Aprilia Scooter Modification

Slight modifications can make a scooter go faster.

Aprilia scooters are Italian-made and have been on the market since 2004. If you own an Aprilia scooter, you know that it's not a scooter designed for speed and quick acceleration. If you want to modify your Aprilia scooter to increase speed and performance, you will need to make extensive modifications using aftermarket factory-manufactured parts as well as upgraded equipment. A number of ways to go about this include enhancements to the suspension, brakes, muffler and power transmission with strong consideration being given to the Aprilia's weight and tires.

Things You'll Need

• Adjustable wrench
• 20-piece socket and ratchet set
• Hydraulic floor jack
• Work gloves

Instructions

1. Improve the chassis along with the suspension. Get rid of the springs and lower the shocks, adding stiffer springs and performance shocks. A large pair of roller bars interconnected to the suspension can aid in eliminating the vibration and shaking that is often experienced while operating the scooter. You may want to add flexible coil springs, which is expensive but offers the best bang for the buck with regard to high-performance.

2. Upgrade your Aprilia Scooter's factory-installed brakes. Install a pair of high-performance brake pads and even lightweight wheel caliper discs. You can also install steel rotors to get a quicker cooling of the braking mechanism when the scooter has achieved its complete performance capability. The complete braking mechanism must be replaced to provide the ability to stop while traveling at a fast speed. Get an experienced auto mechanic to handle this job.

3. Attach a larger muffler to your Aprilia scooter's exhaust system. This can assist with the outflow and intake of air throughout the engine system and improve acceleration. Unscrew all of the bolts on the old exhaust assembly with an adjustable wrench. Take out the muffler, mid-pipe and header and set them in a safe location. Swap out the old exhaust gasket with a brand new one. Wipe off any kind of rust that may have formed on assembly while you carefully slide on the new gasket. Reattach the header pipe joints, muffler, mid-pipe and header using the new exhaust components by tightening the screws and mounting bolts. Reconnect the scooter's battery and start the engine for a few minutes.

4. Install a variator to boost the transmission of engine power to the rear wheel. According to the Moped Army website, a variator is a mechanical power transmission device that can consistently change its gear ratio. Find the factory-installed variator in the engine. Remove it using an adjustable wrench to unbolt all of the bolts. Gently slide out the bolt by pressing down and forward. Ensure that the old and the new variator are the same size and type. Place the brand new variator pipe into the socket and bolt it down firmly using the adjustable wrench.

5. Limit the weight of your Aprilia scooter. Get rid of any kind of excess weight from your scooter's exterior and interior by removing the back seats and carpeting as well as the factory rims. Removing heavy objects can result in a considerable gain in power as well as an increase in the quality of handling, according to the Motorcycle USA website.

6. Add new, wider tires and rims. Upgrade the tires and rims to a lighter and smaller aftermarket aluminum alloy. Install new tires but ensure that they are the right size for the scooter. Place a hydraulic floor jack under the scooter to raise it up and then unscrew the bolts of the older tire using an adjustable wrench. Attach the new tires securely and fill them to the proper air pressure to get maximum performance.

References

• Speed-Sports: Aprilia Motor Scooters Models
• Moped Army: Variator
• Scooter Moped: Aprilia Sportcity One 125
• Motorcycle USA: 2008 Aprilia SportCity Scooter Review

Resources

• Aprilia USA: Homepage
• Motor Scooters: Aprilia Motor Scooters