My decal kit arrived from Italy today from Decalmoto.com First impressions are that it looks fairly decent for the money, I'll give an update when I start to install it.
Note: The green looks more green in the flesh, maybe my camera/ office/ monitor makes it look more blue than it is?
Join the new Facebook Aprilia AF1 group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/apriliaaf1
Max Biaggi, the Roman Emperor needs no introduction but for those who need a refresher he is a 4 x 250cc Grand Prix World champion, 3 x Aprilia, 1 x Honda and 2 x World Super Bike Champion both on an Aprilia. Max is most famous for his black Chesterfield Aprilia 250 but what people maybe don't realise is that Max cut his teeth in the ultra competitive Italian 125cc Sport Production championship and won it in 1990 on board an AF1 Futura.
At the recent Aprilia All Stars event at the Misano race track Biaggi stopped by the Duo Tempi Bei Tempi club stand to pose with and sign their Futura bike.
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| RSV250 Grand Prix bike |
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| Biaggi on board the Futura |
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| Biaggi's Af1 Futura |
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| The Emperor |
Join the new Facebook Aprilia AF1 group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/apriliaaf1
In order to move this project on I have taken the nuclear option and applied to take the AF1 to Stafford in October as there is nothing like a deadline to create motivation!
First thing was to get the rear subframe and swingarm off and get them to the powder coaters. I hit a small hurdle in the fact I don't have the swing arm main pivot lock ring tool, but a screwdriver and hammer moved that. I removed the rear hub, rear shock then main swing arm pivot and then finally the swing arm.
With the swingarm off the chain sliders were removed and the lower one has broken, so replacements will need to be sourced, and the bearings removed for painting.
Taking the back end off and seeing the wheels also confirmed I need to look at getting these painted also.
Other progress: I ordered the decal kit of e-bay and started to clean a lot of the loose parts.
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| a few chips on the rim, meaning these need paining |
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| rear subframe ready for painting |
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| swingarm ready for painting |
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| cleaning up the rear of the engine case and frame mount |
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| rear shock and alloy rocker cleaned |
Join the new Facebook Aprilia AF1 group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/apriliaaf1
AF1 Sintesi 1989 brochure - unfortunately its not original copy but I am working on getting a high-res update. :-)
