The Dionysus Project (Aprilia ETX 125 Rotax 122)
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It's almost getting to the point in that I think it's time to abandon this project....
On July 16th 2024, the bike was collected from me to be repainted again. This time under instruction that they could weld the frame up if there was a problem.
I got a phone call yesterday afternoon. Prognosis...not good.
The bikes been stripped to the bare metal but the fabricators are refusing to weld it up.
ScrapI believe is what they turned around to me and said.
And this afternoon they dropped the bike off to me £120 lighter with a frame that I am told I need to scrap.
You gotta laugh sometimes
The truth is, I've ridden the bike say 5 times back in 2021 and that's that. I'm now knee deep in my RD project and I am not sure I want to spend more money on it.
The joke is, I've spent so much money restoring all the other bits and bobs, all that's really left is the frame and slapping it back together.
Even gone to the extent of designing bits you simply cannot get anymore.
It's only got to last till the MOT and back
My Dad's offered to sort the frame and paint it and I'll see what happens after that.For now the project will go on hiatus (although I may order the end can system for this bike as I am confident they won't be around for much longer).
Always Originate, Never Pirate!
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It's almost getting to the point in that I think it's time to abandon this project....
On July 16th 2024, the bike was collected from me to be repainted again. This time under instruction that they could weld the frame up if there was a problem.
I got a phone call yesterday afternoon. Prognosis...not good.
The bikes been stripped to the bare metal but the fabricators are refusing to weld it up.
ScrapI believe is what they turned around to me and said.And this afternoon they dropped the bike off to me £120 lighter with a frame that I am told I need to scrap.
You gotta laugh sometimes
The truth is, I've ridden the bike say 5 times back in 2021 and that's that. I'm now knee deep in my RD project and I am not sure I want to spend more money on it.
The joke is, I've spent so much money restoring all the other bits and bobs, all that's really left is the frame and slapping it back together.
Even gone to the extent of designing bits you simply cannot get anymore.
It's only got to last till the MOT and back
My Dad's offered to sort the frame and paint it and I'll see what happens after that.For now the project will go on hiatus (although I may order the end can system for this bike as I am confident they won't be around for much longer).
@Calum Shame this has happened to you buddy. I once saw an Aprilia Tuareg 125 Rally (twin headlights/massive fuel tank/centrestand for fast enduro wheel changes) parked outside my local Lidl in a manner that would suggest it was owned by someone working there whilst doing their A-Levels etc.
https://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/aprilia/aprilia-tuareg-125-rally-90.html
It was literally falling apart; quite upsetting as I always wanted one. Italian 125s are night and day ahead of Japanese ones on spec/performance but you really need to give them a wallow in WD40/copper grease from new to protect them from British winters and that is beyond the understanding of most teenage owners.
That being said, I bet if you had a holiday in southern Italy you could pretty easily locate a corrosion-free ETX125 frame or two, bring them back and get them straight down the powder coaters...
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@HOTSHOT-III Interesting bike that Aprilia,never seen one before.
A DT could transform into something similar,twin headlights, modified bigger tank, keep it's enduro costume.@Calum I would grab a tig/mig and extensively repair the frame. But I am known to see hope/light in garbage stuff with a lot of time and work coming back to life.
Example. I was offered an XT500 with low km's but sea salt corrosion damage to the frame,not passing "MOT" here.Very low money,but I have no time....for now waits to the owner garage until I find time. -
Frame has been repaired by my Dad all welded up and he's managed to paint it for me as well.
So this has been a big help and will at least allow me to throw the bike back together.
He has gone to extensive efforts on this well, as well as welding the frame, he has purged the frame of any remaining acid that was left in by the previous powdercoaters.
Followed by then filling the frame with Waxoyl to ensure that it doesn't happen again.
![][(https://i.imgur.com/lXe8Hcx.jpeg)
By no means a perfect job, the bike was never intended to be concourse (hell my DT is looking worse for wear now having been refurbished nearly 10 years ago).
But overall he's put a lot of work in for me and I'll be glad to have it back and rebuilt.
Hopefully get this back next month and then start reassembling it
Also took delivery of the Gianelli (Now Arrow) end can to compliment the expansion chamber.
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Frames back and painted and no signs of rust, so it's reassembly time...again.
Engine is in no dramas there.
Triple clamps bolted together with nice grade 5 titanium bolts.
I haven't reconditioned the forks, the stanchions are rough but the rebound is solid.
New headstock bearings, for anyone who is looking...(Future me)
Aprilia ETX Head Stock Bearings:
NTN 4T-30205 Tapered Roller Bearing Cup and Cone Set 25x52x16.25mm
Aprilia MX125 rear swinging arm fitted, it measured almost half the weight of the one that was on originally.
Need to give the fork bottoms a good clean and the wheels then I should be able to roll the chassis.
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Snooping around the house I found these items
I shudder think what I spend on these things and I don't even remember half the time!
This is a sort of budget build though.
I ummed and arred but I was just going to reuse the handlebars that came with this bike. They're in pretty bad shape, but easy enough to replace should I want to put some prettier ones on.
Front wheel fitted, front brake disassembled, need pads and it'll be good to go.
Front tyre looks good, so happy to reuse this for the moment. Just needs pads.
I would have got the rear wheel fitted, but ran out of steam.
Save that for next weekend.
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Piecing it together bit by bit.
Got some Ferodo brake pads for the rear caliper.
Wiring loom gently fitted, I think this is where it goes.
The original ignition barrel was ropey as f. Clearly non-genuine and been replaced before. This gem came up new old stock genuine, so snapped at the chance to get it.
Just focusing on the front end at the moment. Got some genuine wing mirrors from Italy winging their way to me.
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Managed to source OEM indicators/mirrors (although not my taste personally).
A fair chunk of change was dropped on renewing brand new OEM NOS throttle, clutch, choke, Odometer cables.
I also decided to paint the mild steel arrow pipe. Just make it look like a factory pipe and nothing fancy.
I must have bought this pipe brand new 3 years ago and it's been in storage since and even then it's rusting....
It's no TYGA pipe for sure!
Buzzing to get this bike complete though.
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YAY! What has been, three long years and the bike is finally on its own two wheels again.
Trip down to the powdercoaters to pick up the suspension spring as it just didn't feel right to put the crusty one on there.
I had it repainted the OEM colour for this bike, but fitted the RX/MX/SX shock absorber. It was refurbished to the best of my abilities.
Sadly the bike isn't concourse and never will be.
But it's starting to come together nicely now!
And at least I can move it around the garage out the way of the other bikes finally!
