Belated Intro.

Chat for Falco Owners.

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Salty
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Belated Intro.

#1 Post by Salty » Wed Jan 04, 2012 8:25 pm

Well, I had a 1200 Bandit for 13 years from new – a cracking bike and easy to tweak and maintain and sorted just to my liking, but it needed a new cam chain and other odds and sods.
I had a trip to France looming mid June so decided the time was ripe to look for a replacement. A V-twin was on my bucket list (old c*nt) and my research led me to this site which persuaded me that a Falco was the way to go. Plus I like to do my own spannering and the amount of info here is amazing (donation gladly made to site upkeep).
Found a one owner bronze and black beauty with FSH. Such a classy colour scheme and a perfect match for a gentleman of good taste and breeding…. but I decided to buy it anyway .
Image
Riding it home I thought I had made a big mistake! It felt totally alien, but I gradually adapted to the bike's characteristics. A few days later I rode down to Portsmouth for the ferry and really saw the potential in spite of the shite shock and the new Continential Motion tyres that the dealer had fitted (they tramlined summat awful).
Back home I bought a low mileage white spring shock which fitted OK with a different valve cap and then I was really hooked!
I modified a GSXR side stand to take the Falco bolt and switch, but the bloody thing fouled the belly pan when retracted and I did not want to cut the belly pan so I got an RSV stand and welded a longer foot to it and also a longer kick down bar which is much more convenient to use. The longer foot projects out about 40mm to the side of the bike instead of the original 10mm. Don't sound much, makes a big difference.
Also fitted a 100 amp starter relay as a precaution.
Fuel exhausts just arrived and will be fitted after I have done a service and that will be about it. I think this bike looks bloody lovely as it is!
Anyway, now done about 4000 miles and I am besotted!

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D-Rider
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#2 Post by D-Rider » Wed Jan 04, 2012 8:41 pm

Excellent :smt003 :smt004
“Scientists investigate that which already is. Engineers create that which has never been.”
-- Albert Einstein

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mangocrazy
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#3 Post by mangocrazy » Wed Jan 04, 2012 8:42 pm

Looks a cracker - nice one! I remember my first encounter with a V-twin. I bought it without a test ride and, like you, it felt completely alien and induced a 'what on earth have I done?' moment. But once I 'got' it, I never looked back. (Mainly cos Ducati mirrors are crap...)

Welcome!

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blinkey501
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#4 Post by blinkey501 » Wed Jan 04, 2012 9:19 pm

:smt006 Welcome
Tolerance will be our undoing.

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flatlander
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#5 Post by flatlander » Wed Jan 04, 2012 9:39 pm

flippen eck I thought I was rfeading me own blurb then I saw Wigan and thought I don't remember liviong in Wigan :smt017

Then I realised that we just had a very similar route into these bikes weirdly including colour choice and exhausts or maybe it just seems weird because I am watching Darren Brown :smt003

anyway howdy feller
For the avoidance of doubt and for the benefit of my wife, not everything I may say here will be absolutely true I may on ocassion embellish a little for effect.
That said when it comes to motorbikes, I like to ride side saddle with a nice frock

davebms
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#6 Post by davebms » Wed Jan 04, 2012 9:41 pm

nice machine !! i did a (weld a bit to the existing stand) its held up ok so it will stay like it

welcome

dave
red and black v twin

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HowardQ
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#7 Post by HowardQ » Wed Jan 04, 2012 10:36 pm

Welcome Salty :smt006
Nice looking bike!

After years of Jap IL4s, a Falco is very different and takes time to get to know, once you get there you won't want to stop. Many of us on here have been hooked for years.
I have only had mine for 7 1/2 years, and won't be getting rid any time soon.
It's the best bike I have ever owned in 40 odd years on two wheels and the most reliable.
HowardQ

Take a ride on the Dark Side :smt004 :smt096 :smt004

2001 Aprilia Falco in Black
2002 Kawasaki ZX9R F1P

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Aladinsaneuk
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#8 Post by Aladinsaneuk » Wed Jan 04, 2012 10:40 pm

welcome - may i introduce you to a financial advisor??


Let's face it, you wouldn't go to a nurse to get good advice on a problem with a Falco - you'd choose an Engineer or a mechanic...


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flatlander
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#9 Post by flatlander » Wed Jan 04, 2012 11:54 pm

That won't be any of us then :smt017 Unless he needs a personal shopper :smt001
For the avoidance of doubt and for the benefit of my wife, not everything I may say here will be absolutely true I may on ocassion embellish a little for effect.
That said when it comes to motorbikes, I like to ride side saddle with a nice frock

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Nooj
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#10 Post by Nooj » Thu Jan 05, 2012 12:18 am

Mine used to look like that :smt003
SHINY BIKE SYNDROME Motorcycle valeting and paint protection specialist.
Aladinsaneuk wrote:andy is having a VERY heavy period

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DavShill
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#11 Post by DavShill » Thu Jan 05, 2012 7:27 pm

Welcome Salty - very nice example, hope you enjoy it.

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HisNibbs
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#12 Post by HisNibbs » Fri Jan 06, 2012 8:50 pm

Nooj wrote:Mine used to look like that :smt003
All you need is a hacksaw and a little imagination and you too could become one of the forumn gods....

Welcome.
Don't put off 'till tomorrow what you can enjoy today

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