HONDA VTR FIRESTORM SERVICE OIL AIR FILTER CARBURETOR TUNE

[@stunnamrsports]

EXCELLENT instruction sir. I'm at the beginning stages in doing this same job. Mechanic wanted to charge me $600 US dollars PLUS whatever other incidentals for the work. I'm sure happy people like you exist to save us poor common folk a few dollars.

[@PXCBIKES]

No problem glad to help you 🤜🤛 but yes it can be expensive for motorcycle work but it is sometimes good to pay for great professional work it is hard to make any money being a mechanic it is why I don't do it as a business anymore. But yes, there are some mechanics out there who will overcharge and have not much expertise on what they are doing.. But it's good to learn yourself as much as possible because people who know how to work on old bikes like this are becoming rare 👌

[@ravenassociateslawyers]

Excellent video with clear explanations, no waffle. Thanks

[@khawk5857]

Thanks for this video. I am getting my old Superhawk up and running again after a few years of sitting in the garage. This video helps immensely. I have the 1999 yellow version.

[@PXCBIKES]

Fantastic... I'm glad these videos help you. Yellow ones look the best 👌

[@984francis]

I had a VTR. I wish I'd kept it. The carburation was incredibly well sorted. Smooth pull from idle steadily increasing to massive pull. This bike deserved bigger sales.

[@PXCBIKES]

Absolutely... It will have its time but there are many owners who have given it a bad name due to lack of maintenance and other issues that can be avoided..... I think that many riders are concerned with the reliability of of them even though so many people have had no issues at all due to care snd maintenance 👍

[@ivanjulian2532]

A fellow VTR owner here. I'm very lucky - my particular specimen is in "near showroom" condition - so I'm definitely keeping it. What I will say however is Honda could have done a better job on the bike at an appearance level. The oil lines and the water hoses all scream of "afterthought" - and I'm convinced that's part of the reason it wasn't more successful. Compared to a Ducati 996 of the same vintage for example, Honda could have made more effort I reckon.

[@billmcgarry3300]

Thanks for the “impact” tip! I have enjoyed many years riding my Firestorm here in Canada and looking forward to many more. Love that big twins song!

[@PXCBIKES]

Yes there is nothing like the sound of a nice vtwin..... And they get hot and keep your legs warm 🙏🔥

[@macmorgan6685]

I bought my vtr new in July 2004. I haven’t ridden it much, 9400 miles. Just replaced original yuasa battery last year. Bike has always run a bit lean, probably due to emissions required in the US. Last year the petcock started leaking from the vent hole. There’s been a bit of discussion on its repair/fix. After replacing the diaphragm and fuel strainer and reattaching the 4 hoses and air box hoses, it refused to start. After watching your video I’ve decided to remove the carbs and clean them. I’ve found that a good JIS screwdriver (actually the one supplied in the tool kit works great) is best for removing most cross-head (Phillips head) Japanese screws. I’ve stored the bike with 100 low lead ethanol free avgas to keep moisture out of the carbs but suspect that after a couple of months in storage cleaning is needed. Btw, great video, thanks.

[@PXCBIKES]

Brilliant they ultimately rely on a good fuel flow and the petcock has to be assembled correctly you can test it just suck in the vacuum tube and see if the fuel flows 👍 I do have a video how to replace the diaphragm

[@colindurrant7122]

I'm wondering two things. 1st, how lucky I am to have found such a video filled with such useful information and tips, and 2nd, who the hell was it that left that one thumbs down.

[@PXCBIKES]

Colin if only everyone was like you the world would be a better place.... But unfortunately there are Trolls out there who see everything negative.... But thankfully all the people who have supported the channel and liked the videos have given me strength to carry on.... 💪 I hope you find every piece of info you need and if you have any further questions contact us on instagram and we will be glad to help... Regards Paul., 👍

[@colindurrant7122]

@@PXCBIKES Thank you. My firestorm has been under the cover and off the road for a while so looking to get it up and running again, so will deff keep an eye out for your vids.

[@PXCBIKES]

Good stuff check out the playlists there ia a full vtr one on the channel

[@ivy-mac]

Thanks very much for this video, it's helped me enormously

[@PXCBIKES]

Glad to help you. Ride safe 🙏

[@lownotes4320]

Excellent video! I just found about this Honda and fell in love with it. Oh, and the "human impact driver" trick, priceless. Well done mate.

[@PXCBIKES]

Brilliant watch these vids and your VTR will run sweet you can contact me via Instagram if you need any advice 👍

[@MunsKi]

here in Philippines, premium fuel is red hehe... nice work! im interested in buying second hand vtr

[@PXCBIKES]

Lol well you go and buy one these videos should help if you have any problems 👍

[@robhughes1639]

Amazingly produced and detailed video.

[@PXCBIKES]

Thank you... thank you very much

[@brianjanusek4356]

Bugger off, firestorm is a badass name!

[@PXCBIKES]

It is... Yes it is 👍🙏

[@mangal.m460]

Hi Chef you have good job ! my quations Antifriz start pump outsid when start MC ! Thank you

[@PXCBIKES]

Hello it is just steam from the exhaust..... It is cold outside so this happens no it is not coolant antifreeze 👍

[@revivemotorcycles]

Have you tried Vessel JIS screwdriver sets? I got a set they fit Japanese Phillips screws perfect and have build in cams so you can hammer it and it is like an impact turns the driver 10’ or so. A must have on Japanese bikes makes me more confident

[@PXCBIKES]

Ah yes there are similar impact drivers I know of but there are quite a few tools on my watch list I need to buy... Just too lazy 😬

[@996Firestorm]

Great video thank you. I own a 2003 VTR1000 which has been standing for 3 months on a battery oximiser, would you condone starting without an oil change first ? Thank you 🙏

[@PXCBIKES]

Hello it should be fine just crank it without choke for a few seconds to get some oil to the top end then full choke and fire it up ...oil should be fine ...you can get condensation in the crank case so you may see some milky colour in the sight glass ....some people mistake it for water pump leak but it should evaporate after a ride

[@996Firestorm]

@@PXCBIKES thank you 👍

[@tompwh]

Great video mate, i just got myself a firestorm recently, would you advise to get the MCCT's fitted on these?

[@PXCBIKES]

MCCT..... It really depends I can't fault them..... But they do need to be adjusted correctly..... What's the milage on your bike....? I don't real2kniw what the fault was with the auto ones.... But auto tensioner are very common on most motorcycles some have hydraulic ones.... But some people have done 60k miles on the autos and never had a problem... The problem can be caused by high milage and a stretched camchain..... A badly or unbalanced low carb can cause stress on the chain and tensioner..... And low idle with harsh throttle won't help especially with vtwins..... I won't be fitting manuals to mine if....... They fail then I will simply make a video and see why... So I can't really advise yes or no but I would advise that the engine is set up correctly and care is taken with the bike 👍

[@tompwh]

@@PXCBIKES Interesting after doing some research i have been told the MCCT swap is an essential mod on these engines, I have been told off a number of people they can break at any time, causing engine damage and i dont fancy having to buy a new engine or repair it. i fitted one on my last bike a gsxr 600 srad, which started to rattle a little on the chain so that sorted it. But i hear the vtr ones can just let go without warning.

[@PXCBIKES]

They are a part that will wear out in time I don't know the service intervals for them or when they need replacing I would say around 20k miles maybe.... There is not enough detail about the milage and condition of the VTR's that suffer from this.... So I don't know 😬

[@metalmowytone]

@@tompwh MCCT are the way forward. The owners groups will stress to swap them as soon as possible. Something to do with no oil to maintain the ACCTs and they can/will randomly fail. First mod I did was put MCCTs on

[@mrp8339]

@@metalmowytone don't want to start a CCT rant but the OEM ones shouldn't have oil feeding them as they are not hydraulic. They are spring loaded there are more bikes in the road with this type of tensioner than hydraulic ones. My Honda crf450 has them I have oem tensioner on my Hawk it has 37k miles on it and no problems yet (hopefully) but in the forums everyone says tit manual ones because they heard the story from someone else. I did have mine changed at 27k miles for Honda ones as part of the service

[@joeconklin2542]

Ethanol fuel is made from corn as we know. The problem with that is that it can separate water from actual fuel. Once that starts to happen a microbial growth will begin. The microbial growth will appear red in color and almost jelly like. When left untreated the microbial growth will continue to grow in the fuel until all the fuel has turned into red jelly. Microbial growth can cause significant damage by clogging fuel lines and carburetors. Sometimes to solve this people will put fuel stabilizers in their ethanol gas. These stabilizers can also be red or even sometimes blue. It controls the separation of ethanol and slows down microbial growth. This is why non-ethanol fuel is always recommended for boats, motorcycles or any other other engine that runs on gas, specifically those that will remain dormant over periods of time.

[@PXCBIKES]

Ah thank you that must be the reason because this bike looks like it had been stood for years 👍 that's very interesting

[@ravenassociateslawyers]

Thank you !

[@joeconklin2542]

Here's another tid bit of free information. People who put Octane Boosters in their gas or use high Octane fuel for "performance" or "horsepower". It ONLY works if you have high compression. That's why is recommended more so for Super Cars or Hyper Bikes. Not your everyday cruisers. It will NOT clean your motor like some people think it will. There are other additives for that, like Seafoam.

[@PXCBIKES]

Yeh or people use fuel additives instead of maintaining the bike correctly

[@duncanmatthews1977]

Hi, love your videos. I’m just rebuilding one of these which I was given. The various hoses have taken me ages to sort out. I have one final dilemma - the two spigots next to each other on the underside of fuel tank, near the petcock - I know one is a breather, what is the other pkease? One is about 4mm and the other about 9mm. Thank you in advance..

[@PXCBIKES]

Hi I no longer have this bike so I wouldn't be able to have a look but one will be an overflow and the other a fuel tank breather ..the fuel tap has a vacuum hose on the back that leads to the front left of the rear cylinder head ...this is important and needs to be clear and connected to allow fuel flow

[@duncanmatthews1977]

@@PXCBIKES thank you. So the overflow is the one I’m unsure about. Does it just vent down onto the tarmac or am I missing something? Thank you

[@PXCBIKES]

It would yes away from the engine

[@duncanmatthews1977]

@@PXCBIKES cheers again. What’s the difference between vent and overflow? I’m a novice mechanic so apologies for dumb question. I’ve not come across this before. Btw I borrowed you idea of replacing the plug bits with NGK ones and sliced the rubber up from the old ones to keep crap out of the plugs. Worked a treat. Keep up the good work 👍

[@PXCBIKES]

Thank you... the overflow is for allowing any water to drain away from the fuel tank filler cap or if the tank is over filled.. The breather is to allow an air gap into the tank so there will be no vacuum when the fuel is feeding to the carbs

[@ianlawrie919]

Extremely helpful, brilliant presentation 👍

[@PXCBIKES]

THANK YOU VERY MUCH hopefully another project VTR this year

[@dan-bird7846]

Hi bud, I think it's 4.5l after rebuild. 3.9l with new filter, 3.7l without. Great video.

[@PXCBIKES]

Thank you 👍 and glad you liked it

[@dan-bird7846]

@@PXCBIKES keep up the great content 👍

[@joechesshyre]

Correct

[@mattlongden28]

superb video.clear and very well presented.you have a new subscriber buddy.where are you from?im in derbyshire and just bought a firestorm just as winter set in and have yet to ride it but im looking forward to it.👍

[@PXCBIKES]

Awsome I'm in Barnsley pal we usually go up Darby riding in the summer but it's always full of traffic now 😣

[@javierr1blue]

Loved the video good job.

[@PXCBIKES]

Thank you next video is about Carb jetting so stay tuned 👍

[@tyhursteyetc]

Brilliiant video, cant find where you did the plugs though?

[@PXCBIKES]

Oh thank you I think I discuss the plugs at around 14mins in but changing them had to be removed there was something in their that gave me a copy right I think 😳

[@tylertracy8024]

When did you do the spark plugs

[@PXCBIKES]

That part had to be cut out after I uploaded the video... It became all messed up.... but its just simple unscrew the old ones and fit the new ones 👍

[@tylertracy8024]

I don't know if I am over thinking this but I can't find them

[@PXCBIKES]

@@tylertracy8024 directly at the top of both cylinder heads... Follow the ht Leeds down into the heads

[@tylertracy8024]

Do have I have to remove the carbs or just the air box

[@PXCBIKES]

You don't have to remove either just the tank

[@robertturnbull7910]

Hi great vid i got blue storm and keep feeling at knock when bike warms uo under fuel tank and when pull off it feels like struggles on the bite so rekon might be carbs ps i wanted a yellow to ha ha

[@PXCBIKES]

Hello Rob can you post a video and send me a link as to what it's doing I may be able to help you out.... Or you can message me on instagram?

[@thomasgoodman7281]

I am experiencing this same issue.

[@robertturnbull7910]

@@thomasgoodman7281 ive sorted it now all i did was took carbs off cleaned all inside out set both pilot screw to 2.5 turns open cleared full tank and fuel tap put all back and now she runs great

[@PXCBIKES]

Hi sorry for the late reply that's great ....really happy to hear of dome success stories from my videos .....it would be good to see it running if you send me a quick vid on an Instagram message 😉

[@PXCBIKES]

Hi Thomas can you send me a vid of it running on Instagram

[@revivemotorcycles]

Also. Love the videos! Don’t stop

[@PXCBIKES]

Thank you ✋

[@roblawson5525]

Bad smell and discolouration is usually just old fuel, but maybe also fuel stabilizer additive? Possibly redex crap.

[@PXCBIKES]

Yeh redex crossed my mind as if the previous owner thaught it would cure its problems.... I am still yet to finish wotlrk on the VTR it stutters around 7k rpm

[@mw8653]

Seen one of these with very low miles am a bit concerned about the cam chain tensioners looked on some forums even says don't start the engine and leave it to warm up in the side stand are they that fragile any thoughts pls

[@PXCBIKES]

Nasty romours that's all..... You should always warm up any engine.... Its just the same as any other engine.... People who write on forums don't really know much at all.. As for the cam chain tensioners I do not really know any one that has had them fail.... There are many of these for sale with 20k miles 30k miles 40kmiles on them still running with the Honda tensioners and no problems... Honda recommends you replace them at 20k miles.. It's a 1000cc vtwin engine if the cylinders are running out of sync this will cause stress on the cam chain... If you rev the bike with engine cold and ride it hard this will cause more wear to the engine and stress.... Its all about taking care of your bike 👍

[@mrp8339]

Why, Why, Why would someone say never warm your bike up. There really is a load of utter nonsense ourlt there from people with absolutely no knowledge at all about engines. I have a firestorm track bike with 30k miles on it and a storm for the road both have the auto tensioners and no issues at all they both now run great due to these videos.

[@mrp8339]

My advice is stay away from the forums they know Jack sh#t! None of them solve problems they just rant and rant and rant I don't even follow the groups either they are the same know nothing and cause problems.

[@mw8653]

@@mrp8339 If you read what I wrote I said leaving the bike to warm up on its side stand I always let my bikes idle for a minute or two before riding off forums have useful info but you need to sort the wood from the chaff it did seem rather odd that you wouldn't even allow a bike to warm up resting on its side stand I am going back to look the bike over as I think it's a good machine.

[@mrp8339]

@@mw8653 yes I k ow what you said there is no difference people who spread rumours about these are descendents of the flat earth believer's. There is absolutely no explanation as to why an engine can be damaged allowing it to warm up whilst on a side stand. Letting it overheat is another. 90%of vehicle owners just simply know nothing about engines at all I am not trying to upset you but mearly giving you advice to beware of such nonsense.

[@stevefzs80]

I just bled my front and rear brake my clutch did my oil and filter and changed my RR I got slight rattle from clutch on cold goes away wheh pull in clutch though

[@PXCBIKES]

Oh that sounds like the thrust bearing behind the clutch basket.... But after the oil change did you run it then re-check the level

[@macmorgan6685]

Actually found a bit of superglue works to hold float bowl gasket in place

[@thejudgehasjudged]

Not sure I should be listening to a guy who wanted a yellow Storm? Clearly not a full shilling ;-) But seriously, nice vid.

[@PXCBIKES]

😂😂😂👍.... Yellow reminds me of sunshine okay.....

[@logixix]

@thejudgehasjudged Mine is yellow. Great for visibility. Brings out the curves too.

[@PXCBIKES]

I like yellow ones 👌

[@thejudgehasjudged]

@@logixix It's a common tongue in cheek argument on Facebook but it would be a boring world if we were all the same. Enjoy your beast and if you look back as you walk away it's the right bike for you :)

[@PXCBIKES]

Well said pal

[@Endurorodzndubz]

Probably a bit late with this comment, but was the fuel red because the last owner was using some sort of redex fuel additive, to combat E10 petrol ???

[@PXCBIKES]

No the bike run like crap so he probably added redex thinking it would help.... I wouldn't worry too much about E10

[@DarrelHughes-z1p]

I have 2001 model which need a service tank and carp clean any recommendations of a bike mechanic in the Hampshire. Looking to sale the bike which only has 2700 miles and as new condition.

[@PXCBIKES]

I really don't know anyone down there sorry I am in South Yorkshire

[@henrikselberg1901]

Super video

[@PXCBIKES]

Thank you 🤟

[@josey304]

Hey buddy i put mine back together after a carb clean and i don’t know what I’m doing wrong but it seems the gas isnt running through the lines, i keep switching the on and off knob in the tank then disconnect a line to see if gas starts spilling but not a single drop. Help????

[@PXCBIKES]

OK the fuel flows with a vacuum when the engine is running there will be a pipe that runs from the rear cylinder head and connects to the back of the fuel tap.... This opens a diaphragm in the fuel tap to allow fuel to flow

[@josey304]

@@PXCBIKES she hasnt been started in months….i can see how that makes sense, but how do i get her to turnover for the first time then if i cant get the gas flowing? What would you recommend i do??? Thank you so much in advance.

[@PXCBIKES]

Just fire it up.... If its all put back togeather correctly then fire it up ignition on choke pulled out and boom start the engine... Let it run with the choke for at least 30 seconds and gently ease off the choke half way let it run for a minute then choke fully off

[@macmorgan6685]

The manifold clamps can be accessed through a hole in the plastic heat shield.

[@PXCBIKES]

Yeh I didn't put that in 🙄... My screwdrivers just wouldn't reach that far in... And the clamp screws were not lined up to to the holes in the plastic turn them

[@duncanmatthews1977]

Yes but only just. I had to use a universal joint on my 1/4” socket set to get in there… It fouled on the throttle cable circular bit every turn. Why they didn’t cut a bigger hole?

[@oO360GamingOo]

Was it ok with 3,5 turns out ?? Because the manusl says 2 turns out for standart

[@PXCBIKES]

The bike was totally fine, yes ... Manual is just a guide... I eventually stepped up the pilot, jetting #5 bigger. You should always aim for 1.5 to 2 turns out with any pilot screw as one full turn is like stepping up the pilot jet around #5 times

[@shahrilabdullah4297]

hi, i have accidentally connect wrong battery pole causing spark. Checked fuses, no signs of burn. reconnect new battery no power. where should i start?

[@PXCBIKES]

Oh this would definitely blow fuses.... How long was this connected 😬...

[@williamrae9954]

Can't speak for Firestorms, at 11k miles the shock is done,usually budget affairs...6k miles on the Yamaha 700's....had a yellow VTR, prefer your silver one!

[@stevefzs80]

Mine had auto cc I really nervous riding if untill I can afford to get the chains done I can't hear a rattle of the chain I have heard they can just go

[@PXCBIKES]

How many miles are on your bike and what year?... To be honest I have never come across one that has failed it does depend on alot of factors.... I know some people that have 40k miles on their VTRs and never had this problem... Manual ones can be a problem if they are not adjusted correctly also some manual ones are cheap and not durable... I hear about the Honda tensioners being faulty all the time but never seen that they are... Its just people saying they are.... It is possible that there was a bad batch on certain models... But I have never seen them cause damage especially for many years now

[@stevefzs80]

It's a 2001 but a gen 1 model 25,000 miles thanks for the quick reply the forums have me freaked out to drive it 😂

[@stevefzs80]

the words Not if it goes but when and ticking hand grenade in your motor were used

[@PXCBIKES]

Honda recommends the tensioner to be replaced at 20k miles but I wouldn't worry too much about it forum's are always places for nothing but opinions and confusion

[@stevefzs80]

Cheers I have subbed as I really like this easy format of your videos going service my own storm while watching this

[@911Estyle]

Mine turns on and it shuts down if I don't hold the throtle what can it be ?

[@PXCBIKES]

Does it run with the choke on...? Your engine idle is set too low and needs to be turned in

[@911Estyle]

@@PXCBIKES I have to pump the choke to get it to run. Than hold the throttle so it won't turn off on me. As soon as I release the throttle no matter If I'm driving it or not it will shut down. I have to turn it back on as I'm going.

[@PXCBIKES]

Turn up the idle speed screw turn it in until the engine idles.... It should stay around 1400rpm.... If not then your pilot jets are blocked in your carburettor

[@911Estyle]

@@PXCBIKES clock wise or counterclockwise?

[@PXCBIKES]

Clockwise budy... Fire the bike up and hold the throttle and turn the idle screw clockwise until the bike idles around 1400rpm.... You need to set the idle when the engine is fully up to temperature over 50 degrees

[@simonyoungs7581]

Guessing someone has added a fuel additive in a bid to cure poor running

[@PXCBIKES]

Yes probably redex

[@feolender2938]

Because I was a royal marine I'd use a bungy

[@PXCBIKES]

Oh no not for me they don't hold it as firm as cord 😬..... I didn't have any anyway 💁‍♂️

[@feolender2938]

@@PXCBIKES I'm just being a dick mate, great video actually. I'm getting a vtr this week i think

[@PXCBIKES]

Ha its OK pal 👍