Hi guys,
New to the forum and new to the world of Firestorms!
Got my 2002 Firestorm at the weekend after upgrading from a Bandit 600 and wow! What a bike? Love it to bits already. It's yellow so def the fastest too...!
Right thing is I hope I haven't bought a cr@p one.
Firstly, I have on about 5 or 6 occassions felt a single knock. at first I thought nah you're being paranoid, but then I can guarantee there was something. As for where it is coming from I'm not sure, somewhere down below (ooo err missus) and it kinda felt it thru the footpegs at one stage possibly. Only happened at low revs and once whilst on the stand warming up.
Secondly, the bugger wouldn't start this morning at all. Engine turned over but there was just no bite there at all. I need to investigate this more obviously as have no real idea why it suddenly wouldn't start. Had to rush off on the old faithful bandit instead. Wondering if any of whizzes might have an idea of what it could be and if they were linked? When I put it to bed last night there had been no prob with it.
Oh yeah 2002 model but older design with 16l tank and it has 16k miles on it and in mint condition.
Thanks in advance..
James
HELP!!!!
Re: HELP!!!!
Greetings
"It's yellow so def the fastest too...! ... the bugger wouldn't start"
mmmm there's half your problem, you should have bought a red un! :wink2
Seriously, the storm will occasionally miss-a-beat at approx 3,000 rpm - nothing serious just Honda's hugest carbs wanting to suck a good lungfull, which might account for nonspecific knocking phenomena.
Or at worse it could be CCT related - or somewhere inbetween like the chain having a crook link - at that milage I suspect it would still be the original - Take a peek and if in doubt get yourself new O or X ring chain & sprockets
When was it last serviced plugs. airfilter oil etc as despite the low-milage something could have gone off due to it's mostly static stored life? presumably you bought it privately? Did it come with any servicing paperwork? Give the PO a ring and ask if he had any problems or if dealer bought with a limited warranty whoop it back pronto.
What's your location? as a Stormer is probably within tank range
to cast an ear and eye on your stucky problem
You might also wan to check before it fries it self and the battery the stock R/R and get one from a later model or fit a yamaha one.
"It's yellow so def the fastest too...! ... the bugger wouldn't start"
mmmm there's half your problem, you should have bought a red un! :wink2
Seriously, the storm will occasionally miss-a-beat at approx 3,000 rpm - nothing serious just Honda's hugest carbs wanting to suck a good lungfull, which might account for nonspecific knocking phenomena.
Or at worse it could be CCT related - or somewhere inbetween like the chain having a crook link - at that milage I suspect it would still be the original - Take a peek and if in doubt get yourself new O or X ring chain & sprockets
When was it last serviced plugs. airfilter oil etc as despite the low-milage something could have gone off due to it's mostly static stored life? presumably you bought it privately? Did it come with any servicing paperwork? Give the PO a ring and ask if he had any problems or if dealer bought with a limited warranty whoop it back pronto.
What's your location? as a Stormer is probably within tank range
to cast an ear and eye on your stucky problemYou might also wan to check before it fries it self and the battery the stock R/R and get one from a later model or fit a yamaha one.
It may be that your whole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others.
VTR Firestorm and other bikes t-shirts
VTR Firestorm and other bikes t-shirtsRe: HELP!!!!
Oh dear....... sounds like you bought a lemon!!!!!.........oh no sorry its supposed to be that colour!!! 
should have gone for the better built and faster red one!!!
Like you I went from a 600 Bandit to the storm, totally different beast isnt it?
The knock you have got me going when I first heard it, I was stood at a junction the first time and thought WTF!!!
Regarding the starting, did it turn over ok? if so try pressing the starter then slowly pulling the choke out.
Dont give it any throttle until its fired up.
If you are still having probs let us know and someone will dig you out mate.
Oh and welcome....and looking forward to seeing your storm when you have re-spayed it RED !!!!
Jim.
ps got any pics?
should have gone for the better built and faster red one!!!Like you I went from a 600 Bandit to the storm, totally different beast isnt it?
The knock you have got me going when I first heard it, I was stood at a junction the first time and thought WTF!!!
Regarding the starting, did it turn over ok? if so try pressing the starter then slowly pulling the choke out.
Dont give it any throttle until its fired up.
If you are still having probs let us know and someone will dig you out mate.
Oh and welcome....and looking forward to seeing your storm when you have re-spayed it RED !!!!
Jim.
ps got any pics?
RACIST!!! not me....I'll race any fooker!!!!
Re: HELP!!!!
There is definately a knack to starting as has been mentioned - no choke to start with, turn her over a couple of times. Then go again slowly pulling the choke out. You may have flooded her now though so it could be a plugs out and let her dry time.
As for the knock, don't think it would have anything to do with the CCTs. Is it a misfire, or an actual "clunk"? You say it does it when warming up, so probably not drive chain related.
If the carbs are out of balance, this could cause a bit of a misfire which could sound like a knock, but to say any more would depend on if it IS a misfire or a mechanical knocking
As for the knock, don't think it would have anything to do with the CCTs. Is it a misfire, or an actual "clunk"? You say it does it when warming up, so probably not drive chain related.
If the carbs are out of balance, this could cause a bit of a misfire which could sound like a knock, but to say any more would depend on if it IS a misfire or a mechanical knocking
Two bikes, still only four cylinders!
Re: HELP!!!!
Cheers guys, great response and so quickly!
I am really hoping that I have just flooded it. I did start with full choke and did give it a few blips on the throttle too... fingers crossed.
I have flattened the battery (didn't take long) so need to charge it. Can't get battery out without alarm going off so need to read the manual on that one.
Unfortunately no time now so will have to wait til Monday, but will keep you posted. Also want to get a piccie of the beast up but can't work that out either.
Need a pint... cheers all!
I am really hoping that I have just flooded it. I did start with full choke and did give it a few blips on the throttle too... fingers crossed.
I have flattened the battery (didn't take long) so need to charge it. Can't get battery out without alarm going off so need to read the manual on that one.
Unfortunately no time now so will have to wait til Monday, but will keep you posted. Also want to get a piccie of the beast up but can't work that out either.
Need a pint... cheers all!
Re: HELP!!!!
At this time of year I just use half-choke - no throttle when starting. When colder turn it briefly over with no choke then full choke still no throttle. Immediately coming up to to 1,500 rpm before warming it up to settle at 900rpm idle.
In public I might add a few revs to frighten small children and old ladies wandering behind the open cans
Utterly unlike my last GPZ600R AFF which naturally revved its nuts from the off
In public I might add a few revs to frighten small children and old ladies wandering behind the open cans
Utterly unlike my last GPZ600R AFF which naturally revved its nuts from the off
It may be that your whole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others.
VTR Firestorm and other bikes t-shirts
VTR Firestorm and other bikes t-shirtsRe: HELP!!!!
Hi, Giddsy.
Where you at?
Loads of helpful peeps on this forum, and advice by the sidecar-load
You don't have to take the battery out, jump start it like a car with jump leads onto the battery terminals while it's in situ; just open the plastic flap above the battery for access.
The occasional knock you describe sounds like it's spitting back through the carbs- don't worry, they all do that.
Search the workshop bit of the forum for answers, there's a few tricks you can do to reduce it. But it does no damage.
If the bike's had a dynojet kit fitted (quite common mod) then you might find that (like mine) it needs no choke from cold at all, just add a bit if it doesn't catch straight away. This is because the main jets and needles are reset richer.
Anyway, hope you enjoy the Storm. (and yellow is deffo best, IMHO)
Where you at?
Loads of helpful peeps on this forum, and advice by the sidecar-load
You don't have to take the battery out, jump start it like a car with jump leads onto the battery terminals while it's in situ; just open the plastic flap above the battery for access.
The occasional knock you describe sounds like it's spitting back through the carbs- don't worry, they all do that.
Search the workshop bit of the forum for answers, there's a few tricks you can do to reduce it. But it does no damage.
If the bike's had a dynojet kit fitted (quite common mod) then you might find that (like mine) it needs no choke from cold at all, just add a bit if it doesn't catch straight away. This is because the main jets and needles are reset richer.
Anyway, hope you enjoy the Storm. (and yellow is deffo best, IMHO)
It's not falling off, it's an upgrade opportunity.
Re: HELP!!!!
Thanks for all your advice everyone, very much appreciated.
So I charged the battery, cleaned the plugs and ............................................... BANG! Straight into life!
Happy Daze!!!
So relieved.
Thinking the knocking is the carbs and getting serviced pronto so hopefully this will reduce it...
Cheers again!
James
So I charged the battery, cleaned the plugs and ............................................... BANG! Straight into life!
Happy Daze!!!
So relieved.Thinking the knocking is the carbs and getting serviced pronto so hopefully this will reduce it...
Cheers again!
James
Re: HELP!!!!
Glad your'e sorta sorted mate...nowt worse than having a new bike go wrong is there!....an i should know
Al
Al