A state-of-the-art 288cc engine conversion kit for Vespa smallframe models.
The speed at which the Vespa smallframe engine has been developing recently is truly breath-taking. Newly constructed engine casings with complementary cylinder kits can be purchased for self-assembly and represent a tuning basis with, earlier completely unknown, potential being available. Due to the numerous manufacturers with ever larger cylinder capacities taking part in this kind of arms-race its not easy to decide a clear victor.
- Most stable engine casings currently available.
- Absolute highest quality materials and production.
- Reliable technology for various fields of use.
BFA have done it again! The BFA 288 represents the most powerful aftermarket tuning kit currently available for the smallframe engine. In principle it is simply the BFA 306 concept for the Vespa largeframe models, innovatively transferred to the confines of the Vespa smallframe engine casings. This creates the potential for almost unlimited performance, power band width and torque being made available to the experienced tuner.
The cylinder
The cylinders 288cc gives it only marginally less capacity than the BFA 306 upon which it is based. This reduction is mainly caused by the stroke being shortened by 4mm, to 60mm. The exhaust port layout has also been slightly altered and the cylinders flank houses a direct inlet port for the carburettor. The air-cooling, 78mm bore and the cylinder head design are all identical to that of its larger counterpart.
The crankshaft
The crankshaft is equipped with a 120mm con rod and a stroke of 60mm. It possesses full-circle crankshaft webs which ensure guaranteed balancing with the use of 16 counterweight inserts. The cog is held in position using interlocking teeth. The con rod is polished and its production quality and materials are of the highest quality available.
The engine case
The BFA engine casings for Vespa smallframe models are especially massively constructed and have a high-end production process. There is sufficient material everywhere to enable tuning and gas flowing while remaining very stable. Space is available for especially wide and heavy crankshaft designs, all shafts and bearings are positioned with minimal mechanical tolerances The version for the BFA 288 kit is matched to all associated parts and fits plug and play with the other components.
The exhaust
This specially developed exhaust system rounds the whole tuning package off. It is intended to be mounted in the same direction as the original exhaust, meaning the exhaust port is located at the rear of the cylinder. It snakes around the shock absorber and then along the lower edge of the left sidepanel. The course is well considered and the exhaust has a relatively complicated production process.
Conclusion: The BFA 288 kit has the most performance available off-the-shelf. Amazing when you consider that the whole kit can be squeezed beneath the original Vespa chassis and panels thanks to the air-cooling feature allowing decent positioning of the high tech components. This kit opens your horizons for the smallframe Vespa! Everything and anything become possible, from a victorious racing machine through to an unobtrusive wolf in sheep's clothing in the urban jungle. Just please remember to also upgrade both the suspension and brakes to be able to handle the explosion in performance that this kit offers!
The best set up - our SIP-TIP:
- The ideal complementary components are their 5-speed gearbox and
- the BFA 5-friction plate clutch with the 'square' connection between the input shaft and clutch.
