Buyer's guide

[Tenesmus]

Hi

I had a Firestorm from new when they first came out but got rid in 2000 or so for something "sensible", looking to get the later version with the bigger tank etc.

What do I look out for, any known issues? What should I pay?

Thanks!

Pete

[agentpineapple]

cct failure.... you'll need to fit manual cct's or do the stopper mod, info in the workshop section
reg/rec should be the finned style on the later model, so that shouldn't be a problem.
check for crash damage, the lug on the front of the headstock normally snaps off in a frontal accident.
engine/exhaust studs are prone to siezing, same for the rear shock linkage. a good owner will have addressed these issues.
general signs of abuse or bad maintanance. don't use mileage as an indication of the bikes value, condition is much more important, these engines can do very high mileage as long as they're looked after....have a good read thru the workshop section.

[darkember]

Following on from the above post to check the rear linkage sit & bounce heavily on the seat, any noise/squeaking will indicate dry bearings particularly the one close to the exhaust. BTW from you Avatar are you based in the Bristol area Filton in particular?

[lumpyv]

hello mate great name! do you get that feeling regularly

[Tenesmus]

I live and work in North Bristol so good spot, it is the Concorde currently rusting away in a corner of the former airfield taken by me at an Airbus open day.

The nickname - I just like the word, I don't suffer, quite the opposite

[Tenesmus]

Ok went to see one just now as it's around the corner, 2001 with 19k, no extras apart from an alarm, not ridden for a couple of years except to MOT.

Bit disappointed - although maybe I'm expecting too much from a 12 year old. Rust was the most obvious thing, along with tatty alloy. The paint on the fairing brackets looked like it would fall off if you went over a bump, the spring was quite rusty (stood out on a yellow bike), the engine paint was knackered. It's kept outside under a cover.

It sounded fine, is T&T but I'm sure there's better out there. The bloke seems decent enough.

Maybe I shouldn't limit myself to the newer variant. There's one in Swindon I might go look at but I'm a bit wary of the dealer as they don't trade on eBay (so no feedback) and only a few reviews I can find.

[AMCQ46]

I always buy on condition, I can fix mechanicals. sounds like it will take too much effort to bring back to your standards, and if you compromise them, you will be dissapointed everytime you look at the bike.

there will be a clean one out there you just need to be patient

my one is on an R plate and has no rust and none of the alloy is discoloured, but I keep it indoors even when it was unused for 4 yrs

[Pete.L]

Had a very nice one pass me in Yate the other day.
Don't rush, just keep looking. One will come along in good nick eventually

Pete.l

[StormingHonda]

Buying a motorcycle that has been unused for a considerable amount of time is bad enough, buying one like that, that has also sat in the element undercover or not is just as bad, its not just what you can see its what you cant.

[agentpineapple]

my bike sits outside, but under a very good quality oxford cover, it gets washed every couple of weeks, and if i'm honest it isn't a problem.
if the owner has looked after the bike, the condition will shine thru, and thats much more important on an older bike.