The Tomos APN was the moped most young riders in Yugoslavia learned on. The APN 4 of 1970–1984 was the last Tomos model that still resembled the licensed Puch MS 50, while the APN 6 that followed in 1981 brought four foot-operated gears and remained in production, as the APN 6S, until 2012.
Tomos APN at a glance
| Maker | Tomos, Koper (Yugoslavia, later Slovenia) |
|---|---|
| APN 4 production | 1970–1984 |
| APN 6 production | 1981–1987; APN 6S 1988–2012 |
| Top speed | 48 km/h (APN 4); 49 km/h (APN 6) |
| Gearbox | four foot-operated gears (APN 6) |
| Carburettor | Bing 12 on older APN 6; Dell’orto 14-12 on newer |
| APN 4 versions | APN 4, 4/4 H, 4K/KS, 4T, 4M, 4MS, 4S, PTT 77 |
| APN 6 versions | APN 6, APN 6S, APN 6 Alpino |
| Frame | steel tube; Puch-derived on the first APN 4s |
| Place in the range | the moped most Yugoslav young riders used in the 1980s |
There is no English Wikipedia article on the APN; this page is based on the Slovenian articles on the APN 4 and APN 6 together with the English article on the Tomos company.
History of the Tomos APN
APN 4 (1970–1984)
The APN 4 was the last Tomos moped whose shape still recalled the Puch MS 50. It was built in several versions between 1970 and 1984. The first fours of the 1970s, such as the Colibri A-0S and A-0N, carried not only the frame and fuel tank but also front forks with a headlamp of Puch design; they were fitted with pedals.
The APN 4 appeared as the APN 4, 4/4 H, 4K/KS, 4T, 4M, 4MS, 4S and PTT 77. The factory claimed a top speed of 48 km/h, but many owners tuned theirs. A typical “primorska štirka” (a Littoral four) had motocross handlebars, a chrome tank and a different front mudguard; with a free-flowing exhaust, a 15 mm carburettor, five gears and a shortened rear mudguard it could reach 75 km/h. These bikes often wore a small “egg” rear light and Pirelli, Mandrake or Michelin tyres instead of the standard Sava ones.
APN 6 (1981–2012)
The APN 6 replaced the APN 4 in 1981 and was produced until 1987; the APN 6S version continued from 1988 to 2012. It had four foot-operated gears and a top speed of 49 km/h. Early APN 6 mopeds used a Bing 12 carburettor, later ones a Dell’orto 14-12. The range consisted of the APN 6, the APN 6S and the APN 6 Alpino.
The APN type was especially popular with young buyers, and Tomos offered special variants with raised handlebars, a seat with back support, side bags and plenty of chrome. The APN 6 was also the first product of the modernised 1980s range that Tomos introduced in 1981.
Design and features
- Puch lineage: the APN 4 was the last Tomos moped to keep the visual link with the licensed Puch MS 50.
- Four foot gears: the APN 6 had four foot-operated gears and a 49 km/h top speed.
- Tuning culture: the factory quoted 48–49 km/h, but modified “primorska štirka” bikes were said to reach 75 km/h.
- Many versions: the APN 4 alone was offered in eight forms, from the 4M and 4MS to the PTT 77.
- Long life: the APN 6S remained in production until 2012, more than three decades after the APN 4 appeared.
Tomos APN versions
- APN 4 (1970–1984): the base model with Puch-derived bodywork and pedals.
- APN 4/4 H, 4K/KS, 4T, 4M, 4MS, 4S: equipment and market versions of the same moped.
- APN PTT 77: a version listed alongside the civilian fours.
- APN 6 (1981–1987): four foot gears and a 49 km/h top speed.
- APN 6S (1988–2012): the long-running final version.
- APN 6 Alpino: the Alpino variant of the APN 6.
The Colibri was the Puch-based ancestor of the early APN 4s, and the BT50 was the faster road model that followed. More Tomos mopeds are in the Tomos collection.
Video: Tomos APN SL tuned
Video on YouTube.
Sources
- Tomos APN 4, Slovenian Wikipedia: production years, versions, tuning culture, top speed
- Tomos APN 6, Slovenian Wikipedia: production years, gears, top speed, carburettors, versions
- Tomos, English Wikipedia: popularity with young riders, special variants, APN 6 in the 1980s range
