Phil has dropped by last night to help out with the Aprilia and he is firing on all cylinders, last night we removed the front end ready for new head stem bearings. Everything is cleaning up nicely. The plan to paint the lower fork legs as the factory paint is bubbling as well as paint the top yoke which has slightly faded. Phil also broke out a bottle of purple polish and gave the frame a quick tidy up. This morning he dropped the engine cradle down to a local welding firm who have now fixed it for $80 , he has also taken the tank and tank lock to Dibble Locksmiths at Capalaba (highly recommended) who removed the broken key from the tank, they have determined that the lock needs some work as the bottom disk in the key barrel is jammed, they are going to remove the barrel then clean it up, hopefully I get it back shortly. While this bike was sitting , the PO's dog ate an indicator, so we fitted new ones as well as they arrived from the UK. ( ebay is so bloody easy to find parts) Im trying to convince Phil to do a run to springwood to pickup the new head stem bearings and we can reassemble the front end.
Its not a show bike, its going to get ridden, it already has quite a few nicks and marks, we just cleaned it up A few more pics from todays effort, the cradle was welded back up, they also put an internal sleeve in there to strengthen it.
Another big night in the garage, new head stem bearings fitted, then the front end went on with the new Tyga bars. Gauges fitted and new Tyga Dash Cover. While Phil was here I took his advantage of his services and mounted the engine back into the frame, she is starting to look like a bike again, I am very happy with the progress.
Heading down to Chris's Monday afternoon, was keen to see all the goodies Chris has purchased for the Aprilia. Some serious eye candy on display, those Tyga exhaust are awesome, the workmanship is incredible. Tuesday we found a firm nearby that welded the frame up and I headed to the locksmith to get the tank lock sorted. Whilst the broken key bit was extracted in seconds and a new one cut, the barrel would not accept the complete key ??? Whilst this was going on I took the opportunity to seek some advise what locksmith use when locks are stuck. He explained that graphite powder is what most assume is product to employ, however in Queensland with tropical weather graphite powder and moisture are not (good partners) and Inox is the product of choice which I might add he was spraying into the Aprilia's lock, to no avail?? Turns out the bottom disc in the barrel was seized solid and required a complete strip down. Next day, lock fixed, frame welded and I went to Springwood Suzuki to collect the head stem bearings. We are making progress. We got a lot done in a short period and the Aprilia has now risen off the garage floor with engine mounted and front end attached, she's looking good Having received many phone calls from my wife, that was my cue! time to go home..........BUGGER, I was having so much fun
I knew this subject had arisen prior on the forum so whilst there get advise from the pro's. He said Inox is clear and remains moist for extended time, hence it works so well. Handy to know.
Mate is a locksmith should of put a shout out would of taken the to him but if in trouble give me a yell for future
So I managed to get into the garage today, I pulled the carbs down for a clean, the front carb was immaculate, with just a tiny bit of grit in the float bowl, the top once however was full of mush, they have now been cleaned and reassembled and are back on the bike. I also fitted the exhaust chambers and they look killer, the coils are on, next stop is the cooling system. The Aprilia has some weird clip connectors so they have been replaced with regular hose clamps. I think I am avoiding the power valve cables and servo... its like spaghetti in there, but I have the manual
Your gonna have to be quick with this build.... Seen how your selling your only registered bike and all Top work so far you are on a roll though
Those pipes look killer, love to see both sides. Carbs looked a tad sad, moucho junk. Making serious progress there Chris, just a quick note, when we took the petcock off the tank there was a white sealer between the tank and petcock which virtually fell off. Have fun with the power valves, spaghetti is probably an under statement.
Wiring sorted with the help my daughter, rear sets are on, all that is left to sort out is the power valve cables, then prime the oil lines and fire her up , I refitted some of the body work as well , Im in love. There really aren't enough superlatives for Tyga Performance parts, they look awesome and fit really well. I was going to buy a clear screen, but the budget is stretched so I will leave the smoke tinted one on there. I also cleaned my brake calipers, I really should paint them but they aren't too bad, I just need my new brake pads to arrive