Aprilia inside door handles

[simonandjuliet]

I can post pictures in the next couple of days.

Regards the remanufacture, I would prefer bronze,chromed. However if this is prohibitive, I would be happy with alu.

Question - would alu be strong enough ? The handle is quite slender ...

Secondly, how would you propose remaking the splines? Re-using old ones or new fabrication ?

[St Volumex]

I can post pictures in the next couple of days.

Regards the remanufacture, I would prefer bronze,chromed. However if this is prohibitive, I would be happy with alu.

Question - would alu be strong enough ? The handle is quite slender ...

Secondly, how would you propose remaking the splines? Re-using old ones or new fabrication ?

Thanks Simon, I'm looking forward to the photos.

A lot of Appia handles are made from aluminium, and I would prefer bronze too, but that process brings it's own peculiar challenges. 

We'll worry about the finer detail once we are a bit further along in the project.

Thanks & regards,

[davidwheeler]

Door handles have spline inserts in steel but the window winders do not so I think aluminium for those may not be strong enough.  I have some broken examples of both, would you like me to send them to you - they would do as a start for patterns?

[St Volumex]

Door handles have spline inserts in steel but the window winders do not so I think aluminium for those may not be strong enough.  I have some broken examples of both, would you like me to send them to you - they would do as a start for patterns?

David W that's very kind of you, but I'll try and get some samples from my (one and only) local Aprilia man first thanks, but may take up your offer later.

I'm glad that the Project is eliciting some interest, judging from the number of Private mails I've received too.  Thank you everyone.

To answer the question which keeps popping up about aluminium being strong enough, here's a pic of some Appia handles which seem fine, as I don't have too many Appia owners asking for them - just yet.  

Another suggestion is that we make them from stainless steel which will be very strong, and eliminate the need for chroming, if we were to use bronze.

[simonandjuliet]

Been a bit pre-occupied with getting a Renault Rodeo back on the road in time for the sun (!)

I would be happy with stainless ......

I am not sure if the door lock latch is original - I think not, but the others are. The latch is also too short because it is a bit broken.

Look forward to your news
Simon

[Scarpia]

the latch looks original, mine looked the same until the tabs broke off...

[davidwheeler]

Latch is right, square shaft is 15mm long.  The screw is a bit special...

[simonandjuliet]

This is the "rounder" version which I had on my first Aprilia

[St Volumex]

Once again, thank you to everyone, but especially Simon and David W for the photos.

Just to let you know that things are moving along with the project, and I may be able to announce some indicative pricing next week.

However, I do not want to rush things, but rather do them thoroughly, so if anyone is really desperate for handles, I understand these are available elsewhere, but for a tidy sum.  

This Project is much bigger than the LMC, and at the moment I'm investigating other markets too, which will help bring the cost down.

I also believe that a poll wouldn't be a bad idea to get a better idea of exactly what Aprilia owners want.

Regards,

[davidwheeler]

Mine are first series latches, are yours second?

[lancialulu]

Have been watching this thread thinking should I be interested....

Anyway having broken a window winder I have decided to be.

The window winder is articulated and the main shaft in made of Mazak which shattered at the weakest part. Looking at my Aprilia I seem to have at least one inside door handle also made of Mazak and one chrome plated...

So I would prefer Chrome plated or polished Aluminium.

Tim

[St Volumex]

Thanks for your vote Tim!

[St Volumex]

A poll on a parallel thread has revealed as much as we can expect for the moment, so let's move right along: [I've posted this same message on that thread too.]

I'm a purist when it comes to authenticity, but also a realist that sees room for improvement, or we wouldn't be making new door handles in the first place!

I've spoken to my foundrymen over the past weeks, and while it is possible to make the handles in stainless steel, they would be more expensive as that would require a different furnace process.

With reasonable pricing in mind, my first vote would be for an original-style bronze handle, finished and chrome plated, yet better that the original, with the option of ordering it with, or without a new splined shaft.

Second choice is as above, but made in stainless steel.

I hope to report back next week with ballpark pricing on both these options which should narrow our choices down a bit more.

Regards,

[apriliadriver]

For info : I had five new inside door handles made up in bronze by Harling Foundries, Hastings, in 2006 (01424 443160).

I made up a pattern using the only good handle I had left : the cost inc VAT was £158, so about £30 each.

I extracted the splined bobbins from the broken handles (by burning them out with a blowtorch after trying other methods) and got Harling to cast them into the new handles.

When finished I smoothed off the castings and had the handles chromed  -  I do not have the invoice but that would have been about £10 each. The result was completely satisfactory and now giving good service.

So  -   total cost per handle somewhere between £40 and £50. Harling were very hepful and very quick.

Nick S.

[chriswgawne]

I have discovered that I have 4 examples of the 'rounder' latch as per Simon's post & photograph of May 22nd if these are of any interest to anyone.
2 of them are plated (which needs redoing).
The other 2 are aluminium and on these the square section is slightly tapered.
I also have 1 bolt and another aluminium latch which does not have the square section post however there is a square section hole through this latch. Is it designed to be the female version of one of the others?