The I've brought a really really broken Fireblade thread
The I've brought a really really broken Fireblade thread
Author
Discussion

A500leroy

Original Poster:

8,389 posts

147 months

Yesterday (15:43)
quotequote all
So.
I've been properly stupid.

I exchanged my working, fully serviced, mot'd 390 adventure for a Fireblade project.

I didn't even view in person, just the eBay ad.

It's terrible.

So, good points.

It's a 954.
It's had 3 owners plus honda, the last since 2006.
It's only got 34000 miles and a full documented history.
Every receipt since 2006.
It's got its stock original exhaust.


The terrible bits.
Said last owner rattle can'd it black so it needs replacement bodywork.
I've not heard it run or used the gearbox
It's got a data tool immobilizer that is broken and refuses to let it start
The front forks are leaking
The brakes are seized
The brake and fuel lines are rusty
The tyres have actual dry rot in them
It's been in a shed since 2010.


So what's the plan?

Cry.
Then get the data tool off.
Remove the tank ,airbox and plugs and put some oil down there.
Oil and filter change.
Turn it over with no plugs in to see if it's seized or got compression
( If all goes well)
Likely refubish the fuel system
Send the forks off to ktech
Remove and refubish the calipers, master cylinders and replace the fuel and brake hoses
Replace coolant
Part worn tyres
Replace things such as indicators and lights
New ( likely Chinese) bodywork
New tank ( used)

Mot
Decide if to use or move on.

A500leroy

Original Poster:

8,389 posts

147 months

Yesterday (15:45)
quotequote all
So I guess you want pictures












DickyC

58,429 posts

227 months

Yesterday (15:58)
quotequote all
If it's any comfort to you, leroy, I wouldn't know where to start.

Cambs_Stuart

3,530 posts

113 months

Yesterday (16:06)
quotequote all
My word that's brave.
I wish you the very best of luck.

toastyhamster

1,790 posts

125 months

Yesterday (16:41)
quotequote all
Aside from any serious engine woes most of that looks easily doable. You've been shy on the buy price though smile

Reminds me, I really must start my RD up this year.

Good luck and keep us posted.

the cueball

1,894 posts

84 months

Yesterday (16:47)
quotequote all
a few days work... if there are no hidden disasters...

Stop crying and get to work man!





<looks over at my 4 year old "project" bike still not finished.....>


carinaman

25,167 posts

201 months

Yesterday (16:51)
quotequote all
A500leroy said:
So.
I've been properly stupid.

I exchanged my working, fully serviced, mot'd 390 adventure for a Fireblade project.

I didn't even view in person, just the eBay ad.

It's terrible.
It hadn't crossed my mind that you'd swap the KTM for that Fireblade. I assumed it would be staying until you'd got the Fireblade mended and MoTd.

I owned a Duke 390 so I may be biassed, but......


Please tell me they took the KTM and gave you about £2,000

Edited by carinaman on Monday 21st September 16:54

Condi

20,339 posts

200 months

Yesterday (17:05)
quotequote all
I have an unused Scorpion end can for a 954 in my shed if you want to change the original for something more fruity. I forget what it cost (bought 2nd hand from Ebay), but will have a look and you can have it for what I paid for it.

Also would recommend refurbishing the rear shock, they're old now and need doing.

Valve clearances likely worth checking.

Braided hoses are much better than the original ones, a set of HEL lines are not that expensive.

If you're in the bike anyway the fuel pressure regulator is a cheap part to replace and will be past it's best, if indeed it's doing anything at all. Bike will be hard to start and run rough as a fk if the rubber in it has perished.

If you can pick up a cheap Power Commander they do benefit from them, the 954 not as much as the 929, but still nice to have.

The engine and gearbox are pretty solid, chain guides can be a bit noisy if they're starting to wear and 2nd gear can be a problem but you don't hear of many issues with the mechanicals.

The exhaust system has a moveable exhaust valve in it, probably worth seeing if it moves and what condition it's in. The motor has plastic teeth in and they can strip. It doesn't really matter if you just want to get it running, and if it's broken you'll get a fault code on the dash.

The biggest issue at that age is just everything perishing, bolts rusting, clips breaking etc. Why Honda put stainless steel bolts directly into aluminium castings I do not know. Might have been fine when they were new, but by now the whole lot corrodes togethers.




Edited by Condi on Monday 21st September 17:10

A500leroy

Original Poster:

8,389 posts

147 months

Yesterday (17:34)
quotequote all
carinaman said:
A500leroy said:
So.
I've been properly stupid.

I exchanged my working, fully serviced, mot'd 390 adventure for a Fireblade project.

I didn't even view in person, just the eBay ad.

It's terrible.
It hadn't crossed my mind that you'd swap the KTM for that Fireblade. I assumed it would be staying until you'd got the Fireblade mended and MoTd.

I owned a Duke 390 so I may be biassed, but......


Please tell me they took the KTM and gave you about £2,000

Edited by carinaman on Monday 21st September 16:54
Not quite no.

A500leroy

Original Poster:

8,389 posts

147 months

Yesterday (17:38)
quotequote all
Thank you guys, I take all offers and advice seriously, so if anyone wants to tell me I've done something wrong do shout up.
I'll pass on the end can for now, let's see if it works first!


So, here's today's effort in pics.














In the next installment, we will attempt to remove a 23 year old data tool security system.

ssray

1,351 posts

254 months

Yesterday (18:02)
quotequote all
Nice project, I'm currently waiting for a reply on a 1998 fireblade, it's not expensive but has been 'fightered

Drabbesttunic

1,851 posts

69 months

Yesterday (18:03)
quotequote all
Your plan should be.

Cry.
Break it up and sell for parts.

These are not expensive bikes, my brother sold his for 2k, an immaculate one that had been in performance bikes magazine.

Bobberoo

45,484 posts

127 months

Yesterday (18:23)
quotequote all
Very best of luck A500Leroy.

Xcore

1,518 posts

119 months

Yesterday (18:33)
quotequote all
Most things are worth tinkering with if they are cheap enough, good luck!

Marquezs Stabilisers

2,509 posts

90 months

Yesterday (19:21)
quotequote all
FFS Leroy, I've got a non running 954 I need to fix and sell in the garage. Good luck with it, when running well they are epic! Some bits getting unobtainable but there are some good Facebook owners groups for tech tips.

That chain is stunningly rusty!

A500leroy

Original Poster:

8,389 posts

147 months

Yesterday (19:31)
quotequote all
If nothing else it's going to teach me about motorcycle mechanics.

DickyC

58,429 posts

227 months

Yesterday (20:20)
quotequote all
A500leroy said:
If nothing else it's going to teach me about motorcycle mechanics.
But not Zen?

Come along now, do both at the same time.

Chicken Chaser

9,057 posts

253 months

Yesterday (20:29)
quotequote all
How come you agreed to that deal given the photos provided?

shirt

25,395 posts

230 months

Yesterday (20:29)
quotequote all
I have an 02 as my track bike, it started off in much the same condition and I stripped/built it from a bare frame.

I have the full service manual available as pdf if you can’t find it via google.

Pc3/5 is a must along with the emissions flapper and servo delete. Black widow sell the exhaust valve eliminator piece for a very reasonable £45.

https://www.blackwidowexhausts.co.uk/cbr954rr-fire...

Block off plates needed for full removal of the PAIR system

https://p3tuning-performanceparts.com/products/hon...

A gearshift support is also a must have imho but much less of a bargain as it’s from Gilles tooling

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/147298661791

Bob_Defly

5,844 posts

260 months

Yesterday (22:26)
quotequote all
Get someone to sand, prime, and repaint the bodywork, it will be so much better quality than anything from China.