New VTR Owner in Somerset

[mark2cyp]

Hi all,

Just bought my first Firestorm and picked it up on Sunday. Just joined the site as I want to know everything there is to know about these bikes.

Since riding my mates Storm when we lived in Cyprus, back in '99, I've wanted one of these beasts. I had a GSXR750 back then, which was faster in every respect, but the VTR put a smile on my face that the 750 never could. Anyway, got a nice Red 'Storm with the belly pan, hugger, WP rear shock, Hyperpro front springs, Nissin front master cylinder, Remus Titanium cans, new tyres, full service history, 2000 model with 25K miles on it with loads of reciepts and all the old MoT's. Paid £1450 for it with Tax & Test, I can't believe what good value these bikes are, best kept secret in biking IMHO.

The history of the bike shows that the CCT's were replaced at 13k, with 25k now on the clock should I consider changing to manual CCT's? The engine is sound and doesn't rattle. As I'm not knowledgable on this motor how suddenly do the CCT's let go? I don't want to learn about the engine by rebuilding it so any advice would be appreciated as I'm still finding my way around the site. Anything else I should be looking out for when I'm checking the bike over? As the weather's bad, I may as well check everything to ensure that when the season starts properly, I won't be sat at the side of the with a broken VTR.

Anyway, looking forward to the weather warming up so I can enjoy the bike and get some serious miles under the wheels.

Ride safe,
Mark

[Jester666]

Welcome to the madhouse.

Loads and loads of advice will be heading your way.

[lloydie]

hello and welcome
all the info you will ever need is in the workshop knowledge base section have a good read though it all and all will become clear

[Kev L]

Hello fella and welcome to the forum. Have a search through the previous posts with the search function to get ideas for upgrades, projects on the bike.
The CCT question is always one of the first and always receives the same answer, change them to manuals or do the stopper mod ASAP to avoid damage to the piston/valves if one of the auto's let go.
Have a look through the sticky in the workshop section, it should take you about 1 1/2 hrs start to finish if you have a basic ability with spanners.
Good luck and enjoy the bike.

[Wicky]

Greetings in sunny Somerset and congratulations on your choice - CCTs yes replace pronto with manuals as they usually let go without any warning (search for bazza or krieger) and as you've got an early version upgrade the R/R if it's unfinned then with the rest of mods you'll be sorted.

Go through to the workshop knowledgebase to see how to do the CCTs DIY and all the tips on fettling the beast (i.e. at this time year good idea to protect with vaseline/grease the vulnerable to corrosion starter motor connector under the rubber hood, from all the road crud)

[agentpineapple]

welcome aboard buddy
you should deffo change the cct's to manual ones or do the stopper mod, get intouch with bazza, he can supply you with manuals at a very reasonable price, depending where you live, there might be someone on the forum who can help you out fitting them.
the other thing to look for is the more recent r/r with fins, if you have it thats good news, if not change it for one with fins.
theres not much else that goes wrong, i'm sure someone will inform you of other things to look for....

[lumpyv]

welcome aboard mate. ride safe.

[turbo_billy]

Welcome to the site mate . Loads of good info....and the folks ain`t too bad either.

Regards

Tim

[AMCQ46]

Welcome to the club, hope the weather on saturday is good so you don't have to get it wet and salty

Best to fix the CCT ASAP, even if it is just to do the failsafe stopper on the existing ones. That will cost you nothing and save you £300 to £400, what more can you ask for.

Enjoy the 1st day

[chris vtr virgin]

Hello and welcome.
Mind and look to see if the R/R has fins on it.

[pinkyfloyd]

What they said.

[Flatline]

Welcome to the forum buddy

Check out the ride out section for the meeting in May. Great place to meet a lot of folk

Of course with the dubious characters on the site you may not want to meet them

[CB_Phil]

Welcome to the forum man, hope you enjoy the bike too

[mark2cyp]

Thanks for all the messages and welcomes.

One thing is for sure, you guys are really helpful. I knew about the CCT's being weak, which is why I asked the question in the first post, but I knew nothing of the R/R problem. Thanks to all those who advised me of this issue, I've just checked the bike and found I have an original Honda one fitted. Just ordered an R6 unit with a new multi-plug, so will wire that one in using the excellent guide from the site.

Have contacted Bazza about some manual CCT's so will get those fitted soonest and send him the old ones for recycling. This place is excellent, thanks again for all the help, what an ace bunch of people you all are.

Mark

[sirch345]

Welcome aboard Mark It sounds like you did well in your purchase.

Chris.