/pair, covers whole chain, used