Aprilia RS250 Project
Discussion
I have just become the proud new owner of a MK2 RS250 project.
The bike was owned by a fiend who realised he is never going to do anything with it due to the pressures of family life.
It is a Jap import that has a Nova and had import paid but never registered.
Plan to go completely through it, engine top end as a min, clean and tidy plus new stickers (have been removed). Will try to keep this updated so as a minimum I have a log of my progress.
Looking forward to this one and something to do over winter!
Hoping to collect this weekend or next and then will get started on completely stripping it down.
Limited pictures of how it currently stands.
The bike was owned by a fiend who realised he is never going to do anything with it due to the pressures of family life.
It is a Jap import that has a Nova and had import paid but never registered.
Plan to go completely through it, engine top end as a min, clean and tidy plus new stickers (have been removed). Will try to keep this updated so as a minimum I have a log of my progress.
Looking forward to this one and something to do over winter!
Hoping to collect this weekend or next and then will get started on completely stripping it down.
Limited pictures of how it currently stands.
I'm keen to see it's progress. A MK2 is a bike that I will one day own to generally sit in the lounge and occasionally ride. They look so period GP bike to me, more so than the mk1 and I had the same shape RS50 and RS125 so they seem like the logical shape for me to own, much more my era!
I had a 125 back in the day (I am not that old - 35!) and always wanted a 250 so looking forward to this.
Got it for a sensible price so once done up shouldn't loose too much money - depending how carried away I get.
I believe you have to split the cases for crank seals but was considering doing them, its now confirmed with that comment. I work for a company that rebuilds motorbike engines, although 4 stroke stuff, but means it have access to most of the tools required for a rebuild - along with an ultrasonic cleaner which should be good for the carbs. We also deal with Suzuki directly so maybe able to use some RGV engine parts for cost saving.
Also have contacts for paint, polishing, Cerakote etc so hoping to do this properly.
Have a friend with an RRV450 and I am looking forward to comparing them once done, hopefully in time for next summer.
Planning on collecting tomorrow afternoon so will be able to really see what I am dealing with.
Edited to add I should say 'looking forward' more in this post, I am just excited!
Got it for a sensible price so once done up shouldn't loose too much money - depending how carried away I get.
I believe you have to split the cases for crank seals but was considering doing them, its now confirmed with that comment. I work for a company that rebuilds motorbike engines, although 4 stroke stuff, but means it have access to most of the tools required for a rebuild - along with an ultrasonic cleaner which should be good for the carbs. We also deal with Suzuki directly so maybe able to use some RGV engine parts for cost saving.
Also have contacts for paint, polishing, Cerakote etc so hoping to do this properly.
Have a friend with an RRV450 and I am looking forward to comparing them once done, hopefully in time for next summer.
Planning on collecting tomorrow afternoon so will be able to really see what I am dealing with.
Edited to add I should say 'looking forward' more in this post, I am just excited!
Biker9090 said:
Caddyshack said:
Probably worth doing the crank seals whilst it’s in bits if it hasn’t been used much.
Lovely bikes and worth a lot of money in good condition
Do you need to split the cases on these to do that?Lovely bikes and worth a lot of money in good condition
Speak with The Tuning Works, located in Sleaford. Excellent work and service.
Also get over to RGV250.co.uk for lots of info.
Quite easy to work on but pay attention to the carbs and setting them up properly.
Power valves need to be checked as they can fail and drop into the barrel and grenade the motor.
But lots of parts available although barrels are like hens teeth these days.
Must get back to mine
and give me a shout if you need anything, been tinkering with mine since forever.
Enjoy and keep us posted.
Also get over to RGV250.co.uk for lots of info.
Quite easy to work on but pay attention to the carbs and setting them up properly.
Power valves need to be checked as they can fail and drop into the barrel and grenade the motor.
But lots of parts available although barrels are like hens teeth these days.
Must get back to mine
and give me a shout if you need anything, been tinkering with mine since forever.Enjoy and keep us posted.
Thanks for all the info so far guys and appreciate that Steve. Sleaford isnt a million miles from me so could be useful!
I agree with it being quite easy to work on from what I have experienced so far today.
Managed to get over and get it collected around midday:
Bodywork is marked up and the decals had been removed ready to sort it out - bonus that it came with a new set that I wasn't expecting. I also hadn't realised how close my friend had got to getting it sorted and on the road, it was running, it was MOT'd and insured and required the forms sending to
the DVLA. It was rejected and he worked out a later date that one chassis number was wrong on the NOVA (5 instead of an S) so had the importer resolve this but at that point life had got in the way.
It turns over on the kick start and feels like it has compression. Not even attempted to start it - I know the carbs will need work and it has no fuel in it. Plus the fuel tap is stuck in the on position.
Took the fairings off and it is obvious it has sat for a few years and not in the complete dry, think it was an old barn. Mould everywhere!
Battery was completely gone (0.4V!) so hooked up another just to see the mileage:
Committed to a steam clean (I know this is subject to opinion but I have never had an issue as long as drying it properly) and it has made a massive difference - under the dirt seems to be a very clean bike.
Overall I am really happy, I know the engine and carbs need sorting - although it was running fine when it went into storage and I have a friend who will sort the bodywork. Lots of little bits to do with odd rusty bolts etc and want to replace all the fuel and oil pipes with new but nothing should be particularly difficult.
Will be completely stripping it down next weekend and start on the engine plus getting the exhaust and a few other bits off for Cerakote.
I agree with it being quite easy to work on from what I have experienced so far today.
Managed to get over and get it collected around midday:
Bodywork is marked up and the decals had been removed ready to sort it out - bonus that it came with a new set that I wasn't expecting. I also hadn't realised how close my friend had got to getting it sorted and on the road, it was running, it was MOT'd and insured and required the forms sending to
the DVLA. It was rejected and he worked out a later date that one chassis number was wrong on the NOVA (5 instead of an S) so had the importer resolve this but at that point life had got in the way.
It turns over on the kick start and feels like it has compression. Not even attempted to start it - I know the carbs will need work and it has no fuel in it. Plus the fuel tap is stuck in the on position.
Took the fairings off and it is obvious it has sat for a few years and not in the complete dry, think it was an old barn. Mould everywhere!
Battery was completely gone (0.4V!) so hooked up another just to see the mileage:
Committed to a steam clean (I know this is subject to opinion but I have never had an issue as long as drying it properly) and it has made a massive difference - under the dirt seems to be a very clean bike.
Overall I am really happy, I know the engine and carbs need sorting - although it was running fine when it went into storage and I have a friend who will sort the bodywork. Lots of little bits to do with odd rusty bolts etc and want to replace all the fuel and oil pipes with new but nothing should be particularly difficult.
Will be completely stripping it down next weekend and start on the engine plus getting the exhaust and a few other bits off for Cerakote.
MK3 Dan said:
Thank all!
Anyone tried any of the ebay carb rebuild kits? Any good?
Rapidly realising how limited parts are now so its a case of finding good used or aftermarket used!
I don't know what ebay kits you have seen, but of the few I've bought, they have always been rubbish. Usually just a generic kit of dubious quality. Anyone tried any of the ebay carb rebuild kits? Any good?
Rapidly realising how limited parts are now so its a case of finding good used or aftermarket used!
Get on the Tuning Works website, a lot of carb bits are still available, but some stuff is getting pricey nowadays.
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