Modern Vespa

It will be fine tuned on the power bench. (Dyno)
Inlet manifold is different from original, so it has to be adjusted to that.
And try to get the maximum power out.

Last edited by Arnoh on Sat Sep 19, 2020 11:17 am; edited 1 time in total

When i go to the RDW with the bike, i will install a new 125cc headlight.
But when it is official a 500cc , i will install a new 50cc headlight.
These are dark, and i like that more.
And in that headlight unit i will install these Osram ledrive leds.
They give some verry nice pure white light.
All the other lights will be led then aswel.







Another milestone, the front wheel is in.
And the front is on the ground.
Within a few day's the rear will be finished aswel, and the bike will stand on his own wheels.







And did the first testrun.
It drives realy good!

And some more covers on, and started with the stickers.

Ι had both Runners (50 & 180) in the past and the 125/180 headlight has way better lighting in the dark...

Wow!

B.A approved!



First result of today.

I have watched this project from the beginning. you leave me speechless. hope you gets much enjoyment from the finished project.

Black painted covers on (color 197)
Later this week i will install the correct seat and the stickers.
Did some more road testing aswel.

The finished product is amazing! So much creativity and customizing while looking like what a product should have been from the factory! I bet that thing is super quick! Glad to see it finally completed! Awesome job sir!

How is the HIT clutch?

Thanks.
The hit clutch works so far okay.
Know it for sure when its completely tuned.

And here it is.
A factory new Gilera Runner 500cc.
If only Piaggio did build them, that would be realy nice.
But they did not, so i build one

Bravo and congratulations!!!

Thank you for taking the time to share so many details and photos here. I have really enjoyed following along!

Easily one of the greatest things I have seen built in my life.

I'm almost disappointed in that you have finished it, I've been enjoying reading the updates and changes that you have made and done with her.

Did a road trip last week, and made some more pictures.
Have done 520KM in total now after the modification.

its a thing of beauty! just stunning.

I wonder how much the finish product weigh?

No idea, but that will be checked when it will be tested to become a official 500cc.

Such a nice project and an amazing outcome! Lots of time and effort into this and it shows! Are you planning on taking this to a dyno and tuning it? Any data yet to report?

Made a movie of the 500cc Gilera Runner in the backyard.
Have driven 522 kilometers at this moment.
So there is for 522 kilometers of flies on the Runner. (The bike is still dirty on the video)
The rpm indicator works well, but the camera cannot record this.

I don't know what the top speed is at this moment.
I am still breaking in the Hpe cylinder.
And I don't have a video while driving.

https://youtu.be/65J4dUfbm5U

It sounds awesome. Are you using the Malossi cam or just stock? The idle sounds very deep and smooth.

I baught a 50cc Runner 21 years ago when i was 16 years old.
The bike was 5 months old and this is how it looked like.
On the side covers there was the text : Exclusive Production.
I googled it for a long time, and i never could find any proof that this was original build this way by Gilera.
On forums and facebook the same result, no one has seen it before...
After a while i thought someone placed that sticker on there.

But today i baught some original stickers from Jeroen.
And gues what, in the box with stickers there was also a set of original Exclusive Production stickers!
So i am not crazy







And something nice for on the wall besides the Runner.

Superrrrrrrr resultaat zeg
Ziet er top uit
Blijft het voorwiel een beetje op de weg🤣

Ben nog niet los gegaan met de Runner.
Eerst alles inrijden en afstellen.

Maar met ongeveer 180 kilo, en 50+ pk gaat het wel goed komen.

Arnoh, the "Exclusive" stickers must have been specific to your market. First time I see them too. Our market Runners had the "Advanced Frame Concept" sticker...

Hi Arno!
Awesome project and superb done execution! Was fun to see someone else takes care of a Master 500 engine.
BR, Juxus

I went to Rdw Lelystad a few weeks ago.
Everything was okay, brakes, suspension and handling.
Except the engine noise, this was 86 decibels.
And at the test center 83 decibels is alowed.

So i modified the airbox, and the exhaust.
I added a extra silencer on the exhaust, and the bike is realy quiet now.
Next week i go to Rdw Lelystad again, and when it is all okay it is official a 500cc on paper.

Is this permanent or just to pass the test?? No offense but it looks hideous. And how can a stock exhaust fail the noise level test?? It’s supposed to be compliant to euro regulations...

Just for the test of course.
After that i will install a Mivv exhaust.

On the papers it gives 91 db @ 3750 rpm.
But they don't care, custom build projects are 80 db for a new exhaust.
And 83 db for a used exhaust.
Its the rules there, cant change their mind.

They test it when driving at a fixed point with 2 microphones.

Ha!...Akra"poor"vic

And it is official!
It is now a Gilera (Piaggio) Runner 493cc on the licence papers.

The only one in the netherlands, and probably in the whole world.
There are other builds, but not approved on the licence papers.



Hard work is rewarded.

Awesome! Congratulations!!

Congrats! Great build!

What kind of tests do need to be passed in the Netherlands to get official papers for a build like yours?

Brakes.
Suspension.
How it handels on the circuit.
And sound.

And you have proof that the donor engine is legit.

Superrrrrrrr gaafffffff project

Since it is almost winter, and the bike is in storage.
There is no news.

Maybe this winter i want to change the mechanical waterpump to a fully electrical waterpump system.
The new system has a controller, what varies the speed of the electric waterpump.
And keeps the cooling system at a preset temperature.
Because when it is running idle now, the flow of the original pump is to low for this cooling system with the crossflow radiator.
The engine gets hot when running idle for long, even when the cooling fan kicks in.


So for now, a few before and after pictures.
Same bike, same place, few years apart...





















Last edited by Arnoh on Tue Oct 13, 2020 9:50 am; edited 1 time in total

I'm looking forward to watching your progress on the waterpump update!

Thanks for continuing to share photos and news from your build!