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.

Magazine test: Performance Bikes October 1991 - Nine 125's tested, AF1 Futura

 

my bike: new old stock parts

 I have started to collect up some parts for my AF1 rebuild.

Firstly a replacement coolent reservoir tank as the original had a hole in it, see here . My top tip is to search for an item like this via the part number, some Aprilia parts are used on multiple bikes and as such the prices vary depending on the rarity of the bike, rather than the part. I have seen this part on ebay from £6.99 to around £45...

Next I have manged to collect up some new bodywork over the past few months for when I do the final cosmetic push. I will need a decal kit for the fairing but also for the tank and seat unit if I end up painting there.

Magazine; Aprilia shower, Practice Sportsbike July 2016