Mechanic for Aprilia SXV 550?

Reckless · 07-01-2012, 12:45 PM

Looking for an experienced mechanic for a 2007 SXV 550 (preferrable DuPage County).

resurrection · 07-01-2012, 04:19 PM

is this bike something special?

maybe a flux capicitor .

all jokin aside, other than maybe mapping or reading the ECU they're all the same.

Reckless · 07-02-2012, 01:45 AM

It's an italian bike with a race motor. It needs an oil change every 500 miles. The engine has to be rebuilt at 5,000 miles. All the motorcycle dealers by me won't work on it (two of them were former Aprilia dealers). There is no aprilia dealer in Chicago or for 250 miles.

In some ways its easy to work on since it's a two stroke supermoto but the engines have been known to detonate when they are not maintained properly. Very finicky machines from what I'm told. But I love it. So far its been worth every penny.

C2M · 07-02-2012, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reckless View Post

It's an italian bike with a race motor. It needs an oil change every 500 miles. The engine has to be rebuilt at 5,000 miles. All the motorcycle dealers by me won't work on it (two of them were former Aprilia dealers). There is no aprilia dealer in Chicago or for 250 miles.

In some ways its easy to work on since it's a two stroke supermoto but the engines have been known to detonate when they are not maintained properly. Very finicky machines from what I'm told. But I love it. So far its been worth every penny.

how is it worth every penny when u need to rebuild it every 5000 miles. Sounds like a money pit to me which surely will take the fun factor out of riding after awhile

Dave13 · 07-02-2012, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reckless View Post

It's an italian bike with a race motor. It needs an oil change every 500 miles. The engine has to be rebuilt at 5,000 miles. All the motorcycle dealers by me won't work on it (two of them were former Aprilia dealers). There is no aprilia dealer in Chicago or for 250 miles.

In some ways its easy to work on since it's a two stroke supermoto but the engines have been known to detonate when they are not maintained properly. Very finicky machines from what I'm told. But I love it. So far its been worth every penny.

Wow, I have never changed oil on any of my 2 strokes. I wonder when they will blow up.

Oh, and your bike is a 4 stroke.

http://slorider.com/Aprilia/manuals/Specifications.pdf

BH · 07-02-2012, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave13 View Post

Oh, and your bike is a 4 stroke.

well, they are known to burn a little oil now and then

Bug · 07-02-2012, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reckless View Post

In some ways its easy to work on since it's a two stroke supermoto.

If you believe this sentence to be true, you have bigger problems than trying to find a mechanic

Vcook · 07-02-2012, 09:40 AM

Box up the motor and ship it to AF1.

eE jeremy · 07-02-2012, 09:46 AM

wow...
1) 4 stroke
2) MCC is close by and an aprilia dealer

BH · 07-02-2012, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eE jeremy View Post

wow...
1) 4 stroke
2) MCC is close by and an aprilia dealer

MCC dropped Aprilia quite a while ago. they might still work on it though.

Bug · 07-02-2012, 09:59 AM

Didn't Daryl buy some $40K RSV? - D, where you gettin that heap serviced?

pothiawala786 · 07-02-2012, 10:14 AM

Almost everyone I talked to uses AF1 in Texas. Boxing up the motor and shipping it at the 5k mark might be your only option if you're sticking with a dealer.

Reckless · 07-02-2012, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C2M View Post

how is it worth every penny when u need to rebuild it every 5000 miles. Sounds like a money pit to me which surely will take the fun factor out of riding after awhile

It's my dream bike. Super light - 282 pounds, thin, awesome handling, almost enough power (not too much where I drive her scared but she could use more top end), confidence inspiring, quality components - I find her to be a blast to drive.

I love her soo much that I am looking for a second one as Aprilia is discontinuing her and I don't think there is ever going to be something else ever like her again. Aprilia really went out on a limb trying to make the lightest weight sportbike that had some bite. The only caveat is they used a race engine which can be maintenance prone.

When I need the engine rebuild I plan on shipping it to AF1. Oil changes I plan on handling myself but transmission oil, brake fluid I will leave to an expert (I believe they need to be changed often as well).

I would take her to MCC but I called them and they won't work on Aprilias, neither will DGY (they discontinued Aprilias in 2009).

Sorry I misspoke about the two stroke. She is a four stroke V-Twin race motor.

pothiawala786 · 07-02-2012, 10:35 AM

I can't imagine changing the fluids is any different than any other bike.

Buy a service manual from Aprilia for the bike, doesn't look like you're going to find too many shops to work on the bike unless you trust someone doing it on the side.

Brake fluid is pretty easy once you do it a few times, speed bleeders or a syringe and it takes less than 15 minutes. Other fluids are comparable in difficulty, but a service manual is almost required if you're working on it.

tnat · 07-02-2012, 11:14 AM

just change the oil and filter yourself. if you cant figure out how to do that then you should sell the fuckin thing or give it to me and give back your license/testicles! LOL

iamnotgreg · 07-02-2012, 11:46 AM

I am not sure how much longer this box will be online but.. Here ya go.

Bug · 07-02-2012, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamnotgreg View Post

I am not sure how much longer this box will be online but.. Here ya go.

You're a good man Greg

iamnotgreg · 07-02-2012, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bug View Post

You're a good man Greg

And you're a better one!

Thanks Bug!

BTW - beep beep

Bug · 07-02-2012, 12:29 PM

No Husky Love?

iamnotgreg · 07-02-2012, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bug View Post

No Husky Love?

I'll have to poke around a bit, I might have some. The vast majority of those came in like a 16gb bundle - then I shared it out amongst a handful of friends and asked them to add any that they had to the collection.. I think there are around 20gb total of manuals in there, but a bunch of them are ridiculously huge pdf scans.

Saw some posts from you, did you get a 610 or the other race only one (drawing a blank on #?)

Kinda jealous. I'll have to ping you on the side and show you something the wife and I are looking at. I think you'll dig it.

pothiawala786 · 07-02-2012, 12:35 PM

Thats a damn good link

Bug · 07-02-2012, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamnotgreg View Post

Saw some posts from you, did you get a 610 or the other race only one (drawing a blank on #?)

Kinda jealous. I'll have to ping you on the side and show you something the wife and I are looking at. I think you'll dig it.

Well, I re-birfed Pic #1 (my '04 450 SMR Track bike) and have it for sale now as back in May I purchased Pic #2 ('11 SMS 630 with all the Mods) and then 2 weeks ago I traded it for Pic #3 ('09 SMR 450 R, limited Edition Bad Ass Track Bike) and of course, I still fart around on Pic #4 cuz I'm old

JPKII · 07-02-2012, 02:01 PM

Hey Reckless, I've owned an SXV550 for a number of years. I changed the engine and transmission oil every 300 miles. Brake fluid once per season (or before track days).

The transmission oil is very simple to change. I don't have pictures on hand to point out all the important bits but I would be happy to point a couple things out if you post up some pics (close up pics of both left and right side engine/swingarm area). I used 625 mL of 80 weight Mobile 1 synthetic gear oil.

As far as the engine rebuild at 5K miles that's a bit of a misnomer. There are many SXV's running happily with well over 5K miles on the clock. I contacted Amauri on AF1's forum to do a rebuild and he said as long as it starts normally and runs properly leave it alone and enjoy it. I had just under 3K miles on mine when I sold it having only performed basic maintenance and it ran like a champ. Never adjusted the valves either.

Let me know how I can help. I loved my SXV. Awesome bikes. Ownership experience sucked but still a cool machine.

iamnotgreg · 07-02-2012, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pothiawala786 View Post

Thats a damn good link

Ugh and google found it around 30 min later..

Get what you want kids, I am probably going to have to move it before I start getting DMCA takedowns.. blah.. I'd toss a robots file in there but I think it's too late

scan me google.. scan me.. I feel so violated

Quote:

==> /var/log/httpd/cartmanism.log <==
crawl-66-249-71-135.googlebot.com - - [02/Jul/2012:13:25:13 -0500] "GET /~gconsier/misc/Motorcycles%20Repair%20Manual/Ducati/Ducati_MH900e_owner's_manual.pdf HTTP/1.1" 200 3167291
crawl-66-249-71-135.googlebot.com - - [02/Jul/2012:13:25:16 -0500] "GET /~gconsier/misc/Motorcycles%20Repair%20Manual/Suzuki/Suzuki_GSX-R1000_2003-2004.pdf HTTP/1.1" 200 87808427
crawl-66-249-71-135.googlebot.com - - [02/Jul/2012:13:25:20 -0500] "GET /~gconsier/misc/Motorcycles%20Repair%20Manual/Honda/Honda_VT700c-VT750c_'84_shop_manual.pdf HTTP/1.1" 200 193751249
crawl-66-249-71-135.googlebot.com - - [02/Jul/2012:13:25:24 -0500] "GET /~gconsier/misc/Motorcycles%20Repair%20Manual/Ducati/Ducati_748R_owner's_manual.pdf HTTP/1.1" 200 1522716
crawl-66-249-71-135.googlebot.com - - [02/Jul/2012:13:25:27 -0500] "GET /~gconsier/misc/Motorcycles%20Repair%20Manual/Yamaha/Yamaha_FZ6-SS(SSC)_2004_Service_Manual.pdf HTTP/1.1" 200 18517191
crawl-66-249-71-135.googlebot.com - - [02/Jul/2012:13:25:31 -0500] "GET /~gconsier/misc/Motorcycles%20Repair%20Manual/Honda/Honda_CB250.360.CL360.CJ250T.CJ360T.pdf HTTP/1.1" 200 97987281
crawl-66-249-71-135.googlebot.com - - [02/Jul/2012:13:25:35 -0500] "GET /~gconsier/misc/Motorcycles%20Repair%20Manual/Honda/Honda_CBR900RR_'98_Parts_Manual_and_Microfiches.pd f HTTP/1.1" 200 1030745

Reckless · 07-02-2012, 03:05 PM

iamnotgreg: Thanks for the link!

JPK: Why did you sell it? I love this thing. I have a hard time imagining a better bike. Only thing it needs is more top end in my opinion.

I am not a mechanic and don't really have the time to get into the vehicle so much. I just want someone who can look over the machine once or twice a season. I used to have a mechanic who would come to my house and do the work for $45/hr and if needed more work he would haul it on his pickup to his garage. It would be nice to find a freelancer like that.

pothiawala786 · 07-02-2012, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamnotgreg View Post

Ugh and google found it around 30 min later..

Get what you want kids, I am probably going to have to move it before I start getting DMCA takedowns.. blah.. I'd toss a robots file in there but I think it's too late

scan me google.. scan me.. I feel so violated

No good deed goes unharmed.

Google is like Skynet, 15 years from now we're all screwed.

iamnotgreg · 07-02-2012, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pothiawala786 View Post

No good deed goes unharmed.

Google is like Skynet, 15 years from now we're all screwed.

I agree 100% bud. That said.. Much as I am a fan of Orwell when I look at the way things are heading I think Huxley got it right.

I was going to post this image in thread but it is rather huge so I will just post a link.

http://www.oesquema.com.br/trabalhos...rge_orwell.jpg

Sorry for going OT

JPKII · 07-02-2012, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reckless View Post

iamnotgreg: Thanks for the link!

JPK: Why did you sell it? I love this thing. I have a hard time imagining a better bike. Only thing it needs is more top end in my opinion.

I am not a mechanic and don't really have the time to get into the vehicle so much. I just want someone who can look over the machine once or twice a season. I used to have a mechanic who would come to my house and do the work for $45/hr and if needed more work he would haul it on his pickup to his garage. It would be nice to find a freelancer like that.

Got it. You're correct, it did take a while to service the bike with all the different spots to drain the oil, etc. Twas a pain in the ass. lol. First few times I did it my wife would watch and was amazed at the acrobatics necessary to get all the different spots drained. On a good day it was about 1.5 hours.

I got rid of it for a couple of reason. One of them is the reason you started this thread. I bought the bike new from AF1. With ZERO factory Ape support in the Chicagoland area it made my pucker factor go up and I had to assume it would cost me an additional $1000 in round trip shipping should anything major go wrong. I loved the bike but knew someday it was going to grenade. I know there are a lot of very competent mechanics on this board but after buying the special tools required to build the motor I felt my money was better spent in shipping to Amauri.

Personally, I think the SXV is a perfect second bike. I had a GSXR 1K (K7) and the SXV for a while. Then like a dumbass I sold the GSXR thinking the SXV could itch that scratch. I was wrong. For me, nothing can fill that void better than a liter bike. I quite simply missed the ridiculous power of the liter bikes.

Reckless · 07-02-2012, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JPKII View Post

Got it. You're correct, it did take a while to service the bike with all the different spots to drain the oil, etc. Twas a pain in the ass. lol. First few times I did it my wife would watch and was amazed at the acrobatics necessary to get all the different spots drained. On a good day it was about 1.5 hours.

I got rid of it for a couple of reason. One of them is the reason you started this thread. I bought the bike new from AF1. With ZERO factory Ape support in the Chicagoland area it made my pucker factor go up and I had to assume it would cost me an additional $1000 in round trip shipping should anything major go wrong. I loved the bike but knew someday it was going to grenade. I know there are a lot of very competent mechanics on this board but after buying the special tools required to build the motor I felt my money was better spent in shipping to Amauri.

Personally, I think the SXV is a perfect second bike. I had a GSXR 1K (K7) and the SXV for a while. Then like a dumbass I sold the GSXR thinking the SXV could itch that scratch. I was wrong. For me, nothing can fill that void better than a liter bike. I quite simply missed the ridiculous power of the liter bikes.

I fully understand where you are coming from... if you have that itch nothing will solve it other than a gix 1000. Since right now I don't care to go that much above 100 mph I am alright with this one (for now). It would have been interesting if aprilia had released a SXV 650 and kind of gotten closer to bridging the gap between a gix 750 and it.

Bug · 07-02-2012, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reckless View Post

It would have been interesting if aprilia had released a SXV 650 and kind of gotten closer to bridging the gap between a gix 750 and it.

They did and called it the Dosodoro - FAH....LOP

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