They are lovely little things, but 1hr riding time tops before monkey butt sets in. That is of course if you havent wheelied it into a bush before then.
Its literally for ripping around town and going to local bike nights....the only problem is, theyre like fucking nectar to hoodies....used to have a KTM525 that i supermoto'd....the amount of times i had to go up the M32 (and then back down again) to leave fucking hoodies behind on electric scooters and other knocked off paraphanalia...! Will be fitting a roadlok to it and very probably a GPS tracker.
Funny you should say that, the amount of ‘chavs’ on or in dubious looking machines that are magnetic to my SM’s is worrisome and baffling in equal measure. I always ensure I’m not followed home and don’t leave them on show.
Cheers sir...thanks....i actually found some m6 ones last night in amongst my nuts and bolts but the one on the exhaust is an m8 so i might just order those now anyway then theyre the right ones... Found some m8 ones so ordered those.
Didnt have time to put anything up last night but as planned got the oem exhaust off test fitted the rear to see how the black colour disappears into the rear of the bike and id say thats perfect...just what i wanted. Never got to the polishing as i was chopping bolts and making a rear back panel for the exhaust (missing when i got it) but its just a rectangular panel... That last pic is of the guard which used to connect to the OEM pipe but on the oem there were two bolt holes...not on the arrow....have to work something out...
Added to the list will be a set of HEL lines....the oem ones are a bit shit and if im honest arent very well routed. End of the month for that...
I darent say as that'll literally get me pinched on the way home tonight knowing me.... That being said, im not planning on using it til next year when the weather gets better....itll be a round the block to test type affair up til then. Ive not even insured it yet and its currently sorned...
Set of custom HEL brake lines ordered. Not that much to report other than my initial tests with a bottle of black T-Cut (going at it for 5 mins or so has resulted in something half decent) - its not got rid of the surface scratches so ive ordered some 2000 grade wet and dry to give it an intial going over first...
Exhaust fitted yesterday.....fuck me its loud - started it in the garage which definately amplifies the noise by a factor of id say 40% or so - its got a button on the throttle that when you start it, locks the throttle slightly open (3k revs) - we were shouting at each other and couldnt hear each other....atall...its got the correct mapping on it for the exhaust (sparks and flames out the back) - its a bit deeper than the oem system but not louder which is a good thing. Couldnt get the rear light working then found out after 2 hours of tracing cabling with a meter that the engine has to be running...rookie mistake. The wiring loom is a bit scrappy so im making a start on replacing plugs, shortening cabling, retaping sections of the loom as electrical pvc tape has been used over various parts and gone all gooey.... Todays delivery will be the HEL brake lines. Ordered a metal Arrow exhaust system sticker for the backbox (thatll go down on the back by the back wheel) - i like subtle stuff...less is more for me...
Ive only seen 1 550 in the wild at box hill. It was fucking LOUD. I say that as a 1299 full Ti akra owner at 110dB. Engine is a work of art, a jewel. I forecast you wheelie into a hedge at some point.
Fitted the brake lines last night.....way better than the oem ones. The rear was easier to route and as they're Hel lines you can make adjustments. The front even better ( a custom line as its got an M4 caliper now ) and doesnt stress the mount on the fork guard...very pleased. Edit - yes the ti bolts are technically wrong at the moment....just waiting for payday so i can get a roadlok to fit to it...
Still having problems with the rear brake light....the rear section of the loom TBH is shit...the internal wires in the plug are fucked...the connectors are rusted up and i think theres a break in one of the wires somewhere also. Just contacted my mate on the parts counter and it looks like i can get a new replacement section of the loom for 20 quid (so i got him to order 2) Edit: id just like to add that ive found this with this bike.. (never any other one) - that i order parts....and they may or may not turn up...on this occasion (for the loom) the guidance from Aprilia (so my mate on the parts counter tells me) - is, "available...but not for long" - so a bit of a lottery on if theyll arrive...
