Lancia Motor Club

Model Technical and Interest => Aprilia, Ardennes and Ardea => Topic started by: apriliadriver on 15 September, 2009, 11:11:34 AM



Title: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: apriliadriver on 15 September, 2009, 11:11:34 AM
My 1938 Series 1 Aprilia, EBP 209, received its MoT last week and is back on the road for the first time since 1969.

I have owned the car for 20 years and started the restoration in 1999. After 7 years of false starts and progress, Dave Scheldt in Harrow took it on : it was a pleasure to work with Dave who knows all the Aprilia quirks.Subsequently Dave and Terry started the process of winding their business down, so I had to take the Aprilia elsewhere. I finally handed it over to JSW Ltd at Waterlooville and they have done a magnificent job.

So far I have driven 300 miles (running-in and snagging); cut and polished the paint (untouched since painting 6 years ago and covered in a fine workshop oxidisation); fitted the leather straps inside the boot (but I still need some ideas about where to source fitted luggage) and sorting out the spare wheel turnbuckle tie-down.

In particular I love the switch-operated illuminated fuel gauge, (the first operating fuel gauge that I have had in 20 years of old Italian car ownership) and the beautiful gear-change. The S1 clutch judders a bit (relined and rebuilt  -  is this an Aprilia characteristic ?).And who would not love the excellent brakes  -   the same width and diameter as the 1950s Alfa Giuliettas I have been driving since 1991.

I have some bits surplus to requirement including S2 single-leaf engine bearers and a fine-spline steering drop-arm which I think a Forum member was searching for (? I will search another thread).

I would like to thank Barbara and the Club for helping me retrieve the original registration of this Alperton car, and the many Aprilia owners who have helped me with parts which went missing early on in the restoration process  -  a big thank you to Ron Francis being chief among these.

If all goes well, I will be taking the car to Goodwood Revival this Friday and parking in the pre-66 car-park.
Nick



Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: ColinMarr on 15 September, 2009, 12:11:38 PM
Well done Nick!

I remember admiring your car at Dave Scheldt’s about ten years ago, when it was still missing some critical parts. Brilliant that you have finished it.

I look forward to seeing it on the road, but I won’t be at Goodwood. Might you take it to Silverstone on 17 October for the HSCC Finals?

Colin


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: apriliadriver on 15 September, 2009, 03:29:42 PM
Colin,
Thanks  ...  and thanks for the encouragement over the years !

Yes, if I can I will go to the HSCC Finals  ....  although if it is raining hard, I might have second thoughts  ....  the wiper arms are as original and despite best efforts are likely to be fairly pathetic  :  OK for MoT but little else. I will try Rain-X and see if that works on an Aprilia.

You would be welcome to visit if you find yourself in the Ruislip area  -  I have a small pile of conundrum parts and I am asking for help to identify where they fit. I have gone through the Parts Book(s) but as you know, not every component is shown. Mike Benwell says he will come over to have a look.
Nick


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: Dilambdaman on 15 September, 2009, 09:49:06 PM
Hi Nick and welcome to the forum.

Well done for persevering with the rebuild, any chance of some photos? I will be at Goodwood on Friday and keep a look out for you and the car. Not sure if the Dilambda will make it although it is almost roadworthy.

Robin.


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: Scarpia on 16 September, 2009, 04:03:29 PM
well done, mine went through its mot (again)a few weeks ago also and yes my clutch judders too as I pull away.Secret to the frail windscreenwipers is to stay above 70mph in the rain and it just runs off.....


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: ben on 16 September, 2009, 10:21:31 PM
Hi Nick
           Great that you have an Aprilia to drive around in once more.May-be we will meet at some remote European road junction again like we did in 2006!!
           My Aprilia also suffers judder as the clutch is let out. The clutch itself on 1st series cars is very difficult to set up perfectly as the design relies on a perfectly matched set of hairpin springs.The effect of any uneveness is then magnified if there is any backlash in the drive train and this is also pretty well inevitable because there are so many potential sources---ie wear in the gearbox;the three propshaft flex couplings;the rear axle(cwp and diff); the four drive shaft UJs;the two sliding spline joints in the drive shafts;and also the splined joints into and out of the final drive unit and into and out of each drive shaft (although these should all be locked up).Rear wheel bearings can also contribute.
          My advice is to practice your start technique.No dithering about! Get the clutch all the way out as quickly as you can.
           PS I can also give egg sucking advice if you have a maternal forebear who might benefit!!


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: apriliadriver on 17 September, 2009, 11:46:20 AM
Ben,
I do remember our meeting south of the MontCenis Pass in 2006 !

For the info of other Aprilia Forum readers, I was driving the ex-Paul Merryweather bright-red Aprilia S2 down to The Centenary in Turin with co-driver Paul Gregory. About mid-morning, somewhere east of Chambery, we reached the spot where two N-roads intersected at a shallow angle. We were waiting at the traffic lights when to our amazement a UK-registered Aprilia sailed through the other part of the intersection  -  the first old car we had seen for two days  ....  and it was Ben.  A meeting worthy of Stanley and Livingstone !

As to the clutch, yes there are amples opportunities to amplify the judder and I suspect that the flexible prop-shaft joints are the main culprits  -  definitely past their best. I am driving as you suggest  -  and getting the clutch fully engaged in the shortest time possible. No fears abt Granma and eggs  -  I am soaking up advice on Aprilias wherever I can find it !
Nick


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: tzf60 on 17 September, 2009, 12:37:35 PM
Hi Nick!
I'll take great comfort from your mail. I bought my Series 1 from RF in 1998, but have a long way to go before I can drive it. Your tale will help to spurn me on!
 
Kind regards,
Tim F


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: Scarpia on 18 September, 2009, 06:02:42 AM
Nick, after I pestered Cavalitto for a few months they had a batch of flexible couplings made last year.130 euro per piece I think.I replaced mine and it transformed the car.


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: apriliadriver on 23 September, 2009, 08:27:18 AM
Thanks for the advice on the fabric couplings  -  I have also found a supplier of Hardy rubberised discs in Birmingham, courtesy the VSCC's Tech Forum.

Yesterday, I had the Aprilia coachlined in mid-green by Terry Cramp of Banstead, S. London. He has done a superb job. He also coachlined the red Aprilia that Charles Hobbs now owns. He is very reasonable, a nice bloke who does the work at your place, and does the outlining on steam traction engines, showman's engines etc when not working on the better sort of older car : contact him on 0208 642 0384.

The visit to Goodwood Revival went without a hitch, parking in the pre-66 Carpark. The car seems to be doing about 25 mpg which I put down to (i) the Weber carb, and (ii) the driver.
Nick


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: apriliadriver on 24 September, 2009, 11:36:22 AM
If I have got the hang of posting pictures, this message should show the Aprilia EBP 209 in the Pre-66 Car Park at Goodwood last Friday. Unfortunately the cloudy weather did not make for a bright photo. Pity about the M***** Minor alongside, but you can't choose !

Did anyone see the beautifully-restored 1912 Silver Ghost landaulette amidst all the sixties classics on Friday ? What an imposing motor !
Nick


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: chugga boom on 24 September, 2009, 12:06:24 PM
looks well, its good to see another on the road,


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: davidwheeler on 25 September, 2009, 10:02:57 AM
I put a series 2 clutch into mine but it also tends to judder.   I thought it was just me (and it is getting better as I get more practice).
David


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: Scarpia on 25 September, 2009, 04:26:48 PM
looks really great.
I've no idea what my economy is but I thought it was more than 25mpg...even considering my heavy right foot and twin carbs. I'll try and do a test in the next few days.My petrol gauge sender unit "doesn't"..... so I never have the pleasure of seeing what my reserve illuminates which makes driving till you run out a genuine prospect.

If you source a type of windscreen wiper that fits let me know, I've been looking for a couple of years.If you source the matching luggage, look inside you should find the holy grail in there too....

Anyone know what type of seal I need for where the propshaft meets the diff just behind the last flexible coupling.Mine drips oil and I keep putting off dismantling the whole thing to find out what needs replacing......


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: johnturner on 25 September, 2009, 09:25:26 PM
Words like 'grannies' and 'eggs' spring to mind, but could all these juddering clutches be the result of people bonding on the linings?  As I recall the Aprilia clutch plate is the same as the Augusta which means that it is built like a fan with the linings riveted alternately to the leading and trailing edges of the blades. As the 'fan' is compressed this provides, even for the clumsy, a very smooth take up of the drive. I mention this because, when we retrieved the Augusta earlier this year, we found that new linings had been beautifully bonded to the plate producing a solid block of resinliningaluminium which made the car virtually undriveable.


Title: Windscreen wipers
Post by: apriliadriver on 27 September, 2009, 07:59:01 AM
Scarpia,
I have the standard windscreen wipers. Despite rebuilding them with the strongest spring-on-the-hinge I could find, they manage no more than a casual acquaintance with the surface of the screen. They are OK for passing the MoT but little else.

When last at Omicron, I bought an Aurelia conversion kit they do that clamps onto the small dia. spindles with wiper blades with a stronger hinge-spring. Not pretty, but it looks like it should work.

I have a 12V wiper motor installed (Magnetti Marelli  -  not Aprilia but approx the same size which I bought at the Padua AutoJumble) and it should drive one of these new wiper-blades at least. Padua (Oct 23rd to 25th), reachable by RyanAir to Treviso, is the place to source an alternative wiper motor.

As an aside, the mazak base of my original Aprilia wiper-motor has started to crack and rot and expand outwards making the whole thing unusable.

I am lucky with the fuel gauge  -  rebuilt by a very patient engineer and now works OK.

Sorry can't help on the other things.
Nick


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: ColinMarr on 27 September, 2009, 08:26:49 AM
Just to encourage you further – see this photo, which shows how John Maltby’s Aprilia wipers coped with snow in 1964!


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: apriliadriver on 07 October, 2009, 03:04:03 PM
Hi, Colin !
The plan is still to drive the Aprilia to the HSCC Finals providing it is not monsoon rain (Silverstone on a wet day can be fairly unappealing).

I have spent several hours scraping two-pack paint off the visible part of the bonnet hinge in order to improve appearance. In the course of this I discovered the slot for the spring-loaded bonnet hinge (bereft of its pull-pin) completely concealed under the paint, so at least I can take the bonnet off without dismantling the hinge-brackets.

Other than that, have been rotating the dynamo to take up the slack on the fanbelt, and just about to take up the stretch on the starter motor operating cable.

With more miles on the newly-rebuilt engine, it is starting to free off nicely and revealing a good turn of acceleration for a 1350cc engine. Mike Benwell came over to help me with a box of conundrum parts -  they came with the car in 1988 but I don't know where they fit. Two identified and a few more to go. I shall be selling off surplus bits soon.
Nick


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: Scarpia on 07 October, 2009, 03:11:31 PM
take some pictures of the "conundrum "parts and upload them...perhaps we can identify them...Perhaps they are just the parts we are all searching for.....


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: ben on 07 October, 2009, 06:13:44 PM
Noticed you were not the only Aprilia at Goodwood as there was a picture of one in the Sept 24th Classic Car Weekly.
Grey,with running boards ,proper alluminium bumpers,S2 wheels etc.  Reg No MB 3778. It isnt in the current(!!!!) members list but I bet someone out there knows it.I dont think it was in the normal visitors car park.


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: fay66 on 07 October, 2009, 06:35:23 PM
Hi Ben,
It was at the Hawthorn Garage on the sunday when I went, I might be wrong but I thought it had connections with Mike Hawthorn or his Father?

Brian
8227 8)


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: ncundy on 07 October, 2009, 07:42:42 PM
I think it's Gerald Batts car, but no connection to Hawthorn. The Aprilia that Mike Hawthorns father owned is supposedly in Australia being restored by and Austin Healey historian.


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: fay66 on 07 October, 2009, 09:48:51 PM
Thanks Neil for the correction, I wasn't sure of the facts ::)

Brian
8227 8)


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: apriliadriver on 17 October, 2009, 10:13:47 AM
I've been wrestling with a defunct starter motor for the last three days. Unfortunately the starting handle apertures do not line up with the dog, so using the handle was not an option.

Working underneath the Aprilia, the lower nut holding the motor onto the stud was no problem  ....  but the top nut was a pig, torqued up very tight indeed. Given the confined space, I was only to get a 4-inch length ring spanner onto the nut, and just could not get enough leverage to shift the little blighter.

Having spent a small bankers bonus on buying wobble bars, extension bars, breaker bar, articulated ratchets, ultra-short 17mm sockets etc., by Friday I was still getting nowhere. I cut the shortest 17mm socket even shorter and ground it on one side to give the necessary clearance to get a clean fit but still no movement. I could not get enough purchase on a long breaker bar working from the top of the engine without endangering the carb linkage & the mazak fitting on the Weber carb  -  unobtainable if you break it.

Then, as if by magic, Colin Marr paid a social call and provided the essential second pair of hands : with me working underneath, unsighted, and him working from the top and able to see what was going on, I was able to shift the nut and remove the starter. Oh joy unconfined !

Opening up the offending item (which had been refurbed less than 12 months ago), the brushes were OK, but there was a lot of carbon dust in evidence. The commutator was bright for about half its circumference and very dark & dirty for the other half. Sparking up the motor on the bench, it would work if the brushes stopped on the bright side, but stall if the brushes were on the dark side. That was the problem that led me to take the starter off in the first place.

Just moving the shaft by a few degrees and the motor would operate OK. The springs which press the brushes onto the commutator were both strong and operating. Even after cleaning the commutator with carb cleaner I had the same problem.

So it looks as though I have got an irregularly-worn commutator or a bent shaft  -  further investigation required.

Today the spare starter gets installed and I hope I can drive the Aprilia to Silverstone on Sunday to see Tim Burrett, Chris Gawne and the Kennedys win the AMOC Fifties Sports Car Team Challenge in their Aurelias. Thanks to Colin for getting me this far !
Nick


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: ColinMarr on 17 October, 2009, 09:07:45 PM
Nick,

Thanks for the tribute, but I didn’t do much – it was just a matter of winding back my memory 40 years and knowing what to look at!

Your car is a great. I am green with envy.

Colin


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: Scarpia on 18 October, 2009, 11:56:21 AM
I seem to recall taking the carbs off to make the access easier from above?

but a mere bagatelle compared with changing the brake master cylinder...the top of the three mounting bolts nearly made me remove the engine and gearbox to access it.......


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: davidwheeler on 20 October, 2009, 09:23:24 AM
I used a short ring spanner and a loop of string on the other end on which I could pull mightily...


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: apriliadriver on 27 October, 2009, 10:57:17 AM
Well, I thought it would all go back together without a problem.

However  ....  having re-installed the starter motor  -   but not connected the bowden cable to the starter lever  -  I stowed the cable ( I thought) safely out of harms way and operated the starter manually, lying underneath the car  .... just to make sure everything worked.

Starter worked  -  at which point the bowden cable fell out of position and shorted out on the power cable. From underneath the car I could see the cable glowing red and  decided that dislodging it from the terminal was a good idea.

Cue girlish cry as I welded my fingers to the red hot cable. No, not a good idea.

Leapt out from underneath the car and cut the battery cut-out switch  -  but too late, the bowden cable had melted.

So yesterday, armed with a new bowden cable (actually a Halfords pedal-cycle brake cable), I  removed the old melted cable remains and installed a replacement, refitted the motor and everything now works.

This episode falls into the 'I just learnt a lesson' category.

Over last weekend, myself and 5 Alfa-oriented mates visited the Padova AutoJumble & Exhibition, via RyanAir to Treviso, about one hours drive from Padova. There are two very large halls with (almost exclusively) Italian car parts and another 5 halls with cars for sale, car clubs, manufacturers historic collections, suppliers of services etc. It is certainly a much better use of time than searching a UK autojumble for Italian parts. There was a mass of Lancia material from 1930 to 1970 in evidence.

I came away with proper Aprilia interior window winders, interior door lock levers, wheel nuts, light lenses,a repro small identity plate, and a repro boot floor mat from Ciccognani. Ron Francis was sharing a stand with a German chum who remanufactures Lancia dynamos and starters, and Aurelia enthusiast Chris Gawne was around somewhere, though I missed seeing him.
Nick


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: fay66 on 27 October, 2009, 11:04:08 AM
Hi Nick,
did you make it a 2 day trip? if so can you give a rough idea of cost, as I'd like to go another year.

Regards
Brian Hilton
8227 8)


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: chriswgawne on 27 October, 2009, 03:12:56 PM
I havent been to the Padova autojumble for 2 or 3 years and this year, I really only went to pickup some pre-ordered mats for Jacky's Fulvia Sport and my 1st Series Aurelia. I tried hard to 'keep my hands in my pockets' as in previous years when I had Aurelia projects on the go, I always seemed to find everything I needed and more!!
This year having no real shopping list, I expected to wander around on Friday and Saturday collecting my mats just as I was about to leave but no way. Of all things I found some complex aluminium trim pieces which are missing on Jacky's B24 Convertible and which fit in the leading edge of the door shut. They are in perfect condition, they fit the car and the only downside was the cost....but I never in a million years expected to get such an unusual thing there. And then.... I found some other bits which again I never expected to find anywhere such as a brand new wooden Fulvia Sport dashboard.
The Padova Autojumble is so large these days that I truly believe that if you look long enough and hard enough, you can find almost everything for your Italian car there but you must be persistent and thorough.
If you find what you want, I would strongly suggest trying to buy it there and then - if you wait until Sunday afternoon the price might have reduced but will it still be for sale?
There are also literally hundreds of classic Italian cars for sale as well.
As to cost, I think was 17Euros per day to get in although there is a Season Ticket available for pre-purchase.
In many ways it is easiest to have a car to take purchases away although by Friday morning at 10.00am all the car parks were full!  You then park about a mile away and walk.


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: fay66 on 27 October, 2009, 04:34:35 PM
Thanks for the information Chris,
 I've no bits missing from "Fay" that I know of, but the odd bit in better condition would be nice! when we went to Portugal in 2004 there was a big classic show and autojumble in Oporto that our Portugese Lancia friends took us to, not that many bits for my 2c but I had a great find, a brand new old stock 2c script off of the back panel, being mazak the old one was pitted and minus most of the chrome.

Did you take any photos?
Brian
8227 8)


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: chriswgawne on 27 October, 2009, 06:37:14 PM
Hi Brian,
No I didnt but have a look at www.automotodepoca.com
Chris


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: northfawley on 23 November, 2009, 05:40:58 PM
re earlier post i have an original aprilia fitted suitcase and would be happy for anyone to measure it if they want make a copy.All I need now is an Aprilia to go with it.Does anyone know what happened to HMK 307 that I sold approx 5 years ago.If you know of any coming up for sale or an Augusta let me know.


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: apriliadriver on 24 November, 2009, 06:37:01 PM
Yes ! I would be delighted to have a look and measure up ! Please e-mail me on         nsavage51@hotmail.com     with a contact number and address so I know where to come ....
Yrs
Nick


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: Tony Stephens on 25 November, 2009, 08:40:17 PM
Nobody seems to be talking about the leaf spring engine mountings when complaining about clutch judder. I haven't run an Aprilia for about 40 years, but I did 90,000 miles in mine then. When the clutch juddered I got some better-looking engine mounting leaves, fitted them, and all problems went away. Perhaps that was a different sort of judder?


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: apriliadriver on 26 November, 2009, 08:44:46 AM
Tony,
The Series 1 leaf-spring engine mountings are a bit more fragile than the S2 and I was very careful about selecting the best out of a large box-full, so I do not think that this is the cause. I go along with previous posters  ....  the design of the clutch actuation is a long way from perfect; there is the potential for wear in the fabric couplings and backlash elsewhere  -  all of which would be a fairly simple explanation. The only Aprilia I owned with no clutch judder was the Merryweather S2 where the restorer had installed an entirely different manufacture of clutch and redesigned the actuation.
Nick


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: ben on 28 November, 2009, 03:11:36 PM
Tony
          Interested to hear you did 40000 miles in your Aprilia. Assuming she was ARX560 you may like to know she is in my shed awaiting restoration.
                 Ben
                       
 PS The engine mounting springs are still there but unfortunately not the engine which I believe matched up with another car so got liberated some years ago,as did the Spitfire mirror!       


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: apriliadriver on 06 December, 2009, 07:53:54 PM
Episode 23
About 2 weeks ago the replacement starter motor failed due to defective actuation of the copper contact in the triangular housing on top of the starter.

So  -  no choice but to replace it with a known (working) motor. Getting the starter off was no problem -  I should be getting good at this by now  -  but the bugbear on refitting the serviceable starter was trying to thread the clevis pin and split pin onto the starter lever before installing the motor. Due to slim clearance, you can't do this after the motor has been bolted up.

No access from the top of the engine, so I had to work underneath, blind by feel. It is really a three-handed job for a thin-wristed ten-year old, not a two-handed job for a thick-wristed 60-yr old. If you get lucky it locates second time, but if not then it is like trying to thread a needle in the dark on the wrong side of a council grating.

After only an hour of teeth-grinding I got it lodged and lo and behold, I have an operational starter. Providing there's not much salt down I will be out on the road later this week.
Nick


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: Tony Stephens on 06 December, 2009, 08:34:00 PM
Hi Ben,

Yes it was ARX 560 and it was 90,000 not 40,000 miles. I sold it to Grant Gibson, because the engine (which I had got from John Maltby) was the original one for his car. He bought all my Aprilia stuff, kept the engine and extensive spares, and passed the car on. When I saw it last it was with Nigel Stoyel in Devon.

The Spitfire mirror was a special feature along with a Brooklands steering wheel and a mesh grille, both I felt to be '30's/50's go-faster kit.

I bought it for £50, how much did you pay?

If it ever becomes available I would be interested because I regretted selling it the moment it left me.


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: fay66 on 07 December, 2009, 01:35:21 AM
"If it ever becomes available I would be interested because I regretted selling it the moment it left me".

How many of us have uttered those fateful words :'(

Brian
8227 8)


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: davidwheeler on 04 January, 2010, 03:59:25 PM
When refitting the starter motor I detach the actuating wire at the cab end, fit the clevis pin, then the motor and then pull the wire tight again.


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: apriliadriver on 12 April, 2010, 07:41:36 AM
Spring hopes eternal. Or something like that anyway.

Yesterday, a mate and I took the Aprilia to the London Bus Preservation Trust mega-meet at Wisley Airfield. 230 London buses attended, mainly double-deckers and mainly RT and RM types. Oh ! the nostalgia. I grew up oin London in the 1950s, so RTs are the common thread through my childhood. There were about 30 pre- and post-war cars on display as well.

I was keen to try out the manual rad shutter actuation, but even on a relatively warm day with the shutters closed, the water temp did not rise above 140F even when queuing to get onto the show site. Anyway, 100 miles completed on the round-trip, the first good run of the year.
Nick


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: Scarpia on 12 April, 2010, 08:51:22 AM
Quote
but even on a relatively warm day with the shutters closed, the water temp did not rise above 140F even when queuing to get onto the show site.
fairly typical;see my pm.Where is the sender (radiator header tank?)
William


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: apriliadriver on 12 April, 2010, 09:59:36 AM
William,
The sender is fitted in the vertical rubber hose which exits the head and connects to the header tank. After switch off, heat-sink causes the temp to  rise to about 160F.

Thanks for the p.m.  -  all good advice & thanks.
Nick


Title: Out and about
Post by: apriliadriver on 16 April, 2010, 02:02:02 PM
After a bit more fettling, I booked the Aprilia into Sean Watson at The Old Coach Works, Over Wallop, Hants, for remedial work on the paint on the bonnet and boot-lid. Sean is probably the most perfectionist painter and detailer I have met. No-one could complain about his work  -  it is outstanding.

Set off on Thursday p.m. to overnight at a  mate's just N. of Andover, ready for an early start on Friday a.m. I went via VSCC member Trevor Pask at Stoke Park, who has been rebuilding the 1938 Aprilia single-seater special which came with my Aprilia saloon when I bought them in 1988. He had found a distributor's enamel badge which he thought might have come off my car. I have several holes in the glove-box lid (probably for two unknown badges, I surmise) but none of them matched up to Trevor's find. Ah well ! Another hope dashed. His Aprilia racer is now 90% finished with a beautiful new 'dutch clog'-style body reminiscent of an Austin 7 as raced at Brooklands. Trevor's 6-car garage has 3 Seneschals and 2 Amilcars and if you favour early French light sporting cars, this is heaven.

After that, ploughed through rush-hour Slough to the M4. On the motorway, the engine was afflicted by intermittent electric fuel-pump operation (typical that it was one of the few modern components on the car), and we ground to a halt, but a thorough check of the pump, the inline filter and the switch showed no obvious defects.

Lying under the car with the constant stream of fast lorries whizzing by two feet from my two feet was suitably intimidating though. The noise level is so high that it is difficult to work out whether the pump is working by anything other than touch.

Anyway, no more problems on the rest of the 75-mile trip, and managed a regular 70 mph southbound on the A34. The acceleration between 50 and 70 is extraordinarily good for a pre-war 1350cc engined car.
This morning (Friday), off to Sean's at 0730 to arrive when he opened up. He has decided that the bonnet and boot (sprayed with dirty and/or lumpy cellulose) need to be stripped and repainted.

I hope to pick the Aprilia up, shining, next week.
Nick


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: Scarpia on 16 April, 2010, 05:27:50 PM
sure it was the electric pump? could be some dirt in the carb that passed through and cleared itself.

70 mph, just taking it easy during the running in I assume then? 8)


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: DavidLaver on 18 April, 2010, 04:55:05 PM

Any pictures of the special?  I can remember many years back coming to see it in your conservatory - and of course in the "specials" book.

David


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: apriliadriver on 19 April, 2010, 02:42:57 PM
David,
I will have to get Trevor Pask to send me a picture of the Thompson special, then I will post it. I doubt it will be on the track this year, but could be a contender next year.

Has anyone looked at the, er, rather extraordinary Aprilia 2-seat special on PreWarCar. com ? It is top of the list in Lancias for sale. Eek !
Nick


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: apriliadriver on 20 May, 2010, 10:08:50 AM
Passengered & navigated by Mike Benwell, I took the Aprilia into Kensington for the LMC lecture at the British-Italian Society meeting. Mike and I survived the perils of being squeezed by an erratic tourist coach from Heckmondwike at the Shepherds Bush roundabout, arriving at Heythrop College (part of Univ. of London) located in one of those backwater oases of calm and peace you can happen across in London on a spring evening. The college has a garden with parking at the back, bounded on one side by High St Kensington Tube station. The LMC put on a good show  -  John Turner's desirable Lambda, an Appia, a B20 and - joy of joys  -  a Hyena.

The lecture was well-attended by LMC members. The Aprilia went very well  -  all temps and pressures being on the button despite the traffic. I bypassed the fuel-pump switch and had no recurrence of the problems experienced recently, so I am pretty sure that the (old) switch is the fault.

Return journey was in the dark  -  the first time I had tested out the lighting and I was agreeably surprised how good the headlights were. Now just a few more finishing-off items to do, and then it's ready for the Sliding Pillar in mid-June.
Nick


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: apriliadriver on 28 June, 2010, 04:07:35 PM
Latest lesson : beware of using petrol tank sealant in older cars. I learnt this lesson 22 years ago, but forgot it in the last five years.

The Aprilia, crewed by myself and William Glynn, had a great time on the Sliding Pillar Rally on June 18th to 20th , having driven down to Somerset from W. London. The Aprilia performed faultlessly for 3 days, then conked out about 3 miles from the SPR hotel on the return journey on Monday morning. It proved to be an insoluble fuel-pipe blockage.  AA Relayed us back and later I tried to clear the blockage : no luck, but I did retrieve what looked like a fragment of white clingfilm. Luckily, the inline filter had done its job, so there's nothing upstream towards the carb  -   thank heavens !

Last weekend, I removed the tank and the inside was strewn with large pieces of white petrol tank sealant, so not just a small area of a problem, but a major one. I have taken the tank back to the feller who rebuilt it, and hope to pick it up just before the Belfry AGM. He said that he had washed the tank thoroughly, etch-primed it twice internally so that the coat keyed on to something good and then sealed it. But the material had even detached from some clean metal on the baffles.

So, unless you  have absolutely no alternative, I would recommend avoiding sealant, however highly-praised it is.
Nick


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: chrislg on 28 June, 2010, 07:29:33 PM
Just for information, who did you use to repair the tank (and would you recommend them) and what sealent/process was used?
I know you said to avoid them all, but there are some which come with a lifetime warranty, so I would be interested to know as I am about to get my Appia tank repaired and would like to know who to go to but more importantly what to avoid!

Chris


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: apriliadriver on 29 June, 2010, 09:10:54 AM
Chris,
I did not use a specialist  -  was just one of the services of a general restorer. I do not know what sealant was used.

My comments apply whether there is a lifetime guarantee or endorsement from the Archangel Gabriel  ....  do not use unless there is no possible other option  -  two bad experiences in 20 years is enough.
Nick


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: davidwheeler on 29 June, 2010, 06:42:40 PM
I did much the same, opening and cleaning the tank, priming it and the painting it with Smoothrite!   (I have a friend who is a tinsmith who put it back together again.)  Big mistake,  I have two filters in place but still the electric fuel pump accumulates black bits every few hundred miles in its filter and stops and occasionally a carb. will flood and need the bowl loosened and a quick blast from the fuel pump to clear the bits out of the float valve.  I think the answer is to keep dry petrol in the tank and keep the little cover over the filler to stop water getting in.

That said, she ran home from Ben's in Bristolish at 70mph and 29 mpg despite twin carbs.

David


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: apriliadriver on 03 August, 2010, 08:15:48 AM
At last I have been able to install the petrol tank after the fuel blockage on the way back from the Sliding Pillar Rally.

I had dropped the tank out of the tail and taken it back to the renovator to be fixed  -  the sealant they had sloshed in had peeled off the inside of the tank in large fragments and blocked the fuel line all the way to the filter  -  which did do its job properly  -  at least nothing reached the Weber carb.

After a bit of a saga, I got the tank back the Thursday before the AGM & Rally. Simple job, I thought, just position the tank, tighten up 3 nuts & bolts, connect the pipe and vent-pipe and off we go.

By now I should have learned that nothing on an Aprilia is simple. The tank had been returned, completely cleaned internally and with a very thick rubberised/bitumin-type external coating, up to 2 to 4 mm thick. What I had not clocked as the tank came out was that even with a thin coat of old paint, it was just about an interference fit.

So when I offered the tank up, it would not fit  -  too deep externally fore-and-aft to clear the rear of the diff housing and the back of the bodywork. After persevering for 6 hours on my own, (and I have the bruises to show it), carving off bits of bitumen coating,  I concluded it was a two-man job. So, no Aprilia to take to the AGM w/end. Curses.

Trouble was that the nearest helper who would be prepared to lie on their back on a grubby garage floor wrestling a recalcitrant tank into position was 70 miles away  -  there are few if any Ruislip suburbanites who wd be likely to accept my invitation to get their hair oily.

At the beginning of last week I secured the services of a helper and with some pushing and shoving, finally got the tank back in. It certainly is a snug fit now  -  even if the mounting bolts failed, I don't think it would drop out. Refitting the tank sender, vent-pipe and the upturned dog-dish over the tank sender was speedily done, and after a 5 week lay-off, the Aprilia is back in operation.

The next bit of work is to try and take some of the judder out of the clutch engagement  -  I think that I will renew the fabric flexi-couplings on the prop-shaft (current items are pretty s/hand) and see if that improves it.

Any ideas from readers about who has got a stock of flexi-couplings ?
Nick


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: Dilambdaman on 03 August, 2010, 10:20:51 AM
Nick,

Talk to Morris Pary (Runningboard) I think that he might be able to help.

Robin.


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: DavidLaver on 03 August, 2010, 04:11:44 PM

He'll can tell you how to make them from conveyor belting.

David


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: BlueSky on 04 August, 2010, 01:55:18 AM
Nick,

I bought a set of couplings from Cavilitto and they have done the job very nicely. The car had a bad vibration in the drive train which disappeared after I changed the them over.
There has been discussion here in the past regarding clutch judder, I think it seems if you have the early six hairpin spring version, in 1st and reverse, they just do. The other thing is to make sure the springs have the correct clamps under each bolt to locate them correctly. If you have the later clutch I'm afraid I don't know!

Noel


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: apriliadriver on 10 August, 2010, 12:14:00 PM
First proper test run after the tank clean-up was to VSCC Prescott on Sunday morning, particularly to savour the infinite variety in the pre-war car park in the Orchard.

About lunchtime, Ron Purbrick (his Aprilia d/h parked in the campsite  -  brave man !) introduced me to Joe and Bev Wilson, Aprilia owners visiting from Australia. Joe and Bev have just completed a tremendous Aprilia restoration. He has finished his car in a light grey which looks superb in the photos.

There were several lovely Lambdas in attendance and John Baker in his Aurelia.

The weather was perfect and the sight of the day was Mark Walker in his 1903 25-litre LSR V8 Darracq, who scored an incredible 47.96s climb on Sunday.

The journey from London is about 180 miles round trip & the Aprilia averaged 45 mph on the journey and about 25mpg, although the petrol consumption figures are still a little imprecise. On the M40 section, we rattled along at 65 to 70 mph.

What a very useable car the Aprilia is !
Nick


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: apriliadriver on 07 October, 2010, 06:39:24 PM
There were three Aprilias at the Lambda Lunch today at The Phoenix, Hartley Wintney, cradle of the VSCC and a holy place in the vintage and post-vintage thoroughbred pantheon.

Ron Purbrick arrived in his drophead, now sporting an Italian sized front numberplate showing the recently-reallocated original registration; Mike Benwell in his S1 Aprilia, black with black wheels and my car, black with green wheels. Alongside three Lambdas, Colin Marr's Appia, Robin and Margaret Lacey's DiLambda, a Fulvia, a 1750 6C Alfa and a brace of beautiful Bugattis, they made a fine sight.

Over 20 Lancisti turned out, which for an irregular event with the Lancia Casuals is pretty good. The weather was fabulous  -  sunny and 18C  -  and we got the chance to look round the cars in Nick Benwell's workshop, chief amonst which was the Lord Raglan T51 Bugatti  ...  and how often do you see one of those ?

I put my Aprilia through its second MoT a week or so ago -  no problems, but rather surprised/disheartened to find that I had done just 1300 miles in the last twelve months.

So  -  resolution for 2011  -  do more Aprilia journeys.
Nick



Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: ColinMarr on 07 October, 2010, 08:02:05 PM
Nick is right – it was a great gathering of wonderful cars – including the two Aprilias in the photo below.

But Nick is wrong about the Appia, which is owned by Will How and sadly not by me! I was there as a mere passenger in a Fiat Panda, which didn't stop me enjoying the event.

Colin


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: apriliadriver on 07 October, 2010, 08:19:41 PM
Colin,
A wonderful picture -  thanks for posting and my apologies for misaligning you with the Appia  ...  I should have known it was Will's.

These Lambda lunches are organised by Mike Benwell, who deserves a round of applause.
Nick


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: fay66 on 07 October, 2010, 10:06:44 PM
Nick is right – it was a great gathering of wonderful cars – including the two Aprilias in the photo below.

But Nick is wrong about the Appia, which is owned by Will How and sadly not by me! I was there as a mere passenger in a Fiat Panda, which didn't stop me enjoying the event.

Colin

Colin that's a relief I thought I was having a senior moment as I couldn't remember ever seeing you in an Appia ::)

Brian
8227 8)


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: apriliadriver on 05 November, 2010, 09:11:58 AM
Yesterday, I drove the Aprilia on what is probably its last long run this year : West London to Crawley to pick up an ex-neighbour and then onto Hastings to view some interesting cars, particularly a very early (1955) Alfa Giulietta Sprint, which is completing restoration.

Total journey mileage, 240 miles and, apart from an odd transient problem with the headlights, completed the journey without missing a beat, two-up most of the way. I had to accomplish the Crawley to London return leg after dark on side-lights only, so opted for the M23/M25 route since that's lit most of the way.

I can assure readers that Hastings sea-front on a warm but very gusty day is not for the faint-hearted  -  this once very lovely Victorian seaside resort is now the benefits-capital of England, used by social services as a dumping ground and very run-down.

The Aprilia received a light coating of airborne sea-salt, so I will be washing the car this morning to slow down the onset of rot.
Nick


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: williamcorke on 05 November, 2010, 11:15:34 AM
Hi Nick,
That's PG's Sprint presumably?  I thought it was with Chris Robinson... which leads to the (speculative) question, which specialist is down Hastings way?  Trimmer?
cheers,
William


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: ben on 05 November, 2010, 12:57:53 PM
Hi Nick
         Your post reminds me that Ive been meaning to ask you for contact details for the speciaiists who rebuilt your dynamo for the red Aprilia after the Turin run in 2006. I presume your current headlight issue is just that and not due to lack of battery power or charge!
         I have been living with a max output of about 5 amps from my dynamo for as long as I can remember but think the time is right to do something about it. I came back from Portsmouth after the 2006 trip with a pair of bicycle lamps on a bamboo pole taped across the front of the car to supplement the standard 5 watt side lights and thus enable me to run without the headlamps, up the A34 and along the M4 to Bristol!
                          Ben


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: apriliadriver on 05 November, 2010, 09:38:50 PM
First to William's question  -  no. not PG's car 00024, but G. Sprint 000905 which I met quite unexpectedly at the restoration workshop while looking at a pre-war car. PG's car is still with Chris Robinson.

'905 is owned by a South Coast doctor and has all the right features  -  rolled-edge wheel-rims etc  ....  but as this is the LMC Aprilia Forum, I better not go on about it.

Second to Ben : the older gent who rebuilt my Centenary trip duff dynamo is not now taking much on  -  but I have had an Aprilia dynamo rebuilt since then by Jay Electrics, 322 Hook Rise North, Tolworth, Surrey, KT6  7LN,  0208 391 1004. No e-mail or web.

Jay is a one-man band, and a very quick worker : he mainly does vintage stuff, 6V or 12V. Cost of the rebuild/re-wind, new bearings etc was £160 which, while it is a lot, nevertheless you do get it back in good time.
Nick


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: williamcorke on 05 November, 2010, 10:59:27 PM
Warning, non-Lancia content!

Thanks Nick, I didn't know there was another earlyish car nearby.  You might know I've got #555 awaiting restoration; it would be good to be able to have a look at the Hastings car at some point.  Curiously, my car has non-rolled wheels, but with a clear '55' stamp on each wheel.  Go figure!

William


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: apriliadriver on 20 November, 2010, 04:16:30 PM
Definitely the last road-mileage in 2010, a 70-mile trip back from Portsmouth.

While down there, the front brake-shoes were replaced as a precaution, new water-temp gauge fitted (the capillary-tube of the previous new one had broken), several electrical faults sorted, an all-round spanner-check and etc.

On the journey back up the A286/A3 the car held a regular 65/70 (calibrated against traffic passing police cars, speed restrictions on M25 ) with remarkably lively acceleration. A long steep hill (e.g north of Midhurst on the Downs)will still necessitate a change down to third, but given the passage of 70 years, we can still surprise people as we charge by.

By pre-war standards, the brakes are brilliant : they must have seemed top-of-the-class in their period.

Now, Forumists, a Question ....  apart from the Sliding Pillar Rally, what other events in 2011 will attract other Aprilias to attend  ? 

Any suggestions, however rude, gratefully received.
Nick


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: johnturner on 20 November, 2010, 05:23:34 PM
Not sure how many other Aprilias you will; find but the very best event still running is the VSCC Measham (http://www.vscc.co.uk/vsccweb/events/event.jsp?id=572) which I reckon is winnable in an Aprilia.  Alternatively Leo Schildkamp recommends the 100 Miles of Amsterdam (http://www.the100miles.com/index2.php?t=1&h=5) which is a slightly softer version of the same thing.  Or you could try the Via Flaminia run by the same crowd which ought to be supported if only because the cars they use to illustrate their various classes are exclusively Lancias.(http://via-flaminia.com/pages/frrally.htm)

John


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: apriliadriver on 21 November, 2010, 09:12:52 AM
John,
Thanks  :  I have thought about the Measham in previous years, but never done it  ....  sounds bracing from the weather viewpoint ! I must find a good nav.
Nick


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: Scarpia on 21 November, 2010, 10:53:48 AM
We would gladly do the amsterdam 100 miles in the aprilia but we are 7 years to young unfortunately;.... such a shame the catagories of these events don't allow for models to enter based on the "date of launch" of the model rather than production year.There is really no practical difference between a 1930's aprilia and a 1940's in terms of performance and handling and such rules limit rules out otherwise (still rather old ) cars being used in these events. 


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: davidwheeler on 25 November, 2010, 09:27:57 AM
When I took mine in for its MOT the tester was amazed at the brakes, best he'd ever recorded he said...


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: apriliadriver on 25 November, 2010, 11:02:14 AM
David,
I am not surprised. The combined surface area of the brake-shoes is at least as large as those on the 900kg Alfa Guilietta of the Fifties/Sixties.

In actual driving I have found the Aprilia brakes are well up to driving in modern-day driving conditions, and there are not too many 1930s makes, particularly smaller cars, about which that can be said  -  for example, I submit the [turn yr eyes away] contemporary Morris 8 saloon, which has extremely feeble stopping power.
Nick


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: DavidLaver on 26 November, 2010, 03:53:39 PM

I thought the Morris 8 brakes were the fabulous high performance hydraulics that were grafted on to Austin 7s?   Just goes to show there's always a smaller fish out there...

David


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: Peter W on 26 November, 2010, 04:38:47 PM
These comments remind me of the Aprial that I owned in the early 60s.  When the MOT '10 year test' was introduced, I duly took mine along to the Ministry Test Station in Hendon where, as well as conducting the tests, they we also evaluating various items of test equipment.  They decided to do the brake test on a rig that consisted of 4 large rectangular pads set in the floor & a console housing 4 single leg manometers with markings from 0 to 100%.  The idea being that the car was driven smartly onto the pads & then braked firmly.  The pads presumably pressed against 4 load cells which filled the manometers to the appropriate level.  The Aprilia was driven onto the pads and stopped very sharply, the man by the console took the readings & scratched his head then turned to the driver and asked him to repeat it.  This time he turned to me and said 'No car can have 100% so I will give it 99.9'!

Peter


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: Scarpia on 27 November, 2010, 08:21:14 AM
our aprilia goes through the belgian mot without real problems. It's quite demanding particularly on the suspension but brakes comfortably exceed the requirements. Even some modern cars fail on the suspension tests including the new Fiat 500 ....so it's a relief each year to get through.Emissions are also fine if I close down the carbs a bit before going to the station


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: ben on 26 January, 2011, 07:04:29 PM
Hi Nick
         Ref your enquiry a few posts back about suitable events for Aprilias I am proposing to attend the Beaulieu Italian car day.It is the day after the Goodwood track day viz May 22nd.
        As it is our 75th anniversary it would be good to recognise the occasion in some collective manner and I have just floated the idea in the "events" section.
        Are there any other takers out there?    Or other ideas, perhaps for something more UK central? Or maybe focus on the track day and a parade lap or two for Aprilias en-masse!!! Then we could have a jaunt around the Sussex lanes while the speed freaks are burning rubber.
                                                                     Ben


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: apriliadriver on 03 February, 2011, 01:25:03 PM
Ben,
That sounds like a good idea -  sorry for my delay in reply :  I had been toying with the idea of doing the VSCC Hereforshire/Monmouthshire tour that weekend  ...  but this sounds much better.

I will ring you closer to the time to confirm ...  and thanks for yr suggestion....
Yrs
Nick


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: apriliadriver on 19 March, 2011, 12:25:22 PM
After a four-month salt-induced lay-off I have taken the Aprilia out for a shakedown cruise to get the winter rats-and-mice out of the silencer.

Great weather, roads clear of salt and the car going like a dream. Looking forward to a Summer of Aprilia driving ....  Goodwood 75th celebration, Sliding Pillar Rally etc. Just need two new flexible propshaft couplings (see separate post).

Nick


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: ColinMarr on 19 March, 2011, 07:31:57 PM
Nick,

I bet it's good to get the car back on the road. I don't want to be a downer about salt, but I cycled up Crouch Hill this morning after a frosty night and the ever-zealous Haringey Council had salted the road! I expect they will do the same tonight. Choose your route with care.

Colin


Title: Re: Aprilia back on the road
Post by: apriliadriver on 24 April, 2011, 07:15:53 AM
To Silverstone yesterday in the Aprilia for the VSCC race meeting, parking in the Pre-War cars area  -  wonderful weather and huge crowds. Lancias on display included a couple of Lambdas, an Augusta,an Aurelia and a Fulvia. Met Colin Marr whose Fulvia it was. Just missed Aprilia-owning Aussie Joe Wilson who left a note on the windscreen.

Saw some great races, wandered around the pit garages and the autojumble, admired Graham Scott's Alfa 8C long chassis which he has owned since 1969. Missed John Millham although he was bound to be there somewhere and probably very busy.

The Aprilia never missed a beat in 140 miles and just got her indoors before the mother-and-father of a thunderstorm hit West London.

If the weather was like that all the time, you'd go motor-racing every weekend. I will be at the Donington Historic Festival next weekend, racing my Alfa GTA and co-driving an Alfa SZ. Bet the weather has broken by then ...
Nick