My name is Fausto and I live in Varese. Always passionate about engines and sustainable mobility, this summer I decided to embark on a project that combined these two passions: transforming a Ciao Piaggio into an e-bike. Thanks to the Ambra Italia kit, I had the opportunity to create something unique, maintaining the vintage charm of the Ciao, but transforming it into a modern and ecological vehicle.

The Search for the Perfect Ciao

The first step was to find a Ciao in excellent aesthetic condition. I wanted a vehicle that would retain all the originality and charm of the past. After some research, on August 2, 2024, I purchased a burgundy PX-C7E4T model from a private individual in Busto Arsizio. The moped had been overhauled and had a body in excellent condition, except for one small detail: two holes on the rear fender, a legacy of an old license plate support.

The Arrival of the Transformation Kit

On August 9th I received the Ambra Italia kit (A4K02), delivered with complete and detailed documentation. I immediately immersed myself in reading the manuals and organizing my workspace, which would become the project's headquarters for the next few weeks. The documentation provided was clear and well structured, but in case of doubts I could always count on the assistance of the Ambra Italia team.

The First Stages of Work: Loom and Mechanics

The transformation began with the modifications to the chassis. Following the instructions, I reinforced the cradle with steel plates and installed the support plate for the battery in Peraluman. This phase required precision, especially for the correct alignment of the holes and the assembly of the reinforcement plates.

Fitting the new handlebar components and assembling them can be a challenge, but with the operating instructions and a little patience, the result was great.

Electronics: An Immersive Experience

The assembly of the electrical system was particularly interesting. With the help of my son, an electronics expert, we installed the entire electrical system for the management of the engine and auxiliary services with the relative connections without difficulty.

The Challenges of the Rear End

The assembly of the rear axle took longer than expected, especially for the correct positioning of the engine power cable. After sending some photos to the Ambra Italia team, I received precise instructions on how to solve the problem. This exchange was essential to complete the assembly of the side panels and ensure a perfect configuration.

Customizations and Finishes

To close the holes on the rear fender, I used two red screws that matched perfectly with the one on the Ciao. I also applied a custom adhesive mat to the center footpeg to eliminate a gap between the footpeg and the tank. These details, although small, helped to maintain the aesthetic harmony of the vehicle.

The road test: a brilliant test

On October 11th I finally completed the transformation and decided to test the Ciao on a challenging route, from Varese-Casbeno to Varese-Shiranna (about 4 km), with several uphill sections.

The test road is divided into four sections: the first section is a slightly uphill road, the second section is a challenging climb, the third section is a short but very demanding climb, and the fourth section is a challenging climb.

During the first stretch the Ciao maintained 25 km/h, when the second stretch of challenging jump began, the speed stabilized at a constant 16 km/h. On the third section, the speed dropped to 12 km/h and you could feel a slight effort on the pedals, on the fourth section, the speed went up and fluctuated between 22 and 24 km/h.

The Ciao by Ambra Italia passed the test brilliantly.

This project was a challenge and a great satisfaction for me. The transformation of the Ciao Piaggio into an e-bike has allowed me to combine passion and creativity, discovering a world of innovation and attention to detail. I want to thank Ambra Italia for the support provided throughout the process.

To anyone who wants to embark on this adventure, I say: it is worth it. Not only will you have a unique and environmentally friendly vehicle, but you will also have an experience that you will remember with pride.