Sad 2013 needs... A lot of stuff

New to me 2013, 4.5 K miles, the bike has apparently spent some lonely nights outside as evidenced by rusty fasteners. Still on the original tires. I will give it a good clean to start with and do some aesthetics to make myself feel better before pulling the swingarm, changing the shock etc.

The tape peeling on the tank is the worst I have ever seen. The tape is hard as a rock.

First issue: The bolts holding the valve cover are frozen in place. I don't think they have been moved since the dealer service in 2013. What is the secret recipe for removing them without damage?

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Due to the oil seals (tampons) it is hard to get to oil to the threads.

I suggest you warm the engine up a lot and then (gently) use a manual impact driver to shock them free.

"Gently" + "Impact" Got it!

just trying to shake it free without actually damaging the hi-tensile-cheese that Aprilia make those damned screws out of

I dug out a couple of spares -- Just in case!

If the bolts are really seized first give them a good rap on the head with a hammer to help break the corrosion then use a 5mm hex socket and breaker bar and gradually increase the leverage. If the hex rounds out you need to get the next size up Torx driver bit and hammer it into the head of the bolt and use that to wind them out. Yes it will destroy the bolt but it will get them out.

Left a GRiSO outside. They should be horse whipped!

Thanks Pete, the breaker bar it is.
4,800 miles I am cleaning out the literal cobwebs
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Fitted the screen and moved the signals in.
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Things are shaping up!
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sideshowbob wrote:

Left a GRiSO outside. They should be horse whipped!

Agreed. Sinful.

How much did this poor neglected thing set you back if I might ask?

Pete Roper wrote:

How much did this poor neglected thing set you back if I might ask?

$6K, about average for my area. I will be putting a lot of time in the garage in the next few months.

I soaked them in penetrating oil for two days then heated up the bike as prescribed. Bolts came out without damage.

Thanks to all for your assistance!

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”



good result

Valves set, Stelvio shock in place of the stocker. No horrors revealed. The tank is a bit misshapen but not as bad as some, at least the paint isn’t bubbling. Ready for a test ride, synch and TPS reset tomorrow. The airbox was oily due to the sump being up to the full mark on the stick. I will pull some out before riding tomorrow.

Went for a ride and all seems well. Now it needs an oil change, grip Puppies and lowered pegs. Oh and tires, but that will be when riding weather resumes.

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guzziownr wrote:

Things are shaping up!
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How did you manage to score that stand?

Set the way-back machine for 2009... It was a lot cleaner then.

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Flat tappet ?

Jeffro wrote:

Flat tappet ?

Yep, I sold it back when flat tappet issues were a fringe conspiracy theory.