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Runner!!

Picked the new Falco up yesterday afternoon, but by the time I got back from dropping the van off etc.. it was too late to start anything meaningful.

So this morning I got going. Overall the condition looks pretty reasonable, especially for a bike thats been sat in a pretty damp garage for the last 18 months. The bikes obviously been ridden in all weathers but overall I'm very pleased. The paperwork shows a full service history, 2 previous owners and so I'm pretty confident that the 12k mileage on the clocks is genuine. So I pumped up both tyres to find they both have a decent amount of tread on them and then got started on seeing if she could be coaxed into life.

The datatool web site was a good source of info and it appeared I need to re-set the alarm from a "Spike" condition. I followed their instructions, fitted the new battery (my son works at Halfords so got a Bosch for £47 which I didn't think was too bad) and then connected up the in-line fuse and voila.... lots of noise but it eventually re-set as they said it should.

So would she start? well in a word no. I could hear the fuel pump priming so that sounded promising but the starter motor wouldn't engage which was exactly as the previous owner had described it. Another 10 minutes of checking everything revealed yes.............you've guessed it.........the side stand was still down (what a numpty)

So now she turned over but wouldn't fire up. Didn't want to spend too long on the starter (sprag clutch and all) so lifted the tank up, off with the airbox, out with the plugs..a good clean, tightened up the cold start cable, 90% of its movement was free play and tried again.

She started right on the button..............I was sooooooooooooo chuffed.

Once warmed up (boy those first few seconds sound terrible on an engine thats been sat for so long) she's as smooth as silk, nice and quiet with no nasty noises or rattles and all the gears are there. So I ran her up till the fans kicked in a couple of times and everything looks fine, coolant level fine, oil level fine.....no leaks etc... I'd also forgotten how nice those Carbon Cans sound (the neighbours seem to remember them well though)

So happy days

Well almost........I can see a heavy mist of oil on the front of the engine and starter motor and I reckon (unless anyone knows better) that the front rocker cover gasket is weeping and I cannot get the horn to work (wierd eh?) checked the wiring & fuses but no horn! everything else electrical works fine. But that aside shes a runner and I'm wearing the biggest grin I've had for ages

So basically a new battery and a bit of internet searching has bagged me an absolute bargain..........and I love a bargain!!

So now I know she's OK if anyone has any bits & pieces they think I may be interested in, please let me know (cheap and in good nick please??)

Mille Shock & linkages are first on the list, closely followed by a Renegade air kit. A tail tidy would be nice as would a hugger.............its started again hasn't it???

F9

Falco9 wrote: I cannot get the horn to work (wierd eh?) checked the wiring & fuses but no horn!

Mille Shock & linkages are first on the list, closely followed by a Renegade air kit. A tail tidy would be nice as would a hugger.............its started again hasn't it???

F9

Have you checked the horn itself? Mine failed a while ago. Pull it out and test it on the battery.

I may be able to get you a white spring Sachs shock from a '00/01 RSV; it was offered to me, but I've been advised the spring rate wouldn't suit a Futura. Not sure when it will be available - Phil's having the RSV Maxtonised over the winter, but I don't know when

nice one rich.

I have a yellow spring rsv shock (not ohlins) sitting in the garage collecting dust, it'll want a service i'd imagine and i haven't got the RSV dogbone but your welcome to it if you want it just will cost you the postage

Good to hear! enjoy!

I've fitted a neat tail tidy from Germany... blenks showed the install here somewhere... have a search.

Hishy wrote:I have a yellow spring rsv shock (not ohlins) sitting in the garage collecting dust, it'll want a service i'd imagine and i haven't got the RSV dogbone but your welcome to it if you want it just will cost you the postage

PM sent, many thanks

F9

Falco9 wrote: The bikes obviously been ridden in all weathers

LOL - how unlike its future life in your possession

Falco9 wrote:
So would she start? well in a word no. ...................................

.................. Another 10 minutes of checking everything revealed yes.............you've guessed it.........the side stand was still down (what a numpty)

errr - it will start with the sidestand down ..... unless it's in gear.
You weren't trying to launch it across the garage were you?






All sounding good though Rich

Hey F9,

Sounds like you got yourself a bargain there! Well done.

if you do a search, I posted up how i made a real cheap tail tidy for less than a fiver....

using bits from a stairlift...?

Falco9 wrote: Picked the new Falco up yesterday afternoon, .........................

.............its started again hasn't it???

F9

Think the simple answer is YES.
So welcome back Rich.

Nice one, Rich. I knew you'd be on the case PDQ...

Falco9 wrote:And no it won't be ridden in all weathers (no surprise there of course) I reckon virtually all the fasteners will need replacing. Anyone riding in this weather has my deepest respect

F9

And I can recommend a good psychiatrist... Seriously, you wouldn't get me out on two wheels in this stuff unless there was a suitcase full of twenty pound notes involved...