Advice wanted

haydnw · Post by **haydnw** » Wed Sep 29, 2004 11:14 pm

Hi,
New to this board - I'm looking to buy a Firestorm, anything in particular I should check for before buying?
Any advice welcomed.
Haydn.

Iwantafirestorm · Post by **Iwantafirestorm** » Wed Sep 29, 2004 11:44 pm

Hi. I don't actually own a Firestorm so I'm probably going to get slated by the others for this post! but:

1) Head bearings in case it's been wheelied to death (it wheelies easy)

2) Chain and sprockets (all that torque will quickly take it's toll)

3) Tyres (especially rear)

4) If it's been repainted, it may have been in a crash

5) Look for signs of crash damage (levers, bar-ends, frame, panels etc)

6) Does is start OK from cold? Any nasty sounds coming from the engine?

7) Does it have road legal exhaust cans on it? It should have by law

Check service history, MOT, mileage, value against age etc.

I've saved the worst thing for last. The Firestorm has an inherent problem of the spring on the cam-chain tensioner breaking, which makes the tensioner become slack against the cam-chain. The chain then either jams, breaks, jumps the teeth on the cogs resulting in bent valves + lots of very expensive damage to the engine. There's no way of knowing if it's going to happen although some owners have said they heard noises (can't remember what) just before it happened. If you browse this forum, you'll come across the discussion about it. Just look for CCT's

haydnw · Post by **haydnw** » Sun Oct 03, 2004 11:31 pm

Took your advice - bought a '99 red Storm with 11,000 miles.
Nice tidy condition and doesn't appear to have been thrashed.
The only faults I can find are the Speedo backlight doesn't work and half of the tool kit is missing, so if anyone has a toolkit they don't need let me know.
Haydn

Iwantafirestorm · Post by **Iwantafirestorm** » Mon Oct 04, 2004 12:07 am

Wow you've actually got one!! Well done.

Sounds good. The back-light should cost literally pence (if you can fit it yourself). And the toolkit shouldn't be too hard to sort out. If you can't get one now, you should find something eventually - You can probably find out exactly what's in the toolkit using this forum and then make one up if you wanted.

I can't wait to get one (can't at the moment as on the back of the dole-queue after being laid off in July from my 11 year job (was horrible the last 3 years anyway). As soon as I get some money, I'm joining the ranks of Firestorm owners.

Have you rode it yet? If so what's it like (compared to what you had before)?

The one I test rode a few weeks back was a red '99 V-reg (same one?!)

Rich

haydnw · Post by **haydnw** » Mon Oct 04, 2004 12:23 am

Don't know if it's the same one as you tested, it is on a V plate - I bought it privately near Leeds (Â£2,300).
It feels very different to my 1200 Bandit, softer power delivery, it seems to grip where the Bandit would spin the rear tyre, altogether a more relaxing ride.
Thanks for the advice and I hope you get off the dole and onto a Firestorm soon.
Haydn

essexbloke · Post by **essexbloke** » Mon Oct 04, 2004 7:59 am

Eh...!!!!

More relaxing ride than a Bandit !!!!!!!!!!!!

You're not riding that storm properly.......

Pete.L · Post by **Pete.L** » Mon Oct 04, 2004 8:40 am

No E-bloke I agree
The power delivery from the Storm compaired to the bandit is much better. The rear seams to just dig into the road and grip instead of spinning(mind you when it does let go it's much more violently and nowhere near as easy to control). It was what turned me onto the Storm in the first place. Give you bags more confidence to just pin the throttle against the stop and let the fun commence.

Glad you're liking it Haydn

enjoy

Pete.l

mattbridges · Post by **mattbridges** » Mon Oct 04, 2004 3:24 pm

I spotted a toolkit on ebay the other day; can't find the bugger now though, was tempted to buy it as a spare, wish I had then you could have had it.

Bink · Post by **Bink** » Mon Oct 04, 2004 3:46 pm

Why would you bother with those crappy tools?
You're better off putting together a tool-kit yourself with better quality tools. If you want to do it cheap use an old sock as the 'tool bag'.
With better quality tools you don't risk rounding of bolt etc...

Iwantafirestorm · Post by **Iwantafirestorm** » Mon Oct 04, 2004 6:24 pm

Actually, Bink has a point. I've never used the tools in a set from a bike. And the things that they adjust etc are things that you'd check with proper tools at home (ie: they probably wouldn't be much good if you broke down anyway)

One thing I do carry, which I beleive is very important on a bike, is:

a tyre puncture repair kit! (after all, imagine having a flat in the middle of nowhere)

Jaglifter · Post by **Jaglifter** » Mon Oct 04, 2004 7:03 pm

I agree on the puncture repair kit. I've managed to lever one of those foam can repair jobbies under the seat. I used one once on my Storm. Didn't seal it completely, but enough to ride 50 miles very gently. When we took off the tyre we found a 1 inch dia 1 1/2 inch long piece of wood inside the tyre!

mattbridges · Post by **mattbridges** » Mon Oct 04, 2004 7:08 pm

The toolkit is shite I agree; but when I sold my previous bike every sod who looked at it wanted to know where the toolkit was - this time (not that I'm going to sell my newly acquired 'storm anytime soon mind you) I can tell 'em.

I don't think I've ever actually used a toolkit that's come with a car or bike. My current toolkit lives in the same draw as my V5, MOT certs etc etc. My 'strom shrine if you will

Iwantafirestorm · Post by **Iwantafirestorm** » Mon Oct 04, 2004 8:32 pm

mattbridges wrote:The toolkit is shite I agree; but when I sold my previous bike every sod who looked at it wanted to know where the toolkit was

That's an interesting point. Everyone who buys a car or bike always seems to ask if the toolkit is with the vehicle, even though no-one ever uses them! I think it's because it's the only thing people seem to be able to think of asking.

haydnw · Post by **haydnw** » Mon Oct 04, 2004 10:30 pm

I probably will never use the original toolkit but it's nice to have it under the seat for completeness sake.
So if any of you guys don't want their toolkit let me know

Haydn

stu9000 · Post by **stu9000** » Thu Dec 16, 2004 1:26 pm

Its a great bike. Good v twin torque means you can ride smooth or hard depending on your mood. Had mine for since April and am just about to fit Racing Cans, which should liven things up nicely.

Cheers

VTR1000.ORG

Advice wanted

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