Honda Firestorm (Superhawk) VTR 1000 Part 1 - Have I Made a Big Mistake Buying This Non Runner

[@davapod]

It certainly looks like it has seen a salty winter or five. The good news is there are plenty of spares. Get the CCT's swapped out for manual ones ASAP. I love my one and it benefited from a suspension refresh with K-Tech linear fork springs to sort out the front end.

[@ivy-mac]

It might have low mileage, but it's spent all its life outside, and, as you've noticed, riding through winter.

[@malcomyoung7637]

Second that, CCT's post hast.

[@davapod]

I'd really recommend the ABBA Superbike stand. If you change bikes you can buy fitting kits for around £20. It makes servicing a breeze and is inexpensive. I also bought the front lift kit allowing me to pull the forks out.

[@ivy-mac]

Totally agree with you. I've got an abba stand, I just haven't got the adapter for this bike kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJ7ZaXmqa7pqb5osi=pEzWdhrphB0CRenW

[@davapod]

Lol, I can see I'm preaching to the converted. Nice Ducati, good to see a VFR as well, I did many happy trouble free miles on my 99 Vfr 800, once I swapped the rectifier out (the Firestorm has the same issue).

[@ivy-mac]

@@davapod the VFR was a great bike, I didn't have it long though.

[@GerryPowell-r6s]

You have a challenge ahead of you,good luck.

[@ivy-mac]

Thanks, I'm sure it'll all turn out fine 👍

[@petarpetrov6417]

Greetings from Bulgaria vtr is a great and very fun bike. 😉

[@ivy-mac]

Greetings Petar, yes, they're great fun. I can't wait to get this one on the road 🏍️

[@petarpetrov6417]

Good luck vtr support is a bit difficult🙂

[@davapod]

I have had issues starting my Vtr after being laid up over winter despite a good battery on trickle charge. I bought a GOOLOO Portable Lithium Jump Starter 3000A from Amazon for £57, also handy for the car etc. Sorry if I sound like a salesman but it really is another handy bit of kit that has made my Firestorm experience less fraught.

[@ivy-mac]

Please don't apologise, any tips and recommendations like this are very welcome 👍

[@Cigaristocat]

1000€ is the scrap price of 600cc in the nordics so I think £900 for a 1000cc isn't bad. Especially since tyres and sprockets are okay. Those alone are half the price of the bike.

[@Cigaristocat]

As for rusty bolts, undo them and soak them 24 hours in white vinegar, followed by 24 hours in baking soda water. That will get the worst of the rust off. Take off the blinkers and swap for smaller size ones (non led). I'd say that's all you need to do to the bike, it looks good as is.

[@ivy-mac]

​@@Cigaristocat €1000 for a scrap bike seems a bit much, they're a bit less here in the UK. Thanks for the tip about the rusty bolts. I'll try that.

[@jamesdocherty5919]

Did you buy to sell or buy to ride? As far as recouping yer losses, not very likely but as a hobby to stop you going mad....yes take your time and enjoy. I would make Sure the engine is good before doing anything else.😊

[@ivy-mac]

I bought it to sell, which is why I think I paid too much. But I enjoy doing it, so it's not money wasted. Totally understand what you're saying about the engine. I've done the brakes first though, so it's easier to move around. Thanks for your input 👍

[@davapod]

Absolutely, the two main weak points are the cam chain tensioners and rectifiers. I swapped out to manual CCT's and the rectifier had already been replaced. Otherwise if you keep on top of servicing, corrosion etc they are very reliable. I'd also look very closely at the suspension on a bike of this vintage. The one I bought a couple of years ago had a newish rear shock but I found the forks had a horrible tendency to initially dive when grabbing a handful. To be fair this was a common complaint from new. As I was intending to pull out the forks anyway to change the oil I replaced the springs with K-Tech linear fork spring matched to my weight for sporty riding. This transformed the front end, and as long as you are willing to do the work yourself does not cost a lot. I think the springs were around £90.

[@Besty66]

The most petrol hungry bike known to man!! lol

[@ivy-mac]

Lol, oh yeah, I've just remembered that about my old one, less than 100 miles to a tank😮

[@davapod]

The most I've managed is 108 miles before the warning light comes on😊

[@stuartr2764]

I remember back around 2001-2002 I went for a weekend blatt on my VTR from Brussels to Luxembourg to visit some friends - about 200km/ 2 hours at legal speeds. This is pre speed cameras… I was doing 180-200 km/h mostly (110-125 mph) on very quiet morning motorways…full tank emptied in about 100km (60 miles!)… I ended up juddering into a truck fuel stop… luckily they had one petrol pump 😅 Those were the days!😊

[@davapod]

Crikey, that's shocking. I must admit that I haven't been on high speed blast for that duration on my Firestorm. I'm generally out for a blast on Sunday on A and B roads. I do remember back in the day (1987) my NS400R went down to around 20-25 mpg when used with fury.🤣

[@stuartr2764]

@@davapodthat’s some impressive fuel consumption for a 400!! These days I’m riding an old but mint Suzuki GS500 - it sips fuel. Recently rode Brussels to Broadstairs without refuelling or going to reserve - about 280km - amazing 😊

[@mikedwyer7924]

Sorry, WAY TOO MUCH waffle. Just get on and do it…please

[@ivy-mac]

Okay, noted 👍

[@Besty66]

If you don't like it then don't watch it. Simple. Move on.