The Aprilia AF1 is a sports motorcycle designed, developed and built by Aprilia between 1986 and 1993, in two versions of 50 cc and 125 cc. Its peculiarity is the single-sided swingarm and the external position of the transmission sprocket.
Aprilia AF1 at a glance
| Production | 1986–1993 (English Wikipedia); 1986–1992 (Italian Wikipedia) |
|---|---|
| AF1 50 (1986) | 49.7 cc two-stroke liquid-cooled single, Minarelli RV 3-4, Dell’Orto SHA 14/12 carburettor, 4-speed gearbox (fourth later blocked) |
| AF1 125 (1987) | 124.7 cc Rotax V 127 two-stroke liquid-cooled single, 6-speed gearbox, 27 hp at 8,800 rpm, 158 km/h |
| 125 chassis | 38 mm fork, hydraulic single shock, steel double-beam frame, 16 inch three-spoke wheels, 260 mm front and 240 mm rear brake discs |
| Rivals | Cagiva Freccia and Mito, Gilera SP and Crono, Yamaha TZR, Honda NSR |
| Replaced by | Aprilia RS 50 in 1993 |
The English and Italian pages agree on the figures; the end of production is given as 1993 and 1992.
History of the Aprilia AF1
The AF1 was a small sports model whose peculiarity was the single-sided swingarm and the transmission sprocket positioned outside the swingarm. This allowed a quick change of the sprocket without removing the wheel, while the brake disc stayed on the inside. Its main competitors were the Cagiva Freccia and later the Mito, the Gilera SP and later the Crono, the Yamaha TZR and the Honda NSR.
In 1986 Aprilia launched the AF1, and Aprilia’s history also notes the Tuareg for African rallies in the same year; in the Grand Prix world championship Loris Reggiani, riding an Aprilia, won the San Marino Grand Prix at Misano on 30 August 1987.
AF1 50
The AF1 50 came out in 1986 with a 49.7 cc liquid-cooled two-stroke single and automatic oil mixer. The engine was a Minarelli RV 3-4 fed by a Dell’Orto SHA 14/12 carburettor, with a four-speed gearbox, although the fourth gear was later blocked because by law a moped could have only three gears. The bike paired a fairly gritty high-speed engine with a racing-style chassis: two disc brakes, a centre-pivot telehydraulic fork, a hydraulic monoshock and a high-strength steel double-beam frame. The AF1 50 Project 108 was built until 1988, followed by the AF1 50 Replica in 1989 and the AF1 50 Futura. The last model, in 1992, was the 50 Futura Sport Pro with a Minarelli AM3 engine, and in 1993 the AF1 was replaced by the Aprilia RS 50 with the five-speed Minarelli AM5.
AF1 125
The AF1 125, or AF1 125 Project 108, appeared in 1987 with a 124.7 cc Rotax V 127 two-stroke, a six-speed gearbox and a Dell’Orto PHBH 26 ND carburettor giving 27 hp at 8,800 rpm and 158 km/h. It had a single-sided swingarm with the sprocket outside, two disc brakes (a 260 mm Brembo at the front and 240 mm at the rear) and a very aerodynamic fairing with a rectangular headlight.
The AF1 125 Replica Reggiani (presented in December 1987 according to the Italian page) celebrated Loris Reggiani’s victory in the 250 class at the San Marino Grand Prix at Misano on 30 August 1987, the first victory for an Aprilia motorcycle in the world championship. It had Squadra Corse colours, a round double headlight, and, with a Dell’Orto VHSB34LD carburettor, 29.24 hp at 10,250 rpm. In 1988 the AF1 125 Sintesi followed with a 38 mm upside-down fork, 17 inch wheels, a 320 mm front disc and the new Rotax 123 engine with the RAVE 2 exhaust valve.
Design and features
- Single-sided swingarm: the sprocket sits outside the swingarm, so it can be changed without removing the wheel.
- AF1 50: a 49.7 cc Minarelli RV 3-4 two-stroke, with a racing-style chassis.
- AF1 125: a 124.7 cc Rotax V 127 with 27 hp and a six-speed gearbox.
- Frame: a steel double-beam frame, with a hydraulic monoshock.
Aprilia AF1 versions
- AF1 50 Project 108, Replica and Futura (1986–1992): the 50 cc series, ending with the Futura Sport Pro.
- AF1 125 Project 108 (1987): the first 125.
- AF1 125 Replica Reggiani (1987–1988): the Squadra Corse livery version.
- AF1 125 Sintesi (1988): the second series with an upside-down fork and 17 inch wheels.
More Aprilia motorcycles are in our Aprilia collection, for example the RS 125, the RS 50 and the Tuareg.
Aprilia AF1 questions and answers
When was the Aprilia AF1 built?
From 1986 to 1993 according to English Wikipedia.
How fast was the AF1 125?
The first series reached 158 km/h with 27 hp.
What is special about the AF1?
A single-sided swingarm with the sprocket outside, so it can be changed without removing the wheel.
What replaced the AF1 50?
The Aprilia RS 50 in 1993.
What is the AF1 Replica Reggiani?
A version celebrating Loris Reggiani’s San Marino Grand Prix win in 1987, the first Aprilia victory in the world championship.
Video: illegal Motorcycle Street Racing. Tuned 2 Stroke Aprilia AF1 Sport, #Real Life GoPro Full HD 2014
Video by broburga on YouTube.
Sources
- Aprilia AF1, English Wikipedia: 50 and 125 versions, series, Replica
- Aprilia AF1, Italian Wikipedia: 50 and 125 versions, Replica Reggiani date
- Aprilia, English Wikipedia: company history around the AF1
