How to Derestrict a Honda Metropolitan Scooter
by Samuel Hamilton
Honda Metropolitan scooters, like most scooters, are restricted by a small washer that can be found on the front pulley road inside the scooter's variator system. Removing this washer derestricts the variator system, resulting in quicker pick-up and a faster top-speed. In order to access this washer and thus derestrict your Honda Metropolitan, you must disassemble the variator system using various wrenches.
Step 1
Take your Metropolitan's kickstand off. The kickstand is secured with a small pin that must be loosened with a socket wrench before you can pull it out and remove the kickstand.
Step 2
Unscrew the six bolts holding the metal lid of your variator case in place and take the lid off of your scooter. The variator case is the thing your kickstand was attached to. The six bolts are located around the perimeter of the lid.
Step 3
Remove the front wheel in your variator system. The front wheel is part of a pulley system and it is held in place by a single bolt through its center point. In order to remove this bolt, you will either need an air-powered impact wrench, or a strap wrench and a socket wrench. The impact wrench is powerful enough to loosen and remove the bolt without turning the pulley wheel. Or, you can secure the front wheel with the strap wrench and remove the bolt with a hand-operated socket wrench.
Step 4
Take the small washer off of the rod that supported the front pulley wheel. This washer is the component of your Metropolitan that restricts its speed.
Step 5
Put your Metropolitan back together. Ensure that the bolts -- particularly the bolt holding the pulley wheel -- are tightened sufficiently, otherwise your scooter could rattle apart during operation.
References
- Scooters, Automatic Transmission 50 to 250cc (Hayne's Automotive Repair Manual); John Haynes; 2006
Tips
- In order to secure the pulley wheel with a strap wrench, simply wrap the strap around wheel and tighten it. You can then wedge the handle of the wrench behind something that will prevent the wheel from turning. The best place to wedge the handle is underneath the rear pulley wheel.
Things You'll Need
- Impact wrench
- Strap wrench
- Socket wrench
Warnings
- Though it will not affect the engine size and output capability, removing the restricting washer could allow your Metropolitan to travel over 30 mph, which is illegal in some states. You will need to either operate your Metropolitan under 30 mph or re-register it as a larger motorcycle.
Writer Bio
Samuel Hamilton has been writing since 2002. His work has appeared in “The Penn,” “The Antithesis,” “New Growth Arts Review" and “Deek” magazine. Hamilton holds a Master of Arts in English education from the University of Pittsburgh, and a Master of Arts in composition from the University of Florida.
