Is it wrong that this is my "getting back onto bikes" bike after 20 something years? 🫣

[Stumo2791]

First, thanks for the add admin, just bought a 1999 storm as my re-introduction to bikes after 20 odd years off...last one was a vfr wot i rode into a deer...less said the better. Too many o them bloody things in devon any way (deer, not vfr's ).
Its got manual cct adjusters fitted, and has been sorta streetfightered (badly) so im sticking the fairing back on and maybe keeping the flat bars if they dont foul the fairin and leaving it at that for now. Obvs its missing a few bits so need to spend a bit to get it straight...didnt pay too much for it so not too worried...
Do you reckon its worth stripping the carbs and cleaning/balancing whilst doin the fairing bits? (its a bit grumbly at low revs and pops and farts a bit) and...should i replace the cct's whilst im about it just in case? (got a Haynes manual and not afraid to use it) cheers

[freeridenick]

It's a great bike to be 'getting back into biking' with. If it's been 'fightered' have the cans been replaced with shorties? If so that would be effecting the fuelling.

[sirch345]

Welcome aboard Stumo

As for your question in the title, that all depends on what bike(s) you had 20yrs ago

It's a great bike to be 'getting back into biking' with. If it's been 'fightered' have the cans been replaced with shorties? If so that would be effecting the fuelling.

A good point from Nick.

Has your bike still got the standard airbox and filter?

Balancing the carbs is also a good suggestion of yours, as you most likely don't know when they were last done, if they are out that could be contributing to the grumbly bit at low rev's and the popping. It could also be a leak in the exhaust headers at one of the joints (the joint that goes through the swingarm is one which is easily overlooked due to it's position and awkward access). Keep in mind though these bikes do crackle and pop on the overrun.

As far as replacing the Manual CCT's, no need to replace Manuals, they just need the up-and-down movement of the cam-chains checked every 10,000 miles or so. If you are going to check the free play at some point DON'T follow the Haynes Workshop Manual as there is misleading advice in part of it. Make sure you follow our guide in "The Workshop Knowledgebase".

We are here if you get stuck,

Chris.

[Stumo2791]

It's a great bike to be 'getting back into biking' with. If it's been 'fightered' have the cans been replaced with shorties? If so that would be effecting the fuelling.

Hi freeridenick,..."Fightered" consisted of takin the front fairing off and fitting a dodgy perspex screen with a pair o them twin lamps you can get off amazon for £30. That was about the size of it. Lextek pipes on it though, so no shorties. Gonna change the plugs and have a go at balancing the carbs, see where im at then.

[Stumo2791]

Hi Chris, as for bikes i had before, i started on a cm250 at 17yrs old..stop laughin I loved that bike!!...had lots of dodgy 80's bikes, xs400, gs550, gs650 shaftie, cb750f2, gsx600f (from new for some ungodly reason?), gpz1100, gs750 etc etc,..ended on a lovely vfr750. Oh, and i had a project rd350lc which i sold for £700...the bloke probly thought all his Christmases come at once...
As for this one, yeah standard airbox and filter, new one coming coz its mingin..and new plugs and filter.
I wasnt suggesting changing the adjusters, just wondered if its a good idea to change the tensioner blades themselves...think i read somewhere they can break up? Or is that bollox?
I did download the honda workshop manual so will use that for whatever i need there, cheers for the heads up re the haynes one
Stuart

[tony.mon]

The tensioner blades are fine, you can leave them alone.
Good choice!

[Stumo2791]

The tensioner blades are fine, you can leave them alone.
Good choice!

Proper

[sirch345]

Hi Chris, as for bikes i had before, i started on a cm250 at 17yrs old..stop laughin I loved that bike!!...had lots of dodgy 80's bikes, xs400, gs550, gs650 shaftie, cb750f2, gsx600f (from new for some ungodly reason?), gpz1100, gs750 etc etc,..ended on a lovely vfr750. Oh, and i had a project rd350lc which i sold for £700...the bloke probly thought all his Christmases come at once...
As for this one, yeah standard airbox and filter, new one coming coz its mingin..and new plugs and filter.
I wasnt suggesting changing the adjusters, just wondered if its a good idea to change the tensioner blades themselves...think i read somewhere they can break up? Or is that bollox?
I did download the honda workshop manual so will use that for whatever i need there, cheers for the heads up re the haynes one
Stuart

Just keep an eye on the speedo until you are more accustomed to the bike, it’s very easy to be going faster than you realise!

Sticking with a new standard type air filter will most likely be your best option, rather than going for an aftermarket freer flowing air filter, as these bike's are quite susceptible to changes in that area.

A good move on downloading the Honda manual. The Haynes Manual is good for many things, just not good for CCT related work.

I agree with Tony on the tensioner blades,

Chris.

[Stumo2791]

Yep, fully aware of it being deceptively fast. I rode it home (about 30 miles) following the missus...just in case...and i dont think i got out of 3rd
Put new (standard) air filter in it, new plugs (old ones looked fine, but meh...?!), balanced carbs and tweaked tps to about 540 ohms - no modding, just turned it as far as it would allow and did it up. Also un 'fightered' it. Better.
Definitely seems to be less grumpy at low revs and less popping and farting. Havent taken it out since plug change though (them holes are fkin tight arent they?) as low on fuel but will tomorrow, long as its not raining obvs
Cheers for advice

[sirch345]

Yep, fully aware of it being deceptively fast. I rode it home (about 30 miles) following the missus...just in case...and i dont think i got out of 3rd
Put new (standard) air filter in it, new plugs (old ones looked fine, but meh...?!), balanced carbs and tweaked tps to about 540 ohms - no modding, just turned it as far as it would allow and did it up. Also un 'fightered' it. Better.
Definitely seems to be less grumpy at low revs and less popping and farting. Havent taken it out since plug change though (them holes are fkin tight arent they?) as low on fuel but will tomorrow, long as its not raining obvs
Cheers for advice

When I first test rode my Storm (back in 2001) I was coming back down the A30 bypass thinking I was in top gear, so I checked, I was only in 4th lol, mind you that was coming from an inline four, a Suzuki GS1000 which I had owned for 20 years.

It sounds like you are getting there, well done

Fingers crossed for both tomorrow,

Chris.

[KermitLeFrog]

I bought my '99 VTR in 2014 after a ten year hiatus from biking. For so many reasons, the best thing I've ever done.

[Stumo2791]

So took it out yesterday and ran sweet as . I think plugs was a big part of the problem but all seems to be good, low speed cruise , tickover, no popping/farting so yeah happy with that! Im really starting to like this bike...if only it were a bit comfier...

[sirch345]

So took it out yesterday and ran sweet as . I think plugs was a big part of the problem but all seems to be good, low speed cruise , tickover, no popping/farting so yeah happy with that! Im really starting to like this bike...if only it were a bit comfier...

That's good news, well done

Chris.