Aprilia Diary

[DavidLaver]

The alternative to an IPod charger in the car:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/10000mAh-Portable-PowerIQTM-Technology-USB-charged-Black/dp/B0063AAIRG/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1405797779&sr=8-11&keywords=usb+battery+pack

[simonandjuliet]

Re iPod charger, I bought a discrete and remote cigar socket on a wire , with an inline fuse .It is wired direct to the battery. No holes or anything permanent , then it tucks neatly inside the glove box and can be removed when I get back from holiday

Next job was the replacement of the prop couplings. The originals are fabric sandwiches with metal inserts. With time, the fabric softens and flexes. Mine appeared sound and are clean and solid. However I did get some prop vibration above 55 mph, so when Ben Courage developed a modern solution, I thought I'd give them a try !

The 3 new couplings are aluminium discs with silentblocks set into holes. There is the option to offset the depth of the silentblocks giving some thickness adjustment. They arrived with 3 silentblocks protruding by approx 2 mm to one side and the other 3 alternate holes protruding 2mm on the other side.

I replaced them all at the same time, loosely tightening the gearbox and diff couplings and then measuring the gap on the middle one. I found that there was an initial 7-10 mm gap on the middle coupling so, turned two of them around, increasing their offset and this was enough to remove the gap. Once everything was tightened, central bearing greased and put back together it was time for a road-test

Initial impressions are favourable - much less prop vibration over 50 mph and overall feels smoother. They took quite a while to fit correctly, 2-3 hours in total, but if they carry on like this, it was worth it. A 1500 mile trip will test them out and I shall report back !

Other jobs today included checking and setting the headlights and replacing the top hose gasket - again ! Tiny leak which is very irritating because the engine gets dirty ! I have shimmed the shutters so they are open all the time and made the switch for the dash lights work - lots of detail to hopefully make the trip more comfortable

Couple more bits tomorrow, a good clean and then ready to go .....

[simonandjuliet]

Today was putting together a spares box and toolkit.

But , what to take ? What is a reasonable spares kit ? Easy to go mad, so I have taken the following:

Spare distributor (complete)
Extra points
Extra condensor
Plug extensions
Packet of assorted fuses, electrical connectors etc
Length of wire
Coil
Brushes - dynamo and starter motor
Regulator
Starter switch
Bulbs
Water pump
Set of prop couplings and bolts
Driveshaft bearings x 4
Packet of assorted nuts/bolts etc
Cable ties and reel insulation tape
Fuel filter
Steering silentblocs
Wire hanger
Inner tube

Tools:

Full set spanners (2x14)
Selected sockets
Screwdrivers
Grease gun (full !)
Suspension oiler
Tyre lever
Pliers x 2
Plug socket
Original jack and Starting handle
Small bottle jack

Other:

1/2l 20-60 oil
1/2l EP 90 oil
1.5l Rad coolant
Lead replacement liquid for 500l
Fire extinguisher
First aid kit
Warning triangles (2) and jacket
Rags
Rubber gloves
Torch
Gasket goo

You can't carry everything, but hopefully you have enough to get to the next garage .......

Should you include a head gasket? Valve spring ? Where do you stop ?

Suggestions appreciated !



  

[davidwheeler]

Good grief, are you doing the Peking to Paris?    I just carry a small socket and spanner set in a neat box from Aldi.  Never had anything major break on the road (if you don't count the rusted rear suspension retaining wires but they should last another 70 years now).   Aprilias are tough little cars so if you have prepared it properly (and you have) you should not worry so much!   Otherwise, why not a set of big end bearings? - would have come in useful on Boot when the oil pump failed in Fobello a few years ago (but DHL had them there next day).   Seriously, cannot see distributor failing but replaceables fair enough and steering bushes always a good idea.  my head and valve gear are all new (Cavallito 1970 and waiting many years to be fitted) so I do not expect the head gasket to go - an Aprilia is not a Lambda and has a sensible number of head studs.

[DavidLaver]

With a smart phone, forum and express couriers you're not going to be in much trouble for long. 

If you were really organised have "repair kit five" (etc etc) wrapped ready for dispatch on command...

...or the whole lot in a box marked "I told you so".

David

[BlueSky]

Simon it’s pleasing to see someone almost as paranoid as me. I’d include a top and bottom radiator hose, they’re quite small, jumper leads, section of fuel hose and an assortment of hose clamps. Of course the number of spares and tools you carry is inversely proportional to the number of bottles of wine you can bring home!
Noel

[the.cern]

Simon and Noel, I am right up there with you ...... I would add brake fluid, bitter experience that one!!

Yes, there are mobile phones and express couriers etc etc, but nothing gets better than a challenge by the roadside overcome!!  I had a Volvo that in which the timing would drift so the timing strobe was always carried. My wife was not impressed when I decided that, with her and four children under 12 years and fully loaded after a 2 week holiday, that it was necessary to 'do the timing'. It did stop the pinking though. Then there was an unscheduled clutch cable change in Brighton on a visit to friends. I did know the cable was getting tired, I did not carry a spare as a matter of course!!! I always travel on long journeys in old clothes in the expectation that I may well end up at some point under the bonnet or under the car!!!   

Be prepared, not a bad motto even though I am a tad too old to be a Scout, or indeed a Scout leader for that matter!!!

                                                       Andy

[Parisien]

Couldn't you just take a 2nd car along a few hundred metres behind like Clarkson did, a ropey old Beetle or somesuch to "annoy" your pride and joy into not breaking down......


OR get that lot couriered to you when you do breakdown......

P

[lancialulu]

Assume in extremis you have built in recovery insurance to your classic car policy???

[BlueSky]

My favorite Aprilia journey was Conte Bonzi's 1937 trip to Afghanistan and back. The full account was published in Viva Lancia 410 August 2002. How he managed to completely strip and rebuild one of the front suspension units beside the road is unbelievable. I've copied the letter he wrote to Lancia on his return.
Noel

[the.cern]

Noel, a feeling of inadequacy is creeping over me ......  Maybe I should be a little more adventurous!!

I wonder what their spares and tools lists looked like?

                         Andy

[Jay]

What I have used roadside, which would complement your toolkit  

Volt meter
Jubilee clips various sizes
Clear pipe for syphoning and fuel delivery  

For those long jobs a sleeping bag, I almost forgot the kitchen sink

[DavidLaver]

Soft iron wire, electrical tape, duck tape, self amalgamating tape, string, twine, rope.

Knife, scissors, plasters, bandages.

I nice big soft mat to lie on.  When under the bonnet to lend to the passengers to soften the wall they are sitting on.

David

[simonandjuliet]

I hate sleeping in cars an the Aprilia doesn't get any more comfortable with time and I certainly do not get any more flexible

Had an excellent run down here, and very glad I drove late evening/ early morning, the section from Nice to La Spezia is hard work for an old car, some of the hills are long grinds . 3 rd gear and 60 kph for a couple of sections ( lot of wine on board). Wouldn't be too much fun with lorries up your bum !

Currently holed up in a delightful " old school" hotel in Bagni di Lucca, opposite the Casino where apparently the Roulette wheel was invented/ first used

Seen so far , 8v integrale , 2 Fiat 500's and a lovely 500 giardinetta and loads of newer Lancias

[simonandjuliet]

Just back after an "interesting" trip to Italy, celebrating my sister's 25th wedding anniversary  Some of the most atrocious weather I have seen for years !

Very good run down to Lucca but the next day the rain started and my wiper motor packed up - the problem is that I have had the Aprilia for a couple of years and only used the wipers twice !!! So I had no idea that there was a potential problem. I stripped the motor on the kitchen table but no joy, so before we headed off to San Gimignano for the blessing, I needed a solution because it was POURING down.

Girls to the rescue, my sister gave me her bra straps and Juliet her bikini strings. They were attached to the wipers and in through the windows so J could operate the wipers as we were driving. They are nice and soft and did not to damage the paintwork, but we both had blisters from operating them !

The Aprilia always causes a stir wherever we go, but people were jumping out in front of us to take photos and congregating whenever we stopped, but most surprisingly very few knew what kind of Lancia she is. Talking to Chris Gawne later in the week, he said the same of the Aurelia and people recognise their Fulvia much more readily.

Beautiful roads and countryside but the Italians really do like the centre of the road, even on blind corners, so RHD is very useful for getting as far over as possible !

Before setting off on the return journey, I did a quick service - oiled and greased everything. I had to remove and empty the water from the headlights and tighten one driveshaft coupling which had started to come loose and will need new nylocks when she is back in the garage

On the way back, I went via Padova to deliver/collect some spares with Chris and Jackie Gawne (and spent a delightful evening with them - Thanks again!)

The trip back was eventful, horrendous thunderstorms , near Lake Garda people were pulling off onto the hard shoulder to hide. I kept going until the distributor got so wet I was only running on 2 cylinders. The aquaplaning was evil, even with narrow tyres and the thunder so load it made you jump.

I was forced to stop again near Genoa where I reset the points, changed the rotor arm and cap , but eventually made it home after 15.5 hours driving and covering 1050kms.

The only other problems I had were blocked jets in the carb and points that started to close up. So she was running a bit rough when I finally pulled into the drive

I still need to summarise the petrol and oil consumption but reckon I have done about 3000 kms this week, not bad for a 67 year old. She is allowed to be tired, I am, and I'm only 49 !

Photo 1
iPad mounting
Photo 2
Devil's Bridge near Lucca
Photo 3
Hotel Corona, Bagni di Lucca
Photo 4
In front of the gates to Lucca
Photo 5
San Gininiano
Photo 6
Wiper modification
Photo 7
Shades of Green
Photo 8
Celebrating with friends and family