Update or upgrade?

[drew88]

Hi all, Ive been riding my 2000 firestorm for 2 years and cant say a bad word about it (other than forks..). Previous bikes were gsxr600 and sprint st, but love my storm, just would like to better it slightly. what modifications could i make to improve its looks and ride? If i was to change it would probably be for a blade or rsv mille, but cant bring myself to get rid . Any recommendations for compatable front forks, rear subframe and fairings would be welcomed... Currently unmolested with carbon cans and bt20s.

[lloydie]

Rsvr if it was me and hadn't spent what I have on the storm .

As for upgrades on the storm
Forks
Rear shock
Brakes
Lightened flywheel
Paint
In that order

[agentpineapple]

replace fork springs and refresh oil, hyper pro/k-tech/ohlins all do kits
you can also replace the rear shock spring with one thats suited to your weight
maybe some taper head bearings.
change and refresh all the fluids.
clean and refresh calipers and pads, i've heard brembo pads and fluid is the mutts nuts
maybe a 3mm shock spacer to sharpen up the turn in.
a good quality set of tyres
also a hrc throttle tube, means you don't have to have a double jointed wrist to fully twist the throttle.

thats enough to be getting on with....


a

[VTRDark]

i've heard brembo pads and fluid is the mutts nuts

Talking about Brembo pads. When I had my callipers off yesterday I could not see any wear on the pads They don't seem to have worn much.

Drew88 stick some pics up for us to see then we can comment on what may improve things for you apart from the obvious upgrades. To post pics use an online image hosting site and copy and paste the code across into you posts.

You may want to have a nose amoung the workshop knowlagebase.
http://www.vtr1000.org/phpBB3/viewforum.php?f=31

(:-})

[drew88]

[drew88]

Definately like the sound of a HRC throttle tube, with the forks would you go for springs and oil or complete forks from elsewhere? Best place for a full length belly pan and any quick power gains? Like the idea of jumping to an rsvr but feels criminal selling a bike for so little. Thanks for the advice

[agentpineapple]

Definately like the sound of a HRC throttle tube, with the forks would you go for springs and oil or complete forks from elsewhere? Best place for a full length belly pan and any quick power gains? Like the idea of jumping to an rsvr but feels criminal selling a bike for so little. Thanks for the advice

throttle tubes can be had for approx 20 suid on ebay
you could always change your sprockets for more umph down low, you will lose some top end and your speedo will need recalibrating with a speedo heeler.
bellypans/lowers.....powerbronze/skidmarx theres alot of options....styler(forum member) has got a batch from the us of a for sale...
i've gone down the route of a blade usd front end, not cheap mind you, i reckon new springs and oil will cost you about 120/130
a 3mm shock spacer can be made up with washers, so that cost next to nothing...

[seb421]

Hi all, Ive been riding my 2000 firestorm for 2 years and cant say a bad word about it (other than forks..). Previous bikes were gsxr600 and sprint st, but love my storm, just would like to better it slightly. what modifications could i make to improve its looks and ride? If i was to change it would probably be for a blade or rsv mille, but cant bring myself to get rid . Any recommendations for compatable front forks, rear subframe and fairings would be welcomed... Currently unmolested with carbon cans and bt20s.

If i was you i would save your money, keep saving it month by month, then when you have enough get another bike, then sell or keep the storm

once you have modified a storm its worth bugger all apart to its user

if you do want to keep it some mods are

Manual Cam Chain Tensioners or Stopper Mod

Front Forks - Forks / Wheel / Bars / Brakes / Discs / Fender - CBR 954 or 929 Front end, a Full Front End Direct swap over

Shock - A Used After Market Rear Shock or Rear Shock Spring

Tyres - Pilot Road 3's

Headlight - some do the relay mod for a brighter light

Exhausts and Jetting - Dynojet or Factory Pro both seam to work well

Coils - Doing a Stick Coil Mod is easy and cheap to do and saves weight


lots of other crap to play about with if you want to go that deep to, personally if it was me i would leave well alone mate and just ride the wheels off it and save for a better newer more modern lump, you can pick up at 2009 R1 (first big bang) for less than 6 grand now and a 2007 RR7 Fireblade (last of the under seats) for less than 5 grand

[bluestoesonnose]

Have to agree with Seb, unless you find someone who wants a bike with all the mods on it and trusts what you have done (I've bought modded stuff in the past and spent most of my time taking it off and putting it back together correctly) you've just devalued your bike.

Stuff like newer springs, and a hagon rear shock would be good, and not devalue the bike (or add much value), a set of tyres, well that's just maintenance, but I really like the Pilot 3's (I'm doing 20mph more around corners without thinking about it). As for the brakes, remember the age of the bike, if you've not rebuilt the braking system in the last five years then it really needs doing (new seals, hoses, etc, etc). Rubber hoses are only any good for up to five years and then they start to pump up when you pull the lever. I'm not a fan of Goodridge type hoses as they offer no advantage over good rubber ones, and have other issues you need to look out for. Friction material has come a long way since the introduction of the storm, take a look at your discs, get the vernier out and measure them if they're near the limit replace them. If you have to have more power then stop looking at the callipers and change the master cylinder to give you a better mechanical advantage, you'll find that the brakes will come alive.