Mods for new Falco owner..... on the cheap!

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crewmanchris · #1 Post by **crewmanchris** » Sat Dec 12, 2009 12:55 pm

Hello all,

Got my Falco a few weeks ago and loving it (depsite not having seen a dry day yet...can't wait for spring!) and I am looking fpr the best cheap MODs. Was first thinking of the Clutch, ie making it lighter.

I already have full braided lines and Blue flame exuasts. Was possiblely thinking or ECU or PC but definatly need to scour ebay for cheap/second hand stuff!! The missus will kill me if I started spending shed loads on it, esspecially after Moding my old SV650!!

I have read a few posts on changing the clutch master cylinder but not sure on the benifit.

Anyway, thanks for all your knowlegable posts on this forum - It has helped massivly so far.

Oh yer - 2 'newb' questions as well - What is the little knob on the RHS (under the tank) for? Where would I find the fuel tank support rod??

Cheers

D-Rider · #2 Post by **D-Rider** » Sat Dec 12, 2009 1:22 pm

Nice cheap mod to improve the clutch - particularly so you can find neutral more easily - is to change the clutch oil jet for a size 40. Aprilia have changed this a couple of times - was a 75 on the early engines, a 60 on the later ones and went to 40 on the new-shape RSVRs. Still basically the same engine though and the mod is an improvement. Use the search facility and I'm sure you'll find info on how to do it.

Not sure many have changed the clutch master cylinder though a lot of us have changed the slave. Evo, MPL and Oberon are the real options - all reduce the force needed at the lever - none are particularly cheap.

Another thing worth doing is fitting a banjo bolt with a bleed nipple at the clutch master cylinder - it makes bleeding it much easier.

15tooth front sprocket is another cheap mod - improves riding round town and gives it a bit more "go".

As for your little knob resting by your tank, that is your throttle stop which lets you adjust the tickover.

Where abouts "Nr Reading" are you? Although I now live in the Midlands, I lived my first 7 years in Earley before we moved to Burghfield Common - my parents still live there.

crewmanchris · #3 Post by **crewmanchris** » Sat Dec 12, 2009 2:11 pm

Thanks for all that - I live in Burghfield! Clay Hill Rd!

D-Rider · #4 Post by **D-Rider** » Sat Dec 12, 2009 2:18 pm

crewmanchris wrote:Thanks for all that - I live in Burghfield! Clay Hill Rd!

LOL - I lived in Pine Ridge Road.

When I visit my folks and have a few mins to spare, we'll have to meet up!

crewmanchris · #5 Post by **crewmanchris** » Sat Dec 12, 2009 2:30 pm

defo.

Just thinking more about the bike... I am just wondering about the ecu/eprom. As i mentioned I have blue flame evo's - how do I know if I have a replacement chip and if not where do I get a new one to match the cans?!

Aladinsaneuk · #6 Post by **Aladinsaneuk** » Sat Dec 12, 2009 5:23 pm

hmmmm

you have got a new sidestand fitted i hope???

that would be my starting point :)

ok, performance parts on the cheap - i would suggest a home made evo airbox - a few people have done it here so a good search may well reap dividends

with regard to ecu - leave it alone for now - do the mods you need or want to do, then decide what you want to do - some of us will go power commander etc, others will just comission a gabro chip for 20 quid or so

of course the simplest mod to make it faster is to paint it black......

fastasfcuk · #7 Post by **fastasfcuk** » Sat Dec 12, 2009 5:45 pm

if you've cut the wire to the ecu the blue flames wil be fine. i ran mine for three yrs with just the wire cut.

crewmanchris · #8 Post by **crewmanchris** » Sat Dec 12, 2009 6:00 pm

fastasfcuk wrote:if you've cut the wire to the ecu the blue flames wil be fine. i ran mine for three yrs with just the wire cut.

has been done!

crewmanchris · #9 Post by **crewmanchris** » Sat Dec 12, 2009 6:02 pm

Aladinsaneuk wrote:hmmmm

you have got a new sidestand fitted i hope???

that would be my starting point :)

ok, performance parts on the cheap - i would suggest a home made evo airbox - a few people have done it here so a good search may well reap dividends

with regard to ecu - leave it alone for now - do the mods you need or want to do, then decide what you want to do - some of us will go power commander etc, others will just comission a gabro chip for 20 quid or so

of course the simplest mod to make it faster is to paint it black......

Sidestand - dont think so. What's the best one for quick fitting/no fuss?

Will look into airbox

Its black already so fastest bike in my garage!

mrapriliafalco · #10 Post by **mrapriliafalco** » Sat Dec 12, 2009 7:20 pm

so can someone explain the clutch mods,I don't find it a problem but my wife(when plucks the courage to ride) really struggles

crewmanchris · #11 Post by **crewmanchris** » Sat Dec 12, 2009 8:24 pm

mrapriliafalco wrote:so can someone explain the clutch mods,I don't find it a problem but my wife(when plucks the courage to ride) really struggles

I'm as lost as you are - just find it far hader on the wrists than my old SV so want to try to ease it cheaply!

HisNibbs · #12 Post by **HisNibbs** » Sat Dec 12, 2009 9:00 pm

Drop the yokes down the forks a couple of notches to improve turn in and front end feel. Doesn't cost anything and in my not so humble opinion, improves things no end.

You can ease the strain on the wrists by tweaking the angles of the clutch and brake levers. There's not much flexibility but the five 5 degrees or so I achieved after our session with Griff, made a noticeable difference.

Other stuff costs.....

Aladinsaneuk · #13 Post by **Aladinsaneuk** » Sat Dec 12, 2009 11:06 pm

http://www.apriliaforum.com/forums/show ... clutch+jet
for cheapest clutch mod - helps with neutral selection

and mpl or evo clutch master makes the clutch easier to use

#14 Post by **mangocrazy** » Sun Dec 13, 2009 9:43 pm

HisNibbs wrote:You can ease the strain on the wrists by tweaking the angles of the clutch and brake levers. There's not much flexibility but the five 5 degrees or so I achieved after our session with Griff, made a noticeable difference.

I'd second that. It may take a bit of fiddling about, but try and do this. With you in your normal seated position on the bike, rest your hand on the clutch lever. Ideally you should be able to draw a straight line down your forearm, through your wrist and your hand/fingers.

In real life you'll probably find that your wrist is canted up by 10 to 20 degrees, and this what is causing wrist pain when using the clutch. The cure is to loosen the clutch lever clamps and rotate the clutch lever assembly round until you can achieve a straight line through arm, wrist and hand.

On mine (one of the later red/antracite ones) it was quite difficult to alter the clutch position. One of the problems was that the position of the LH controls was set by a pin which engaged with a hole in the bars. To allow me to alter the position of this (and thereby the position of the clutch) I had to remove this and drill out the brass pin.

I'd encourage you to do whatever you can to get the optimal clutch position/angle as it makes a world of difference. I also fitted one of the MPL slave cylinders, but I think the real difference was made by getting the clutch angle correct for me.

Ergonomics are important.

crewmanchris · #15 Post by **crewmanchris** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 6:16 pm

Awesome. Will give it a try. I do like the idea of the homemade Air box as well