First bike = Firestorm
Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2021 2:02 pm
Hey Team Storm,
Marty here, the Scottish Dunlop.
I've finally gotten to the point where time and money have intertwined, making way for the licence and first bike.
Having grown up with bikes and a racing keen uncle, it's been a long wait. 10 years after my first attempt till money ran out for licensing, thankfully cashflow is easier when you become the boss.
I'm set to move out of country soon, but I wanted to ensure I had my license in the UK on roads I know, so ticking that off.
After the first couple rides on the DAS course, I couldn't help look at bikes for sale, saw Firestorms and that instantly got my grease/speed monkey interest going. Saw a couple, the yellow looked epic but settled on a relatively clean looking '98 black model for 1500. The guy even brought it up from Manc the next day.
---- ----
Overall it's pretty decent:
- Front right fairing has two epoxy repairs but the crankcases only have light abrasions, no other signs of dropping or crashing.
- The clutch master cylinder is a Yamaha branded aluminium black box, so need to investigate if this is un upgrade from the pot or just whatever a previous owner had lying around.
- Rear brake barely has power but pads look thick enough so need to service front and back as standard, have new pads on hand anyway.
- Petrol tank is a little shaky side to side so need to check if it's the rubber nut grommets, missing pads or missing foam underlay.
- Long/pointed belly an equipped which is colour matched yet chipped and can see it's from a yellow bike, but not a standard VTR moulding.
- Startup and idle are more grumbly than the twin should be so I have a service kit, air filter fitted and oil/oil filter changed so far.
- Need to renew spark plugs which took a bit to locate already.
- Keen to check out the carburetors, dismantle and clean if necessary as I've seen that can be an issue, especially with the age.
Initially I was going to buy a bike for now, have it for a couple months to up my experience, then sell it at pretty much the same price. But I'm already of the mind to keep it, store it with the Jeep when I leave, and then look after it as toy forevermore. Maybe even transition to the track, but at the very least it'll be going on the track at Knockhill once or twice (not racing) so I can properly get to grips with the speed and handling.
Anyway, looking forward to joining yet another enthusiast forum and getting some much needed guidance as I go through the servicing and upkeep of my first Firestorm! Sláinte
Reveal
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fe7Iof ... sp=sharing
Walkaround
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RfXyAm ... sp=sharing
Marty here, the Scottish Dunlop.
I've finally gotten to the point where time and money have intertwined, making way for the licence and first bike.
Having grown up with bikes and a racing keen uncle, it's been a long wait. 10 years after my first attempt till money ran out for licensing, thankfully cashflow is easier when you become the boss.
I'm set to move out of country soon, but I wanted to ensure I had my license in the UK on roads I know, so ticking that off.
After the first couple rides on the DAS course, I couldn't help look at bikes for sale, saw Firestorms and that instantly got my grease/speed monkey interest going. Saw a couple, the yellow looked epic but settled on a relatively clean looking '98 black model for 1500. The guy even brought it up from Manc the next day.
---- ----
Overall it's pretty decent:
- Front right fairing has two epoxy repairs but the crankcases only have light abrasions, no other signs of dropping or crashing.
- The clutch master cylinder is a Yamaha branded aluminium black box, so need to investigate if this is un upgrade from the pot or just whatever a previous owner had lying around.
- Rear brake barely has power but pads look thick enough so need to service front and back as standard, have new pads on hand anyway.
- Petrol tank is a little shaky side to side so need to check if it's the rubber nut grommets, missing pads or missing foam underlay.
- Long/pointed belly an equipped which is colour matched yet chipped and can see it's from a yellow bike, but not a standard VTR moulding.
- Startup and idle are more grumbly than the twin should be so I have a service kit, air filter fitted and oil/oil filter changed so far.
- Need to renew spark plugs which took a bit to locate already.
- Keen to check out the carburetors, dismantle and clean if necessary as I've seen that can be an issue, especially with the age.
Initially I was going to buy a bike for now, have it for a couple months to up my experience, then sell it at pretty much the same price. But I'm already of the mind to keep it, store it with the Jeep when I leave, and then look after it as toy forevermore. Maybe even transition to the track, but at the very least it'll be going on the track at Knockhill once or twice (not racing) so I can properly get to grips with the speed and handling.
Anyway, looking forward to joining yet another enthusiast forum and getting some much needed guidance as I go through the servicing and upkeep of my first Firestorm! Sláinte
Reveal
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fe7Iof ... sp=sharing
Walkaround
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RfXyAm ... sp=sharing