New Owner - 3rd Firestorm

[jdwoodbury]

Hello,

I have been a Firestorm owner on and off for 20yrs, I have had 3 now all in red! My latest is 2001 bike that I have just been fettling to get ready for the TT in May. I have had the carbs rebuilt (been standing a few years), now need to work on a few practical elements like luggage rack, the Firestorm was the 1st bike I took to the TT on my first visit in 2005, so this will be a bit of a spiritual pilgrimage.

I have my 1st problem to solve, but will post that in the technical section.

Regards,

JD

[AMCQ46]

welcome to the Forum.

where about in Worcestershire are you? I am Inkberrow, so on the east side of the county

[sirch345]

Welcome aboard

Excellent choice in bike colour not that I'm biased or anything

Chris.

[fabiostar]

Welcome along

[smondo]

Hello, welcome to the club.

I too am off to this years TT, am staying in Quarterbridge camp site.

I have also spent the last few months sorting out my luggage system, so have a look at the two pics. Givi system not designed for this method, but missus has room for feet. Did a dry run, all boxes empty, all went well until riding into a strong wind. Then, it felt like I'd got a puncture as bike was slightly weaving. Worse problem, as I approached 60 mph, as bike felt like I'd got a flat rear tyre. Rode slowly to garage to check on tyres, but both ok. Put weave down to tail wagging the dog effect of the large top box. It was my worst feeling on Firestorm, and I've been riding them for over 28 years.
Since the pics were taken, the wingrack has been secured to exhaust / footrest hangers using 5mm alloy plates and to the rear mudguard using 6mm threaded rod.
Further raod tests are ongoing, though not been two up with top box on yet or fully loaded. (Might need an anti - wheely device fitting)

[neil]

I toured with 2 up with similar setup. Never had any bother when boxes were fully loaded. Only stopped using the storm for travelling was because tank range but we all know about that problem.

[tony.mon]

Hello, welcome to the club.

I too am off to this years TT, am staying in Quarterbridge camp site.

I have also spent the last few months sorting out my luggage system, so have a look at the two pics. Givi system not designed for this method, but missus has room for feet. Did a dry run, all boxes empty, all went well until riding into a strong wind. Then, it felt like I'd got a puncture as bike was slightly weaving. Worse problem, as I approached 60 mph, as bike felt like I'd got a flat rear tyre. Rode slowly to garage to check on tyres, but both ok. Put weave down to tail wagging the dog effect of the large top box. It was my worst feeling on Firestorm, and I've been riding them for over 28 years.
Since the pics were taken, the wingrack has been secured to exhaust / footrest hangers using 5mm alloy plates and to the rear mudguard using 6mm threaded rod.
Further raod tests are ongoing, though not been two up with top box on yet or fully loaded. (Might need an anti - wheely device fitting)

Check your steering head bearings. A small amount of wear will be magnified by having all that weight rearwards.
You could try packing a few heavier items into a tank bag to assist with weight distribution.
Last suggestion : (a bit left-field)- is the chain new?
That pulls the rear wheel forward, shortening the wheelbase

If none of those work, it's a steering damper that's needed.

Are your cans far enough away from the side boxes? You won't want singed undercrackers.

[smondo]

Update, yesterday I said that the weave was my worst ride on a Firestorm, well today is new worst day. Riding out of gated drive, was a little close to l/h gatepost, pannier hit it and ejected both me n missus in opposite direction. Damage, broken after market front indictor (soon replaced), slight grazes on mirror and brake lever, scuff on l/h pannier with very slow speed gravel rash on r/h pannier. The right hand 5mm alloy bracket was also bent inwards a bit, meaning pannier was nearly touching bodywork. Bike checked over, panniers removed, top box fitted and off we went. Tested for a weave at 70 mph on A47, in both directions, so not a problem for TT trip.
Thanks for info Tony, know what you mean with headrace bearings, chain not new, just gonna stick to half speed, and remove boxes when on the Island, oh, and ride through centre of open gateway when leaving and arriving home.

[sirch345]

Update, yesterday I said that the weave was my worst ride on a Firestorm, well today is new worst day. Riding out of gated drive, was a little close to l/h gatepost, pannier hit it and ejected both me n missus in opposite direction. Damage, broken after market front indictor (soon replaced), slight grazes on mirror and brake lever, scuff on l/h pannier with very slow speed gravel rash on r/h pannier. The right hand 5mm alloy bracket was also bent inwards a bit, meaning pannier was nearly touching bodywork. Bike checked over, panniers removed, top box fitted and off we went. Tested for a weave at 70 mph on A47, in both directions, so not a problem for TT trip.
Thanks for info Tony, know what you mean with headrace bearings, chain not new, just gonna stick to half speed, and remove boxes when on the Island, oh, and ride through centre of open gateway when leaving and arriving home.

Easy to forget the new width of your bike when you are used to riding it without pannier’s fitted. I'm glad it wasn’t any worse, although that was bad enough,

Chris.