Aww, it's broken - Aprilia RS250

**Loud** · 27-05-2011, 06:52 PM

Seems I have an addiction. Not satisfied with Tinkering with an '08 RS125 I've picked up an '02 RS250 to play with. Now instead of paying You-Know-Who to break it I've saved some time, grief and money and bought a pre-broken unit. Sounds sensible, at least to someone who chooses to buy motorbikes afflicted with being both Italian and 2-stroke.

On the plus side it's a late model, low-ish kilometer bike and complete. But it's had a drop on the RHS and has a barrel that looks like an inside-out cheese grater care of a crank that let go. Worst is that the swingarm got attacked by the chain, which I won't be able to live with. But I see past this all as I stare at the 8 pistons on the Brembo brakes up front, the fully adjustable suspension and the alloy frame and think of the possibilities.

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I'm not a fan of most RS250 colour schemes and this one is no exception. This one looks pretty sharp and has got me thinking though...

RS250 Side.jpg

It'll have to wait a month for any decent progress, one RS has been sold pending final payment and the other is waiting the last of the go gear before reassembly. Then I'll have some time and money to get this girl going again.

In the meantime I'm open to suggestions on modifications I should make. Single seat conversion is a definite, power valve rectification sounds sensible... what else without sacrificing reliability? I want to keep it registered to use for country runs and track days.

**blackzook** · 27-05-2011, 08:05 PM

I have 3 RS250's and a 06 GSXR750 all track bikes the RS make the gixxa feel like a tank. I am 5 seconds a lap faster on the RS at EC.

Smokers rule good luck on the build.

**Rastas** · 29-05-2011, 12:33 PM

Rz 350 motor..
That is all..,

**bowie** · 29-05-2011, 08:33 PM

Tyga fairings. I know these are a great bike but the shape has never done it for me. Tyga fairings would be a must for me.

**Loud** · 29-05-2011, 10:08 PM

Originally Posted by bowie

Tyga fairings. I know these are a great bike but the shape has never done it for me. Tyga fairings would be a must for me.

I've never been a fan either, until recently. I think most colour schemes did it no favors, however photos also don't do it justice. The wind-tunnel design is actually quite graceful and I don't mind it being a little retro. And I can't help but feel the Tyga RS250 fairings look a little 'stunned fish' instead of 'angry insect', their NSR250 looks a lot better.

I spent 7 hours surfing the web looking at bits for this bike the other night - I get a bit involved. I'll be making some phone calls tomorrow to set this in motion, although the answers will determine my direction with it. Whichever way it'll be keeping the original motor, I'm going to enjoy learning about it I think!

**Loud** · 04-06-2011, 09:44 PM

Well the last of the parts for the RS125 didn't arrive in time for the long weekend, so I spent a couple of hours disassembling the RS250.

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Now I've worked on plenty of cars in the past, plus a bike or two, and I can tell you that this is the smartest and most beautiful piece of engineering I've come across. I was intrigued with the simplicity in which it all screws together, and was particularly wrapped to discover the alloy sub-frame.

Having had a chance to acquaint myself with the bike I am very pleased with my purchase. Aside from a little cosmetic damage on the front nose cone the fairings are in great, if somewhat faded, condition. And what's really pleasing is how easily it's all coming apart, so much stainless steel! As it doesn't appear to have been apart before I'm taking plenty of photos to make sure it goes back together as Aprilia intended... maybe not entirely as it left the factory though

**EEKNOWS** · 06-06-2011, 11:02 AM

Add TYGA heads, Couger Red PV's TYGA pipes and an Ignition and that's a genuine 65HP at the wheel. I can give you a few extra little bits to look out for as well.

**Loud** · 06-06-2011, 11:33 AM

I was leaning towards Jim Lomas pipes, TTW heads and Dave Cooper PVs with a Zeeltronic... worth the extra $$? Any input would be appreciated, the budget is fairly healthy as it's a keeper - I even found a replacement swingarm

**R160** · 07-06-2011, 02:07 PM

Aprilia SVX 550cc v twin conversion.

**rgvlee** · 07-06-2011, 02:19 PM

DC valves are cougar valves, DC no longer in business anyway.

I've got both tyga and lomas pipes and IMO the lomas are a much better pipe in all regards.

TTW heads made by cougar, and are good. I like them as they have the water spigot included and Sean can easily get different inserts made up.

**Loud** · 07-06-2011, 04:53 PM

Originally Posted by Nathan

Aprilia SVX 550cc v twin conversion.

I've heard good things, but I'm not into conversions so much - including the TSS500. Nice looking motor though!

Besides, my life is at stake if I "f*ck with the fairings", so I'd guess the same goes for swapping the motor

Thanks for the heads-up RGVLee, that simplifies the decision making process!

**browncow** · 07-06-2011, 05:10 PM

Originally Posted by Nathan

Aprilia SVX 550cc v twin conversion.

Wait a sec... What is that?
Is that a 250 motor with 550 barrels or something???

**Loud** · 07-06-2011, 07:55 PM

Who puts a nice motor like that onto bitumen anyway?

**Spiren** · 07-06-2011, 08:28 PM

loud

its great to see another rs 250 out and about ( or will be ). as far as the rs 250 goses mines an older one (98) and iv found that mine needed a few nuts and bolts replaced as well as one or 2 parts. all i can say is spend the $$ and do it right the first time. i dont know how your going to go with fairing they seem to be few and far between. i know the guy at RGV spares has a nose cone for sale a bit $$ thow.

also one thing to do is to take the power valves out and get the sliding pin in the middle of the valve strengthend as well as all the power valve pully system replaced. iv also had the head and base gasket trimmed a bit and im running tyga pipes. so my one peace of advice would be if somthing dosent look up to standard replace it (nuts bolts ect) and two buy all the parts in one go do everything you want to do to the bike then go and get it tuned. or youll find your self going back and forth to the dyno.

as far as the heads and all that go from what iv read on the aprilia forum some aftermarket heads dont perform well with aftermarket power valves or the zeeltronics system.

anyways keep us updated!

**Loud** · 07-06-2011, 08:42 PM

Thanks Spiren. Sorry to see you had an off on yours, and I'm waiting to hear what you do with the levers before I order mine! My fairings are only in need of a paint, a little scratching on the nose cone just prior.

This things going back to the frame, it'll be better than new once it's done... hopefully before Spring...