APRILIA ATLANTIC 500 - 2002 User manual

use+maintenancebook
ATLANTIC 500
aprilia part# 8104450

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use and maintenance Atlantic 500
© 2002 aprilia s.p.a. - Noale (VE)
First edizion: June 2002
Reprint: August 2002
Prodotto e stampato da:
DECA s.n.c.
via Risorgimento, 23/1 - Lugo (RA) - Italy
Tel. +39 - 0545 35235
Fax +39 - 0545 32844
E-mail: [e-mail]
www.decaweb.it
per conto di:
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
section MAIN INDEPENDENT CONTROLS
chapter
STEERING LOCK
safety
warning Never attempt to place the ignition
switch in the locked “ ” (LOCK) posi-
tion while the vehicle is moving.
paragraph OPERATION
operation To lock the steering:
Turn the handlebar completely to the
left or to the right.
position (2) Turn the key (2) to position “ ”.
symbol “” Press the key and turn it to position “ ”.
Remove the key.
INTRODUCTIONFOREWORD
NOTE This manual is an important and
integral part of your vehicle. Keep it with your
vehicle at all times, even if your vehicle is
resold.
aprilia has prepared this manual to supply
you, the user, with correct and current in-
formation. However, since aprilia constantly
improves the design of its vehicles, there
may be slight discrepancies between your
vehicle and the material given in this manual.
If you have any questions about your vehicle,
contact your Local aprilia Dealer, as he will
have the very latest technical information
available from the factory.
For tests and repairs not expressly described
in this manual, to purchase aprilia genuine
spare parts, accessories, and other
products, and for help with specific problems,
please contact your Local aprilia Dealer or
service center. These professionals will be
able to assist you promptly and accurately.
Thank you for choosing aprilia. Have a great
ride!
This manual is copyrighted in all countries,
and reproduction of any part thereof or the
complete manual by any print or electronic
means is strictly prohibited.
This manual is divided into sections, chapters
and paragraphs, by subject. The procedures
described are laid out by single operation,
and each operation is indicated by a ♦.
The numbered parts shown in the figures are
identified in the text by the number in
parentheses or the symbol representing
them.
Example (the following text is generic and
does not refer to this specific vehicle):

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use and maintenance Atlantic 500
GENERAL SAFETY RULES
SAFETY WARNINGS
WARNING
CAUTION
WARNING
WARNING
WARNING
WARNING
WARNING
The following precautionary warnings are
used throughout this manual in order to
convey the following messages:
Safety Warning:When you see this
symbol on the vehicle or in the
manual, pay particular attention to the
potential risk of personal injury or death.
Failure to comply with the instructions
given in the warning messages preceded
by this symbol may result in grave risk
for your and other people’s safety and for
the vehicle.
Indicates a potential hazard which may
result in serious injury or even death.
Indicates a potential hazard which may
result in personal injury or damage to the
vehicle or other property.
NOTE The word “NOTE” in this manual
precedes important information or
instructions.
CARBON MONOXIDE
If it is necessary to run the engine in order
to carry out maintenance operation, make
sure that the area in which you are operat-
ing is properly ventilated. Never run the en-
gine in enclosed spaces.
If it is necessary to work indoors, use an
exhaust evacuation system.
The exhaust fumes contain carbon mon-
oxide, a poisonous gas that can cause
loss of consciousness and even death.
Carbon monoxide is both colorless and
odorless, and cannot be detected by
smell, vision, or any other sense. Avoid
breathing exhaust fumes under any cir-
cumstances.
GASOLINE
Keep gasoline away from children. Gasoline
is also poisonous. Never attempt to siphon
gasoline using your mouth. Never allow
gasoline to contact your skin. If you should
accidentally spill gasoline on yourself,
change your clothes immediately and wash
the area upon which the gasoline was
splashed thoroughly with hot water and soap.
Should you accidentally swallow gasoline,
do not induce vomiting. Drink large quantities
of clear water or milk and immediately seek
professional medical assistance. Should you
accidentally get gasoline get your eyes, flush
with large quantities of cool, clear water and
immediately seek professional medical
assistance.
Gasoline is extremely flammable and be-
comes explosive under certain condi-
tions.
KEEP GASOLINE AWAY FROM
CHILDREN.
HOT COMPONENTS
The engine and all parts of the exhaust
system, as well as the braking system,
become very hot and remain hot for some
time after the vehicle and the engine are
stopped. Before handling any component
of your vehicle after riding, make sure that
it has cooled sufficiently to be safe to
handle.
USED ENGINE OIL
Use latex gloves for maintenance
operations that require contact with used
oil. Used engine oil may cause skin
cancer if repeatedly left in contact with
the skin for prolonged periods. Although
this is unlikely unless you handle used
oil on a daily basis, it is advisable to
thoroughly wash your hands with soap
and water after handling used oil.

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CAUTION
WARNING
WARNING
KEEP OIL AWAY FROM CHILDREN.
BRAKE FLUID
Brake fluid is extremely poisonous. Do
not ever allow brake fluid to be ingested
or swallowed. Should brake fluid
accidentally be swallowed, drink large
quantities of milk or clear water and
immediately seek professional medical
assistance. Brake fluid is highly
destructive of skin and eye tissue. Should
you accidentally spill brake fluid on
yourself, remove the contaminated
clothing, wash your body with soap and
warm water immediately and immediately
seek professional medical assistance.
Should you accidentally splash brake
fluid into your eyes, flush with a large
quantity of cool, clear water and
immediately seek professional medical
assistance.
KEEP BRAKE FLUID AWAY FROM
CHILDREN.
COOLANT
In certain conditions, the ethylene glycol
contained in the engine coolant is
flammable: its flame is invisible, but you can
be burned anyway.
Avoid spilling the engine coolant on the
exhaust system or on the engine
components. They may be hot enough to
cause the coolant to ignite and burn
without a visible flame.
The coolant (ethylene glycol) can cause
skin irritation and is poisonous if swal-
lowed.
Coolant and coolant/water mixtures are
sweet to the taste and brightly colored,
therefore are highly attractive to pets and
children. Take extra precautions to keep
new and used coolant out of reach of
children and animals.
KEEP COOLANT AWAY FROM
CHILDREN.
Risk of burns.
Do not remove the radiator cap when the
engine is hot. Wait until the engine has
completely cooled down. The coolant is
under pressure and may splash out and
cause burns.
BATTERY HYDROGEN GAS
AND ELECTROLYTE
The battery gives off noxious and explo-
sive gases; keep cigarettes, flames and
sparks away from the battery. Provide
adequate ventilation when operating or
recharging the battery.
During recharging and use, make sure
that the room is properly ventilated and
avoid inhaling the gases released during
the recharging.
The battery contains sulfuric acid
(electrolyte). Contact with the skin or eyes
may cause serious burns. Always wear
protective clothing, rubber gloves, and
tight fitting goggles or a face shield when
working around the battery, especially
when filling the battery with either water
or electrolyte.
In case of contact with the skin, flush im-
mediately with plenty of water. In case of
contact with the eyes, flush with plenty
of water for at least 15 minutes. Immedi-
ately consult a health professional.
The electrolyte is poisonous.
If the electrolyte is accidentally swal-
lowed, drink large quantities of water or
milk and then milk of magnesia or vege-
table oil. Immediately consult a health
professional.
KEEP BATTERIES AND ELECTROLYTE
AWAY FROM CHILDREN.

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WARNING - PRECAUTIONS -
GENERAL ADVICE
WARNING
Before starting the engine, read this manual
carefully, and in particular the chapters
“WARNINGS - PRECAUTIONS - GENER-
AL ADVICE” and “SAFE DRIVE” see p. 19.
Your safety and that of those around you
depends not only on your skill as a rider, but
also your knowledge about your vehicle and
about riding safely. Therefore it is essential
that you not operate your vehicle on public
streets or highways until you have received
instructions from a qualified safety
organization such as the Motorcycle Safety
Foundation, and are properly trained and
licensed.
REPORTING OF DEFECTS
THAT AFFECT SAFETY
If you believe that your vehicle has a defect
which could cause a crash or could cause
injury or death, you should immediately in-
form the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) in addition to
notifying aprilia. If NHTSA receives similar
complaints, it may open an investigation, and
if it finds that a safety defect exists in a group
of vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy
campaign.However, NHTSA cannot become
involved in individual problems between you,
your dealer, or aprilia. To contact NHTSA,
you may either call the Auto Safety Hotline
toll free at 1-800-424-9393 (or 366-0123 in
the Washington, D.C. area) or write to:
NHTSA, U.S. Department of Transportation,
Washington, D.C. 20590.
You can also obtain other information about
motor vehicle safety from the Hotline.
ROAD REGULATIONS
AND USE OF THE VEHICLE
Rules of the road vary from country to coun-
try. It is essential that you understand in ad-
vance the rules of the road of the country in
which your vehicle will be used.
This vehicle has been designed and pro-
duced for use only on paved roads. It is
not designed to be used on even smooth
graded dirt roads, or trails. It is not de-
signed for off road competition, or for
cross country riding. Do not use this ve-
hicle on rough or unimproved surfaces,
or in other off road areas. Failure to heed
this warning could lead to an upset with
subsequent injury and even death.
NOISE EMISSION WARRANTY
aprilia s.p.a. warrants that this exhaust
system, at the time of sale, meets all appli-
cable U.S. EPA Federal noise standards.
This warranty extends to the first person who
buys this exhaust system for purposes other
than resale, and to all subsequent buyers.
Warranty claims should be directed to:
aprilia USA Inc.
110 Londonderry Court, Suite 130
Woodstock, GA 30188
USA
Tel [phone]
Fax [phone]
INFORMATION ON THE NOISE
AND EXHAUST GAS EMISSION
CONTROL SYSTEM
ORIGIN OF THE EMISSIONS
The combustion process produces carbon
monoxide and hydrocarbons. The control of
hydrocarbons is very important, because
under certain conditions they react to ex-
posure to sunlight and produce photo-
chemical smog.
Carbon monoxide does not react in the same
way, but it is toxic and poisonous.
aprilia utilizes “lean” carburetor settings and
other systems to reduce the production of
carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons.
TAMPERING WARNING
Tampering with the noise control system is
prohibited. Federal law prohibits the follow-
ing acts or causing thereof:
a) The removal or rendering inoperative by
any person other than for purposes of
maintenance, repair, or replacement, of
any device or element of design
incorporated into any new vehicle for the
purpose of noise control prior to its sale
or delivery to the ultimate purchaser or
while it is in use, or
b) The use of the vehicle after such device
or element of design has been removed
or rendered inoperative by any person.

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use and maintenance Atlantic 500
A
CAUTION
Among those acts presumed to constitute
tampering are the acts listed below:
a) Removal of, or puncturing the muffler,
baffles, header pipes or any other
component which conducts exhaust
gases.
b) Removal or puncturing of any part of the
intake system.
c) Lack of proper maintenance.
d) Replacing any moving part of the vehicle,
or parts of the exhaust or intake system,
with parts other than those specified by
the manufacturer.
This product should be checked for re-
pair or replacement if the vehicle noise
has increased significantly through use.
Otherwise, the owner may become sub-
ject to penalties under state and local or-
dinances.
PROBLEMS THAT MAY AFFECT
THE VEHICLE EMISSIONS
If any of the following symptoms are ob-
served, immediately have your vehicle in-
spected and repaired by your Local aprilia
Dealer.
Symptoms:
– Difficult starting or stalling after starting.
– Irregular idle.
– Misfiring or backfiring during acceleration.
– After-burning (backfiring).
– Poor engine performance, degraded
handling, or poor fuel economy.
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION
NUMBER (V.I.N.)
(FRAME NUMBER)
Every vehicle produced by aprilia receives
a vehicle identification number (V.I.N.)
stamped:
– on the steering head of the frame (A), as
shown above;
and also:
– on the identification plate (B) which is
located on the front portion near the
steering head of the frame.
INFORMATION CONTAINED
IN THE VEHICLE
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
Description of the vehicle identification
number (V.I.N.), stamped on the steering
head of the frame (A) and on the identifica-
tion plate (B), under the right carpet.

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DIGIT MEANING
1) Manufacturer’s identification alphanumeric
code.
2) Vehicle type.
3) Model.
4) Country for which the vehicle is intended.
5) #= Check digit number.
6) Model year.
7) Assembling factory designation
(N = NOALE-VE- ,
S = SCORZÉ -VE- ,
0 = NOT SPECIFIED).
8) Sequential serial number.

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A
12
B C
D E
1516 2a 6 14
3
19
11
17
5
13
8
10
1
49 187
POSITION OF THE WARNING ADHESIVE LABELS

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WARNING ADHESIVE LABELS CHART
Ref. Description
1
2
2a
3
Ref. Description
4
6
7
5
Follow
NOT PROVIDED FOR 49 STATES.
FOR STATE OF CALIFORNIA ONLY.

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Ref. Description
8
9
10
11
12
Ref. Description
13
14
15
Follow