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If you’ve got a 50cc scooter that is restricted, you won’t be able to make the most of its engine, and that means that you’ll be limited in the speed that you can go. You also won’t be able to accelerate as quickly, too. We’re going to look at the steps that you need to take to derestrict your 50cc scooter so that it can live up to its potential. Let’s get going.
Why Would You Want to Derestrict a 50cc Scooter?
The main reason why an owner of a 50cc scooter would like to derestrict their vehicle is because of speed. Many 50cc scooters come restricted by the manufacturers. The main reason for this is because of the legal regulations in most countries that require 50cc scooters to travel no quicker than 30mph. Just because the restricted scooter cannot go above these speeds doesn’t mean that the scooter isn’t capable of reaching much faster speeds, sometimes as high as 40mph. Not only will derestricting the 50cc scooter boost your top speed, but it will also make your scooter accelerate much more quickly.
How to Derestrict Your Scooter
Derestricting a 50cc scooter can be done by yourself without any help from a professional mechanic. If, however, you have the money, you may wish to employ a mechanic to do the derestriction job for you, but if you’re confident and want to save some cash, then simply follow these instructions to derestrict your 50cc scooter.
Step One: Removing the Kickstart Pin
The first thing to do is to take off your kickstand. Once you’ve done this, you should see a pin that has the job of attaching the kickstand to your 50cc scooter. If you find that it doesn’t pull out easily, you can loosen the bolt connected to the pin. You only need to loosen it slightly for the pin to slide out.
Step Two: Taking Apart the Variator System
Now, it’s important to move onto the variator system, also known as the carburetor. This process will require an impact wrench, a strap wrench, and a socket wrench. This is the most complex part of the derestricting process, and you must follow each element of the process properly. You should also be conscious of what you’re doing, as you’re going to need to put the variator system back together again after you’ve derestricted it.
Locate the variator system on your 50cc scooter. You should see a plastic intake covering over it. You want to take this off. In some cases, this cover will be bolted to the carburetor. With a socket wrench, you can easily remove the bolts, so that you can then remove the covering.
Now you want to look out for the variator system’s metal lid. This will also be bolted to the variator system. On most systems, there will be six bolts. You’ll notice that half the bolts are on the bottom of the lid, while the other half are on the top of the lid. You’ll need your trusts socket wrench again to remove them. But you also want to ensure you get the order right. Start with the top right bolt, then move onto the bottom left. Next, it’s the top bolt in the middle, followed by the bottom in the middle, then the top left bolt, and finally, you’ll remove the bottom right bolt.
Step Three: Removing the Washer from the Pulley Wheel
You need to find your strap wrench. You’ll want to use it so that the pulley wheel at the front can be secured with it. This is a necessary process, so you’ll want to make sure you do it right. The strap that’s part of your wrench needs to be wrapped around the front pulley wheel. Once you’ve done this, tighten it on the wrench. Then put the wrench’s handle beneath the pulley wheel.
Once you’ve secured the pulley wheel, you can remove the big bolt at the front of it. This is easy enough with your socket wrench. Once you’ve taken the bolt out, you can also remove the pulley wheel.
You should see the pulley rod now. And if you do see it, you’ll also see the washer attached to it. This simple washer might not seem like much, but it’s playing a big part in restricting your 50cc scooter. So, you want to take it out. After you’ve done so, reverse the process that you’ve just finished and put everything back together exactly as it was.
Step Four: Remove the Washer from the Variator System
While you’re following the previous steps, you may have encountered another washer on the actual variator system. If you do find one, then you want to remove it, too, as this will also be a restriction device. If you don’t find one, don’t worry; some manufacturers don’t include the second washer in the variator system.
Essential Considerations When Derestricting a 50cc Scooter
Manufacturers restrict 50cc scooters for a reason. There are legal limits on how fast you can ride a scooter. The restrictions are to ensure that you don’t break the law when you go over this speed. You also must keep in mind that many insurers will invalidate their cover if they discover that you’ve derestricted your 50cc scooter. This means that you could be liable for any legal or hospital costs if you cause an accident or end up in an accident yourself, regardless of the speed that you’re going. In some countries, it’s illegal to ride derestricted 50cc scooters when you’re on a provisional license, and there are some places where it is illegal whatever license you have.
Summary
Derestricting your 50cc scooter is a simple process that you can easily do yourself with the help of three wrenches and the method that’s been laid out in this article. Usually, it’s only a matter of removing a couple of washers.
