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Hello all,
HisNibs over on the AF1 forum pointed me over here, so here I am.

I have this morning purchased my first Aprilia, my first V twin. I was undecided whether to go for the RSV or a Falco. My heart was saying RSV while my head knew that the Falco would suit my style of riding much better and be more usable in everyday riding situations. After about a month trawling the internet for decent examples of both, I finally got the old CBR sold, went out and bought a Falco. She's in good condition but not perfect, nothing a good day of polishing won't sort out though. The frame and engine are immaculate its just the tank and tail are suffering from some very very fine swirl marks. I might be after some advice on the best way to deal with them. I'm assuming you can machine polish them the same as you would with a car? She's a 2001 with 20k on the clock but full Aprilia service, a book full of receipts and all the old MOTs. She's pretty standard so I might need to think about upgrading the rear shock and side stand as I've read that they are weak points.
I'm picking her up Saturday morning and I'll have a lovely 150 mile ride home to properly test her out. Cannea wait

Cheers

Hi and welcome to Ridersite

Enjoy your Falco when it arrives

Hi and welcome you should really get yourself to the bar and get a round in before you've spent it all modding your falco.
Shame you've just missed out on the marches meet weekend it was a great event and right on your doorstep.

Hi and welcome, I only bought my Falco a couple of months ago, it was in pretty good shape but needed a few minor things sorted out but I'm loving it as they say

Hello again. Not knocking AF1 but I think you'll find more local connections on this site. Hope to see you next year at least at the Marches meet if not before.

Just replied on AF1 to your scratch problem with your paint work.
A few can't make the mid year meet and there are a couple of spaces left?
Martdude lives in Shropshire and will be riding up with Randsomesquid who is from the black country.
Feel welcome to come and join us then we can really give you some pointers.
I will be changing some clutch jets over the weekend, so if your bike doesn't select neutral easily when you buy it this would be a good opportunity to have it changed

Hello and welome.
Get ready to grin like a loon for the next few weeks, its a compulsary side effect of buying a Falco,
You'll see what I mean

HisNibbs wrote:Hello again. Not knocking AF1 but I think you'll find more local connections on this site. Hope to see you next year at least at the Marches meet if not before.

Does seem to be a lot of American based users over on AF1. I'll definitely try and make some meets whenever I can.

blinkey501 wrote: Just replied on AF1 to your scratch problem with your paint work.
A few can't make the mid year meet and there are a couple of spaces left?
Martdude lives in Shropshire and will be riding up with Randsomesquid who is from the black country.
Feel welcome to come and join us then we can really give you some pointers.
I will be changing some clutch jets over the weekend, so if your bike doesn't select neutral easily when you buy it this would be a good opportunity to have it changed

Thanks. Saw your post on AF1 I'll try some G3 and go gently with it. I'll try and find the thread for the meet see if I can make it. I did read that RSVs and Falcos were a bit tricky to find neutral on as standard and I did have a little trouble. Found it easier to come down into N from second rather than coming up from first. Could be the clutch jets or could be me being a numpty as usual. If I come along you can try it out and see what you think if you wouldn't mind.

fatboy wrote:Hello and welome.
Get ready to grin like a loon for the next few weeks, its a compulsary side effect of buying a Falco,
You'll see what I mean

I was grinning like the proverbial Cheshire all the way home after test riding it. Saturday can't come soon enough. Hoping this weath et lasts for the weekend.

I've just had a look at the mid season meet thread and unfortunately I won't be able to make it. I'm in hospital next Friday having surgery on my left hand as I've a problem with my index finger. Anyway I won't be able to do much for a week or so after. Let alone next weekend. :(

Do you guys ever have local meets or day trip meets?

squadron Nero wrote:I've just had a look at the mid season meet thread and unfortunately I won't be able to make it. I'm in hospital next Friday having surgery on my left hand as I've a problem with my index finger. Anyway I won't be able to do much for a week or so after. Let alone next weekend. :(

Do you guys ever have local meets or day trip meets?

We sometimes meet up at buxton. But tbh we havn't made it this year.

Having to change down into neutral from second is a sure sign that the jet needs changing

Welcome mate - enjoy the ride. Lots of good and reliable advice on here. See you soon.

Yay for Falcos. Even when they don't run properly they are awesome *grumble*.

I've got swirl marks too - I figure it's down to ethanol in the petrol swelling the plastic but not the paint. It's a mess tbh - but being silver, mine isn't visible from a distance, in bright sunlight, with sunglasses on.

One day I'll have a play with transport grade vinyl and have a go at wrapping - I fancy matt silver. No harm done if it doesn't work out as it peels off before full adhesion. For £50 or so it should make for a fun day and cheaper than a night out on the lash. Probably couldn't do the tank in one piece though, let alone the tail and fairing but there's plenty of places to hide the cut lines.

What could possibly go wrong?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SILVER-MATT-V ... 4abaa6e9fe

blinkey501 wrote:

squadron Nero wrote:I've just had a look at the mid season meet thread and unfortunately I won't be able to make it. I'm in hospital next Friday having surgery on my left hand as I've a problem with my index finger. Anyway I won't be able to do much for a week or so after. Let alone next weekend. :(

Do you guys ever have local meets or day trip meets?

We sometimes meet up at buxton. But tbh we havn't made it this year.

Having to change down into neutral from second is a sure sign that the jet needs changing

That's only an hour from me. I'd be up for it if it got arranged.

How hard are the clutch jets to change? I'm not the best mechanic. I'd rate myself as a 2 spanner haynes job man. But if it's simple nuts and bolts I'd give it a go myself.