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I am now the proud owner of a 2001 Red 18k Falco. Standard apart from Akrapovic cans.

My first thoughts are:
Handles a lot nicer than a Fazer 1000, even with standard shock and squared off BT020;
People who think the suspension is harsh need to ride some 80s Dukes; Ditto the "My clutch hand hurts" brigade Not saying I wouldn't mind it a tad lighter though...
The engine feels alive and will take some miles to get used to and get best out of it. After 7 years of bland but fast I can see I can have a proper relationship with this bike IYSWIM.

Now the not so good:
I've never seen one on the road and now I have seen an identical colour one in Worthing. So much for exclusivity

Neutral is a pig to find when cold, otherwise fine but I know I can fix that with a .40 jet.

The front brake had an advisory on the last 2 MOTs of a "slight fluctuation of braking effort" on the roller. Well I have had vehicles fail on this before and couldn't feel it but this I can feel through the lever. Common problem? I did see a lot of Falcos with wavy discs when I was looking to buy.

Now for the worst bit...the clutch slips
I went out for a solo spin and thought I was imagining it, but went out with the missus this evening and it's quite bad starting from second gear around 8k when the torque kicks in.

I noticed that the clutch lever pulses is this a sign of warped drive plates I wonder? Could account for the slipping too?

Anyway, I wanted a bike to fettle so be careful what you wish for eh? My Wife pointed out that we now have an Italian bike again and an Italian car (her Alfa Spider). What could possibly go wrong? Good job the train station isn't too far away.

Love this forum already. Never had much to say on the Fazer one!

Regards all,
Andy

Glad to hear you've got one

So the little niggle:
Pulsing brakes: Almost certainly your semi-floating disks are no longer semi floating .... a little maintenance will probably sort this out.
You need to free-up the disk bobbins that fix the rotors to the carriers.
Get an aerosol can of brake cleaner. Take a bolt and nut and pass it through one of the bobbins and do it up so that you can use it to rotate the bobbin. squirt brake cleaner liberally on the bobbin between it, the rotor and carrier and twist away - flushing out the crap. Repeat for every bobbin (takes a while).
Don't forget to remove the bolt when done. That will probably fix it.
If not, it's probably down to pad material deposition as a result of the pads/rotors not being bedded in correctly .... but probably the bobbins.

Clutch slip: 2001 bike .... if someone has put fully synth oil in there, that's probably why (later bikes are OK on fully synth). Replace oil with semi synth.
If it still slips, have your clutch apart and rub the steel plates on concrete to roughen them a bit. That'll probably sort it.

Clutch pulsing: This has been reported .... can't remember for sure but it might have been a precursor to the clutch bearing failing. If so, change it before it does. If nobody pipes up to confirm this, try the search function and that'll bring up some stuff on this
Edit: I've had a search - see here: https://www.ridersite.com/viewtopic.ph ... ing+clutch - likely to be the bearing as I suspected

Grooming for the search function Andy?

I posted on the feeling the clutch "pulsing" through the lever as the precursor to the clutch release bearing going. When it goes it makes a mess and is an easy fix so do it now. Welcome by the way.

So the little niggle:
Pulsing brakes: Almost certainly your semi-floating disks are no longer semi floating .... a little maintenance will probably sort this out.

mine was the disks apparently I say that as replacing thewm has stopped it but may have just freed up the ... oh bugger



howdy

welcome

Welcome and enjoy the ride.

Congrats on the new bike! Glad you like the forum

Welcome, Red ones are the fastest!!

Hi all,

Welcome to the falco side of life ;)

Enjoy

I'll second the clutch release bearing... mine suddenly started pulsing with light pressure recently... changed it (very simple job, roughen the plates when you're there?) and you'll be good to go.

Thanks for all the replies.
I have been through the archives, honest, but there is just so much information here.
I just wanted to give a "first impressions" post really.

Anyway, the shop I bought it from has an Aprilia mechanic on staff and he says the pulsing is normal. The slipping should be covered under the warranty I took out so even though I am itching to rip it apart I will wait and see what they say.

After a couple more rides I see what everyone means about the shock. It's not that it's harsh, I could live with that. It's the lack of damping control. It showed up most on a gently undulating but well surfaced B road. Most unpleasant feeling when you are making progress!!

I will now hit the search button to find out which RSV shocks fit as there are a few on the bay of lies at the moment.

Cheers all,
Andy

https://www.ridersite.com/viewtopic.ph ... ght=ap8240


https://www.ridersite.com/viewtopic.php?t=9153


Try those two for starters both well worth a read other than that my recollection is blue/ white gen 1 Mille and a yellow one the difference being twofold
One needs the correct links and one is. A prettier colour :)

Then there are various Ohlins that works only with the correct links but from memory AP8240 might be the code. Should think it will all be in those two articles.
Difference in cost ? I would estimate generally Ohlins from 120if you are very lucky very very lucky ... Up to 200£ normally around 150-180. Unless it has remote preload. Sachs Mille shocks 50-100£

Refurbed appear to be about 100 £

Various makes available new and again from memory I think they start at around 350£ ish Maxton Nitron Wilbers Ohlins and White Storm (?) and others I can't recall

I think the general behaviour has been Mille or Ohlins as they are most readily available.

And so it starts again ....a new one to the forum and already his wallet is empty.....good luck and welcome to the mad house !! These lot will help you spend your money in the never ending search for the best Falco ........and it is never ending !!