New Falco owner in person

Chat for Falco Owners.

Moderators: Aladinsaneuk, MartDude, D-Rider, Moderators

Post Reply
Message
Author
User avatar
blinkey501
World Champion
Posts: 3495
Joined: Sun May 29, 2011 6:28 pm
Location: near doncaster

Re: New Falco owner in person

#31 Post by blinkey501 » Mon Jan 20, 2014 9:28 pm

randomsquid wrote:
MartDude wrote:
randomsquid wrote:I've also got a flaky lacquer thing on the back of the tank, not overly fussed about it.
These might help

Image
Look good, lend us a pair to try...
:smt036
Tolerance will be our undoing.
Top
User avatar
mangocrazy
Admin
Admin
Posts: 3944
Joined: Thu Jul 17, 2008 3:24 pm
Location: Sheffield, UK

#32 Post by mangocrazy » Mon Jan 20, 2014 9:48 pm

fatboy wrote:Aaah, another racing whippett, same wight as meself. Think Im showing 4 rings over top yoke, will have to check that i daylight.
im running on a Sachs White Spring, both front and rear are just a little lively for us feather wieghts, just doing a Pedrosa works well for me !
I think some old badger did threaten to post up a tutorial from Griff at Aprilia Perfomance on suspension set up...
I hope we have not lost him to the cull.....
If you've still got standard fork springs and shock springs, I'd say that a Falco is over-sprung for a pair of whippets like yourselves. It all depends on personal preferences, but I changed the standard fork springs for Hyperpro progressive springs, and changed the shock spring for one about 12-15% softer. I also fitted Racetech Gold valves in the forks and had the shock re-valved to substantially reduce the compression damping.

Now I don't get bounced around like a pea on a drum and everything feels precise and planted. Before I was getting kicked out of the seat on a regular basis and on a bumpy road, felt like I was riding a road drill. Now it just feels right - bumps get absorbed, not transmitted through to my spine or arms and I feel way more confident.

The Falco is a fantastic bike, but Italian suspension may need some modification if you're lighter than average and don't want your fillings rattling around in your gums...
Top
User avatar
Aladinsaneuk
Aprilia Admin
Posts: 9503
Joined: Wed Jan 03, 2007 10:37 pm
Location: Webfoot territory

#33 Post by Aladinsaneuk » Tue Jan 21, 2014 12:08 am

Just who is letting all these skinny buggers in?


Let's face it, you wouldn't go to a nurse to get good advice on a problem with a Falco - you'd choose an Engineer or a mechanic...

Top
spiderwheels
Clubman Racer
Clubman Racer
Posts: 385
Joined: Tue Jan 14, 2014 10:02 pm
Location: Cambridge

#34 Post by spiderwheels » Tue Jan 21, 2014 9:08 am

Aladinsaneuk wrote:Just who is letting all these skinny buggers in?
If we turn sideways we can fit through the gaps!

Thanks for all the replies. There is a wealth of information here and while it's all icy and salty out on the roads I'll look at the options for changing springs etc.

I think the Nitron shock was fitted out of necessity rather than to improve the bike as the original failed the MOT in 2009. Maybe I can get it rebuilt to my weight. Or sell it on and get a new one built to spec.

That leads me to believe the forks haven't been modded in anyway and certainly feel much stiffer than the shock so I will invest in some springs. I assume changing springs and fork oil is an easy DIY job?

Got to order my Abba stand first...
Top
User avatar
Aladinsaneuk
Aprilia Admin
Posts: 9503
Joined: Wed Jan 03, 2007 10:37 pm
Location: Webfoot territory

#35 Post by Aladinsaneuk » Tue Jan 21, 2014 9:25 am

Ahem

Service the forks first - willing to bet they have never been done....


Let's face it, you wouldn't go to a nurse to get good advice on a problem with a Falco - you'd choose an Engineer or a mechanic...

Top
spiderwheels
Clubman Racer
Clubman Racer
Posts: 385
Joined: Tue Jan 14, 2014 10:02 pm
Location: Cambridge

#36 Post by spiderwheels » Tue Jan 21, 2014 9:32 am

Aladinsaneuk wrote:Ahem

Service the forks first - willing to bet they have never been done....
Sounds like a plan. I'll order some hyperpro springs.

Is there a DIY guide somewhere to removing the forks and changing the oil? I like to have a read through.
Top
User avatar
blinkey501
World Champion
Posts: 3495
Joined: Sun May 29, 2011 6:28 pm
Location: near doncaster

#37 Post by blinkey501 » Tue Jan 21, 2014 12:43 pm

Don't mess about mate. Send them here?
http://www.revsracing.co.uk/
Tolerance will be our undoing.
Top
User avatar
Cathcart
SuperSport Racer
SuperSport Racer
Posts: 444
Joined: Sat Aug 25, 2012 3:48 am
Location: Dunfermline, Fife

#38 Post by Cathcart » Tue Jan 21, 2014 3:02 pm

Has anybody noticed a large improvement after servicing and replacing fork oil alone?
"You live more for five minutes going fast on a bike than other people do in all their life".
Marco Simoncelli.
Top
User avatar
Aladinsaneuk
Aprilia Admin
Posts: 9503
Joined: Wed Jan 03, 2007 10:37 pm
Location: Webfoot territory

#39 Post by Aladinsaneuk » Tue Jan 21, 2014 3:21 pm

Yes

The was a difference of 10 ml between the fork legs on mine....

If you want a fright look at the recommended service schedule for the forks from Aprilia....


Let's face it, you wouldn't go to a nurse to get good advice on a problem with a Falco - you'd choose an Engineer or a mechanic...

Top
User avatar
Cathcart
SuperSport Racer
SuperSport Racer
Posts: 444
Joined: Sat Aug 25, 2012 3:48 am
Location: Dunfermline, Fife

#40 Post by Cathcart » Tue Jan 21, 2014 3:31 pm

I don't have a service schedule... Never bothered, service when I feel like it and do what I think should be done (usually once I year). Not the best practise I know.
Think I read either this thread or a search earlier that its around 4500 mile?
"You live more for five minutes going fast on a bike than other people do in all their life".
Marco Simoncelli.
Top
User avatar
Cathcart
SuperSport Racer
SuperSport Racer
Posts: 444
Joined: Sat Aug 25, 2012 3:48 am
Location: Dunfermline, Fife

#41 Post by Cathcart » Tue Jan 21, 2014 3:32 pm

Has anybody noticed a large improvement after servicing and replacing fork oil alone?
"You live more for five minutes going fast on a bike than other people do in all their life".
Marco Simoncelli.
Top
User avatar
blinkey501
World Champion
Posts: 3495
Joined: Sun May 29, 2011 6:28 pm
Location: near doncaster

#42 Post by blinkey501 » Tue Jan 21, 2014 3:34 pm

Cathcart wrote:Has anybody noticed a large improvement after servicing and replacing fork oil alone?
Yes oldgit commented to me at one of the meets. He noticed an improvement :smt003
Tolerance will be our undoing.
Top
spiderwheels
Clubman Racer
Clubman Racer
Posts: 385
Joined: Tue Jan 14, 2014 10:02 pm
Location: Cambridge

#43 Post by spiderwheels » Tue Jan 21, 2014 4:17 pm

blinkey501 wrote:Don't mess about mate. Send them here?
http://www.revsracing.co.uk/
Surely that's a bit pricey compared to a pair of springs and some 5W oil?
Top
User avatar
blinkey501
World Champion
Posts: 3495
Joined: Sun May 29, 2011 6:28 pm
Location: near doncaster

#44 Post by blinkey501 » Tue Jan 21, 2014 4:19 pm

spiderwheels wrote:
blinkey501 wrote:Don't mess about mate. Send them here?
http://www.revsracing.co.uk/
Surely that's a bit pricey compared to a pair of springs and some 5W oil?
I got quoted 170 quid for progressive springs. Oil and seals. I thought that was fair. :smt102 I think that included postage back to me also. Not sure though
Tolerance will be our undoing.
Top
spiderwheels
Clubman Racer
Clubman Racer
Posts: 385
Joined: Tue Jan 14, 2014 10:02 pm
Location: Cambridge

#45 Post by spiderwheels » Tue Jan 21, 2014 4:27 pm

blinkey501 wrote:
spiderwheels wrote:
blinkey501 wrote:Don't mess about mate. Send them here?
http://www.revsracing.co.uk/
Surely that's a bit pricey compared to a pair of springs and some 5W oil?
I got quoted 170 quid for progressive springs. Oil and seals. I thought that was fair. :smt102 I think that included postage back to me also. Not sure though
OK thanks. that doesn't seem so pricey :) I'll give them a ring!
Top
Post Reply

Return to “Aprilia Falco”