Aprilia Riders

[lacrimosae]

Actually M710 also nice and can keep using 2T pump which make a easier ride. Few of my friends using M710 with 2T pump on their track used RS250, pushing hard at PG to low 1:50s without facing any engine failure problem. Unless RS125's 2T pump a not reliable part otherwise it's really hard to make a point using premix to me. Plus M800 is a very sticky oil not easy to pull out from the bottle and easy to get somewhere else and resulted in a mess. If you really wanna try premix 2T, maxima K2 will be my recommand choice. About same price compare to M800 but not that sticky, same level as maxima 927 but not based on toxic castor oil and less violent smell form the smoke. Most important one, although maxima k2 written premix only but i've tried on my RS250 pump for a while with out a problem and my pistons were burned nicely.

 

But honestly speaking, I couldn't feel any difference no matter i am using M710, 50%M710+50%M800, Maxima K2 through pump in the track. Rev up to 13000rpm(ECU cut) never a prob and engine always responsded properly. So I do think as long as the realibility of 2T pump not an issue, any 2T around M710 level good enough already.

 

Just mine two cents.

 

Your 2 cents worth more than you claim it to be. It's a lot of food for thought. Thanks!

 

Am interested to try out all the abovementioned 2T types and blend them individually in glass bottles with as little agitation as possible, see which ones mixes the best, and with minimal separation over the longest duration.

 

Will you be so kind as to offer a small sample of what you have? 15ml is enough (I use 12.5ml of 2T per 1 litre of petrol). Will take photos and publish results.

[shinya]

I currently have maxima K2 and if you want can take some. Stop using 710/800 mixture cos i need extra bottle to mix them(two bottle more than my RS250 2T tank can take...so) and also i dun like M800's smell after burning . I think you can make a compare between K2 and 800 on the similar price range(2 SGD in between?).

 

About the separation, try avoid use castor oil baes 2T cos they quite easy to settle down to the bottom. Those Race 2T bike using 927 or 747 are measure the among of petrol need to be used then add 2T, mix well then loaded into tank. If not run them out then next time need to shake them to remix the fuel with 2T, which i think not quite fit for most of us.

[tomdick12]

I went to unique motor. Where is ah seng based? How do we set the 2T mixing ratio? Will the mech know ? I tried to talk to the mech at unqiue but they always seem to be rushing for time...

 

ok come meet us for coffee tonight. hehe. u went to which workshop.? do ur first service at mah, subsequent i seriously hope u come find ah seng. else i dun friend u. hahaha! no la. actually should not recommend anymore. ah seng going to be freaking busy man.

 

calling all aprilians, shall we hire ah seng? start a bike shop "aprilians @ sg "

fadil wants to be apprentice of ah seng. so thats it! we only service aprilias. woo! anyone wanna venture with me.

[Sub Zero]

I went to unique motor. Where is ah seng based? How do we set the 2T mixing ratio? Will the mech know ? I tried to talk to the mech at unqiue but they always seem to be rushing for time...

 

I'm not too sure about Unique. I suggest you ask Chung or Ize to bring you down to First Motor, where Ah Seng is. Chung is FM diehard fan!

[Sub Zero]

Just an update.

 

Did my clutch last friday.

 

WEDA sells original Rotax Friction plates $26 per piece, but currently out of stock.

Steel plates are going for $16 a piece. They offered $85 for a set of aftermarket friction plates(Supposedly from Italy). The clutch cover gasket i bought from them cost $9. (Didnt ask if it was original, he just took it from a box). Seems to work fine enough so far.

 

 

Did the job at FM. Ah Seng charged me $70 for labour. I changed all the tubes(2t tubes and fuel hose), cleaned the 2T pump and did a general cleanup of the whole clutch on top of putting in the new clutch plates. He did a good job. As usual.

 

I think if you just bring your own stuff like how I did to fix your clutch, labour cost should be 50-60.

[lacrimosae]

Just an update.

 

Did my clutch last friday.

 

WEDA sells original Rotax Friction plates $26 per piece, but currently out of stock.

Steel plates are going for $16 a piece. They offered $85 for a set of aftermarket friction plates(Supposedly from Italy). The clutch cover gasket i bought from them cost $9. (Didnt ask if it was original, he just took it from a box). Seems to work fine enough so far.

 

 

Did the job at FM. Ah Seng charged me $70 for labour. I changed all the tubes(2t tubes and fuel hose), cleaned the 2T pump and did a general cleanup of the whole clutch on top of putting in the new clutch plates. He did a good job. As usual.

 

I think if you just bring your own stuff like how I did to fix your clutch, labour cost should be 50-60.

 

Of course if you'd DIY-ed it, it'd have been free! hahahahahahahahaha

 

And I'm sorry about that overtaking scare. My bike's running pretty lean and 2T intake is also at an all time low. Riding at 5,000-6,000rpm clogs up my spark plug very quickly with dry cakey carbon as it becomes dangerously lean to the point of increasing engine temp and misfiring (Chung behind me might have noticed my bike shuddering and coughing just before I opened up my throttle), even though I'm using NGK Iridium (B9EIX). Had to open it up for a bit, but the acceleration was too quick and uncontrollable.

 

Anyway, my 2T:fuel ratio is now 1:78 (1 litre 2T to 78 litres petrol), which is about 12.8ml of 2T per litre of petrol, suicidal by most mechanics' standards. But no seizure on track yet, so I'm going to keep pushing till I reach 1:85 (most mechs recommend 1:20 for racing and 1:40 for street riding )

 

Due to my leaner atomiser (262) and needle jet, I can't stay too low on the rev range or my engine gets starved of 2T and fuel. It's risky, but I like my 35km/L mileage. Good fuel economy = save the planet/save $$$

 

Looking fwd to next DIY with you guys. DIY will no longer be open to public. On invitation only. haha

Edited October 13, 2009 by lacrimosae

[Sub Zero]

Lawrence, I see the labour being done, I'd rather hang myself. I dont have the patience to DIY. And i hate to get fingers dirty. Hahaha..

 

Your bike's fast man... But the 250 was SOLID! My balls were in my throat when the valve open on that beast!

[IZECUBEZ]

WTF? I swear I've posted a wall of text this afternoon and its all gone.

 

Guess I have to recall and repost whatever I said just now..

[IZECUBEZ]

Good job Chung!

 

Anyway, just to add. Viknesh is a loud mouthed, bad tempered ass, Lawrence, an unforgiving cynic, and Khai, a timer. Best not to approach them.

 

Chung and Ize will provide you with all the info and 'poison' you need!

 

Or you may call me Mr.Poison Its so bad that I can poison myself sometimes..

 

Old timer. Uncle. Advisor to all. etc.

In other words, Vik is calling you an old man! Hahahahaha!

 

Hi bro,

 

thank you so much! I stay in woodlands and my mobile is 96648664. Would love to meet you guys up for coffee.

 

BTW, i called up the workshop to ask and I mentioned about the "valve seal and gasket and everything" but the mech said they didn't restrict anything. He said probably need to tune the carburetor. I wonder why it was not done properly during the last top servicing when they also replaced piston/clutch.

 

I will faithfully complete my run in till 800km and then go back to see how. Hope everything will be ok

 

Tuning wise, its really hard to get the settings right for everyone. It varies from one person to another. Pick up whatever you can regarding tuning and try to apply it yourself. If you feel that there's something dont feel right, its always back to the drawing board. Lacrimosae ever once told me he got lazy and changed alot of settings and jets on his carb at one go. It went so bad that he had to restart everything from the last setting and slowly test 1 different item to get the setting right before moving on to the next time.

 

Chung , ure the most enthusiast aprilian rider ive seen ... Ize , hows ya bike? heard bout it ... ok or not

What've you heard so far? I'm guessing that eventful session at Tuas. I managed to get up without a scratch. But my bike felt like it just ploughed thru Egypt! Sand EVERYWHERE! I've cleared off most of the sand that I can see, but somehow I'm so paranoid when the thought of a few grains of sand ended up somewhere in the engine. :|

 

thanks wawan. hehe. i know i am. and i still enjoying everybit of the bike aprilia gives. woo!!

 

ize at fm just now. but seems like ah seng is freaking busy cant attend to him man. thats the prob with fm. got to wait like hell. lol! and always there are non-aprilia bike disturbing ah seng. thats the disturbing part.

 

when he is doing ur bike, den some uncle riding other make, come ask here and there den ah seng got to do their bike. lol.

 

Was at FM yesterday around noon thanks to the rain.. The moment I got there, I can see Seng's expression started to change. Like those "DIE LAH! 1 more bike to service! Jialat liao!" Waited around abit to see how busy he got and we agreed to take a look at my bike later at 6pm. So I went off to do my errands like getting my IU unit changed, buy a bottle of 2T for Chung (PS: Thanks again Chung for the emergency bottle of Agip late in the night!), meet Alfian for lunch before we both headed down to Mah to settle my loan and meet his buyer to full settle his little 125 (now ppl big boy 250 ah! ^^). As I got back to FM at around 5ish, waited abit more before getting some work done. Seng was telling me stuff like how much backlog he have to do today.

 

So what I suggest to all the riders here for the time being, lets try not to bug Ah Seng for this 1 week or so. Too much things to get done within the week. If you have some minor minor problem, why not give some other shop a try? You'll never know, you might like the service of another place and they charge a reasonable price too. I've only gone to 4 shops from the moment I got my bike. In no particular order, they were Racewerkz, First Motors, Republic Motors and Mezzo(went there once only to fix in the Bitubo shock).

 

I'm not too sure about Unique. I suggest you ask Chung or Ize to bring you down to First Motor, where Ah Seng is. Chung is FM diehard fan!

 

Just an update.

 

Did my clutch last friday.

 

WEDA sells original Rotax Friction plates $26 per piece, but currently out of stock.

Steel plates are going for $16 a piece. They offered $85 for a set of aftermarket friction plates(Supposedly from Italy). The clutch cover gasket i bought from them cost $9. (Didnt ask if it was original, he just took it from a box). Seems to work fine enough so far.

 

 

Did the job at FM. Ah Seng charged me $70 for labour. I changed all the tubes(2t tubes and fuel hose), cleaned the 2T pump and did a general cleanup of the whole clutch on top of putting in the new clutch plates. He did a good job. As usual.

 

I think if you just bring your own stuff like how I did to fix your clutch, labour cost should be 50-60.

Thanks for the price update. Cant imagine how you feel with that solid clutch system you have right now. But from your raves and comments, its like you love it alot!

 

Of course if you'd DIY-ed it, it'd have been free! hahahahahahahahaha

 

And I'm sorry about that overtaking scare. My bike's running pretty lean and 2T intake is also at an all time low. Riding at 5,000-6,000rpm clogs up my spark plug very quickly with dry cakey carbon as it becomes dangerously lean to the point of increasing engine temp and misfiring (Chung behind me might have noticed my bike shuddering and coughing just before I opened up my throttle), even though I'm using NGK Iridium (B9EIX). Had to open it up for a bit, but the acceleration was too quick and uncontrollable.

 

Anyway, my 2T:fuel ratio is now 1:78 (1 litre 2T to 78 litres petrol), which is about 12.8ml of 2T per litre of petrol, suicidal by most mechanics' standards. But no seizure on track yet, so I'm going to keep pushing till I reach 1:85 (most mechs recommend 1:20 for racing and 1:40 for street riding )

 

Due to my leaner atomiser (262) and needle jet, I can't stay too low on the rev range or my engine gets starved of 2T and fuel. It's risky, but I like my 35km/L mileage. Good fuel economy = save the planet/save $$$

 

Looking fwd to next DIY with you guys. DIY will no longer be open to public. On invitation only. haha

Boss, any DIY session sometime before some of us head to Sepang?

 

Lawrence, I see the labour being done, I'd rather hang myself. I dont have the patience to DIY. And i hate to get fingers dirty. Hahaha..

 

Your bike's fast man... But the 250 was SOLID! My balls were in my throat when the valve open on that beast!

But your bike was the loudest! People at macdonalds also complain! From far can hear you, still zoom past so fast!

 

Btw, You're already black! Not like we can see the difference when your hands are dirty with oil from your bike! Hahahahaha!

 

Juz kidding bro! You my favourite Ah Neh!

[Sub Zero]

I'm bored!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[shinya]

i am also bored.....

[IZECUBEZ]

I'm not! Heading into JB in abit. Gonna go wash bike / petrol / supper / oogle at Koso meters and other goodies..

[Sub Zero]

Shinya, PM me ur number so next time can call u out man...

[Sub Zero]

I'm not! Heading into JB in abit. Gonna go wash bike / petrol / supper / oogle at Koso meters and other goodies..

 

Come and meet me.....

[Flik_07]

Hi guys..i'm selling my 1995 RS250..

http://www.singaporebikes.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=95

[IZECUBEZ]

Wah, another 250 on the market! Come on guys! Someone revamp this bike please! Dont let another 250 go to waste!

[lacrimosae]

Wah, another 250 on the market! Come on guys! Someone revamp this bike please! Dont let another 250 go to waste!

 

Looks like a fun project bike (make no bones about it, it will take a lot of work). But after I looked at the photos and read about that needed fixing, it's actually beginning to look like an awesome pile of steaming crap. Anyone who can do basic arithmetic will know it will take at least $2,000-3,000 to do up the bare minimum; I'm talking new parts, none of that weld this/patch that bullsh1t that every lazy frak does.

 

- cylinders reconditioning (UK or US) + new pistons (like Khai's) = $1000

- tires = $550

- engine and wheel bearings

- HH brake pads = $120

- chain + sprockets = $250

- sidestand = $135

- clutch plates = $197

- friction plates = $106

- odometer cable = $35

- side mirrors = $110

- paint job = $800

- sparkies = $24

- battery = $50

- oils + fluids = $50

- rebleed brakes, rejet carbs, etc

 

Probably better to let the owner scrap the bike.

[tomdick12]

I asked my mech to change all the tubes(2t tubes and fuel hose) too as according to the manual, 5 yrs is the max lifespan. However the mech told me as long as no leaking can already I also asked how to be sure that the 2T pump is working..wait I kenna seizure how??

Don't know why the mechs are so inpatient and also rushing for time. Maybe I am too green to understand or not worth their time.

 

 

 

 

Just an update.

 

Did my clutch last friday.

 

WEDA sells original Rotax Friction plates $26 per piece, but currently out of stock.

Steel plates are going for $16 a piece. They offered $85 for a set of aftermarket friction plates(Supposedly from Italy). The clutch cover gasket i bought from them cost $9. (Didnt ask if it was original, he just took it from a box). Seems to work fine enough so far.

 

 

Did the job at FM. Ah Seng charged me $70 for labour. I changed all the tubes(2t tubes and fuel hose), cleaned the 2T pump and did a general cleanup of the whole clutch on top of putting in the new clutch plates. He did a good job. As usual.

 

I think if you just bring your own stuff like how I did to fix your clutch, labour cost should be 50-60.

[Sub Zero]

Just go First Motor. If you're not happy with where you do your bike, then change.

 

Ah Seng usually entertains ur questions, even though he is pressed for time.

[Sub Zero]

I'd offer maybe 500 to 800 for the rs250. Just the bare minimum seems to be available. No aftermarket parts.

 

Alfian got a good deal on his bike.

[lacrimosae]

I asked my mech to change all the tubes(2t tubes and fuel hose) too as according to the manual, 5 yrs is the max lifespan. However the mech told me as long as no leaking can already I also asked how to be sure that the 2T pump is working..wait I kenna seizure how??

Don't know why the mechs are so inpatient and also rushing for time. Maybe I am too green to understand or not worth their time.

 

Think about it, how much do you expect the shop to charge for a simple (but tedious and labour-intensive) job like changing hoses? $20-30, correct?

 

Those hoses, if hardened, are a real b1tch to remove and replace, like trying to contort and unplug hard plastic cables. It will take over an hour to drain the 2T out of the tank, service the oil tank filter, unclip all the tiny circlips without damaging them, remove/cut through hardened hoses (some already locked in place by their shape), replace with new hoses, ensure everything's plugged in and flowing, just for say $40 when they can charge $300 to do a top overhaul for an RXZ within the same duration of time.

 

In future, when you grow up and get a job, you might understand that time is money. Between $40 for a long difficult hack, or $300 for a 2-hour job that you are familiar with, which will you choose to do?

 

Most mechanics in SG also don't know what they are doing. They learnt their trade from their 'sifu', who learnt from his 'sifu'. They're not like the mechs you see in UK or US, where some of them actually have had an education. Most mechs in Asia go by this mantra "Fake it until you make it".

 

Over the years, I've asked many questions to mechanics, just to see how much they know. Most don't want to admit they don't know anything about carburetion nor the intricacies of electronic or mechanical components. They only know how to take it apart, and put it together. They don't know what can be done, what kind of limits can be pushed, and even most don't even have any pride in their work - using things for purposes not originally intended, losing screws, damaging paintwork, contamination of fluids etc are common here.

 

When you press them for answer, they pretend that you're taking up their time, or tell you that even if they explained it to you, you wouldn't understand. Considering most are uneducated, I'd guess that it might be difficult for them to piece together an explanation coherent enough for any of us to understand. But more likely is that they are covering up for their incompetency or lack of knowledge.

 

Which is why after one year of patronising bike workshops, I gave up and took my bike apart to learn more by myself. For 5 years now, I usually DIY everything except tire change. Overhauls, general servicing, replacing of parts etc all can be done by yourself.

 

I never had any experience before I started. I graduated with an interior design diploma. I learnt everything from scratch.

 

It all boils down to how much you love your bike. Most people claim they do, but really don't

Edited October 14, 2009 by lacrimosae

[tomdick12]

Hi,

 

I do not know why you are so hostile as I was just asking for some advice. If this job is tedious, then I am willing to pay to compensate the wk service. Regarding your question on how much do I expect them to charge, how and why should I bother? They are providing a service and if they think they need xxx amount of $$ to cover for their larbour + time, then they should just say so. They are running a business and I would expect them to look at the P/L carefully. I did not complain that they charge me a high cost for the job to start off with.

So if someone like me ask, then they could just explain that it is simple job but tedious and time consuming...etc.. Then I would just see whether my wallet is deep enough. For my case, I do find it worthwhile to change even if they quote me $300. My life is more important incase something fail.

 

BTW, I am already 36 and have been working for 12 yrs. Yes I do understand time is money.

 

 

Think about it, how much do you expect the shop to charge for a simple (but tedious and labour-intensive) job like changing hoses? $20-30, correct?

 

Those hoses, if hardened, are a real b1tch to remove and replace, like trying to contort and unplug hard plastic cables. It will take over an hour to drain the 2T out of the tank, service the oil tank filter, unclip all the tiny circlips without damaging them, remove/cut through hardened hoses (some already locked in place by their shape), replace with new hoses, ensure everything's plugged in and flowing, just for say $40 when they can charge $300 to do a top overhaul for an RXZ within the same duration of time.

 

In future, when you grow up and get a job, you might understand that time is money. Between $40 for a long difficult hack, or $300 for a 2-hour job that you are familiar with, which will you choose to do?

 

Most mechanics in SG also don't know what they are doing. They learnt their trade from their 'sifu', who learnt from his 'sifu'. They're not like the mechs you see in UK or US, where some of them actually have had an education. Most mechs in Asia go by this mantra "Fake it until you make it".

 

Over the years, I've asked many questions to mechanics, just to see how much they know. Most don't want to admit they don't know anything about carburetion nor the intricacies of electronic or mechanical components. They only know how to take it apart, and put it together. They don't know what can be done, what kind of limits can be pushed, and even most don't even have any pride in their work - using things for purposes not originally intended, losing screws, damaging paintwork, contamination of fluids etc are common here.

 

When you press them for answer, they pretend that you're taking up their time, or tell you that even if they explained it to you, you wouldn't understand. Considering most are uneducated, I'd guess that it might be difficult for them to piece together an explanation coherent enough for any of us to understand. But more likely is that they are covering up for their incompetency or lack of knowledge.

 

Which is why after one year of patronising bike workshops, I gave up and took my bike apart to learn more by myself. For 5 years now, I usually DIY everything except tire change. Overhauls, general servicing, replacing of parts etc all can be done by yourself.

 

I never had any experience before I started. I graduated with an interior design diploma. I learnt everything from scratch.

 

It all boils down to how much you love your bike. Most people claim they do, but really don't

[lacrimosae]

Hi,

 

I do not know why you are so hostile as I was just asking for some advice. If this job is tedious, then I am willing to pay to compensate the wk service. Regarding your question on how much do I expect them to charge, how and why should I bother? They are providing a service and if they think they need xxx amount of $$ to cover for their larbour + time, then they should just say so. They are running a business and I would expect them to look at the P/L carefully. I did not complain that they charge me a high cost for the job to start off with.

So if someone like me ask, then they could just explain that it is simple job but tedious and time consuming...etc.. Then I would just see whether my wallet is deep enough. For my case, I do find it worthwhile to change even if they quote me $300. My life is more important incase something fail.

 

BTW, I am already 36 and have been working for 12 yrs. Yes I do understand time is money.

 

Please don't misconstrue my skepticism for hostility. I apologise for my mistake to assume everyone here is still wet behind the ears. Most people who ride this bike aren't even over the legal drinking age and don't understand how the world works.

 

As for mechanics, I've spent too much time and money fixing the mistakes made by them, many times more than it had cost me for the initial 'work' done; and I've spent too much time and effort trying to correct riders' misconceptions spread by them, so please pardon my absolute disdain for local mechanics who pretend to know what they are doing.

 

Like you, I am prepared to pay good money for a good job. But sadly, I haven't found anyone in SG who is able to do that. That's why I trust no one, only myself.

 

If you're really interested in restoring your bike, I can give you a hand at changing those hoses, as I have done them before. Shipping them in will take about 2-3 weeks.

 

I'll be back in SG on 25 Oct. My woman and I will be servicing our own bikes. PM me if you'd like to drop by.

[shadantou]

lawrence! u leaving sg ah. sob. means pj engineering shipments comes in before 25 also cant get it. lol.

 

 

anyway, tomdick bro, join us for outing today. we chat more man! lol. yes i agree wallet deep enough just do. lol. but at least we must know what the mechanic is doing and does he do a good job or not. i feel we should learn how it is done, so that wun kanna carrot, because rest of the money saved can be use on cosmetic stuffs for our lovely bike. hehehe

 

 

meet up with us! lots of poison for u to see. haha.

[shadantou]

aprilian outing today, coffee supper dinner, anything. sub zero will arrive at 8 to receive u guys. anything pls give him an sms or call. =) at thompson prata.