If you can recall from the last video, you could remember that we bought a new throttle grip to “fix” the broken throttle, with inconclusive results as it was the throttle itself that was broken. Also as promised, we, the staff, at IPM are slowly beginning to lessen focus on the vehicle’s performance and more on the scooter’s cosmetics. We recently sourced a red Aprilia Racing Water Cooler Grille to substitute the bland OEM gray grille.

We rationalized that the bar ends were made not to rub directly against the throttle grip itself, giving the grip more leeway to move smoothly.

However, the new water cooler grille was installed successfully, and it looks great! Tune in next time for more cosmetic upgrades! Meanwhile, go to Aprilia Boards for the latest in Aprilia information.

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Last week, the staff at IPM was helping me experiment with anti-vibration bar ends. We discovered that the throttle rubber grip was broken off by the previous owner so that it couldn’t be installed. This week, when the new grip came in from Aprilia, we discovered that not only was the rubber handle damaged, but the throttle bar itself was chipped off! However, to complete the objective, we still put the bar end on the throttle.

Also, the windshield was hanging off its edge due to an accident from the previous owner. So, after receiving the new materials for the windshield, we attached the windscreen to the scooter. While doing so, we had a startling enlightenment, the odometer screen and the panel fairing did not have to be removed! Instead, we could have just inserted the bolts in from the front.

That’s all for now! Tune in next time, and we’ll get into some really interesting stuff, such as actually working on the cosmetic aspects of my scooter!

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All the parts finally arrived from Italy today, so we’re going to show you how we installed them. Check out the video.

So, now that we can take the SR50 out and about, and be able to park it, we can finally get to making it better looking and properly testing out the aftermarket parts. Stay tuned!

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While the 2000 Aprilia SR50 is still street legal, rides with two-stroke engines have been diminishing in the streets due to stricter DoT regulations. As the recession of this type goes, the harder it is to find help on how to even fuel the engine or even get the materials!

Online, there are numerous statistics on gas to oil ratio (32:1, 40:1, or 50:1), but my scooter comes with a pre-mixer, so there are separate slots for the two-stroke oil (or synthetic oil) and the gasoline. Since you don’t need to premix the gasoline and the oil, what you can just do is top off both compartments and it should be running proportionally at all times!

That’s all for now! Tune in next time, and we’ll get into some really interesting stuff, such as actually working on the cosmetics of my scooter!

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Stay tuned till next time! In the meantime, check out Aprilia Boards for more information!

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Due to my conflicting schedule, I received an enormous amount of help from Paul and Matt, in getting the new Leo Vince Handmade ZX Exhaust Pipe and the Aprilia Racing Shock onto the scooter. And once the new center stand bolt comes in, this ride will be ready for registration and for the road!

After this test ride, I was playing around in the suburban neighborhood where I live. I realized, even after the washer and roller weights were removed, the new performance exhaust was hooked up, that the scooter’s max speed still was within the range of 25-30 mph!

Tune in next time when the center stand bolt comes in and the scooter becomes fully functional. Then off to the DMV for registration, and it’s accessorizing time!

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Stay tuned and we’ll give you a full review of the race shock on the road. Till next time, ride safe!

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So, I was able to bang the old bolt out and now we have to wait till the new one arrives to properly install it. Stay tuned!

For more Aprilia fun, please check out Aprilia Boards.

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So, stay tuned next time to see what else we do to the SR50. For more Aprilia fun, please check out Aprilia Boards.

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Basically, the course was split into three segments: one classroom session and two range sessions. To configure with my time, not to mention the multitude of dates that already had full classes, I scheduled my course times way ahead of the deadline.

I spent last Thursday night in a motorcycle warehouse at 25 Dore Street, with around twenty other prospective riders, studying. After long hours (5:45-10:45 PM) with minimal breaks, I was able to drill myself through the BRC textbook and watch/answer the video questions. Whereas this may seem droll to the usual human being, the video was well crafted enough to offer sharp instructions on where, what, and how to operate a motorized vehicle. Let’s not forget to mention the group-work that was done with the study questions to keep us motivated and awake!

The fun part of the exercises arrived on the weekend, during the real life practice on the range. On Saturday, I thought that it was going to be complete bull**** because we spent the first two hours pushing our bikes around in neutral. (I got first pick and chose an antique Honda Nighthawk). However, once we quickly learned how to push, we got to do some real riding: shifting gears, picking up speed, and my favorite: weaving between cones. After the last three hours of riding, I finally got to experience the raw power of a motorcycle, what the adrenaline rush that riders feel when going around at high speeds, although not as fast as them. I’ll admit, when I rode the bus home that night, I felt a bit of cockiness, laughing with scorn at everyone’s serious faces about riding a motorcycle.

On Sunday, I was terribly brought back to earth. Figure 8 turns, right turns, left turns, 180 degree turns, and other variants of a turn completely decimated my cockiness. First, I forgot how to shift between gears, then I did an exercise where I completely forgot what the instructor told us to do! In the end, I got my act up together, aced the riding test, (Double U-turns, swerving from an obstacle, emergency stop, and a 180 degree turn) and went home knowing the most I’ll ride for now would be a safe 50cc scooter.

P.S. Jon is currently the youngest rider to successfully pass the BRC. Congrats! -Ed

That’s all for now! Tune in next time and I’ll fulfill that promise about tweaking my 2000 Aprilia SR50 into working and looking shape!

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First a little background history about this famous scooter: the SR50 model has been present in Aprilia’s lineup for scooters since 1992. The SR50 is known famously for its speed, and infamously for the people who race each other with them. As a result in the US, production of the scooter comes along with a pre-restriction (restriction on the variator, the carburetor, and a bar across the bottom of the engine), only allowing the ride to go 48km/hr (about 30 mph) at the fastest. Check it out!

So, the goal with this scooter is to first get the ride running safely, which is remedied by purchasing a new center stand for the haphazardly twisted center stand it has on at now. Second on my list of priorities, is to de-restrict the bike, as even if I only ride it through the safe streets of Sunset to school, I still don’t want to get honked the hell out of by impatient drivers because I’m only riding 30 mph. Finally, purchasing a windshield would fix the last of the broken things.

Okay, that’s all for now. Tune in next time, and I’ll show you the work I’ve done with my scooter, and the cosmetic tune-ups that I plan to make on it to create a true college girl babe magnet. Right?

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