Firestorm Rebuild

[mattycoops43]

Hi folks.

Thought I would make a proper post here as I am actually getting on with this bike now. I bought a ropey one, got properly ripped off, because despite knowing 4cyl bikes, I had not had a twin for many years and didn't know it wasn't meant to sound like bolts shaking round in a can, and was also not told it had been front ended, bent forks, twisted yokes etc etc.

First off I just did the bare essentials to get it roadworthy, replaced the fork stanchions, yokes, discs, new headstock bearings and a few other bits and bobs. Fitted some of Bazzers manual CCTs and discovered the timing was three teeth out on the front head valves. Ended up with a tatty but running storm like this:

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x103/mattycoops43/Honda%20Firestorm%20Project/Stormoriginal2.jpg

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x103/mattycoops43/Honda%20Firestorm%20Project/Stormoriginal1.jpg

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x103/mattycoops43/Honda%20Firestorm%20Project/Stormoriginal3.jpg

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x103/mattycoops43/Honda%20Firestorm%20Project/Orighump.jpg

I then did some tidying up of the bodypanels, there is a lot of cracking in the paint where it was repainted, quite nicely in a metal flake black, but a long time ago and it hasn't stood the test of time well, so I sourced a better tank, and painted that and my seat unit and hump black, did the headlight surround white and fitted an orange screen.

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x103/mattycoops43/Honda%20Firestorm%20Project/vtrtanks.jpg

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x103/mattycoops43/Honda%20Firestorm%20Project/replacementbodypanels.jpg

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x103/mattycoops43/Honda%20Firestorm%20Project/Seatunit1.jpg

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x103/mattycoops43/Honda%20Firestorm%20Project/tankprotec.jpg

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x103/mattycoops43/Honda%20Firestorm%20Project/Whitefront.jpg

At the same time I replaced the reg rec which had died with a new Mosfet one from the USA. Came as a nice kit with all the connectors and waterproof bits and bobs. It's a tight fit but just fits inside the seat unit with a few mm to spare.

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x103/mattycoops43/Honda%20Firestorm%20Project/Regrecfitting.jpg

So, I recently sold my Fazer, which freed up some cash for the Storm fund, I have decided not to do a total strip down at the moment because summer is on the way and I want to ride it. The plan is to do a complete break down in the winter and get the frame and swingarm and probably engine powdercoated. For now, I have bought a set of black body panels and tank which is going on, the wheels, subframe and fairing bracket have been powder coated. I stripped it to the engine in frame and forks so I could give everything else a good clean up. Picked up the wheels today and went straight to the tyre place and go some PR4s fitted. Also collected my seat which has been done by a local guy and looks stunning.

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x103/mattycoops43/Honda%20Firestorm%20Project/Engineframe.jpg

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x103/mattycoops43/Honda%20Firestorm%20Project/Strip2.jpg

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x103/mattycoops43/Honda%20Firestorm%20Project/Subframe1.jpg

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x103/mattycoops43/Honda%20Firestorm%20Project/Wheels1.jpg

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x103/mattycoops43/Honda%20Firestorm%20Project/Wheels2.jpg

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x103/mattycoops43/Honda%20Firestorm%20Project/Swingarm2.jpg

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x103/mattycoops43/Honda%20Firestorm%20Project/Swingarm1.jpg

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x103/mattycoops43/Honda%20Firestorm%20Project/Roller1.jpg

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x103/mattycoops43/Honda%20Firestorm%20Project/Roller2.jpg

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x103/mattycoops43/Honda%20Firestorm%20Project/seat1.jpg

Bits to fit now, new rear disc as it has cracks, new rear brake fluid reservoir as one of the bolts was seized. (I got it free but it's made a mess). I have some OE handlebar grips and some red anodised bar ends to go on.

Red and White Honda wheel tapes (block ones) hopefully being done by my Brother in law. All the fairings etc need a good clean and tidy and then it's going on.

I will keep this thread updated as I go.

[mattycoops43]

Monster day on the bike today, only just come in from a shake down ride.

Started with the rear end going back together.

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x103/mattycoops43/Honda%20Firestorm%20Project/finish1.jpg

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x103/mattycoops43/Honda%20Firestorm%20Project/Finish2.jpg

Then the body panels etc went on. The new seat covering has a half inch of foam under it in addition to the standard, it meant the seat cover had a good half inch gap from the seat unit. I had to pack up the rear screw mount of the seat unit fairing with a couple of nuts to close the gap. Sitting very close now and looks ok.

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x103/mattycoops43/Honda%20Firestorm%20Project/Finish3.jpg

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x103/mattycoops43/Honda%20Firestorm%20Project/Finish4.jpg

All went back together, left the original disk on for now, just didn't use it. All brake system bled through and everything, just didn't want to bed the new pads in when I am changing the disk.

Had to go for a ride and get some gratuitous arty shots.

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x103/mattycoops43/Honda%20Firestorm%20Project/Finish5.jpg

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x103/mattycoops43/Honda%20Firestorm%20Project/Finish8.jpg

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x103/mattycoops43/Honda%20Firestorm%20Project/Finish6.jpg

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x103/mattycoops43/Honda%20Firestorm%20Project/Finish7.jpg

[mattycoops43]

Have a little pile of bits to fit now, Rear disc, Rear brake fluid reservoir, Red bar ends and a black top yoke. Planning to take all the controls off and give them a tidy up so the bars look good. I'll post some pics when I get round to this.

Also need to take the powder coat off where the sub frame meets the frame as I forgot it earths through the join and the tacho has gone funny since refitting everything.

[Tango]

Yeah....been following this on FB........it's looking good Matt.......looking forward to seeing it all back together

[mattycoops43]

Hoping it will mostly be back in one piece tomorrow. I have everything here now except bar ends, and the rear disc wont turn up till the weekend, but I think I will just put it all together so I can see what it's like and change the disc when it turns up. Also sourced a later top yoke which is black from the factory, should go with the other bits and mine is one of the tattiest bits on the bike at the moment.

[littlecat]

looking superb matty, wish I had the balls to strip mine down this far

[dispersion]

Very nice!

Love that seat too.

[rennie]

Looking good!

I like the seat

I'm afraid I really don't like the orange screen!

[Grumpy Old Git]

looking superb matty, wish I had the balls to strip mine down this far

 

I'm sure someone will loan you a pair! (not me though - LOL)

[Ricky]

I'm afraid I really don't like the orange screen!

 

This forum needs a dislike button

Looking awesome so far Matty

[Stu]

looking good

[Chrissb6]

Nice job you've done there Mate

[Tango]

Nice job Matt......looking good.....

[BikerMooFromMars]

Verrrry nice, that is one freaking awesome looking bike now bet it rides like a dream now. Well done

[mattycoops43]

Quite a bit done today, but not particularly photogenic. I fitted a new rear disc, rear fluid reservoir (mine had to be hacked to get one of the screws out), Loosened off the subframe bolts, swivelled it down a bit and cleaned off some powdercoat so it earths to the frame, Oil and filter change, fixed the tacho which had stopped working. (the two weeks in bits under a cover had allowed the earth connections on the back of the dials to corrode), and fitted a late model top yoke which is black, mainly because mine was in awful condition and really let the bike down looking at it while I was riding, along with some shiny anodised bar ends to go with the Honda grips. (not missing the heated grips AT all).

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x103/mattycoops43/Honda%20Firestorm%20Project/Barends.jpg

That's kinda it for now, plan is to ride it and enjoy the sunshine till the winter, then it will be completely stripped, engine rebuilt (it's blowing a little bit of oil) and various other bits powder coated.

[Dean-J]

Looking good man