Servicing/mod/EXHAUST question time !!

Message

AlBeeFalco · #1 Post by **AlBeeFalco** » Sat Jun 13, 2009 11:44 am

Well the time has come, after 3 months of ownership of my bog standard 6K mile '03 model ('05 plate) Falco, to start thinking about servicing and mods which will turn an already excellent bike into the perfect one for commuting, touring, track daying (is there such a word!?) and generally enjoy riding and owning for the next 5 to 10 years. I don't change bikes very often!

I intend doing all servicing myself and have already established that there's more than enough guidance and good people on this site to build one from scratch should I wish to!

The bike has a limited service history so I'd like to get it's service status and prolonging it's life mods sorted before starting to lash out on other "nice to have" mods. bearing in mind limited funds available at present. So here goes with questions....

1. Air filter - K&N, Pipercross?? or any other recommendations ...I would lean towards Pipercross due British co. (I know the bike's Italian but still like to do my bit!!!)
2. Oil filter - I already have a new 4 litre can of Putoline Syntec 4 15w/50 not used from previous bike...Will this do the job?
3. Brake and Clutch fluid change....I'll be following other posts on this site as seen much good advice. My clutch fluid is almost black so well in need of changing!
3. Hugger - First mod to keep back end clean will be hugger. Seen good reviews for NWS one combined with chain guard...Any other recommendations?
4. Fender extender - To reduce mount of crud hitting coolers...Can anyone recommend .....and .....are they worth fitting?
5. Saved the best question 'til last and OK more a "nice to have" than necessity but ..........EXHAUST CANS - I have a good relationship with some decent neighbours and would like to keep it that way......... but leave for work at 06.15 so tho' heart says loud head says sensible at starting and pulling away tick over/low revs but more, shall I say, free flowing fruitiness at the medium to high end!!! Following my buy British theme several manufacturers advertise with claims of exactly my noise requirements.....eg. Quill, Beowulf, Fuel etc etc......must admit the Beo's look good, just a bit concerned about low rev noise !!!.....Any advice/guidance would be much appreciated.

That's all for now, Cheers, Al

P.S. Limited funds at present statment did not include remembering it's my birthday soon ....hence dreaming of exhuasts.....Please Mrs B!!!!

Fausto · #2 Post by **Fausto** » Sat Jun 13, 2009 4:14 pm

1- No idea. I just got an Aprilia one. Can't really believe K and N make much difference.

2- If the Syntec is a semi synth then it should be ideal. I use Hi Flo filters and they seem ok.

3- Don't be suprised to find the clutch fluid looking just as black in a few weeks.

The other 3 - No idea about huggers.

4 - Not heard of anyone doing a fender extension but I would definately invest in some rad covers / grills to protect them.

5- There was a very recent thread just like this question. i.e. How loud are Beowulfs? I should search for it.

Aladinsaneuk · #3 Post by **Aladinsaneuk** » Sat Jun 13, 2009 5:19 pm

1. Air filter -

I think that standard aprilia one is ok, though many here prefer the evo or renegade aftermarlet solution.... though we are the noisy ones....

2. Oil filter - I already have a new 4 litre can of Putoline Syntec 4 15w/50 not used from previous bike...Will this do the job?

fully synth oil CAN make the clutch slip - your bike is right on the cusp - may be a case of try it and see....

3. Brake and Clutch fluid change....I'll be following other posts on this site as seen much good advice. My clutch fluid is almost black so well in need of changing!

NOPE - crap aprilia seal in the clutch makes it go black - replace it and it will be black again with in 250 miles.... MPL or evo clutch master will solve it though - most just accept it....

3. Hugger - First mod to keep back end clean will be hugger. Seen good reviews for NWS one combined with chain guard...Any other recommendations?

very limited choice - call skidmarks and power bonze and ask!

4. Fender extender - To reduce mount of crud hitting coolers...Can anyone recommend .....and .....are they worth fitting?

afaik very few of us bother - but do get the beowulf guards for the rads!

5. Saved the best question 'til last and OK more a "nice to have" than necessity but ..........EXHAUST CANS - I have a good relationship with some decent neighbours and would like to keep it that way......... but leave for work at 06.15 so tho' heart says loud head says sensible at starting and pulling away tick over/low revs but more, shall I say, free flowing fruitiness at the medium to high end!!! Following my buy British theme several manufacturers advertise with claims of exactly my noise requirements.....eg. Quill, Beowulf, Fuel etc etc......must admit the Beo's look good, just a bit concerned about low rev noise !!!.....Any advice/guidance would be much appreciated.

all good cans - i did use fuel for a while and they were ok. blue flame with baffles were better though - you can take the baffles out
my neighbours love my renegade cans..... honest!

bluedimension · #4 Post by **bluedimension** » Sat Jun 13, 2009 5:40 pm

1. I have K&N air filter fitted. came with the bike. Does the job and no problems with it.
2. Oil filter. I use standard HiFlo filter and the oil you have should be fine.
3. I have the standard fitment on my bird and the fluid does go black very quickly. Does not seem to affect operation but I am thinking of changing to EVO/MPL master cylinder.
4. Hugger fitted to mine is excellent but don't know what make it is.
5. I don't have a fender extenda and to be honest I don't anticipate fitting one.
6. I have Blueflame cans on my bird and they are loud. When I am on early shift (leave at 5.00 am) I have to take the car otherwise I would be strung up by my neighbours. They do sound great though.

all the best,

Blue.

fastasfcuk · #5 Post by **fastasfcuk** » Sat Jun 13, 2009 9:52 pm

theres a hugger and an extender for the front fender on ebay.

D-Rider · #6 Post by **D-Rider** » Sat Jun 13, 2009 9:57 pm

Air Filter:

I use a K&N because it doesn't need replacing - just cleaning and re-oiling every so often. Standard ones are fine though.

Oil Filter & Oil:

Be aware that Aprilia made a modification to the oil filter. If you've had the new housing fitted you'll need the longer filter. If you've the original housing, you'll need one of the old, shorter filters or the kit to convert to the new one.
https://www.ridersite.com/viewtopic.php?t=1419

Fully synth oil will be fine on an 03 bike - some of the much earlier ones suffered clutch slip with fully synth but after the time the clutch was improved, there isn't a problem. Mine is an '03 on an '05 plate too and runs fully synth.

Clutch Fluid:

Yep, it goes black - it's fine - it's a "feature".
The MPL and Evo slaves slow down the colour change but don't stop it ... as the fluid in my clutch reservoir demonstrates.
When you change the fluid, stick to DOT4 (DOT 5.1 is OK but DON'T use DOT5 .... it's not compatible)
Kzmille's guide to bleeding is invaluable:
https://www.ridersite.com/viewtopic.php?t=3763

Hugger:

I had a NWS carbon hugger when I had the standard Falco swingarm fitted. It was good - kept the crap off of the shock etc most effectively.
I don't need it any more but i had promised it to someone else.
I'm not sure they are still "in the market" for it. If you want it I can make enquiries of the chap I've given first-dibs to.

Fenda Extenda:

Yep I've got one of those fitted. Can't say how effective it is as I can't remember what things were like before i fitted it. It doesn't stop stuff being chucked at the rads etc.

Cans:

You only need one

I have a Fuel. Very nicely made.

Hope this helps.

HowardQ · #7 Post by **HowardQ** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 10:11 pm

1. Air filter - K&N, Pipercross??
I use a K&N, fitted when I fitted new cans, on the the assumption that a better induction kit would help balance the free flowing exhaust. It worked fine for me.
2. Oil filter - I already have a new 4 litre can of Putoline Syntec 4 15w/50 not used from previous bike...Will this do the job?
When I last used Putoline Syntec (Fully Synthetic) 16k miles ago the clutch slipped very badly, dumped and refilled with Castrol Semi Synth and problems went away, so stuck with it for 16K miles. Clutch still fine and niow approaching 27K, Used to buy just Aprilia filters but my dealer didn't bother with them so now use any decent quality units.

3. Brake and Clutch fluid change....I'll be following other posts on this site as seen much good advice. My clutch fluid is almost black so well in need of changing!
Yes it goes black soon after you change it, just live with it, sort of goes with my black Falco.
3. Hugger - First mod to keep back end clean will be hugger. Seen good reviews for NWS one combined with chain guard...Any other recommendations?
Fitted an NWS hugger a few years ago, keeps the shock much cleaner, major bonus if you ride in winter like I do, probably best mod I've fitted. Just get used to the cable tie.
4. Fender extender - To reduce mount of crud hitting coolers...Can anyone recommend .....and .....are they worth fitting?
Never tried one

5. Saved the best question 'til last and OK more a "nice to have" than necessity but ..........EXHAUST CANS - I have a good relationship with some decent neighbours and would like to keep it that way......... but leave for work at 06.15 so tho' heart says loud head says sensible at starting and pulling away tick over/low revs but more, shall I say, free flowing fruitiness at the medium to high end!!! Following my buy British theme several manufacturers advertise with claims of exactly my noise requirements.....eg. Quill, Beowulf, Fuel etc etc......must admit the Beo's look good, just a bit concerned about low rev noise !!!.....Any advice/guidance would be much appreciated.
Have run Beowulf Titanium ovals for a few years, still luv em. Never took baffles out as they are loud with baffles in, not too good for your neighbours. Start it and and wind the hand throttle/choke back off pretty quick in the mornings!

AlBeeFalco · #8 Post by **AlBeeFalco** » Tue Jun 16, 2009 5:22 pm

Thanks to all for info on servicing and cans. Relieved to hear black clutch fluid standard feature as clutch works fine.

D-Rider I'll PM you ref hugger.

"Won" Falco panniers and frames yesterday on ebay. Went to start bike to go and collect them today (good excuse for ride out) and.....dreaded battery curse struck,

More on next posting,

Cheers