New owner needs help

[Sbikerbud]

Hello.

I picked up a 97plate Firestorm 2 weeks ago and due to the weather have only managed to get out on it twice. Its been running sweet as you like (if you don't count the starter motor failing) until it's third trip today.
It started great, idled fine, rode perfectly, i made the obligatory stop for fuel. Again it started fine, idled fine, about a mile from the station i started having problems exiting islands, it felt as though it dropped to one cylinder before chiming back in with 2 (disconcerting on only your third trip out on a new bike)

It now won't pull properly below 3-4K, dropping onto one cylinder (or starved of fuel feeling), won't idle (it sits at 1200ish but drops to 800 ish then back to 12 then 8 then after a while stalls)

Help me diagnose it please, i saved for a long time to be able to afford this bike and i'm regretting it greatly at the moment.

Steve W

ps, please have an imaginary pint on me at the imaginary bar.

[steeveeo]

Hi
Do you have any idea when ya bike had new spark plugs ,if not pull them out ,n put new ones in.
if no different ,it could be a coil or HT lead breaking down.
cheers

[VTRDark]

For starters you can turn your rev idle up a bit,black knob/wheel on right hand side carb area. The manual says for them to be set at 1200, but these bike have a tendency to fluctuate a couple 100 rpms so most users increase the idle speed to around 1400rmp. But 8 to 12 is a fair bit.

How low on fuel was you, did you just get crap in the carbs. It might just need a good fast ride to clear things out. Otherwise if your sure a cylinder is cutting in and out do as steevio suggests and check the plugs, make sure the ht leads are on securely. Have a look at the colour of the plugs as that will tell how the engine is running. You might as well check the condition of the Air filter out as well. Have a read up on tank removal.

Check out the Worksop knowlagebase and download a workshop manual as this will be of great help to you.

Good luck, Oh welcome to the forum. Keep us posted to as what's happening and amongst the wealth of knowledge amongst us all we shall work it out. No worries mate

Have Fun

(:-)

[Sbikerbud]

i'd done about 84miles, no fuel light on, topped up with just 9 litres, so not too empty.

Above 4k it runs just fine, still lofts the front in the upper reaches of first and still pulls to the ton without any trouble, its just the low down sub 4k region.

I suspected a blocked jet, but thought i'd ask the experts.

Thank you all for replying

[AMCQ46]

Sounds like dirt in the jets, your going to need to get the carbs off and stripped down.

[VTRDark]

I'd go along with that.....

Give the bike a good thrashing, a good motorway run, you might be lucky to blow any sh1t through. On you next big fill of fuel put the more expensive higher octane stuff in. Check with the petrol station but some of them have cleaning additives added to it as well. You might not have to strio the carbs! Do turn your rev idle speed up when it's warm as these bikes have a habit of cutting out below 1000 sitting at the lights. Adjust to anything between 12 and 14000rpm

Have Fun

(:-})

[Sbikerbud]

Carbs stripped and cleaned, they were spotlessly clean anyway, no difference, still not running properly.
Time for new plugs

[bluestoesonnose]

Think I'd be doing the simple stuff.

New air filter, new plugs, check the fuel lines for kinks. Drain the tank and refil, check the fuel tap whilst you're in there, try running the bike with the fuel cap open to see if the vent is blocked. Then onto the plug caps be worth trying another set, a bike mechanic mate lent me a set last time i was having issues, and then any connections on the coils. It would be worth checking the multi blocks for corrosion, get some ACF50 in there or DC-4 whilst they are apart..

[Sbikerbud]

It appears to be fixed, i put some new iridium plugs in it and it seems cured. The old plugs looked ok but were non-irridium (EVK) so guessing they were pretty ancient.
In the abscence of a torque wrench that goes lower than 15lb per sq in i did them finger tight then half a turn with a wrench.

Air filter looks like new, no kinks in any lines and now i know the carbs are clean , none of the connectors have gone green so fingers crossed we can now start our long and fulfilling relationship.

Thank you all for your help and suggestions ....i can stop kicking the (neighbours) cat now.

[VTRDark]

Excellent, that's good news.

And now you have got to know your storm a bit more. Finger tight and half a turn on the ratchet sounds good to me.

Ride Safe.

(:-})

[pariah]

Fill the tank up, get in on a motorway and blast the sh1t out.

[sirch345]

It appears to be fixed, i put some new iridium plugs in it and it seems cured. The old plugs looked ok but were non-irridium (EVK) so guessing they were pretty ancient.
In the abscence of a torque wrench that goes lower than 15lb per sq in i did them finger tight then half a turn with a wrench.

Air filter looks like new, no kinks in any lines and now i know the carbs are clean , none of the connectors have gone green so fingers crossed we can now start our long and fulfilling relationship.

Thank you all for your help and suggestions ....i can stop kicking the (neighbours) cat now.

I'm sure the cat will be pleased

Good news on getting it sorted, well done

Chris.

[lumpyv]

another case of sudden onset mysterious crap running with an unknown cause/cure??!!.
just like mine did a couple of months ago