Light Weight Firestorm

[andrewlondon]

Hi, i just got hold of a very cheap firestorm and want to use it as a track bike.

I was wondering if anyone out there could offer some advice on where to save weight.

I can't afford anything too expensive like carbon fibre tank or new wheels but so far i've thought about doing the following.

Removing all lights from the bike, replacing the clocks with a single rev counter, getting fir of the dash mounting bracket and replacing it with a light weight custom part, getting rid of the front and rear pegs and replacing the front ones with after market hangers, getting rid of the original cans and replacing them with some ally ones, cutting down the sub frame and working out which part of the loom i can get rid of.

Is there anything else i can do to save a bit of weight?

Thanks
Andrew

[bluesman]

All I can think of...
there is a bit of weight in stock clipons and weights in them, any cheap race clipons will be much lighter. Also - obviously chain and sprockets, lighter series chain and Renthals alloy sprockets will help.

I am not sure what exact year of Storm you have, but if you have PAIR system you may also get rid of it - there is some details on US VTR forum.
I think here
http://www.superhawkforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=190

Also, you obviously going to change brake/clutch hoses, when you do so if you go for "race" setup with 2 lines going to calipers directly from master cylinder with banjo bolts it does save some weight, quite suprising actually when you check it - quite some weight. Do same to real brake hose...
Since you going to chang dash mount I guess you are going to change all "subframe" for front fairing - that thing can be much much lighter if no headlight required.

Greatest weight saving obviously comes with exhaust change, unnecessary pegs/mounts and wheels, but since wheels not in question - I think with doing all mentioned together you will get really light Storm...

[Stormin Ben]

Biggest weight saving - replace rider with midgit

Clip-ons - as previously said, just remove the weights (search on here for previous thread with 'how to ' tips

Replace fairing and seat unit with race plastics - makes a huge difference coz it removes the lights too (NB don't cut too much off the subframe or the seat unit will be a bitch to mount

Only run with enough fuel for one session

Replace cans - most weight saving would come from getting a single sided one but beware it will be f*ck off loud and may cause problems with some TDO's who run noise tests



Then you'll need to decide on the weight V's usability equation

You could get rid of starter motor and alternator and run as a total loss system

And replace the brake / clutch reservoirs with race hose type (NB keep a close eye on the levels)

And run race tyres coz they're a lot lighter than standard (NB will need to alter suspension to cope)



Hope this helps

Ben