Aprilia RSVR Rebuild

Smithers · Post by **Smithers** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 4:25 pm

When I titled this forum "My Aprilia Mille RSVR Restoration" I didn't really MEAN that I was restoring my APrilia... Well now I am!! Ok maybe I'm rebuilding the bike but still I think it's kinda funny at this point. I've met a lot of people who are helping me out with parts and I can't thank them enough. I think they will be happy to know that their parts will be in good hands on a fine example of an Aprilia. I hope everyone likes the pictures.

So in the past couple of days I have received my whole tail section and lights. The upper rear cowling should be on it's way this week as well and I actually found one to match the fluorescent orange tail that I got. The cool thing is that the tail section actually matches the orange that is on the bellypan on the bottom. I originally wanted to paint the whole bike but I think all the parts I'm getting will match just fine. I want to eventually paint it but with the weather being perfect now I just want to ride of course. Here's a shot of the bike and some of the new parts as it sits now.

Ahh I'm nearly halfway done with obtaining the parts. I'm trying to forget how much everything is costing me as well. :blink:

Smithers · Post by **Smithers** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 4:37 pm

I was also lucky enough to meet Jeff out in Michigan who sold me some EBC iron brake rotors. He definitely had some advice to help me out sorting out the suspension and such. The brakes he is selling me will definitely help scrub off a few more MPH going into the corners.

I'm definitely feeling the financial kick in the nuts putting this bike back together. I'm very grateful for the "sponsorship" (free shipping lol) and other goodies that people like him have been helping me with. Safety first! It's an expensive upgrade but one of the most important. Here is what they look like- Yummy

Here is Jeff leaning in at race pace out on the race track. Seeing this makes you wanna ride.

Smithers · Post by **Smithers** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 5:17 pm

In the meantime my old trusty Honda CA160 is still running strong! Now this is more my speed, haha. You can bet that this guy gets 60mpg all day long too.

Sometime I need to charge my new battery for my Superhawk 250... If only I had more time for all this stuff.

Smithers · Post by **Smithers** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 8:54 pm

Today was a good day. The Fed Ex man rolled up with a big box which meant that my front faring had arrived. So I was able to put it all back together today and I'll be riding this weekend.

Ok well maybe not. BUT I'm getting pretty close to having everything I need. I never thought I would have had most everything so quickly. THanks out to everyone helping out with their spare parts for sure! Here are the air ducts and the front piece that I'll be prepping this weekend if I have my way.

Smithers · Post by **Smithers** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 11:08 pm

So this evening I had a chance to move things around a little in the garage and get the Aprilia ready for some serious work. I'm getting pretty motivated now that I have parts to work with. Among the long list of parts to change out is one of the Sato Racing rearset pieces. I wouldn't dare try to press the aluminum back as it's a pretty strong piece, not worth the effort. I'll be ordering a new piece from Sato to make it all good and safe again.

Bellypan (coming off tomorrow) is still on so I could see if anything was bent compared to it. The exhaust looks amazingly straight so that's a good thing. I got a weird dent on my swingarm that I thought was from the pipe being punched into it from the impact. But the pipe wasn't even touched on the inside so that wasn't what dinged the swingarm. Whats done is done.

Not that I have made much progress but it feels good to get set up. I should have the whole back section done this weekend. I want to disassemble the whole subframe assembly and run all the wires back through with new ties.

Smithers · Post by **Smithers** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 4:04 pm

Nothing better than new parts that just came in the mail! Ok used but like new. We're on a budget here! Big shot out to Jim back in Oklahoma who hooked me up. Every single piece will be put to good use.

Time to take the front bracket over to have the guys powercoat it just like the last one.

They will be happy to see me. I can't think of any other color besides black. I can't stand the silver... the black just hides things and lets your eyes focus on the instrument panel a little better.

Installing the clutch slave cylinder will be fun. Looks like I might as well just flush all the fluids at the same time. <_<

Smithers · Post by **Smithers** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 4:15 pm

Yeap I think I'm going to go with black again. They shoot black almost everyday so I'll have it back very soon. It looks a lot better than the silver IMO.

Smithers · Post by **Smithers** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 10:28 pm

Oh what a good day today was. I got my new (new to me : ) full floating iron rotors in the mail today and spent the evening installing them. They truly are full floating as you can hear them jingle when you pick them up. I hope they make a lot of noise. B) Noise is good and I'm used to it after riding around on the loud front brakes that were on my TLR1000. TL1000R? Whatever.

A nice Renthal 44t sprocket to boot. w00ty!

Smithers · Post by **Smithers** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 10:51 pm

Since I was installing the brakes on a slow night you know I had to weigh the wheels before and after just for the hell of it. My new Canon SD1000 digital camera takes pictures so damn fast easy I can't help but use it. If you ever need a super slim easy to use camera go get one! I have a Canon G5 camera which has every adjustable setting you need and more - but the SD1000 takes the same awesome pictures but starts up instantly and can be thrown in your pocket. Back to the subject:

I didn't expect the rotors to be much lighter but I was pleasantly surprised with the results. Very nice. =] And damn they look SO much better! I would have put them on if they were yellow... I really don't care about the color. I just got lucky with them being so close to the OZ wheel blue. Can't wait to try em out. Of course I got some Ferodo pads to run with them as well. Time for some stoppies!

Ok maybe not...

Smithers · Post by **Smithers** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 11:11 pm

And after some abrasive cleaning up and installation here is the end result. I couldn't be happier.

Smithers · Post by **Smithers** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 10:57 pm

So moving on to the rear end, I removed the subframe and took it in to have it powdercoated along with the front fairing bracket. My neighbors roping steer got pimped out with some aluminum and a new exhaust pipe.

You might not be able to see it with the bodywork on but oh well. It feels good to have it protected I guess. It also is nice to know the inner workings of the tail section and exactly where all the wires go. Aprilia was nice enough to really put the wires and vacuum hoses back there with plenty of room to work with.

Here we are ready for plastic! I also want to trim off those plastic ears on the back end to get ready for the new Evo license plate holder. Trimming those off will make it look 100x better.

Smithers · Post by **Smithers** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 11:08 pm

Just for reference here is a shot of the rear swingarm as I took it apart for cleaning. Yeah I know I get a little crazy cleaning things BUT I also wanted to closely inspect the welds for stress. The swingarm just got a little tap on the right side when it went down but I don't want to overlook anything on the inside areas.

Smithers · Post by **Smithers** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 11:19 pm

Woohoo it's going back together. I really like the bright rear end color I found. A little stressful stretching the rear faring around the subframe but I was able to manage. In the near future I'll be shaving off those plastic ears and bolting on the fender eliminator kit to keep it looking smooth and simple.

Smithers · Post by **Smithers** » Wed May 07, 2008 5:08 pm

I'm really tearing into things now. I am replacing all the coolant lines and clamps as the current ones were deteriorating. I also removed all those clumsy vacuum lines and the charcoal canister to clean things up. Today I also received my B-day present to myself, the Akrapovic Titanium/ Carbon Fiber exhaust system. I can't wait to see how it all looks assembled.

I was also lucky enough to be invited to the Kyle Racing shop for a quick tour. Now this is the place for bike tuning and modifications: engine AND suspension. Check out the Kyle Racing tuning shop. He's got everything for Ducatis, I4 bikes and whatever you might need... even tires. They have an amazing stock of Power Commanders and the largest inventory of Ohlins suspension parts. They are dangerous.

Smithers · Post by **Smithers** » Sat May 10, 2008 10:25 pm

OK OK so I know this doesn't exactly look like I'm making progress but I am! I had to replace all the hoses since they were deteriorating. If you care for the details of changing out the hoses check out the hose replacing thread.