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
