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I apologies in advance for my lack of technical abilities but even I shouldn’t be struggling with a basic oil change!!!

Due to not being able to get into neutral from first at a stand still since I bought my falco, I have followed the various suggestions on this forum to sort it. One was to change the oil, so I did. I filled it to half way on the oil level viewer, started it for a few minutes then filled it again to just above half way. Since then it either vanishes OR raises past the viewer level ie too full. They seem to be random though and I don’t want to damage anything one way or the other..

What am I or the falco doing wrong?

well....

nothing but - i would suggest that you drain your oil into a clean recepticle and then measure what you put in....

I believe that if you have not changed the filter, then you should put in 3.7 litres - if you have changed the filter then use 3.9 litres

(Use this as a guide for the future - do not go by the oil gauge - you will see why below!)

now to measure the oil level after you have done the above

run the bike - at least 15-20 minutes

keep the bike vertical, look at the oil level guide then - difference between min and max is just under half a litre btw

if, like some here, you have changed to a mille r steel tank, reduce the volume required by about 250ml

hope that helps

As Pete says the oil level can appear to vary a great deal depending on if the engine is running or how long it's been standing. I think that for peace of mind it is best to fill the bike with a measured quantity of oil rather than going by the sight tube as you pour it in. So 3.7 litres or 3.9 with a filter change.

I've replaced my oil several times and always do the filter so I know that I'll be getting through most of a 4 litre bottle by the time I've finished. It doesn't usually all go in at once though. Normally I top up the last bit after running the engine a bit. Once this is done then I always see a half full reading in the sight tube when the bike is parked.

Thanks for that folks. I think its more because I am paranoid about messing this bike up more than I was with my old Yamaha fj1200 that used to take as much abuse as I could throw at it!!!

I have bought a new filter and will use the measuring approach rarther than relying on the level viewer.

Hi and welcome BTW.

Yes, the oil level measurement is not simple or straightforward - but the manual does tell you how to do it.

If you don't yet have the User Manual and the Workshop Manual, you can download them from Martin Poll's website:

• http://www.martinpoll.dk/div_april.htm

As for this neutral problem, is it that you can't select it at all or just when the engine's running?
Anyway, the things I'd check are:
1) Is the clutch properly bled? It isn't necessarily easy to get all the air out. This guide will help though: https://www.ridersite.com/viewtopic.php?t=3763
2) Is your gear change linkage moving properly? Oil the rose joints and clean and re-grease the lever pivot that the footrest passes through (I had to do mine last weekend as the gear change had become difficult)
3) Change your clutch oil jet for a size 40. Aprilia has reduced the size of this jet a couple of times to improve gear selection. The 40 is what is used on the latest generation of the Rotax V-twins. This is a cheap thing to change and it really does make a difference.

Oh yes, and most of us have got into the habit of selecting neutral from 2nd before we stop ... though since I changed the clutch oil jet it really isn't necessary.

Hope this helps.

thanks D-Rider.

I followed the instructions from the workshop manual - I think its just me jumping to the wrong conclusions without giving it a chance.
Not been able to run it poroperly for a while which doesnt help due to the weather in costa del Wigan!

I have got into the habit of selecting it from second too. I will defo look into the size 40 jet size though.

The oil filling bit has been covered by everyone else far better than I can, and the neutral issue has (mostly) been covered by D-rider, but the biggest thing I've found on not being able to find neutral is proper chain tension. Whenever I've re-adjusted the chain, neutral seems to be far easier not necessarily perfect, but certainly good enough not to be tapping down from 2nd at the lights.

So, as I've not got much else to say, I'll just say welcome to the site

Wigan eh, we seem to be starting a bit of a Falco cluster in the north west.

another vote for the 40 size jet

makes neutral a lot easier to find - I noticed the difference today between mine and jadaris' falco.....

(mind you hers is a slower colour so maybe that is why....)

Aladinsaneuk wrote:another vote for the 40 size jet

makes neutral a lot easier to find - I noticed the difference today between mine and jadaris' falco.....

(mind you hers is a slower colour so maybe that is why....)

Yours, as standard, would have been worse than hers. Her Falco would have benefited from the first reduction Aprilia introduced (was it from 75 to 60?).

Hi all,

OK D-Rider, can you give me the pat number for the 40 jet pwetty pweasz

Is it a hard job changing it?

Cheers

job is a piece of piss so long as you have the right tool - a wooden cocktail stick!

I kid you not

and head to http://www.apriliaforum.com/forums/show ... clutch+jet for the part number and other stuff

and please, call me shirley, not D-Rider.......

Seems as though my trusty assistant has answered on my behalf.

It's good to have staff.

Thanks Shirley

Hi all,

Thanks Shirley + D-Rider Do you pay your back-room staff DR

More back-door than back-room from what I've heard

Lol

and just so as you know the piss does get royally ripped as often as possible on this forum

we are even nice to gingers!