Modified 1981 Piaggio Ciao Moped – Variator Swap, Cylinder Upgrade & More

In this video, I give you an overview of my 1981 Piaggio Ciao — a classic moped I’ve upgraded over time. I’ll walk through the modifications, give you a quick look at the mechanics, and take it out for a short ride. ⚙️ Modifications include: Swapped the stock single-speed drive for a variator setup from a Piaggio Bravo. Upgraded cylinder with a "boost" port for improved airflow and performance. Expansion chamber exhaust for better power at higher RPMs. Lightened variator weights for quicker acceleration. Weaker clutch springs to lower engagement RPM. Larger carburetor (upgraded from 10mm to 13mm). Carburetor port bored out from 10mm to 14mm. Adjusted rotary valve timing for better intake timing. 🔧 Repairs & Maintenance: Over the years, I’ve also replaced: Tires Rear rim Control cables Broken spokes 🛠️ Note on the Variator: I fumbled the explanation a bit in the video. For clarity: The weights are in the front pulley. The spring and both sets of clutch pads are in the rear pulley housing.