The Helios Project (Aprilia RS 125 Rotax 122 Biaggi Race Replica)

[Glynn123]

@calum had the same when I was a kid mate, it's something to do with the tip of your finger, had a tennis or baseball hit the very tip of my finger while at school, within couple minutes could barely stand, completely white, blurred vision the lot, you'll be fine never came back but was definetely a scare haha

[Calum]

@glynn123 I ain't Googling it lol. I am a massive hypercondriac.

Mate it's the weirdest sensation I have ever experienced. It's like an introduction to being full time blind. That's odd, from your description it sounds very similar. Literally the full Engine dropped on my finger.

[Glynn123]

@calum I felt the same mate, probably one of the weirdest things I've experienced, a truly horrible feeling too haha, happened when I was probably about 12, so nearly 7 years on I've never experienced it again so wouldn't get too worried if I was you. Ofcourse if any symptoms come back it's best to see a doctor, I definetely ain't one to give any medical advice so take it with a pinch of salt haha

[Calum]

I would have done this last weekend, but after my incident I decided to slow down and take a breather.

Fitted some more carbon fibre.

Got the rear master cylinder painted and fitted.

I was supposed to fit the Galfer Rear disc and sprocket, but the titanium bolts I bought are the wrong pitch, and the company sent me the wrong disc, so that was some time wasted.

And here is how she sits now.

The paint on the engine mounts are so thick I can't actually fit any of them. So I just need to scrub them off a little and refit. But she's held in there secure enough to sit pretty for a few weeks or so.

[NINJA]

@calum Looking beastly for-sure!!! If you have a minute sometime, could you post your engine specs please???

[Calum]

@ninja How do you mean bud? It's just a standard Rotax 122 engine. Forged Connecting Rod, Weisco Forged Piston, Gilardani Italkit 144 cylinder (Basically a reworked 122 barrel) with MotoR Powervalve housing and blade. RAVE solenoid. MotoR Hydraulic Clutch conversion . Stock RS 125 Clutch Plates with uprated springs. Titanium Cylinder studs and titanium bolts. VHM Racing head reworked for the revised Barrel. And a VHSB 34mm LD carb.V force reeds and Italkit 34mm inlet to suit the barrel.

Basically, anything you can get from PJME, I bought.

[Darty]

@calum Bolt on’s eh

[Calum]

@darty How is the Hydraulic clutch bolt on mate?

That's mega custom fabrication going on there thank you very much.

But on a serious note, yes you're spot on Dart. Bolt ons. This project of mine was meant to be bolt ons. I done the whole modification thing with the DT. This bike I just wanted like original, with a few aftermarket parts. No porting work (yet), just bolt ons. But is there something wrong with that.

I'll admit, I ain't no BAR racing. Their work is nuts, but you really got to know what you're doing. And I don't.

[NINJA]

@calum That'll do it - thanks. I was mostly interested in which conrod you went for? I see that PJME are now stocking the Italkit double forged beasty. Not cheap mind but it does look the mutts nutts, hand finished too and it also comes with a PEEK coated big end bearing for 30% less friction. I'm not sure if it will offer much additional performance over other brands and whether the extra expense justifies the outlay versus performance aka bang_for_your_buck scenario or not? Maybe just for bragging rights down at the track, but she sure is a real beaut!!!

[Calum]

@ninja I know mate, I was so tempted with this connecting rod. Had it in my basket a few times. Maybe on the next engine I build. But I decided to skimp on a few things in an attempt to get it on the road THIS YEAR which is looking less and less likely!

[Darty]

@Calum mate it’s a crackin’ build!

Bolts on’s are fun when your just trying to enjoy something,

I consider sourcing B-series Spoon Sports parts a ‘build’ nowadays

[Calum]

@darty Nah I know I am messing.

[NINJA]

She pulls like a train, but how sweet does this RS sound;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=HBuQ_C5RtTU

[Calum]

@ninja Yeah seen that before.

I am having so much trouble getting my engine into the frame. Pissing me off beyond believe. It's just not going in. Going to have to drop it next weekend.

[declan]

@calum what trouble you having

[NINJA]

@calum It's that big ass turbo you've bolted onto it!!! :grinning_face_with_smiling_eyes:

[Calum]

@declan Top mount won't line up.

Seeing as this is an unknown frame, imported from a different country, it could be that the frames twisted.

But I've been trying for three weeks now and it is simply not going on. It shouldn't be this difficult which makes me suspect something untoward.

I've ordered a proper engine jack for this bike now, so I will be able to drop the engine out and hoist it in properly. Hopefully have it in next week!

[Glynn123]

@calum since the frames from another country in guessing this build isn't road legal? Surely it would of been easier and cheaper getting an old RS from the UK somewhere? Pleanty with cracked fairings and blown engines round here.

[oldman]

I would gladly help you with fitting the engine but I bet you live miles away, would love to see that in the flesh!

[Calum]

@glynn123 I have the log book from Germany. I have already notified HM Revenue of the import and it cleared customs. I just need to roll it for inspection. No biggie. I don't know mate. Yes I've spent lots of money on it, but if I didn't buy everything brand new from Aprilia this bike would have been really cheap.

The frame was £100 posted. The swingarm came with a shock £25. The wheels less than £100 and the forks came with yokes £60. Then handle bars, fairings and loom wouldn't be too much.

I reckon, if you got everything used, kept your eyes out for bidding, you'd get one for less than 1K. And you know everything would be greased up and serviced before fitting. So effectively you could be knocking out top of the range RS's for less than 1K. I reckon anyway. But no, I didn't do that, this is becoming well expensive. The titaniunm alone must have cost me a few bob.

@oldman Cheers, it's not much to look at, it's just a 125 after all.