Those of us with a good memory will remember that Sticky did a feature last spring regarding the latest developments from Pinasco, from the 2016 Scooter Centre Koln custom show. The feature included a video with Pinasco presenting their latest 30mm SI format carburettor (eventually released only as a 28mm option) and an eagerly awaited 9 port cylinder kit for large frame Vespa 200 engines. You can recap on the earlier feature here.

 

Pinasco suggested at the time that the 225cc version of the kit, with conventional casing induction (the kit shown provided this, or indeed direct cylinder induction) and their oversized SI with the right exhaust (sold separately) would deliver a respectable 25bhp. Clearly more can be achieved if you don’t mind the extra effort in modifying your casing and cylinder cowling to allow a bigger carburettor to be fitted on the reed valve cylinder induction.

 

Somewhat later than planned, Pinasco have now gone into production with the kits with both forms of induction options. You can achieve 215 or 225cc with a choice of 57 or 60mm crankshaft stroke.

 

 

Lee

 

The complete VTR Slave kit, with cylinder inlet blanking plate for conventional casing induction
The complete VTR Slave kit, with cylinder inlet blanking plate for conventional casing induction

 

 

Specification and options

 

The aluminium cylinder kit has a nicasil lined bore. It is provided in either Master or Slave variants. The differece here is that the Master kit allows the classic form of Vespa crankcase induction. The Slave variant, with the necessary engine and cowling mods, provides the option of cylinder induction through a reed valve provided with the kit.

 

The impressive feature of the cylinder is 9 ports, with improved port distribution and a larger exhaust port. A new lighter piston is also a key feature.

 

So, the options are:

 

26031902 Cylinder Kit 957 RR MASTER (57mm stroke)*

26031903 Cylinder Kit 957 VTR SLAVE (57mm stroke)

26032902 Cylinder Kit 960 RR MASTER (60mm stroke)

26032903 Cylinder Kit 960 VTR SLAVE (60 mm stroke)

 

*Easiest option if you want to retain a 57mm stroke and conventional induction.

 

Endurance racing a speciality
Endurance racing a speciality

 

Racing edge

 

In essence, these kits seem to be really impressive in both the performance and reliability stakes as long as the rest of your scooter is up to the job. Pinasco-prepared bikes with the 260VTR kit  fared well at the French Scootentole 10 hour endurance race in 2016 and also in the 2017 Austrian 16 hour Springrace, winning the Vespa large frame category in both events.

 

Want one?

 

The new cylinder kits should be available from the usual Pinasco stockists, who’ll be able to provide you with pricing for the kit and shpping costs.

 

Words: Lee

 

Support ScooterLab by buying from the SLUK Shop