2003 Zip Cat 50cc in blue
Piaggio Zip 50 parts on Amazon….
Piaggio Zip 50 Cat Specs…..
The Zip Cat 50cc was a 4bhp, 2 stroke scooter released in January 2001 in the UK by Piaggio. The Zip Cat was a variation of the Zip 2000 with basically the same features and styling.
The Zip 50 Cat had a catalytic converter on the exhaust system and the word ‘Catalyst’ just under the word ‘Zip’ on the badges either side of the tail panel!
A little bit about the Piaggio Zip 50cc…..
Basic model info… |
|
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | Piaggio |
| Model: | Zip 50 Cat |
| CC: | 49cc |
| Engine type: | Single cylinder (2 stroke) |
| Style of bike: | Scooter |
| Insurance: | Group 4 (of 17) |
Models and years (in the UK)
| Zip Cat 50cc (Jan 2001 to 2002)….. | |
| Description: | Modern scooter with telescopic forks, 10 inch 3 spoke wheels, headlight mounted in the handlebars, integrated front and rear indicators and a dual seat with underseat storage. |
| Cost new: | £1199 |
| Zip Cat 50cc (Jan 2003 to 2004)….. | |
| Description: | Same as above model. |
| Cost new: | £1249 to £1299 (the RRP changed from £1249 to £1260 in 2003 then to £1299 during 2004) |
| Zip Cat 50cc (2004 to 2005)….. | |
| Description: | Same as above model. |
| Cost new: | £1349 to £1199 (the RRP changed from £1329 in 2004 to £1349 then was reduced to £1199 in 2005) |
Side view of a 2003 Zip 50 Cat
Engine and gearbox stuff…..
| Displacement: | 49 cc |
| Engine type: | Single cylinder (2 stroke) |
| Bore×Stroke: | 40×39.3mm |
| Engine code number: | C251M |
| Cooling system: | Air cooled |
| Gearbox: | Automatic |
| Gearbox/final drive oil: | Separate final drive oil (80w-90 gear oil) |
| Max. Power Output: | 4 BHP (@6500 rpm) |
| Top speed (approx): | 30mph (restricted UK version) |
| Idle speed: | 1800rpm (+/- 100) |
| Final drive: | Variable belt drive |
Front and rear view of the Zip 50 Cat
Carb, fuel and oil stuff…..
| Fuel system: | Carburetor |
| Carb type: | Dellorto PHVA 17.5RD |
| Pilot screw: | screw should be 1.5 turns from closed |
| Fuel type: | Unleaded petrol |
| Engine lubrication: | Fully synthetic 2 Stroke oil |
|
|
| Final drive oil type: | 80w/90 drive oil |
| Petrol tank capacity: | 7.3 litres |
Side view of a 2003 Piaggio Zip Cat 50
Electric stuff…..
| Ignition type: | Electric CDI |
| Starter: | Electric start and kick start |
| Electrical system voltage: | 12 volts |
| Spark plug: | 1 x NGK BR9ES |
| Spark plug gap: | 0.6 to 0.7mm |
| Spark plug tightening torque: | 25 to 30nm |
| Spark plug ignition: | 1 x Coil (built into the CDI) |
| Magneto/flywheel tightening torque: | 40 to 44nm |
| Battery: | Zip 50 Battery – YB4L-B / CB4L-B |
| Battery voltage/capacity: | 12 volts / 3.6 amp/hour |
Piaggio Zip Cat 50cc battery location under the seat
Shocks, brakes and wheels stuff…..
| Front wheel type: | 10 inch 3 spoke wheel |
| Front tyre size: | 100/80-10 (tubeless) |
| Rear wheel type: | 10 inch 3 spoke wheel |
| Rear tyre size: | 120/70-10 (tubeless) |
| Front wheel spindle torque: | 43 to 52nm |
| Rear wheel nut torque: | 104 to 126nm |
| Front tyre pressure: | 22psi / 1.5 bar |
| Rear tyre pressure: | 26psi / 1.8 bar |
| Front brake: | Single 175mm disc brake with single piston caliper |
| Front brake disc: | Disc brake MD932D (EBC) |
| Front brake pad: | EBC SFA260 |
| Rear brake: | Single 110mm drum brake |
| Rear brake pads: | EBC FA899 |
| Front Suspension: | Telescopic hydraulic forks |
| Stanchion diameter: | 30mm |
| Front fork oil: | 10w fork oil |
| Fork oil capacity (per fork): | 100ml |
| Rear Suspension: | Single monoshock |
2003 Piaggio Zip Cat 50cc speedo and clocks
Weights, measures ‘n stuff…..
| Length (total): | 1,670mm |
| Height: | 1,215mm |
| Width: | 680mm |
| Wet weight (inc oils etc): | 84kg |
| Fuel tank capacity: | 7.3 litres |
2003 Piaggio Zip Cat 50cc underseat storage compartment
Service stuff…..
| Gearbox / final drive | |
| Change oil: | Every 20,000km (12,427 miles) |
| Gearbox / final drive oil: | 80w/90 drive oil |
| Oil volume: | 100ml |
| Hydraulic brake system | |
| Change brake fluid: | Every 24 months |
| Brake fluid: | DOT 4 motorbike brake fluid |
| Front forks | |
| Change fork oil: | Every 24 months |
| Fork oil grade: | 10w (10 weight) |
| Fork oil volume (per fork): | 100ml |
Zip 50 Cat front/side view
Frame number location…..
The frame number on the Zip 50 is a real PITA to get to. It’s located on a metal plate just behind where the riders foot would be on the underneath of the scooter.
Because of the location the frame number plate is prone to rust and corrosion which can make the frame number very difficult to read!
Piaggio Zip 50 ignition switch and shopping bag holder
Useless stuff…..
The Zip Cat 50 was released in January 2001 and was one of the 2nd generation models of 2 stroke Zip 50.
Similar to the earlier Zip 50 models introduced in 1993, the Zip 50 Cat was a small and agile scooter with a large under seat storage compartment and smart styling which made the scooter popular around towns and cities as well as popular with younger (16 year old) riders.
The Piaggio Zip 50 was also popular with some take away restaurants due to the low new price, fair reliability and simple maintenance (it is fairly common to see Zip 50’s with 50k + kilometers on them in Europe!).
Zip 50 Cat’s were also fairly similar to other 2 stroke Zip 50’s between 2000 and 2010, which means parts are often interchangeable with earlier and later models.
Buying advice…..
As with all 50cc scooters, it can be tricky buying older Piaggio Zip 50’s 2nd hand.
Thankfully, Piaggio Zip 50’s didn’t have any problematic and expensive to replace coded ignitions to worry about and parts are plentiful and fairly cheap for them.
It’s always better (although sometimes difficult to check) to buy one that’s been run on a good quality fully synthetic 2T oil. Piaggio recommended a full synth 2 stroke oil as, like most plastic clad scooters, the Zip’s did have a tendency to run hot which can tend to break down low spec/cheaper 2 stroke oils.
It also worth checking the bike has been cleaned regularly, especially if it’s been used over the winter. As with most Italian scooters the Zip Cat was built for a warmer climate and a build up of road salt around the engine, front caliper and other parts can lead to corrosion of the metal parts like the engine casings (which makes the casing brittle), exhaust and other parts.
The Zip 50’s were fairly easy to steal if not chained up, so stay away from anything that doesn’t have key’s or a logbook.
Seat lock location on a 2003 Piaggio Zip 50 Cat
Disclaimer: The Piaggio Zip 50 Cat specs and information on this page is correct to the best of our knowledge. But the info should NOT be taken as 100% accurate as we can, occasionally, make mistakes!
If you think we’ve missed any important info out or have something to add, please feel free to leave a comment below…..
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