The Ride So Far :)

[Kev W]

Well its now week 4 off ownership of my 2003 Firestorm and time for an update.

The previous owner was definately mechanically challenged and really shouldn't own bikes if mine was an example of how he looked after them. He said he had owned bikes for 20 years lol.

He had no idea what had or hadn't been done other than the New Bridgestone T30f and T30R Battlax tyres fitted. Also New battery, and he owned it 2 years as apparently a daily ride.

Well I have found K & N air filter fitted and was dry as the Simpson Desert, but intact and cleaned and re-oiled with no drama's, I found this when I decided the carbs were no doubt in need of a cleanout and look over.

The chain was orange with rust stains and dirty. Cleaned with Kero and then lubed it daily for first week and now looks like new now, sprockets are in good order too surprisingly and chain was slightly slack. I will be making some form of auto oiler in the future.

Brakes and Clutch Fluids were changed first night as I they were both Brownish and when tested were over 4% water. So flushed a litre through each system the re-bled. Then I redid it a week later. Yes I am being paranoid but years of Motor Racing taught me Brakes only slow you down But if you need to stop, they better be there.

Rear brake pads were changed to Vesrah Sintered I found at Super Cheap Auto Spares of all places. As rear brake pads were cooked and would not even hold the bike on a slight slope let alone actually do any braking.

Changed Oil and filter after I found I couldn't see how much oil was in it as no matter how far I Leaned it it showed full, Long story short I drained near 8 litres out.

I have made some extra lights up using led's to make the bike more visable to idiots. 3 red Led's in rear number plate lower edge, outer 2 are extra brake lights and centre one is running a light.

At Front have 10 white leds added under headlight to add some fill in light and add to my being more visable. Uprated Headlight Bulb To Phillips Moto Bulb Designed for Bikes and is Whiter and Brighter but same wattage 55/60w and is a huge improvement and that combined with my led's is great on Mt Tambourine on a night ride.

I made a Manometer and have balanced the Carbs and now also set my tps to bang on 500ohm and what a different bike now. So flexible at low speed and much easier in traffic as throttle isn't just an on and off switch now lol.

Added 6mm spacer to rear shock, Progressed from 2mm in 2mm increments till I was happy. Extended side stand approx 20mm with small piece of box steel shaped and bolted to bottom

I have made my own Pack Rack out of a couple of Tubular Steel folding chairs and very happy with the result.

Home made sheepskin seat cover, yes we are old lol and wanted a bit of comfort.

That's it so far for roughly 4 weeks.

I will add more to this as it happens.

Kev & Yan

p.s. I was contemplating removing the pair system, but Yan (Wifey is a Petrol Head from way back and was pit crewing for me for years When I raced Historic and Classic cars in NZ) likes the cackles and bangs on overrun. Is there any real benefit to removing it other than weight and space. And I must admit I like the Cackles etc too

[1wd]

Wanna borrow my bike for a month?

8 litres of oil? How do you even fit that much in? I recon the thinking was you could go twice as long before have to change it! LOL!!

[Kev W]

Lol I know, I said the previous owner was mechanically challenged, I think he didn't know you had to drain the oil to change it lol.
All good mate happy playing with mine, I don't need another to play with lol.
I have other things planned to do over time, but nothing urgent and they all cost money I don't have spare at the moment.

[Kev W]

Ok another update.
The indicators have been weird since I got the Storm and would take anything from a second or 2 to 20 seconds to actually do something. So last night stripped the switch gear apart and round all the contacts etc were filthy and slightly burnt from resistance. So cleaned everything and put it all back together and good as new.
Then went to go for a quick spin and hmm wont turn over, no solenoid click no nothing, Headlight cuts out when starter button pushed but nothing else. (the starter button has been a bit touchy since I got the storm, had to give it a wriggle to work, so guessed it was that) but tested everything else and sure enough no power coming from starter button, so strip that switch gear apart and found similar to indicator switch filthy and burnt. But also found spring loaded sliding contact was stuck flat against the white plastic pushrod and wouldn't pop out. Due to heat from arcing it had basically melted the plastic to the point it was welded in. So a bit of gentle prying to get the contact out and cleaned everything up. But found the contact still wouldn't move out with the spring tension it was too tight. So a little heat on a small screwdriver with a lighter to open the plastic up and hey presto it moves nice and free. So everything back together and starts better than ever.
I did find while investigating that the main terminal on the starter is badly rusted, so have filled the rubber boot with copper grease for now and I will pull the starter apart in a week or so and replace the terminal with a copper one. I should be able to get one from Auto Electrical Wholesaler I deal with for car starters and alternators.
I didn't feel like a ride after that so will make up for it tonight
Kev

[binny]

Good work Kev. Sounds like you are working your way through all the usual problems and mods. Although most people don't do them all at once lol.
Not much more that goes wrong on these things, apart from CCTs worth checking them if you haven't already.

[vtrstormer]

One more thing to check when you get the chance is the rear suspension linkage. They seize and can do nasty things including spitting t
You off so well worth pulling down and greasing the bearing and linkage itself. While your there chuck a grease nipple on it so it's easier next time

[slicer07]

Some good tips here. I am a bit slower going through them and am yet to pop the tank off. Too busy enjoying the riding, I guess. Next time it rains though, I'm on it.