Piaggio NRG

[DarrenJ]

Hi folks,
I brought a second hand Piaggio NRG 50cc, It's supposedly derestricted and does 50 but the clock only reads 40.

I live near an disused airfield. So I took my car down there I let my mate go on the old runway and open the throttle up when it reached full speed I drove beside it and clocked it at 34mph top speed by my cars clock.

I'm not trying to tilt my burberry hat and spend a grand on getting my poor 50cc to work it's little ass off;
I just need something small with a reasonable speed to beat the traffic to nip down to the local shops I should have got a 125 really but it the NRG was going cheap and I thought that'd be all I needed.

Looking at the log book it had its last service at 8000 km it's now done just over 10,000 km would it be needing a service?

The person I brought it off seemed very honest. He said by the bike speedo it gets 50 on the flat whilst indicating the speedo is inacurate, But the speedo only reads 40 on the flat Any idea where that other 10mph's buggered off to?

And before I forget, I hope you've all had a great xmas.

[Kye]

worn rollers and belt can cause a drop of performance, I'd get them checked, and if they are, It hasen't been serviced properly.

If the speedo is reading 40, the transmission washer has probably been removed, check the exhuast has been derestricted, there is a long (8" ish) tube coming off it that is crimped at one end, you'll need to cut this off and weld / crimp it.

[DarrenJ]

I know there is a few stock exhausts for the NRG the one on my bike is this type.

https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=25640&item=7943169624&rd=1

Could you tell me a bit more about the exhaust crimping/weilding like can I tell if it's been done just by looking at at?
I imagine a garage will crimp and weld it? Am I looking at 2hrs labour?

I also saw on ebay a lot of Leo Vince exhausts which will improve it's perfomance, Would they be simple to fit?
You've probably guessed I'm a novice when it comes to bikes lol.

[binge]

Right, here is a picture of a stock speedfight exhaust. Its still got the restrictior on...

Now I think the NRG restriction hose is like a C shape bending around a part of the frame of the bike (So dont go looking for a straight hose)

If this hose is still attached. Simply take exhaust off, Cut off hose (leaving about 2 inch on) Crimp it in the vice and either weld it up, or drill a hole in it and put a pinch bolt through... (Weld recomended)

Of you are going to get a Race exhaust, they usually come restricted too, Usually with a funnel shaped cone right at the entrance to the exhaust...
Race exhausts usually require a roller weight upgrade (and for maximun performance clutch spring upgrade)

Its a case of trial and error. The lighter the rollers, the quicker the take off, and the heavier the rollers, the faster the top end...

For a 50cc scooter, with a race pipe, Most of my mates have got 5.5 or 6.2 gram rollers and they are pretty nippy...

Hope this helps...

<|Binge|>

[DarrenJ]

Cheers guys, I've now worked out the exhaust is in fact derestricted as I saw the remains of the side pipe which is crimped and weilded.

So I guess there is a washer between the variator?
How much would a garage charge me to fully derestrict the bike, I think the previous owner must of thought removing that washer was a bit over his head in what he can do, Same here lol.

[Kye]

The washer will be removed, im 99% certain, I've never know anyone to do the exhuast, which is the hard part, without doing the washer.

The washer limits the physical gearing of the bike, to 30mph so if it goes over its been removed. You can check it by removing the side casing, and on the left hand pully, look inbetween where the belt sits for a little washer.

[Kye]

Check for a washer like I said, you only have to remove the casing and have a little look and feel

A shop should charge around £30 for fitting an exhuast (an hours labour), which includes rollers, de-restricting the pipe if it has one, and clutch springs but it depends on rusty bolts etc from the old exhuast

A LeoVince ZX should cost no more than £100 from a shop, and it comes with rollers and springs THAT NEED TO BE FITTED to obtain performance.

At the very least, get a garage to check the rollers for flat spots and wear, and replace them if nesscary, with STANDARD weight rollers.

[binge]

It depends. The garages around my way charge a minimum of an hours labour (£35ish)... I cant see it taking much longer than an hour to fit an exhaust, but most garages fit the rollers which come with the pipe as a standard procedure... So you are probably looking at £50 fitting fee Plus the cost of the exhaust...

If I were you, I would fit the exhaust myself, Its a 2 stroke and not alot can go wrong. Also it would be a nice bit of experience...
They are really easy to do (especially on the Piagio/Gilleras) because there is a little pannel near your feet which clips off giving access to the exhaust manifold mounting...

Its a case of 2 10mm nuts and 2 chunky allen Key bolts to take off.
Exhaust drops out...
Clean up the manifold outlet area to remove bits of gasket etc,
Slide new exhaust into place, Slot the gasket in (if its not the brass washer type) and put the little 10mm nuts back on (FINGER TIGHT)
Replace the chunky Alen Key bolts (well, the new exhaust main mounting)
Then tighten up until the exhaust is ridged. And then go back and tighten up the nuts at the manifold...

Rollers are also quite easy to change providing you have the tools...
You can sort of bodge it by sliding a long thin bolt into one of the holes on the flywheel and jam up the crank, then undo the Variator Nut... But I dont recomend this method if you dont know what you are doing)

Good luck...

<|Binge|>

[Kye]

If a garage expected more than an hour to fit an exhuast, springs and rollers (providing all the bolts arn't seized on) I would contact trading standards personally.

Exhuast: ~30min providing bolts arn't seized
Rollers ~5min
Clutch Springs: ~ 15min