Ruckus Variator on 1985 Aero 50

DKAudio · Post by **DKAudio** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 2:44 pm

So is this what everyone seems to be talking about that will work on my 1985 Aero 50?..

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2005-Hon ... 45f8c22a5b

I would like a little faster acceleration and a few more MPH top end would be good too (I'm 190 and can currently go about 37-38MPH).

Would any other mods be needed or is it pretty self explanatory to go in the stock spot and everything else remaining the same?

I have not opened up my case so I don't know if my stock one is packed with grease or dry and if my rollers are flat or good.

I'm a newb so any info would be great, thanks.

Wheelman-111 · Post by **Wheelman-111** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 3:00 pm

Greetings:

Welcome. A variator alone may or may not deliver the acceleration and speed you seek. Top speed is a function of power overcoming drag, mainly. Without added power, fancy hardware to harness and transmit whatcha got won't make it go faster - unless there's a malfunction in your current setup. 38 on a stock Aero is pretty respectable.

That said, a Ruckus variator should slip into your belt cavity, perhaps requiring a little clearancing work first. The metal around the starter housing may need to be ground back a couple of mm, but some have reported the Ruck pulley fits in the AF05 engine block as is. This particular seller's price and shipping is a bit steep, however. There was one in the For Sale section a minute ago - BradThreee's, methinks - for $30.

fightingplankton · Post by **fightingplankton** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 3:40 pm

i bought brad3's ruck vari. eliteguy has one as well. hit him up. same price $30
i realize that the ebay one is $25...but you're looking at another $20 in shipping.
i think eliteguy said "$30 shipped"
dont hold me to that though, i could be wrong.

DKAudio · Post by **DKAudio** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 4:26 pm

Yeah, I saw the shipping charge. I am pretty happy with the scooter as I'm 190lbs and can get to and from work on 35mph roads. I've been reading about mods and it seems like almost everyone does a variator. When people enlarge the case can you just do it with a dremel? Maybe I will hold off and do something that is more important such as...

I was going to post a new thread about tires but supose I could ask here. Again, I've done some research and it seems the Pirelli SL 26 90/90/10 is the best for the rear and will fit in with no mods. What about the front tire? Do I need to replace the inner tubes, if so which ones are a good choice? Both of my tires are original 1985 with 2k on them, they are dry rotted and cracked heavily on the side walls.

Thanks

fightingplankton · Post by **fightingplankton** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 4:35 pm

i used the high speed cutter that came w/ my dremmel. took all of 3-5 minutes of carving.

as for tires... most ppl say the best you can do is swap for a honda metro rear wheel. however, as honda wants a ridiculous amount for stock wheel...i'm putting this off.
yes, the 90/90 will fit. i myself just got cheng shin(cheapo china tires) 3.0x10's on front and rear.
might as well get new tubes, even if yours are fine, they're like $6-8 and if you accidentally poke a hole in one whilst putting bigger tires on...you have a backup.
im getting around 40mph and right now, my bike is currently stock. just put new rollers, cleaned out grease, and removed variator grease ring(metal part on back).

Wheelman-111 · Post by **Wheelman-111** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 4:53 pm

Greetings:

A front 90/90 will fit, but kisses the fender at full bump unless you shim out the fender. This job is a real PITA, so a 3.00 might be a smarter move. For sure the 90.90 fits out back.

turtle13 · Post by **turtle13** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 6:09 pm

I have 90/90 on my Aero front and back and have only gotten a slight kiss under full braking... like rear wheel lifting braking... like the vari I think it is a hit or miss thing.

DKAudio · Post by **DKAudio** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 8:53 pm

So you are all recommending the same exact Pirelli 90/90/10 on the rear as the front? That's easy enough...is there a certain tube I need? I'm most likely gonna get the tires at motorcycle-superstore if that helps.

Peetur · Post by **Peetur** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 9:26 pm

I have 90/90-10 Pirelli S1's on my 85 front and rear with no clearance issues whatsoever. I too did the Ruck variator mod (mine came from a met) and I gained maybe 1-2 with my stock rollers with flat spots.

Wheelman-111 · Post by **Wheelman-111** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 9:39 pm

Greetings:

The tube you want is the 3.5". Tubes can cover a range of tire sizes, however. My imposing Wheeman avoirdupois might have something to do with frequent tire-front fender contact, but it really did make a knock going over curb cuts. Not enough for me to bother taking the front end off, but annoying. I learned of the issue from old-timer Scooterwerx, who once posted how to shim out the front fender - wider - to prevent this minor contact.

eliteguy50 · Post by **eliteguy50** » Wed Apr 20, 2011 1:13 am

fightingplankton wrote:i bought brad3's ruck vari. eliteguy has one as well. hit him up. same price $30
i realize that the ebay one is $25...but you're looking at another $20 in shipping.
i think eliteguy said "$30 shipped"
dont hold me to that though, i could be wrong.

I'll hold you to it.

A stock aero 50 usually only picks up 3-4mph with this vari and proper roller tuning. Modified engines will gain more speed of course. I have not had to clearance an '87 case yet. I think the '85 case needs clearancing.

DKAudio · Post by **DKAudio** » Wed Apr 20, 2011 9:14 am

I think I will go with a 3.0 in the front like Wheelman suggested then, I don't want to bother 'maybe' needing to shim the front fender. Would that be the 3.00J-10 in the SL 26 series?

So if I went with these tubes (pretty much the cheapest ones they carry and the only kind that seems to have both sizes) I would need the 3.00/3.25-10 and the 3.50-4.00/10?

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/2/ ... -Tube.aspx

eliteguy50 · Post by **eliteguy50** » Wed Apr 20, 2011 10:59 am

DKAudio wrote:I think I will go with a 3.0 in the front like Wheelman suggested then, I don't want to bother 'maybe' needing to shim the front fender. Would that be the 3.00J-10 in the SL 26 series?

So if I went with these tubes (pretty much the cheapest ones they carry and the only kind that seems to have both sizes) I would need the 3.00/3.25-10 and the 3.50-4.00/10?

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/2/ ... -Tube.aspx

The specs are correct for fitment. I can't say what you want though.

S4Patrick · Post by **S4Patrick** » Thu May 12, 2011 9:50 pm

Is there any available information on this "shimming" of the front fender that needs to be done when fitting up a MET rim onto an Aero 50?

I've got a set of MET rims with Pirelli SL26 90/90-10 tires mounted onto my Aero 50 and the front certainly "hits" the underside of the front fender quite a bit (as in rubbing into the plastic) when braking. Would love to know about any tricks or techniques, as I'm actually removing the forks off tomorrow night...

Thanks.

devenex · Post by **devenex** » Fri May 13, 2011 12:52 pm

I've been wondering too since my tire rubs when theres sudden full power breaking from 20mph+.

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Ruckus Variator on 1985 Aero 50

Ruckus Variator on 1985 Aero 50

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