Tango

Result!!

Yep....I'd definitely go with the Hammerite Smoothrite Satin as it really is chip resistant and you can get a nice finish with it too.

It can often be near the starter motor...as that is the thing that draws the most current.

Good point Susieque......although you don't see too many driving slower than the trucks. But they are there....and a bloody menace they are too. The problem is what minimum speed would you set? 56mph so that they can keep pace with the trucks? Although there seems to be some variation on the speed that trucks are limited to now. 50 - 56mph I've seen. I know where you are coming from with this......many's the time that I've been shouting "If you want to look at the scenery get off the F'in motorway"

Nice cars CtB......probably weren't too many of them around then.....and fewer around now! My point above was 70mph + some police latitude is what we have now. Most people are aware that you would be very unlucky to get done for 80mph on a motorway unless there was another limit in place (roadworks) or traffic or road/weather conditions meant it was dangerous. Most times you would get away with up to 85mph unless the police officer was having a bad day or something. If the limit was raised to 80mph most people would expect to be able to drive up to 90mph without any hassle and possibly a bit more than that. So my personal view is that if the speed limit was ever raised to 80mph it would almost certainly be with a zero tolerance proviso. So we would be no better off....and it may encourage drivers with less experience or skill to drive at the higher speed. And what about the environment?....you can hear the screams from the Green campaigners now!

A lot of it is common sense....but there's a lot of drivers on the road that posess zero common sense. A lot of what we know about riding and driving has come from experience....unfortunately some don't live long enough to acquire that knowledge.....so this book is invaluable to all riders and drivers and especially the newer ones.

Make sure your exhaust is sound too......no air getting in around the downpipes or between the downpipes and the silencer.....or anywhere else for that matter. Apart from that just take note of what CtB is saying....you need to let the oil get round the engine before you give it some stick. Good Luck. Bob

Like others have suggested...I'd try and run it with the tank on but the filler cap open. That'll tell you if it's a tank breather issue or clogged cap breather. Also check that there's no wiring getting trapped by the tank when it's on. While the tanks off maybe give it a clean and then run round with a bit of ACF50 particularly on any electrical connections around there. Good Luck, Bob

How would most people on here feel about 1/ 70mph limit on motorways with a bit of latitude given by the police 2/ 80mph limit on motorways but zero tolerance if you go over that Just wondering what others think? I know the argument will arise about speedo error, but the counter argument would almost certainly be don't drive at 80 if you are worried about speedo error. Just playing devil's advocate here. Bit off topic, but still related I think. Bob

Well....as we blew out last night at the Marina because Mandy had to run an errand for a numpty customer and didn't get back in time we'll see if we can make this. Cheers, Bob

I think it's gonna be OK. Me and Mandy are hoping to get there.....prob 7 ish after we've had T. Bob

Caberg & Nitro do reasonable lids sub-£100. But you really do need to try them on. I think some of the Shark lids have a bit inside that can be removed to allow glasses to be worn more easily but they may be outside your price range.

I guess that's true also. And I've got better things to spend £60 on than give it to the authorities who get enough of my money already!!

Yep Techno.....there's nothing like your job depending on your license to focus the mind.

My Company car has a tracker fitted that will flag up in the office if I am speeding! I will always stick to the lower speed limits (20, 30, 40 & 50) but on motorways and dual carriageways I will sometimes get up to a max of 85 if road and traffic conditions are favourable. Although I do tend to use the cruise control in the car at 70 on motorways. On the bike I also tend to stick to most speed limits at the lower end. I can enjoy my bike without having to ride to the limit and scare myself half to death. I used to be young once (a lifetime ago....before anyone else says it) and the only points I've had on my license was for 105-110mph on the A13 in Essex on my XS1100 I had when I was in my early 20's. Got it out of my system then! I don't tut-tut at fast drivers or riders as long as they are not reckless and endanger other people....but I also have no sympathy when they get done for speeding! We all know the rules...and whether we agree with them or not they are not going to go away. My thoughts only.....some may agree with me...many may not.....c'est la vie! Bob

Is it a weak spark with the old plug or with a new one? If it's with the old plug it could be fouled and causing the spark to track or offering resistance to the spark. As I say...did you check it's the right plug? Replacing one with the same type that came out is not always the best idea as someone in the past may have just bunged any old plug in there. I don't know this model (or Aprilia's for that matter) but I've seen on other bikes (and cars) the sensor that triggers the spark can go iffy. If there is an Aprilia forum around have a look on there as there may be some tips for checking it. Replacing the sensor would probably be cheaper than replacing the CDI unit. Good Luck, Bob

A guy and his monkey go into a pub. After a bit the monkey gets bored and starts running all over the bar. The barman tells the guy to keep control of his monkey. So he gets the monkey to sit down. After a short while the monkey gets bored and starts running all over the bar again. The barman says to the guy "If you can't keep your monkey under control I'm gonna have to throw you out". So the guy says " OK I'll try to keep him under control". After a short while the monkey jumps onto the pool table, grabs one of the balls and swallows it. The barman says " Right that's it, get out and take you monkey with you!" So the guy takes his monkey and leaves. A few weeks later the guys goes back into the pub with his monkey. The barman says " I threw you out a few weeks back because you couldn't control your monkey!". The guy says "Yeah, I'm really sorry about that, but the monkey is much better behaved now" So the barman says " OK, but the first sign of trouble from your monkey and you're out". The guy says "OK" The monkey just sits at the bar on a stool no problem for a while. Then it reaches across, picks up a peanut from a bowl on the bar, puts the peanut up its bum, then eats it. The barman shouts " Did you see what your monkey just did? That's disgusting. What's it doing?" So the guy says " Yeah, well since the incident with the Pool ball he checks the size of everything before he eats it now!!"

Deffo replace the head gasket if you take the head off. If you do take the head off you may as well remove the barrel and check the piston and rings and the bore too for scoring. I would replace the air filter if I was you......sounds like the bike could do with a bit of tlc if it was stood for a time. Did you replace the 2 stroke oil too? If that has been in the bike for a bit it could have deteriorated. Bob

Sounds like the plug is oiling up. Several things I would suggest. Correct plug? Check online or Aprilia dealer just in case you have the wrong plug. Clogged air filter - causing it to run rich Head/Piston coked up - whip the head off and check for carbon in the head and piston crown. Clogged or badly fitting exhaust - altering the back pressure which can affect running. Sticking rings - if it was stored for a time the rings may be sticky and you could be losing compression. Just a couple of things to look at. If I think of anything else I'll stick it on here too. Good Luck, Bob

Yeah....that's why a said the thinnest smear on the bolts. Never had one come undone yet either....but as soon as you mention Grease and Brakes in the same sentence people start moving away from you Bob

Fully marked bike passed the Marina entrance going towards Huntingdon just as I was leaving. Gave a nod.

What races around the bottom of the lake terrorising all the other fish? A motor Pike and side Carp!

How do you know when you've passed an elephant? You can't get the toilet seat down!

One other thing....and opinion may be divided on this.....I tend to put a small smear of Copper Grease on these bolts too (as well as on the back of the disk pads).....just as added protection from corrosion. The callipers need to move freely or you can lose braking efficiency and possible damage to the disk (warping). The o-rings on the bolts also take up some free play so you don't get squealing from the callipers. Hope this helps, Bob

So's the callipers can "float". Meaning that they can self adjust their lateral position to clamp on both sides of the disc equally. This movement needs to be protected from the elephants, hence the boots and O-rings. I think that's what you are asking? Bob