About us

ABOUT US

Pantin network
Pantin is a small virtual network for Kaptein and Motobécane enthusiasts. Our webmaster´s location is located in Helmond, right in the middle of the automotive and high tech centre of the Netherlands.
We are not a company, but a informal network of real mobylette-addicts.
Passion, education and industrial backgrounds are the main conditions for real success.

Knowledge center
Since the early 90s we have collected a lot of books, publications, technical drawings and many technical specifications, besides we study all kind of promising technologies. Visiting events and bi-lateral exchange of knowledge have become main activities.
This knowledge is shared with other persons and organisations by way of publications, contributions to books, forums and websites.

Workshops and testactivities
A second important source of information are our own projects. We repair 'impossible' objects, develop hard-to-get spares and ditto tools.

Studies
From time to time we are starting up a study. In a study there will always be an interaction between THEORY and EXPERIMENT. The results from a study can be: a part replacement, a re-manufacturing or an overhaul procedure. Mostly a study starts with an idea or a question. In some cases it will lead to a real product or an improved process.
A special group of studies concerns 'circular economy' and 'hidden terminators'.
Though governments like the idea of sustainable use of raw materials, they like VAT and people spending money.
A lot of presently produced products are just disposables. A lot of plastic rubbish, one turn screws and undersized parts designed for a short life. A short time after the warranty term has finished, many products will break down. Hidden terminators do their job efficiently.
What a difference compared with our mobylettes, which still run like hell.

This image paradigm is a tribute to Galileo Galilei,
who still inspires us with his scientific approach.

In our words: check your theory and learn from your experiments.

Trips The best and nicest form of experimenting is a demanding run. A lot of experience has obtained during runs all over Europe. From time to time we are organising trips. Mostly short ones, but sometimes between 1000 and 2000km. Those trips can bring you to hilly and mountainous regions... What is the relation between long distance runs and technology? Well, when you want to ride long distances you will meet some problems. Five important issues that you will have to overcome: 1. Time For a student, retired or financial independent person, time is no problem. For many others however: it is a matter of strict planning. 2. Model We prefer a strong mobylette with front and rear suspension. A variator will make the climb of a hill a piece of cake. Naturally, your mobylette should be in an excellent condition. 3. Luggage When you want to camp: it is really good to have a look at cyclists, who feel the pain of every kilogram. You can save a lot of weight and volume by choosing smart solutions. It is now in spring 2019 a real study project! 4. Saddle Riding on a mobylette is less stressful than riding on a motorcycle. When your saddle or buddy seat has excellent properties, you can ride for many hours on a day. With a bad saddle you will not enjoy the ride for many hours, while some injuries are likely. 5. Technical experience and equipment Going abroad with an old timer means that it is hard to find help or parts in case of a breakdown. You or your group will have to fix all problems by yourselves and nobody else. Sometimes we advice people by way of internet, when during their long trip special problems show up. A procedure for sending parts by a friend is a good additional option. Nowadays, modern navigation and communication can contribute a lot to a challenging trip. Actually, in case of long trips a Tom-Tom Rider should be part of your equipment.	No variator, but this AV42 made a trip to Epinal in France. back home by way of Luxembourg and the Eifel in Germany. A weekend trip to Arnhem: no camping but B&B, so less luggage.... The river La Meuse near Ravenstein in the Netherlands.
....View from a bridge across Canal Du Nord, after we had passed Verdun (France). La Meuse flows parallel to the channel.	A long ride from The Netherlands to Santiage de Compostele (Spain) Orange AV92 and SP98-1966 both from Stan the Man.
Riding on Mallorca: GAC-mobylette model Campera.	SP98-1965 Back from the top of Mont Ventoux. Eric Jaulmes used to test here, too.
2019: From the Netherlands to Pluvigner and back again 2000 km A cup was won, because of the long distance from home to the yearly meeting of MCF. This trip was quite special: solo trip, long distance, old rider, old bike, only 50cc and including camping equipment, tools and spare parts.