Magazine - Motorcycle Mechanics Jan 2025

Motorcycle Mechanics magazine have a feature called 'Bay-watch' where they look out for projects on platforms such as eBay hence the Baywatch pun! This month they spotted a 88 Sintesi AF1 project priced at an extremely cheap price of £425, but with a catch as the bike is located in France. I have have checked the website Leboncoin which is where I suspect the bike was but it has gone. For those not familiar with Leboncoin here are all the AF1 related bikes currently for sale. Anyway here is the feature.

1991 AF1 Futura UK specification

Back in 1992 I bought my (at the time) dream bike, a 1991 Aprilia AF1 Futura, reg number J671 JOR. This bike was a UK specification machine with the twin headlights, which at the time I thought they were quite ugly (love them now!) compared to the faired in Italian version. The UK version was specific for our market and actually differed quite a bit form the original Italian spec machine which makes it an interesting model. It actually has more in common with the later Italian spec GE and GR models than the FM type Futura, even in the owners handbook the drawing of the Futura had the GR type seat unit.

My original owners manual for the UK spec Futura

Here are the main differences:

Type FM 1990

Type UK - 1991

Type GR - 1991

changes starting from the back:

*Sprocket guard - smaller pressed alloy

*Main frame (lug) - no longer welded externally and plugged. Strengthened swingarm to take wider tyres.
*Fork - newer updated 40mm fork with different brake mount

*Mudgaurd - one-piece extending down to protect the stanchions
*Headlight - twin headlight with rubber surround, also used on the UK Sport Pro

*Mirrors - superficial, but the UK had white mirrors not black

*Tyres - FM were 100/18-17 + 130/70-17, UK changed to 110/70-17 + 140/70-17. Wheels are the same.

The FM model uses what looks like Sintesi parts, certainly the sprocket guard, 38mm front fork and mudgaurd are. the frame is Sintesi based but a little wider at the top to accommodate the different sized tank. The updated components used on the UK bike remained the same until the AF1 was discontinued. 

According to the 125 Stradali the type GE 1991 ran from the 25th September 1990 and was updated to GR spec on the 31st Jan 91."Curiously, the approved tailpiece and tank are still those of the Futura 90, although they were never adopted in production, moving directly to the 1991 bodywork as you can see in the photo. (Evidently at the time of approval it must not have been clear yet what the definitive bodywork for the '91 model would be)." Note the UK Futura had a metal fuel tank while the replacing model (GR) had a plastic fuel tank with a cover.

This part is pure conjecture. I would probably suggest buy the time Aprilia UK decided to import the Futura (1yr after launch) production on the type FM had finished and Aprilia had moved on to the type GE/R. Probably Aprilia still had good stock of bodywork so decided to produce a UK specific version with the twin headlights to suit our regulations. I do remember the Futura being sold side-by-side with the Sintesi replica (type EU), hence why even though the Replica is a 1989 model mine was registered is a 1992

If anybody has any additional info or can confirm any of the above I would love to hear from you?

Links

125 Stradali https://125stradali.com/en

My bike, NOS foot rest

 My right side rear riders rear set had snapped where the heal guide joins the main frame so I have been on a look out for a replacement, however this seems to be a common brake so the part is rare. 

snap!

Recently one popped up on ebay via Ultimate Parts Ltd so I jumped on it, part 81 32 626 (AP8132626).

check the part number is correct for your model!

The replacement part is the correct part number and reference for the Sintesi model, however the Futura and Sport Pro use the same part with a different finish so will have a different part number. An example being, 89 model part number 81 32 626 which is described as 'polished' and for the 90 model 81 35 211 which is described as 'mat polished', but are essentially the same part.

The replacement looks like its a ball burnished finish, so very bright alloy and the challenge will be to match the other three foot rests. I made a quick test polish using a rag and autosol to see what an original foot rest will look like. With a bit of work they will polish up nice, however it will not look like the original part. I need to have a think about this and explore some options...

test polish

Magazine: Practice Sportsbike, Readers Restoration

Practice Sportsbike, Readers Restoration feature

My bike, restoration plan and goal

This last weekend I had displayed my Honda MBX80 at the Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show in Stafford for the second year running, read the report here.  For next years show I dont want to show the Honda as my main bike (hopefully it still will be there) so all my attention and focus switches to my AF1 as my main show bike.

So the line in the sand will be that it must be ready by October 25 for display at the Stafford show. the countdown starts now....

As it is today 16/10/2024

Jobs to do

Bodywork - already own NOS LH + RH fairing panels, NOS fairing V piece. See here:
Nose fairing is 9/10 its status is TBC pos replacement or paint?
Fuel tank - repainted
Seat Unit - repainted

Decal kit - ebay £110

Front + rear saddles need recovering - ebay, £132 + fitting

Powder coating

Swing arn + rear subframe + misc part

New bolts - stainless steel + alloy

Cleaning and polishing - various parts

Top yoke - possible needs replacing?

Engine - cleaning

There are a few big jobs there, but actually nothing to crazy to get it show ready. My first job is to pull it apart and prioritise jobs, obviously I will blog each step so you can see the process. the dates are not out yet for the 2025 show but I expect it to be the weekend 11th/12th October.

Paint codes - 89 Replica

 I have been looking at getting some panels re-painted so inevitably I've been looking for paint codes. I have unearthed a very useful thread on the Aprilia AF1 125cc page from 2021, for more colours view it here

For the 89 Sintesi Replica it looks like the following are correct:

Red = Rosso Custom JBT2

Lilac = Viola Chiaro JBR8

Turquoise = Turchese JLR4

checking the power valve - Electronic Rave 2

The 89 Sintesi features an electronic power valve called the RAVE 2, this is actuated by an electro magnetic solenoid that needs setting up correctly to ensure correct performance of the bike. Previous versions of the RAVE were activated by exhaust gas pressure so the following information is for 1988 Sintesi onwards models.

The critical set up measurement is the amount the pin sits out of the solenoid in the resting position, this should be between 7.5-8.5mm. You can make adjustments via the threaded barrel adjuster and lock nut.

Once this measurement is set you can check function. the electronic valve opens from 500rpm to 2500rpm to perform a cleaning cycle. From 2500rpm to 7800rpm it remains closed and it opens again and stays open until the red line.

At this point I also removed the power valve guillotine to clean and double check the alignment relative to the exhaust port, to do this you will need to remove the exhaust and check with your fingers.

its a good idea to remove this and de-coke as a matter or service

If you need to trouble shoot here is the workshop page with all the correct values.