Just bought a RSV Mille for £1400 - What to look for?

GSTEEL32 · Traffic Copper Joined: 24 Feb 2010 Karma :

Its a Cat D (meh!), and has obviously had a low speed drop on its side, but its just done 40 miles around the north circular without missing a beat. Its got a Power commander 3 fitted, but no idea what map its got. Is the PC3 with an original exhaust a bit pointless ?

I might give it a once over this weekend and a quick service. Is there anything in particular I should be keeping an eye on ? I've got no service history, so what jobs should I definitely tackle first ?

I've not had it long , but would definitely say the engine feels less "agricultural" than my previous Ducati twin....

https://i.imgur.com/qa6nq1t.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/CH0VR6Y.jpg

_Iain_ · Banned Joined: 01 Feb 2012 Karma :

Rear shock linkage.

It likes to seize & snap the bottom off the shock at a cost of some serious wonga (more than half what you paid for the bike)
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spikenipple · Crazy Courier Joined: 20 Nov 2007 Karma :

It's pretty important with these bikes to keep the battery charged properly so it has a good chance of starting properly. The starter sprag clutch breaking is a common fault when the battery is a bit weak. It's worth fitting a 14v battery with high CCA (Cold Crank Amperage) to avoid this.
Smear all and any exposed electrical connectors with dielectric grease as you might have trouble with it in the wet otherwise. I did these to my RSVR and it was right as rain for the time I had it!
I also fitted a Scottoiler, which was the best thing I've ever done to a bike Laughing

You got yourself a bargain, I'm a bit jealous!
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C50 > GN250 > XJ600 > SV650S K7 > 2001 RSV Mille R > MT-09, XR400R > 2005 Fireblade (trackbike) + 2022 MT-09 + ZXR400 race bike

mentalboy · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 May 2012 Karma :

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

IIRC it's a dry sump engine so changing the oil is not a simple procedure. I don't think its a hard task but it has a specific procedure that must be followed.
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Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

MarkJ · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Apr 2006 Karma :

As above, grease both bearings in the dogbone linkage and the lower bearing on the swingarm (where it attaches to the triangle shaped bracket), and keep the battery in tip top condition. If the engine kicks back it bangs against the sprag clutch (you'll know when this happens, it not a nice sound). If this happens too many times it knackers the sprag clutch and you need a new one. If you do, there's a BMW sprag you can fit that's cheaper than the Aprilia part, but the sprag is nestled away inside the engine so best not to have to do this job Thumbs Up

As Marjay said it's a dry sump, but still easy to do an oil change, you just drain the oil tank first, then the engine oil drain (next to the filter cap) then undo the filter cap and change the filter. The large oil filter O ring squashes quite easily and can start to dribble oil a bit so stick your hand down there and see if it's doing this. New O ring is a few quid off ebay. There's no washer between the main oil drain bolt and engine, so the torque setting is relatively low. No need to tighten it massively because then they're a real pain to undo again next time.

I think you also measure the engine oil with the engine running, and hot. Double check this though as my Mille is a track bike and gets an oil change before the levels get anywhere near low.

I always start the bike like so, to avoid the sprag getting a hammering:
In neutral
Clutch in
All lights off
Full 'choke' (fast idle)
No throttle

The engine is very lumpy low down, it should be smoother after 4-5k or so though. Most people just get a custom EPROM made rather than a PC

CHR15 · Turbo nutter bastard Joined: 14 Jun 2008 Karma :

with the bike level, and the engine hot but not running, you want about 20-25mm of oil showing on the sight tube.

any more than that and it starts to blow it though the breather into the airbox.

if the battery goes low whilst cranking it resets the clocks, which includes defaulting the rev limiter to like 5.5k you adjust the limiter with the ignition on but engine not running.

the stock exhaust weighs eleventy billion kilos. aprilia did a titanium race can which is the same bore as the link pipe all the way through (rather than all the aftermarket ones which step the link pipe down to 2" and run a 2" bore can)

the rear brake does fuck all. this is normal.
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GSTEEL32 · Traffic Copper Joined: 24 Feb 2010 Karma :

MarkJ · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Apr 2006 Karma :

Oh aye the rear brake. You can sort this and have a fairly good rear brake if you unmount it and pull the brake line out of the guide it sits in under the swing arm. Then fasten it somehow (cable ties I think I used) to the seat subframe with the nipple at the highest point, then bleed the air out. Or get someone to hold it for you.

Irezumi aka Reuben · Carrot Top Joined: 28 Sep 2004 Karma :

Really good forum here (although Mainly for Falco's which is what I have) https://www.ridersite.ws/rs/index.php?sid=65b3319326c1b8bea77ad579d14a3fc9

Essentially the same bike. Definately check the rear linkages/bearings. Just had to do mine and has cost a fair bit (Dont ever buy Aprilia stuff theres always a much cheaper way to get the exact same part).
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nerald · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 25 Oct 2012 Karma :

Check your brown connectors. Common on most of these era Apes.
https://www.apriliaforum.com/forums/showthread.php?262243-Brown-connector-replacement&highlight=brown+connectors

And fuel quick connectors.
https://www.apriliaforum.com/forums/showthread.php?54873-Aprilia-Fireball-Almost

Combine the 2 and you could end up with toast.
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V-Twins - 60 or 90?

P. · Red Rocket Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

Is that a carbon tail unit?

chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

GSTEEL32 · Traffic Copper Joined: 24 Feb 2010 Karma :

CHR15 · Turbo nutter bastard Joined: 14 Jun 2008 Karma :

MarkJ · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Apr 2006 Karma :

Mille's are ace for filtering if you can get used to the riding style the standard ~~boat anchor~~ exhaust may be heavy, but it's pretty loud for standard. Like parting the red sea Thumbs Up

GSTEEL32 · Traffic Copper Joined: 24 Feb 2010 Karma :

P. · Red Rocket Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

Filtering under 30mph? That isn't filtering. That is parked Laughing

Looks a steal with the carbon etc.

devojunior · Brolly Dolly Joined: 12 Sep 2010 Karma :

id love a big twin lik ethis, if it was me the wheels would come off aswell as swing arm and be powder coated gloss black for a clean stealth look,

its got a supersprox rear sprocket not cheap so id guess its had some love in its last few years.

keep us up dated not out dated like those pink levers.

GSTEEL32 · Traffic Copper Joined: 24 Feb 2010 Karma :

chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :