Aprilia Diary

[DavidLaver]

A peddle that shape I'd expect evidence of front end damage.

[stanley sweet]

My bet is the pedal was "adjusted" to suit good driving technique by a previous owner (and good driver).

I hope so. Either that or it must have been THE emergency stop of all time!

[frankxhv773t]

I suspect tow and heal is something restorers are quite used to.............

[Mic]

I was a little surprised when I first drove my Aprilia that heel and toe was not only possible but came natural.  Depending on the size of ones shoes it is not always possible with a conventional pedal layout but I used the technique all the time in my 1929 Alfa although that had centre throttle.  Perhaps more an Italian thing as suits their style I suspect. I am trying to remember what it was like with a Lambda.

[the.cern]

I suspect tow and heal is something restorers are quite used to.............

Frank, that is truly awful .......... but I like it!!!!

[simonandjuliet]

Sorry Frank , I am having a senior moment , so you will have to explain .......

This afternoon , respite from vines and time in the garage ! I set to protecting the new floors and sills so that they will last another 70 years and Dog prep'ed and painted the insides of the Appia doors.

First off was a litre of "Supertrol" in each sill. This is nice and liquid and was poured in to the front of the sill and a couple of holes in the top with a jug and funnel. I put containers underneath to collect the drips !

Second was high pressure "Waxoyl" injection into the other box sections as well as the sills. There are holes in the box sections already, so no major vandalism. Maybe that's why it has lasted so well already ....

Once done I cut and fitted new underlay and then the carpets and side panels. Just need to fit the seats and ready to go !

Same "Supertrol" and "Waxoyl" treatment for the Appia tomorrow once the paint is dry 

[stanley sweet]

Haven't heard of Supertrol. How does it get around the top and sides of the section? Or does it just coat the bottom for extra protection and Waxoyl does the rest. It's looking very nice inside as it's coming together.

[frankxhv773t]

Simon, you being a practical sensible guy you can't be expected to follow a twisted mind like mine.

You find an Aprilia to restore, you to TOW it home, then you try to HEAL it.

I have done rather too much of the former, too little of the latter and I doubt I would have the dedication to write such a wonderful thread as this.

Keep on towing and healing.

Frank

[DavidLaver]

Simon - we need close ups of all the details!!!  Those clips for wires (and pipes?).  What did it take to get the peddles apart and together again?  Now at the end what's the full list of bits that were "wrong" and are now correct?

[simonandjuliet]

Here are a few detailed pictures for you !

The interior went back in and then I wanted to move the Aprilia over to the winery, but ...... I hadn't fitted the new number plate at the back. And of course it's a different size , and then the brake light above was a bit messy etc etc

Suffice to say that it has all taken a lot longer. Will show pictures of the number plate mods tomorrow but first was stripping, cleaning, preserving and re-assembling the brake light. The "Lancia Aprilia" lenses were very tatty, original plastic, however a couple of years ago I came across a beautiful glass set. So, now it's time .....

Some lovely details like the toothed, middle clip that holds the lenses and the aluminium shield in place. The shield is cast ally and the rest of the frame is chromed. The shield is not centred and never has been !

I painted the steel back with Hammerite and a very small brush, I don't really use Hammerite anymore, but this was one occasion when it was merited, too difficult to mask.

I have compared the glass lens (middle row) with a NOS plastic (top). Difference isn't obvious from afar , but up close, they are much classier !

So hopefully I can finish putting it all back together tomorrow and swap the Aprilia with the Ercole - I have 20 tonnes of cow manure to spread over the vines and the Ercole is a more suitable vehicle !

ps Stan , will show the Supertrol tomorrow

[stanley sweet]

The amount of design in just that lamp is fantastic. Love the name moulded into the lens. Strange that in an age where product design is so much more sophisticated with CAD and superb production facilities that we've lost all this. Little touches like that would suit a retro car like the Fiat 500.

[the.cern]

The thought and effort that has gone into that lamp is incredible and, to my mind, fully justified. Obviously it was all done during the accountants' annual holiday!!!!

[simonandjuliet]

The Ercole started first compression, so the switch has been made .......

In order to make the rear number plate look OK with French sized plates, I made a blank, black plate in steel to fit the Italian aluminium frame. That was fitted and then the French plate riveted to it. Bit of a faff, but  .....

Cleaned the drain-holes in the brake light unit before fitting, it will need it because there isn't any kind of weather seal on the unit. Maybe need to revisit this !

In amongst some spares I bought recently were these lovely frosted/patterned festoon bulbs which I used to replace the modern, plain glass bulb - tiny detail, but I know it's there !

And , it all works ..... quick drive around the village to check everything is OK and then into the winery before a wash and run out later in the week.

[stanley sweet]

That's looking great. It's a beautiful colour green.

[DavidLaver]

I like the double number plate - and will always "see" a patterned bulb in there.