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Hi guys, as of Saturday I'm a Falco owner!

I picked it up in Leeds, rode from there to Ipswich to visit family and then back to London on Sunday.

First impressions are it feels long and low, with a very narrow tank. It's also lighter than I was expecting.
The engine combines the low down grunt of my SZR660 single with the top end of an IL4, I'm definitely sold on v twins!

Mods planned so far are:

-Check starter solenoid and replace with 150a version if not done already

-Replace standard side stand before the bike fall over

-Change straight through exhausts for something with baffles

-Fit sticky tyres and RSV rear shock before track day season starts

The only problem I've spotted so far is the tank cap drain is blocked, resulting in water pouring into the tank. The bike then popped and farted at low rpm around town and 'EFI' appeared on the dash for a bit.

If someone's come across this before, what's the best way of unblocking it?

Welcome matey and grats on the purchase.

Good to see you've got a modding gene.

Bad comparison to an IL4, someone's bound to get the arse with that.

I unblocked my drain line by running progressively bigger drills through the drain nipple attached to the underside of the tank.

They are a bit of a pain to get to 'coz you van't take the tank off completely without undoing the fuel feed which requires new banjo washers and draining the tank.

Part 20 in the diagram


TBH I'm not sure why I bothered as leaving the nipple out would merely let any overflow run onto the plastic plate below and out via another run off tube.

The proximity to the exhaust and the potential for run off to be fuel might have influnced my decision.

IIRC I went up 3 drill sizes before chickening out, 8mm is also in my head, but I did this a long time ago and didn't take much notice.

HTH

Hi and Welcome


Glad you're having fun already and have a nice "to do" list .... think you're going to fit in just fine

Falcopops wrote: Bad comparison to an IL4, someone's bound to get the arse with that.

Really?! Is IL4 a dirty word around here

Falcopops wrote: *useful stuff*

Thanks for that, hopefully I'll get a chance to lift the tank and have a look this weekend.
I didn't want to blast a load of air down there in case it just popped the pipe off!

Thanks D-Rider, I'm really happy I chose the Falco and I've only ridden it in the cold/wet with luggage on the back so far.

Bring on summer

Before you start Playing with drills etc....

Mine was doing the same - the actual rubber drain was full of crud - once I broke it down with a pipe cleaner (as in the bright yellow smoking things) it was all good. I did have a good firk around the two valves as well so I knew they were clear

Ey up mate. Great choice of bike. When you sawing the fairing up then




BbwwwwaaaaAahhhhhhaaaaa

Welcome - bought and ridden half the length of the country on day one and planning mods already - you've been falco'd mate. Have fun and start hiding cash from the Mrs. (or Mr.)

Excellent.. Another one converted.. The plan to take over the world is gaining pace.. MUWUAHAHAHAHAHA!!

welcome, any pics.

WE NEED PICS!!!!!!

Well done on a very wise purchase (well I would say that considering what forum this is) Seriously, I bought mine three years ago and have loved every minute. I’m only a weekend warrior, with the odd 2/3 day tour thrown in for good measure and she’s never left me wanting. Be prepared for quite a bit of interest when she’s parked up and the odd “what bike’s that mate” remember it’s a piece of Italian exotica you’ll be on board now and that sound ohhhhh there’s nothing quite like it.

Glad to see your openness to a bit of modding, you’re amongst friends here!!!! And we can smell the wiff of a fresh credit card a mile off!!

Welcome

Oli

This is the only picture I've got so far, taken just before I washed it and removed all the gash stickers (dennis the menace, half naked ladies etc):



As soon as we get a decent weekend I'll break the on-bike camera out and post a video up!

I've thought of a couple more questions too!

Will RSV front braided brake lines fit? The distance from calipers to clip-ons looks about the same, and there's probably a better chance of getting a deal on a set for an RSV. Not that I've found anything wrong with the standard set-up, I just want to avoid that 'oh shit!' moment towards the end of a session on track when the brakes have disappeared!

I'll be fitting a set of sticky tyres at the start of summer, possibly race scrubs if I find some in decent condition. A lot of the 1L bikes use a 200 section rear nowadays, which is an acceptable size for the Falco 6" rear rim but are there any clearance issues?

szrdave wrote:
Will RSV front braided brake lines fit? The distance from calipers to clip-ons looks about the same, and there's probably a better chance of getting a deal on a set for an RSV. Not that I've found anything wrong with the standard set-up, I just want to avoid that 'oh shit!' moment towards the end of a session on track when the brakes have disappeared!

I'll be fitting a set of sticky tyres at the start of summer, possibly race scrubs if I find some in decent condition. A lot of the 1L bikes use a 200 section rear nowadays, which is an acceptable size for the Falco 6" rear rim but are there any clearance issues?

Mille lines are shorter as their bars are lower. Also whilst the first milles had the same brakes as the Falco, they changed over to 4-pad callipers during the period they were produced. The 4-pad callipers require banjos that are 90degrees to those for the Falcos and early Milles.

If you are looking for good value brake lines, be aware that Cobra make lines for Hel but sell them as Cobra lines at a nicer price - can be found on evilbay.

Falcos come with a 180 section tyre as standard and Milles use a 190 on the same rim.
Some have got away with a 190 on a Falco ..... and some have found that a 190 fouls the chain. This depends on tyre brand as the numbers quoted are nominal sizes and some manufacturers are more towards the ends of the scale than others.

If you want to be sure it will fit, get a 180, if you want a 190, search the various forums to see if you can find out which fit and which don't .... and I'd forget ideas of a 200 section...

Cheers

Upgrade to the four pad calipers if you're going on the track regularly, add braided lines and billet levers and you'll have some of the best brakes out there. Only radial set ups will be stronger and give more feel, but not by much.

szrdave wrote:Not that I've found anything wrong with the standard set-up, I just want to avoid that 'oh shit!' moment towards the end of a session on track when the brakes have disappeared!

I'll be fitting a set of sticky tyres at the start of summer, possibly race scrubs if I find some in decent condition. A lot of the 1L bikes use a 200 section rear nowadays, which is an acceptable size for the Falco 6" rear rim but are there any clearance issues?

Standard Falco brakes are very good, but can be improved. HEL lines (or equivalent) are worth having for track days etc. But if you are a bit of a demon on the brakes and fancy the RSV 4-pad calipers, be aware (as D-Rider says) that brake line fitments are very different. If you're thinking about going the 4-pad caliper route, do the braided lines at the same time.

I've just ordered a 190/55 Sportsmart for the rear rim; as far as I'm concerned it's either a 180/55 or a 190/55 at the rear. Don't even entertain the 190/50 or 200 section tyres. They will definitely compromise the handling.