History
US-market rebadges of the Puch E50 — same engine, same tuning ecosystem, often cheaper when sellers do not know what they have. Murray and Columbia sold tens of thousands with house-brand tanks and handlebars bolted to Austrian engines.
These are real Puch platforms, not separate machines. Every Puch Maxi guide, parts catalog, and jet chart applies. The badge on the tank is marketing; the case halves still say Puch. That surprise is why savvy buyers search listings for "Murray moped" and "Columbia commuter" when they want a deal.
Common issues mirror any 40-year-old P50: stuck clutches, cracked carb manifolds, and petcocks that leak. The advantage is you can order a Maxi cable kit and be done instead of hunting obscure OEM numbers.
Decode the engine before you tune: E50 single-speed and ZA50 two-speed share badges but not all internals. Pull the side cover and count your gears once.
Quick specs
| Engine | Puch E50 |
| Parts | Full Puch ecosystem |
| US price range | $400–$1,200 |
Buying & ownership
When shopping a used Murray / Columbia Puch, run a warm compression check against a known-good bike, confirm the engine turns freely, inspect frame rust (seat tube, down tube, dropouts), verify title and VIN match, and take a test ride for clutch grab and idle stability. Budget a carb clean, fresh plug, fuel lines, and final-drive service on any “runs good” listing.
Use the full buying guide checklist before you pay, and confirm legal class in your state via US moped laws.
Related on MopedMasters
- All 25 classic mopeds — compare platforms
- Manuals & PDFs — factory literature when available
- Guides hub — jetting, porting, maintenance
- Tuning calculators — port timing, intake, pipe, oil mix
- Maintenance hub — carb, oil, storage basics
FAQ
- Is this a moped or a scooter?
- MopedMasters focuses on pedal-capable / classic moped platforms with chain or geared drive — not modern CVT scooters. See moped vs scooter.
- Where do I start if I just bought one?
- Fresh fuel, plug, air filter, chain slack, and a careful first ride. Then work through the maintenance hub before performance parts.
- Can I use the online calculators on this bike?
- Yes for 2-stroke singles — port timing, intake length, pipe layout, and premix all apply. Start at the tools hub.