The 1989 AF1 Reggiani Replica

Did Aprilia release any production Type EU Sintesi bikes with a number 6 on the tail piece (Reggiani) or were all bikes number 4’s (De Radigues)?

On Aprilia's own workshop manual it features the Sintesi version 1 (type EH) and the version 2 (type EU), on closer inspection the type EU features a number 6 on the tail unit like the type EH Reggiani relplica.

Image from the official Aprillia workshop manual

Digging a little deeper the number change happened to reflect the changing of Aprilia's sponsored GP riders and the need to sell was being raced at the time.

Making its debut at the 1988 Bologna Motor Show, Aprilia presented the updated type EU Sintesi Replica 125 motorcycle featuring the number 6 on the seat unit, this was to reflect their then sponsored rider Loris Reggiani who ran that number in 1988 season. However, after finishing 13th in the 88 season Aprilia did not renew the teams contract and the rider switched to Honda. For the 89 season Aprilia replaced Reggiani with the Belgian Didier De Radigues. As the new rider came from the 500cc class to the 250cc class he did not have a race number frpm the previous season so was assigned the race number 4. To reflect their new rider Aprilia changed the tail number from 6 to 4 on the Replica model for production versions, however some bikes were sold as Reggiani '6' bikes in the first few months of 1989 but are extremely rare.

This would also explain why the De Radigues Replica bikes are technically in the 88 Reggiani colours rather than the revised 89 colours as at this point the bikes were probably already made or at the minimum some body panels would of been painted ready for assembly. 

1988 Reggiani race bike

1989 De Radigues race bike

If you have a genuine number 6 type EU please leave a message bellow as I would love to see it!

Many thanks to the contributors of the Aprilia AF1 page on facebook and  125 Stadali

UPDATE 06/11/2023

Taken from Practical Sportsbike magazine July 2016

number 6!

image captured from a video at the 1988 motor show

My bike - 1989 Sintesi Replica

Welcome to my new AF1 blog hopefully you found me from my other restoration which you can read and follow on www.mbx80.co.uk 

Back in the late 80's Aprilia launched the AF1 project 108 125cc motorcycle, it was like nothing else on the market, it made what the Japanese were producing look massively outdated. Over in Italy the 125 scene exploded with manufactures producing ever more exotic looking bikes looking to out do each other in some seriously cool late 80's/ early 90's paint schemes. 

I wanted an Aprilia bad, top of the list was the black and purple Sintesi, then the Replica. My friend at the time bought the number 6 Reggiani Sintesi replica and I almost bought the number 4 Replica which would of made a cool pair of bikes! Then Aprilia dropped the Futura and I took the plunge and bought a brand new 1992 AF1 Futura.

1992

Fast forward to now and the number 4 was a scratch I needed to itch, so I started to look for a bike for sale. I wanted post on an Aprilia facebook page presented a project bike and a deal was done. The bike was a runner, the engine had been out and the internal rubber seals replaced. the forks had replacement stanchions so had been re-built and it also had brand new tyres. Cosmetically it is a little tired in keeping with a 30 year old bike, all-in-all a good base as a project and something I can restore and make good.

Carb settings - 1989 Dell-Orto PHBH 28 RD

 Carb settings - 1989 Dell-Orto PHBH 28 RD

Here are the stock setting parts and sizes for the PHBH 28 RD as fitted to the1989 Sintesi Replica taken from the 1989 owners manual. I have added links to the UK Dell'Orto supplier, just select he variant size you need.

Main jet – 120 - order here
Idle jet – 55 - order here
Atomiser - CF 266 - order here
Needle - X4 third notch from the top - order here
Slide - 50 - order here
Air screw – 1 turn
Choke jet - 70 - order here
Float – 11.3g - order here

The idle speed adjustment must be carried out with the engine warm, proceeding as follows.

- Adjust the idle screw (fig. 17 pos. A) in order to obtain a constant rotation of the engine.

- Tighten and unscrew the air screw (fig. 17 pos. B) until the highest number of engine rpm is obtained

- If necessary, further adjust the minimum screw

Note if you buy a brand new complete carb it will need setting to the above specs as it will not be set up for the AF1, plus you will need the cable choke kit rather than the manual lever. Buy a complete carb here

Brochure, 1991 Model Range

 There are two versions of the model range 1991 featuring the Sintesi Replica in both but different Futura models!

Brochure, 1989 AF1 Sintesi Replica