Differences between Piaggio Ciao / Bravo / Si / Boxer mono drive and Vario drive
Attention! First things first - the components of the mono drive and the variator drive are not compatible with each other or can be mixed! The crankshaft, on the other hand, is the same for both drive types. The easiest way to recognize this ratio from the outside is by the side covers on the left in the direction of travel. If the side cover also has a bulge at the rear , it is a variator model.
Left: 1st variator drive | Right: 2nd mono drive
Converter / variator
In the variator model, the converter unit with the integrated clutch is located at the rear. The variator is at the front. The advantage of the variator drive is that it provides you with a continuously variable automatic transmission. Short ratio when starting off, long ratio at speed. This principle is still used today in every automatic scooter.
3. combined torque converter / clutch unit | 4. variator
Mono drive
Traditionally, German mopeds with 25 km/h have the mono drive, but there are also moped versions with the mono drive, without variator.
5. belt pulley | 6. clutch
Clutch bell, belt pulley and V-belt
The clutch bell sits at the front, the V-belt runs on a groove with a diameter of 26 mm on the inside of the moped (6). The rear belt pulley is mounted directly on the mono gearbox. The mono gearbox can be recognized by the fact that the gearbox shaft only protrudes approx. 13 mm from the gearbox and only the flat belt pulley is installed (5). This has a diameter of 90 mm on the 25 km/h moped. The standard gearbox of the Ciao has a transmission ratio of 10.5:1, that of the Bravo 8.5:1 (see also Piaggio Ciao moped tuning).
Left: 7th variator gearbox | Right: 8th mono gearbox for belt pulley
Useful upgrades or tuning of the transmission ratio
Mono gearbox: The simplest tuning to increase the top speed is to lengthen the gear ratio. We have exactly three options with the mono gearbox:
Replace the front clutch, remove the moped clutch and install a 30 km/h clutch. The standard clutch has an inner diameter of 26 mm, the 30 km/h clutch has an inner diameter of 41 mm.
Replacing the rear pulley. The original pulley of the Ciao has a diameter of 90 mm. However, only the pulleys with 70 mm or 80 mm are really rideable, as here the tightening when driving off is still acceptable.
INFO: The standard moped gearbox of the Ciao has a ratio of 10.5:1, by installing the 8.5:1 gearbox of the Bravo the overall ratio is increased by approx. 20 %. TIP: Very inconspicuous, as the clutch and pulley can remain original.
DE | €
