Aprilia RX 50 User Manual 1996

ONLY FOR THE CATALYTIC VERSION

USE ONLY UNLEADED PETROL IN CONFORMITY WITH THE DIN 51607 STANDARD, MIN. O.N. 95
(N.O.R.M.) AND 85 (N.O.M.M.) AND HIGH PERFORMANCE SYNTHETIC OIL FOR 2 STROKE ENGINES.
THE USE OF FUELS AND LUBRICANTS DIFFERENT FROM THOSE INDICATED CAUSES SEVERE
FUNCTIONAL INCONVENIENCES TO THE VEHICLE AND THE VOIDING OF THE

ONLY FOR THE CATALYTIC VERSION

To have the catalytic converter functioning correctly for long periods and to reduce possible
problems regarding the contamination of the thermal unit and of the exhaust, it is necessary to
avoid covering long distances with the engine running at constantly low rpm.

a

It is sufficient to alternate these periods with periods in which the engine runs at relatively high rpm,
even if only for a few seconds, but rather frequently.
What has been stated above assumes particular importance for the cold starting of the engine: in this
case, in order to reach a rpm regime sufficient to enable the “priming” of the catalytic reaction, you just
need to make sure that the temperature of the thermal unit has reached at least 50°C, which generally
occurs a few seconds after starting the engine.

aprilia

GUARANTEE.

1

CATALYTIC SILENCER

The catalytic version of the RX50 is fitted with a silencer with metal catalytic converter of the “platinum­rhodium bivalent” type. This device provides for the oxidation of the CO (carbon monoxide) and of the
HC (unburned hydrocarbons) contained in the exhaust gases, changing them into carbon dioxide and
steam, respectively. Due to the catalytic reaction, the high temperature reached by the exhaust gases
results in the burning of the oil particles, thus keeping the silencer clean and eliminating the exhaust
fumes.

Avoid parking the catalytic vehicle near dry brush wood or in places easily accessible to chil­dren, as the catalytic silencer becomes extremely hot during use; be very careful and avoid any
kind of contact before it has completely cooled down.

a

2

First edition: february 1996
Reprint: september 1996, march 1997, april 1998

Produced and printed by:

Studio Tecno Public

Viale del Progresso - 37038 Soave (VR) - Italy
Tel. +39 - 045 76 11 911
Fax +39 - 045 76 12 241
www.stp.it
E-mail: [e-mail]

On behalf of:

aprilia s.p.a.

via G. Galilei, 1 - 30033 Noale (VE) - Italy
Tel. +39 - 041 58 29 111
Fax +39 - 041 44 10 54
www.aprilia.com

This manual contains all the main information and the
instructions required for normal use and maintenance
of your vehicle.
For controls and check-ups that cannot be carried out
easily with the standard equipment supplied, we ad­vise you to consult our Dealers who can assure you
of quick and careful servicing.
To keep your

aprilia vehicle always in perfect operat-

ing conditions, we advise you to insist on Original
Spares and to have repairs carried out only by

aprilia

Authorized Outlets and Official Dealers.
When ordering spare parts from the Dealers, always
quote the spares code which is stamped on a sticker
placed under the saddle.
It is a good idea to make a note of the identification
code in the space provided in this manual, so that
you will always have a record of it even if the identifi­cation sticker comes off.

aprilia

GR NL CH DK J SGP PL IL ROK

MAL RCH BM USA AUS

CODICE RICAMBI spare parts code number

ABCDE

N˚

IUKAPSFB D F E

I.M.

All information is purely indicative and may be sub­ject to variation without notice.

3

Carefully observe the instructions preceded by the
following warning signs:

Safety norms and regulations to protect
the driver and other people from severe
injuries or grave risks

a

Caution norms and suggestions to avoid
damaging the vehicle and/or hurting your­self or other people

b

Indications to make the operations easier.

c

Technical information

automatic light switching version

_

(Automatic Switch-on Device)
catalytic version

2

Italy version

I

United Kingdom version

U

Austria version

A

Portugal version

P

Finland version

"

Belgium version

B

Germany version

D

France version

F

Spain version

E

Greece version

G

Holland version

O

Switzerland version

C

4

.

.

.

Denmark version

£

Japan version

J

Singapore version

S

Poland version

V

Israel version

%

South Korea version

K

Malaysia version

M

Chile version

R

Bermuda version

Q

United States

-

of America version

Australia version

^

CONTENTS

Pag.

Technical features ....................................................5

Identification data.....................................................8

Arrangement of the controls.....................................9

Instructions for use.................................................12

Maintenance...........................................................15

Electrical system ....................................................35

Cleaning.................................................................40

Long inactivity ........................................................40

Periodic maintenance chart....................................41

Lubricant chart .......................................................42

Importers................................................................43

Wiring diagram.......................................................45

TECHNICAL FEATURES

MOTOR

Model..................................................................AM6

Type......................................2 stroke single-cylinder

with lamellar inlet

Cooling..........................Liquid with forced circulation

Lubrication .................................................. Separate

Bore / stroke...................................40,3 mm / 39 mm

Displacement ............................................ 49,75 cmC

Compression ratio.............................................12 : 1

KICK START

To pedal (Kick-starter)

CLUTCH

Light alloy multiple disc oil bath

GEARS

Frontal clutch 6 speed unit

TRANSMISSION

Primary ........................................ Helical teeth gears

Ratio 3,55 (Z=20/71)

Secondary.........chain 1/2"x3,16" = Roller Ø7,75 mm

Ratio: 4,25 (Z=12/51)

CARBURETTOR

Model .................................................. Dell’Orto SHA

Diffuser...................................................Ø 12-14 mm

AIR FILTER

Sponge

IGNITION

Type........................................................... electronic

Spark advance reference...............................1,5 mm

correspondent to 20° before T.D.C.

Spark plug............................................NGK BR8 ES

FUEL

Running-in (500 km) .........................unleaded petrol

according to the DIN 51607 standard

min. O.N. 95 (N.O.R.M.)

and 85 (N.O.M.M.)

Aferwords:.........................................unleaded petrol

according to the DIN 51607

min. O.N. 95 (N.O.R.M.)

and 85 (N.O.M.M.)

Fuel tank capacity............................................... 9,5

Reserve (with mechanical operation)..................1,5l

Mixer oil tank capacity......................................... 1,3l

Reserve (with warning light on the dashboard)...0,5l

l

5

LUBRICATION

Gearbox and primary transmission 820 cmC of oil (*)

COOLING

Cooling circuit capacity .................................0,9 l (*)

(60% antifreeze + 40% water)

Minimum operating temperature.......................-17°C

FRAME

High-resistance one-beam structure, split over the
exhaust

REAR FORK

Made of rectangular-profile steel, mounted on anti­friction bushings

SUSPENSIONS

Front....................................aprilia telehydraulic fork

with reversed rods

with advanced pin, rods Ø 35

stroke 250 mm

Rear ................................aprilia Progressive System

adjustable hydraulic mono-shock absorber

Rear wheel stroke.........................................260 mm

(*) see “LUBRICANT CHART”

BRAKES

Front........................................ disc brake Ø 230 mm

with hydraulic control

and floating caliper with two parallel pins

Rear ........................................ disc brake Ø 220 mm

with hydraulic control

and fixed caliper

with two opposing pins Ø 28 mm

TYRES

Front....................................90/90 x 21" Enduro type

inflation pressure: 1,6 bar

Rear ..................................110/80 x 18" Enduro type

inflation pressure: 1,8 bar

RIMS

Front.............................................................21 x 1,6"

Rear ...........................................................18 x 1,85"

DIMENSIONS

Max. length..................................................2060 mm

Wheelbase (slot center) ..............................1360 mm

Handlebars width ..........................................810 mm

Max. height..................................................1350 mm

Seat height....................................................890 mm

Footboard height...........................................355 mm

6

TYRE INFLATION PRESSURE

Kind of drive

Off-road 1,3 bar 1,4 bar
On mixed roads 1,5 bar 1,6 bar
On asphalt

paved roads

Maximum front and rear pressure: 2,5 bar

Driver only

Front Rear

1,6 bar 1,8 bar

Low pressure can cause handling prob­lems and the tendency to weave and in
extreme cases loss of control.

a

Moreover this will cause a great increase of roll­ing friction.

The results are: high consumption of fuel and re­duced maximum speed.
The disadvantage may cause a damage of the cover,
due to excessive local deformation.

Tyre pressure must be checked when the

c

that is, when the vehicle has not been moved in
the last 2 or 3 hours for more than 1 km.

– The tyre should often be inspected for signs of
– Blowings or irregular wavings are showing in-

tyres are at environment temperature,

Check the depth of the tyre tread often, if
it is worn below the allowable limit (2 ­3 mm.) change the tyre.

a

damage or cuts.
ternal damages, which request the prompt re-

placement of the tyre.

Remember: 1 mile = 1.6 km

c

1 km = 0.625 miles

7

IDENTIFICATION DATA

c

It is a good rule to write down the frame and engine
numbers in the space provided in this manual.
The frame number can be used for the purchase of
spare parts.

Do not alter the identification numbers if

administrative sanctions. In particular, the altera­tion of the frame number results in the immediate
invalidity of the guarantee.

you do not want to incur severe penal and

8

Fig. 1

Fig. 2

FRAME NUMBER (Fig. 1)

The frame number is stamped on the left side of the
steering head.

Frame n°

ENGINE NUMBER (Fig. 2)

The engine number is printed in the space provided
upper the pinion.

Engine n°

ARRANGEMENT OF THE CONTROLS

The control devices are positioned as indicated in fig­ures 3 and 4, as follows:

Fig. 3

1) Clutch lever

2) Front brake lever

3) Twist grip

4) Rear brake pedal

5) Kick-starter

6) Gear pedal

Fig. 4

1) Turn indicator switch (c)

2) Horn push button (

3) Dimmer light switch (
gnalling push button (

3a)

% _

beam signalling push button (

4) Trip odometer control knob

5) Speedometer/odometer with trip counter

6) Mixer oil reserve warning light (

7) Low beam warning light (

7a) High beam warning light (

8) Neutral indicator warning light (q)

9) Revolution counter (rpm)

10) Turn indicator warning light (

11) Ignition switch / steering lock / light switch

s - m - n - o)

(

c

Dimmer light switch (

Remember: 1 mile = 1.6 km

f)

b - p) and low beam si-

b)

a - b) and high

a)

j)

b)

a)

% _

c)

1 km = 0.625 miles

Fig. 3

Fig. 4

9

IGNITION SWITCH / STEERING LOCK /
LIGHT SWITCH

The ignition switch has 4 click positions:

◆ First click clockwise = “n“ (start)

◆ Second click clockwise = “o“ (light on) (not provid-

ed in the

◆ Central position = “m” (stop)

◆ Anticlockwise rotation = “s“ (steering lock)

Position Function Key removal

s

Steering

lock

m

n

o

version).

_

The steering is
locked. It is neither
possible to start the
engine, nor to switch
on the lights.

Neither the engine,
nor the lights can be
switched on.

The engine can be
start.
It is neither possible
to switch the lights.

The engine and the
lights can be
switched on.

It is possible to
remove the key.

It is possible to
remove the key.

It isn't possible
to remove the
key.

It isn't possible
to remove the
key.

AUTOMATIC
LIGHT SWITCHING VERSION

The vehicles provided with the Automatic Switch-on
Device can be immediately recognized, since the
lights come automatically on as soon as the engine is
started.
For this reason the light switch is replaced by a dim­mer switch.
The lights can be switched off only by stopping the
engine.

For the versions with high beam, proceed as follows:

◆ Before starting the vehicle, make sure that the

dimmer switch is in position “

STEERING LOCK

Never turn the key to the "s" position
while driving, in order to avoid losing
control of the vehicle.

a

OPERATION

To lock the steering turn the handlebars completely
to the left.
With the key on the "
lease it and turn it to the "
Remove the key.

m" position, press the key, re-

s" position.

_

b” (front low beam).

10

CRASH-HELMET LOCK (Fig. 5)

Using the ignition key it is possible to have access to
the crash-helmet lock positioned on the rear part of
the vehicle.

GLOVE / TOOL COMPARTMENT (Fig. 6)

It is positioned on the inner part of the left side of the
fairing.

Fig. 5

Fig. 6

11

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE

c

◆ Before starting the vehicle for the first time, check

that the tyres are inflated to the correct pressure
(Front 1,6 bar - Rear 1,8 bar) and fill the fuel tank
with premium grade petrol (see “TECHNICAL DA­TA”).

◆ Fill the mixer oil tank with oil (see “LUBRICANT

CHART”).

The motor must not be filled with petrol/
oil mixed at filling stations.

b

◆ Check the engine coolant level (see “COOLANT

CHECKING”).

◆ Make sure that there are no air bubbles in the mix-

er oil pipe (from the oil tank to the pump); if neces­sary, bleed the pump by means of the appropriate
screw (see "SEPARATE LUBRICATION”).

RUNNING

In the initial period of use is very important for the fu­ture performance of the engine.
We advise warming up the engine before starting off,
allowing it to turn over for a few minutes at a low
speed.
If possible, drive on hill roads and/or roads with many
bends, so that the engine, the suspensions and the
brakes undergo a more effective running-in.
After the first 500 km, have the vehicle checked with
the first service coupon by an aprilia Offical Deal-
er.

If there is no oil left in the mixer oil tank,
avoid using the vehicle so as not to cause
irreparable damage to the motor.

b

Then bleed the system (see “SEPARATE LUBRI­FICATION”) after filling the tank with specific oil
(see “LUBRICANT CHART).

The disc and shoes of the front brake require a run­ning-in period (about 500 km) before reaching opti­mum performance conditions.

12

Remember: 1 mile = 1.6 km

1 km = 0.625 miles.

STARTING (Fig. 7-8)

◆ Open the fuel coock on the tank (Fig. 7).

◆ Insert the ignition key and turn to “n” position.

◆ If the starting takes place with cold engine, push

the choke lever upwards (Fig. 8).

◆ Place gears in neutral position, (neutral indicator

warning light “

◆ Act on the kick starter with your right foot, releas-

ing it immediately.

q” comes on) or pull on clutch lever.

If the mixer oil reserve warning light "
comes on during the normal running of
the engine, this means that the mixer oil

a

reserve is being used; in this case, provide for
topping up.

Do not continue to press the kickstart le­ver or attempt to use it while the engine
is running.

b

j"

Fig. 7

Fig. 8

13

Fig. 9

◆Once you have started the engine, wait for a few

seconds, then twist the throttle, turn the accelera­tor handle firmly as far as it will go, thus automati­cally disconnecting the starter (a metallic click will
be heard).

◆When the engine is warm it should be started with-

out using the choke.

The engine must not remain turned on
with the battery or the voltage regulator
disconnected; this would cause irrepara-

b

ble damage to the electrical system.

MOVING OFF (Fig. 9)

After warming up the engine:

◆Pull in the clutch lever.

◆Engage 1st gear (gear pedal downwards).

The neutral indicator warning light “

◆ Then gradually release the clutch and turn the

throttle at the same time.

CHANGING GEAR (Fig. 9)

Release the throttle, pull the clutch lever in and lift the
gear lever upwards to change to the higher gears.
Vice versa, push downwards when changing to a
lower gear.

Before riding the motor cycle we advise
you to get to know the controls and all
their functions as explained in this manu-

a

al. Contact your aprilia Offical Dealer if there is
anything you do not understand.

q” go out.

14