My Gen1 Tuono Factory Racing

Discussions and updates on your new bike, your new build, your wishes, wants and desires
User avatar
Tricky
Posts: 1819
Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2020 9:46 pm
Location: Chilterns
Has thanked: 2564 times
Been thanked: 2680 times

My Gen1 Tuono Factory Racing

Post by Tricky »

This is one of my "keepers"- well, at least it is now :) - this is is a pic of it back in 2008 not that long after I bought it , with added grippy pillion seat as I used to take my (then quite young) boys out on it.

Image


So, a bit of background on it- I first bought it when it had just turned three years old and had very little mileage on it, from its first and then only owner, who was also the owner of a UK bike race team.
It’s one of the last Gen1 Tuonos , and a “Factory Racing” which was a limited run Aprilia produced back then – there’s more detail on them here https://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial/r ... acing-2003 if you’re interested, but in short, it's a blinged up edition made specifically to try and win an Italian naked race series, and as such it came with lashings of carbon, a “ race kit” (which I still have in the boxes) which includes another carbon nose cone with no lights, additional full length carbon bellypan, race exhaust, chip for the ECU, race-shift gear linkage, and a few other cool little bits.

The bloke I bought it from back then wasn’t a fan of Aprilia’s cosmetic detailing and was a bit of a tart like me too so had it largely de-stickered, and the original white Oz wheels powder coated satin black.
He also put one or two extra carbon bits and bright gold ASV levers on it- nice quality levers but I always thought the gold was just too tarty , never did anything about it back then but have recently replaced them with the original type black ones.
Back at the time when I first bought it, I also did a few other minor mods/ replacements, including replacing the offensively loud carbon tri-oval exhaust can he had on it with the road-legal but still lovely sounding Arrow you see on it in the pics, and I also did the clutch oil jet mod and fitted an Oberon slave cylinder to make neutral easier to find and the clutch action a bit lighter.

Anyway, me and V2 ONO ( yeah corny / twatty / tarty perhaps I know, but it’s THE number plate to have on a Tuono if you’re going to have a vanity plate I reckon and I think it’s 8-) ) had a huge amount of fun over the following eight or nine years, including doing both the Wales and South West rallies on it with a couple of mates during that time.

Image

Image
I never took it on track as I would have cried if I crashed it as some of the bodywork is not replaceable, but mainly as I had my trusty ZX10 for that and was into chasing lap times at that time so never felt the need.

Fast forward to 2017/18ish and my brother Kev @2xtwins had worn me down – he is very much a long-time Aprilia owner and lover, with a battle-scarred 2001 RSVR Millie that he’s had since almost new still lurking somewhere in the back of his garage,.
He’s always loved this particular Tuono ( I had a regular Gen1 before it) and had been chipping away asking to buy it for years.
At the time I finally relented I think I had one or other of my MT10s and probably far too many bikes and the Tuono wasn’t seeing any use and so I agreed, on the proviso that if he was ever to sell it he’d give me first refusal, and I have to see although all bikes are just replaceable lumps of metal and plastic and I don't love them in the same way I love people and animals, it's one of, the very few of all my bikes that I've had over the years that I have regretted selling.
Kev owned it until the middle of last year when I managed to prise it back off him in a deal involving me parting with my 890R Duke.

It was an interesting one for me riding it again after a good few years off it, and especially stepping off an 890R as an immediate comparison, which very much has a similar sort of character.
I was expecting to possibly be slightly brought back to earth as the 890 really is such an outstanding package IMO, but I wasn’t- the Tuono was still brilliant, fabulous motor , brakes , handling and absolutely cracking fun to ride, and I still think it looks gorgeous too, which is an important part of owning bikes for me too- ugly bikes really have to be fucking brilliant to ride for me to love them, but this old girl has all bases covered for me -

So I stuck an MOT on it last year and had a few great little early morning blasts on it, but being honest it hasn’t had much use since then, but then neither have any of my road bikes recently...
this is it autumn last year - it's got the OE Aprilia mirrors back on it, and different tyres, but apart from that, just about exactly as it was back in 2008
Image


Anyway, with the weather getting very much better that will change and it's going to get a little bit of attention in the garage first so I’ve made some purchases- there are more bits arriving as I type but here's some of them:
Image

Fettling planned over the coming days includes, but isn't limited to:
  • Engine service- it’s done very few miles overall, and Kev had it serviced with valve clearances done not that long ago, but it will get new oil and filter and plugs (there are four of them in this gen motor), and the air filter ( it has a K&N in it) will get a clean and re-oil. I’ve also purchased Griff’s open airbox kit that you see in the photo below, which basically does away with the airbox lid and uses the underside of the tank as the airbox, with a resultant increase in volume and a bit of a mid-range boost with the modified exhaust link pipe.
  • Fuel filter and pipes. While the tank is off, I’ll have the pump out, and replace the filter and pipes. It’s a known weak spot on these and quite a few other bikes too- the pipes rot and leak over time and these have never been replaced so it’s time.
  • New chain and sprockets- the rear Renthal that you see is one I put on it way back when along with a 15T front sprocket- both sprockets are still in decent condition, but the chain is the original and although again not noticeably worn, it’s suffered cosmetically and I’ve never really thouguht the style of the Renthal suits it so it’s getting a nice new set of Talons, and a new gold X-ring chain I’ve had “ in stock” for probably 7 or 8 years - I originally got for my 1199 but sold the bike before I fitted it.
Image

  • New brake/clutch reservoir pipes and clips- Again this is pretty much solely for cosmetic reasons. The clips have corroded over time, probably due to road salt never being properly cleaned off them at some time in my previous ownership and look tatty so they will be replaced. The front brake light switch has also gone on the blink so that will be replaced too.
Image

  • New carbon seat cover The original came unclipped and went AWOL in Kev’s ownership when we were out on a ride together- we stopped and searched the surrounding ditches and hedgerows but couldn’t find it so it’s had a regular Tuono passenger seat on since, Moto Composites in the US produce and sell them in carbon that will match the original seat unit, so that’s on order.
    I’ll probably also remove the pillion footest hangers as well and use the exhaust hanger that comes in the race kit at the same time, as I can’t see me ever taking a pillion again on this bike.
Image

And of course a full @Tricky clean- this is very similar to a @weeksy clean, it just probably takes longer :D

That’s what I have on my list at the moment- there will be more, and also a bit of dyno time afterward to check how it’s running with potential tweaks as required, who knows- watch this space!
User avatar
weeksy
Site Admin
Posts: 23414
Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2020 12:08 pm
Has thanked: 5449 times
Been thanked: 13085 times

Re: My Gen1 Tuono Factory Racing

Post by weeksy »

I absolutely love this one... it's soooo nice. I even recall you dropping over to my work on it back many many moons ago.

Posts like this make me want to email the guy with the Firestorm hahahahaha.
User avatar
Skub
Posts: 12166
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2020 5:32 pm
Location: Norn Iron
Has thanked: 9819 times
Been thanked: 10144 times

Re: My Gen1 Tuono Factory Racing

Post by Skub »

Luverly. 8-)

This engenders the Aprilia Tuono RSV4 WANT once again,but I'm too chicken hearted due to their fickle rep.
"Be kind to past versions of yourself that didn't know what you know now."
Walt Whitman
https://soundcloud.com/skub1955
User avatar
Tricky
Posts: 1819
Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2020 9:46 pm
Location: Chilterns
Has thanked: 2564 times
Been thanked: 2680 times

Re: My Gen1 Tuono Factory Racing

Post by Tricky »

weeksy wrote: Mon Mar 13, 2023 11:43 am I absolutely love this one... it's soooo nice. I even recall you dropping over to my work on it back many many moons ago.

Posts like this make me want to email the guy with the Firestorm hahahahaha.
Cheers and yep I love it.
And on the firestorm, had to smile- Kev messaged me telling me about the thread before you bailed- we had a bet about how it would conclude and we both won :lol:
Seriously though, if it's half reasonable and un-shonky enough for you to have the enthusiasm for it I know you'd make it nice and reckon you could do a lot worse :thumbup:

Skub wrote: Mon Mar 13, 2023 11:51 am Luverly. 8-)

This engenders the Aprilia Tuono RSV4 WANT once again,but I'm too chicken hearted due to their fickle rep.
Yup, know exactly what you mean - I often look at V4 Tuonos lustfully but have always stopped short for the same reason...
User avatar
Mr Moofo
Posts: 4620
Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2020 1:41 pm
Location: Brightonish
Has thanked: 1829 times
Been thanked: 1469 times

Re: My Gen1 Tuono Factory Racing

Post by Mr Moofo »

The Gen 1s were remarkably easy to wheelie - even I could do one. Took one up the side on a Jura mountain on a test day - and vowed that I would have one.
Bought a Gen 2 - but never really used it that much.
User avatar
mangocrazy
Posts: 6892
Joined: Tue Dec 22, 2020 9:58 pm
Has thanked: 2402 times
Been thanked: 3625 times

Re: My Gen1 Tuono Factory Racing

Post by mangocrazy »

If there's anything that could make me swap the Falco, it's a Gen1 Tuono Factory... Which is probably why I'm trying to Tuono-ify my Falco. Lovely, lovely bike - fully understand why you wanted it back off your bro, and glad to hear it compares well with an 890R.

And this is probably the right time to trot out this .jpg again...

Falco_owners.jpg
Falco_owners.jpg (110.9 KiB) Viewed 735 times
There is no cloud, just somebody else's computer.
User avatar
Tricky
Posts: 1819
Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2020 9:46 pm
Location: Chilterns
Has thanked: 2564 times
Been thanked: 2680 times

Re: My Gen1 Tuono Factory Racing

Post by Tricky »

Have spent a bit more time in the garage over the last week or two, Mr Angle Grinder was brought into service and the new chain and sprockets are now fitted, and of course it's also had a good clean around the gearbox sprocket- the cover hadn’t been off for a good few years so it was pretty manky in there
Image

I've probably said this to anyone who will listen whenever I've removed the rear wheel of any bike but why other manufactirers can't make it as simple as Aprilia do on this bike beats me- it doesn't have any special captive spacers or QD fitments, but the rear caliper just sort of acts as a nice guide for slotting the wheel in, the spacers don't fall about and you don't have to faff about trying to support the rear wheel with one arm/ legs whilst trying to get the spindle in- it's just easier on these bikes as standard than the vast majority of others. Anyway, I digress...

Now that the new stuff is on, I am in two minds as to whether the combination of the gold coloured rear sprocket AND chain is too much- my current thoughts are that it is just a little bit too Bellwood/Gixxer-boy like, so it may be changing, but well, it’s on there now so hopefully it will grow on me- we'll see :think:
Image



I next turned my attention to the brake and clutch fluid reservoir hoses and clips to replace these manky old ones
Image


For the first pass I just used silver-coloured cadmium-plated clips that I’ve got a stack of, but they just looked a bit too shiney and glarey for my liking, so I bit the bullet and bought genuine Brembo black ones (at a cost of £2.25 per clip! ), which look much better IMO- tiny details perhaps , but they matter to me.
Image

Image



The front brake switch itself was fecked as the little plastic pin that makes contact with the lever had stuck and was broken, and although I tried, is unfortunately not really repairable.
Image


On this, though I balked at the (£40-odd plus P&P :o ) cost of a genuine new one, especially when one for a Nissin/A.N. Other Japanese bike is typically only a tenner or so , hence it’s now sporting a (cheap and cheerful- shame it isn’t stainless, but maybe that will change) hydraulically operated one that I had kicking around- does the job and doesn’t look out of place IMO, so it will do, for now at least anyway.
Image



Next the tank came off to replace the fuel filter, fuel pipes, and plugs.
Image

It’s a while since it’s been off, and it has been ridden in all weathers so was pretty nasty in places under there, so the airbox came off too and it’s had a bit of a clean.
Image

Image


I removed the pump from the tank to inspect and replace the fuel filter and hoses - anyone who is reading this and isn't asleep yet might notice the new filter is different in appearance to the one that’s come out, which is basically just team thrifty in action again :)
Image
The replacement is basically the one used in most BMWs and Triumphs and a fair few Ducatis too, it's a slightly different shape but same overall dimensions and just as good at filtering, and it costs £12 rather than the £43 that the Aprilia one does....


Hoses didn’t look in bad nick, but they are the originals so they got replaced too.
Image


The plugs were also removed, they look fine and have a feeling they were replaced not too many miles ago, but for the cost of them I’ll put new ones in while the tank is off .
Image

And that’s pretty much where we are at at the moment- I thought that I had a correct set of plugs ( it takes 4 total, 2 in each head) for it on the shelf but I didn’t, so the correct ones have now been ordered and once they arrive early next week the airbox and tank will go back on, I’ll replace the brake and clutch fluid and assuming we have at least one nice weather day, it’ll get a nice gentle thrashing around the A&B roads of Bucks and Oxon- it’s been far too long!
User avatar
Dodgy69
Posts: 5455
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2020 6:36 pm
Location: Shrewsbury
Has thanked: 1745 times
Been thanked: 2084 times

Re: My Gen1 Tuono Factory Racing

Post by Dodgy69 »

Go well on track I reckon. 🙂👍
Yamaha rocket 3
User avatar
Tricky
Posts: 1819
Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2020 9:46 pm
Location: Chilterns
Has thanked: 2564 times
Been thanked: 2680 times

Re: My Gen1 Tuono Factory Racing

Post by Tricky »

Dodgy69 wrote: Mon Mar 20, 2023 8:57 am Go well on track I reckon. 🙂👍
I reckon you're right - I'll never know though :)
User avatar
Bigyin
Posts: 3179
Joined: Sun Mar 15, 2020 7:39 pm
Has thanked: 1412 times
Been thanked: 2680 times

Re: My Gen1 Tuono Factory Racing

Post by Bigyin »

As Potter said i wouldnt change the rear gold sprocket....... they are meant to be a bit bling hence the gold bars and forks ......bit of gold at the back of the bike amongst all that black in between is a good fit IMHO
User avatar
mangocrazy
Posts: 6892
Joined: Tue Dec 22, 2020 9:58 pm
Has thanked: 2402 times
Been thanked: 3625 times

Re: My Gen1 Tuono Factory Racing

Post by mangocrazy »

Nothing wrong with a gold rear sprocket. In my world that doesn't qualify as bling, just nicer than plain silver or zinc plate. Now if it was gold rim tape... <shudder>
There is no cloud, just somebody else's computer.
User avatar
Skub
Posts: 12166
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2020 5:32 pm
Location: Norn Iron
Has thanked: 9819 times
Been thanked: 10144 times

Re: My Gen1 Tuono Factory Racing

Post by Skub »

mangocrazy wrote: Tue Mar 21, 2023 4:37 pm Nothing wrong with a gold rear sprocket. In my world that doesn't qualify as bling, just nicer than plain silver or zinc plate. Now if it was gold rim tape... <shudder>
What about green rimming tape,is that permitted? :silent:
"Be kind to past versions of yourself that didn't know what you know now."
Walt Whitman
https://soundcloud.com/skub1955
User avatar
mangocrazy
Posts: 6892
Joined: Tue Dec 22, 2020 9:58 pm
Has thanked: 2402 times
Been thanked: 3625 times

Re: My Gen1 Tuono Factory Racing

Post by mangocrazy »

Pass the hat, we have a candidate... :D
There is no cloud, just somebody else's computer.
User avatar
mangocrazy
Posts: 6892
Joined: Tue Dec 22, 2020 9:58 pm
Has thanked: 2402 times
Been thanked: 3625 times

Re: My Gen1 Tuono Factory Racing

Post by mangocrazy »

mangocrazy wrote: Tue Mar 21, 2023 4:37 pm Nothing wrong with a gold rear sprocket. In my world that doesn't qualify as bling, just nicer than plain silver or zinc plate. Now if it was gold rim tape... <shudder>
Eeek! I've just checked the photos of Tricky's Tuono and guess what...? It's got gold rim tape...

But it's a tasteful shade of 'old gold', not shouty chav gold, so that's all right.




Did I get away with it?
There is no cloud, just somebody else's computer.
User avatar
Skub
Posts: 12166
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2020 5:32 pm
Location: Norn Iron
Has thanked: 9819 times
Been thanked: 10144 times

Re: My Gen1 Tuono Factory Racing

Post by Skub »

mangocrazy wrote: Tue Mar 21, 2023 4:46 pm
mangocrazy wrote: Tue Mar 21, 2023 4:37 pm Nothing wrong with a gold rear sprocket. In my world that doesn't qualify as bling, just nicer than plain silver or zinc plate. Now if it was gold rim tape... <shudder>
Eeek! I've just checked the photos of Tricky's Tuono and guess what...? It's got gold rim tape...

But it's a tasteful shade of 'old gold', not shouty chav gold, so that's all right.




Did I get away with it?
You'll do yourself a mischief with that furious backpedaling. :lol:
"Be kind to past versions of yourself that didn't know what you know now."
Walt Whitman
https://soundcloud.com/skub1955
User avatar
Dodgy69
Posts: 5455
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2020 6:36 pm
Location: Shrewsbury
Has thanked: 1745 times
Been thanked: 2084 times

Re: My Gen1 Tuono Factory Racing

Post by Dodgy69 »

My mate's just bought this. Sound's very tidy, picking up this week. 4k. Bloody cheap I reckon. 👍

Image
Yamaha rocket 3
Supermofo
Posts: 4999
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2020 3:39 pm
Has thanked: 4359 times
Been thanked: 2850 times

Re: My Gen1 Tuono Factory Racing

Post by Supermofo »

Dodgy69 wrote: Tue Apr 11, 2023 1:48 pm My mate's just bought this. Sound's very tidy, picking up this week. 4k. Bloody cheap I reckon. 👍

Image
See I'm torn, that's what they cost and its a lot of bike but 4k for a 17 Yr old bike isn't cheap imo, in less than 3 years it'd qualify for classic insurance!
User avatar
Dodgy69
Posts: 5455
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2020 6:36 pm
Location: Shrewsbury
Has thanked: 1745 times
Been thanked: 2084 times

Re: My Gen1 Tuono Factory Racing

Post by Dodgy69 »

4k don't get you much these days though. 8k miles think he said. Suppose it all depends on bike condition.
Yamaha rocket 3