Discussion
Other than telling me "it's f
d" I'd appreciate some help diagnosing a problem with my Aprilia RS125 if possible. The sodding thing's proving to be so unreliable that it's putting me off going out and practicing which was the whole point of buying it before doing a DAS course. And now it won't run at all...
Anyway, symptoms (of which there are many):
Difficult to start
Won't rev over 8k
Irregular knocking noise from engine, frequency relating to revs
When it does start will just die for no apparent reason
When it dies, theres a continuing scraping/whirring noise
Lots of blue smoke from exhaust even when warm, looks like there's some exhaust smoke coming from the engine area too when I've run it with the tank up
I checked the plug and it was a bit fouled, but not that badly. I've also checked the compression and to my surprise found it to be 110psi cold, 120psi hot with these engines supposedly being 150psi+ new and should still run, albeit not perfectly as low as 80/90psi.
I bought this a couple of months ago from an Aprilia dealer thinking that as it was previously owned by one of their mechanics that the higher than average mileage shouldn't be too much of an issue. I've got receipts for a new piston not that long ago. The first time I drove it, it locked up and tried to throw me off and the garage replaced the main bearing that had seized (despite me buying it sold as seen). But with this happening so soon after (125km ish after it was put back together) is rapidly making me lose confidence in them so I'm not too keen to go back to them, but would rather fix it myself so I can build up a bit more confidence in it.
If anyone who knows about these things happens to be in the area of Fox's Diner near Oxford, I'm just around the corner and would be most happy to get the beers in at the pub next door if they wanted to come around and confirm my fears.
d" I'd appreciate some help diagnosing a problem with my Aprilia RS125 if possible. The sodding thing's proving to be so unreliable that it's putting me off going out and practicing which was the whole point of buying it before doing a DAS course. And now it won't run at all... Anyway, symptoms (of which there are many):
Difficult to start
Won't rev over 8k
Irregular knocking noise from engine, frequency relating to revs
When it does start will just die for no apparent reason
When it dies, theres a continuing scraping/whirring noise
Lots of blue smoke from exhaust even when warm, looks like there's some exhaust smoke coming from the engine area too when I've run it with the tank up
I checked the plug and it was a bit fouled, but not that badly. I've also checked the compression and to my surprise found it to be 110psi cold, 120psi hot with these engines supposedly being 150psi+ new and should still run, albeit not perfectly as low as 80/90psi.
I bought this a couple of months ago from an Aprilia dealer thinking that as it was previously owned by one of their mechanics that the higher than average mileage shouldn't be too much of an issue. I've got receipts for a new piston not that long ago. The first time I drove it, it locked up and tried to throw me off and the garage replaced the main bearing that had seized (despite me buying it sold as seen). But with this happening so soon after (125km ish after it was put back together) is rapidly making me lose confidence in them so I'm not too keen to go back to them, but would rather fix it myself so I can build up a bit more confidence in it.
If anyone who knows about these things happens to be in the area of Fox's Diner near Oxford, I'm just around the corner and would be most happy to get the beers in at the pub next door if they wanted to come around and confirm my fears.
Hi bimsb6. Thanks for the advice - I'm actually 27 so should just about be able to hold my own. My main reticence against heading back to the dealer is that they've already stripped and rebuilt it once to change the bearing that seized and 125km down the road it's giving me problems again. If I'm right and it is big ends / mains then I reckon rebuilding it myself might be my best bet. It's only a single cylinder carb fed two stroke, can't be that hard, right? 
wedg1e said:
If it is big-end then the conrod will have a needle roller in it and you'll need a press to dismantle the crankshaft...
Hmmm, looks like you're right. Our friend Mr Haynes states:Haynes Manual said:
If any freeplay [between big end and conrod] is noted, the bearing is worn adn the crankshaft assembly will have to be replaced with a new one... As an alternative to renewing the entire crankshaft assembly, Aprilia list a connecting rod and bearing kit - however, firtting this is a specialist task taht should only be undertaken by an Aprilia dealer or automotive engineer.
The conrod and bearing kit is £112.68 with the entire crankshaft being £327.38. I'll be hoping it's just the main bearings (£20 each)!Lex Sport,
Just take it back to the dealer and threaten them with the sale of goods act, if you start dismantling the engine yourself you will never be able to go back to the dealer.....if they have replaced the main bearing and it is still playing up after 125 kms (65 miles) I thin kyou are entitled to take it back to them and insist the repair it again.
Just take it back to the dealer and threaten them with the sale of goods act, if you start dismantling the engine yourself you will never be able to go back to the dealer.....if they have replaced the main bearing and it is still playing up after 125 kms (65 miles) I thin kyou are entitled to take it back to them and insist the repair it again.
Check out:-
www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/layer?topicId=1074027367
www.dti.gov.uk/consumers/fact-sheets/page24700.html
While you don't want to start by quoting the "Sale of Goods Act" do remember that it is your right to expect goods you buy to be "fit for purpose".
Take the bike back and ask for it to be sorted. If the dealer doesn't want to know then start using the Sale of Goods Act.
www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/layer?topicId=1074027367
www.dti.gov.uk/consumers/fact-sheets/page24700.html
While you don't want to start by quoting the "Sale of Goods Act" do remember that it is your right to expect goods you buy to be "fit for purpose".
Take the bike back and ask for it to be sorted. If the dealer doesn't want to know then start using the Sale of Goods Act.
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