Jack's Gilera Runner SP50cc (Now 70cc)
Stunts: The stunts illustrated on this page got me three points on my licence and a strict warning courtesy of those nice people known as the 'Pigs'. Thanks once again to Mr Mike Benetts, the manager of our local Homebase store, for calling the Police.
History:
I bought my Gilera Runner in June 2001, they currently retail for £1849 O.T.R. In the UK, by law, all 50cc motorcycles are restricted to 30 miles per hour. It is only legal to have them de - restricted if you are older than 16 or hold a full motorcycle licence. This didn't stop me, however!
After I covered 600 miles and had run it in properly, I was hungry for better performance, so I had it de - restricted. The Gilera Runner 50 has 3 main restrictions; a small piece of rubber in the carb inlet, a downtube on the exhaust and a nylon spacer in the drive assembly. Once all these restrictions had been removed and the carb was jetted, the bike was in standard European form. Top speed was about 57 miles per hour, which isn't bad for a 50cc bike, but I wanted more, and better take off.
I started by fitting a Leo Vince ZX racing exhaust, but this was crap. I sold it and bought an E.S.M system which added 5 miles per hour to the top speed and the take off was much quicker. 62 miles per hour still wasn't good enough, though. I ended up taking the 'Bull by the horns' and fitted a Malossi 70cc kit, kevlar drive belt and a racing variator. Once I had run the new piston and cylinder in, I had the bike set up by a tuning shop and it was doing 78 miles per hour, nice.
With this new found performance, I found out that the brakes were not up to it. I fitted EBC brake pads and braided hoses, this made a world of difference and it stops on a six pence. (See picture below for proof!) I often ride 150 miles plus in a day and regularly visit my family in Nuneaton, 12 miles North of Coventry - a round trip of 260 miles.
Two of my best friends also own Gilera Runner 50's. Steve owns a 2001 Runner SP which is totally standard. Olly owns a 99' Runner DD which has custom paint, ZX race pipe and 20mm carb.
I'm planning to sell it sometime next year and buy an Aprillia RS125 Racing Replica (135 MPH). Anyway, enjoy the pics and take care.
Jack.