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

[Calum]

I did keep this a little hush hush, but after what was a very unsuccessful outing

The bike broke down in several spots, bits fell off and I badly damaged my linkage rod

A new rod was on order immediately, as well as the tie rod. Which aren't cheap!

The fuel tank still leaks! I tried a spare tank and that was the same! So I just went with a genuine tap and NO LEAK!

So it's just addressing small issues.

I love wing mirrors, but they are pointless on this bike as I can't see jack!

So I've got rid of those and need to get some blanking plates.

The linkage arm would randomly stop selecting gears and I don't know why. Perhaps I rebuilt the engine incorrectly? Well a cable tie on the linkage rod has fixed this issue.

Oh and the clocks I bought don't work. I have a spare one but I think it's a faff to change.

But this bike is finally starting to stop showing problems. I've been able to get out and enjoy bedding the engine in. It's been really stressful but I guess it's all par for the course!

Hopefully, when lockdown is over, maybe I can use it a little more.

[declan]

@Calum yeah when you go through a bike completely there's bits you miss and bits that just break or fall off shit happens looking good though

[Calum]

Bike fired up into life with little to no dramas after 6 months of storage.

https://youtu.be/a5Nc9Fd5jvM

Since I last rode it, I removed the RAVE solenoid in favour for the Italkit adjustable pneumatic valve.

Was excited about taking it for a spin...

I made it to the end of my drive and tapped the rear brake... Sezied solid. Locked the wheel up and it was a effort just to get it back into the garage!

The master cylinder had seized. So after checking the rear caliper for damage, I set about sorting the master cylinder out. Dismantled it fully, it it with a blow torch and that seems to have freed the piston!

Just come back from a quick blip up the road! What a machine!!!

I absolutely love the power delivery of a smoker. Amazing.

[NINJA]

@calum Sounds wicked bro!!!

[Calum]

@ninja goes well. I need to get a dyno session arranged and see what it makes.

[NINJA]

@calum That would be very interesting to see for-sure.

[declan]

@calum sweet bike

[zegwed]

Good afternoon. Perfectly refined. A huge job that is exciting. I wanted to find out the spec sheet on the hydraulic clutch (if possible for all modifications), for what reasons was the release cylinder selected? I can't find on the Internet which one you put.

[Calum]

Hi @zegwed Spec sheet? I just made it up? Lambretta clutch spring, Ducati 996 Master/Slave cylinder and then machine up a plate to hold it together.

Something like this: 222522806529

It works really well, especially as I'm running tough springs etc.

[zegwed]

I thought so from ducati))))) did you make a retaining plate? And tell me more clutch handles and brakes of which company? I'll try to implement it))))

[Calum]

^^^Ducati Master & Slave cylinders.

Yes I machined up the plate on the lathe.

334637519334

[zegwed]

Do you remember the dimensions??

[Calum]

No....

Just made it up.

[Calum]

Always wanted these heel plates but sadly they were no longer being made when I was building mine.

Happy then, when I saw TYGA were manufacturing these. Again the quality is as you'd expect from TYGA... Utterly flawless.

Pleased to actually have the period correct heel plates for my bike in stunning carbon fibre. Thanks TYGA!

P.S. Make more carbon for my bike

[Calum]

First time I have ridden this in two years...man what a bike. Everything on this bike is just so tight. Rapid little bike this, mind blowing you used to be able to buy these at 17!

[Calum]

I don't often go out on this bike, but today was a momentous occasion.

My brother finally finished his Yamito 350 project after picking it up in 2021 in an unfinished state, my brother undertook a huge job of things today and is now a happy chap with his wheelie monster Cagiva Mito with an RD421 conversion kit.

Dyno'd at ~75whp and 34lbft torque, the thing nearly flipped coming off the lights onto a dual carriageway.

Handles like a 125 goes like a 600+!

[HOTSHOT III]

@Calum Love seeing these Mitos with RD engines fitted, it's kind of how the 350LC/YPVS would look if Yamaha released a modern version today.

I think the 999Lazer YouTube channel would be up for featuring this bike, it's predominantly a MX channel but they've been branching out lately to anything two-stroke, recently they did a comparison between the Langen Two Stroke and a 30-year-old V-Twin TZR250 and they've done some other road-going stuff:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6rGpiTzYGQ&t=2s

Helios looking good as well!!

[Calum]