New Falco Owner

[scorpio24v]

Hi Guys, after much deliberation and research, I have bought a lovely `055 Bronze Falco. Picking it up next Sunday. Didnt want a full on sportsbike, didnt want a sports tourer, so the Falco seems ideal. I had a few Laverdas in the 80`s and 90`s, a 180 and a 120, still think the Italian stuff has real soul so it will be keeping my CB1300, and old BSA A10 company. Missus says I cant have any more bikes now, one out one in.

A quick newbie question, If i get a Firestorm sidestand, with its switch, just how much modding do i have to do? is it significantly better than OE?

I live in Braintree Essex, so maybee any local falcophiles could get together and have a run out some time.

cheers for now.

[FlyingKiwi]

Hi scorpio24v,
welcome to Apriliaridersite.
Good choice of bike. You won't regret it and this lot will have you bankrupt in no time.
Lots of good info here. Can't help with the sidestand though as I just fitted a secondhand one from the US.
flyingkiwi

[D-Rider]

Hello and welcome.

Sounds as though your reasoning for choosing the Falco is spot on .... think you'll enjoy it.

Not sure about the Firestorm stand - I've done the Gixer stand mod (brilliant improvement).
Others (such as Aladinsaneuk) have done the Firestorm mod and will probably be along soon to help you out.

Well done in getting a Falco in the best colour.

Hopefully most of the important mods have been done already leaving you enough to spend on things to change by choice.

Essentials are:

• 1) Sidestand (you know about that one)
  2) Ditch the OE rubber for, well, just about anything
  3) Change the rear shock for something that works ... search the forum if you've still got one of those Blue Spring Sachs jobbies (and ignore the rantings from one of our deluded members that it's absolutely fine)

... and if you want a useful mod to make slow speed stuff more pleasurable and give it even more 'kick' under acceleration, swap the front sprocket for a 15t (16t is standard). Only costs about £15 or so.

Oh yes .... and just double check that it's been de restricted (use of the search function should sort you out - if not ask and I'll point you in the right direction)

[Aladinsaneuk]

ok, firestorm stand mod, with switch is easy.

basically you are going to swop the firestorm leg and switch for the falco ones

remove the falco side stand, and disconnect the switch from the loom - you may have to cut a cable tie to release it on the left underside of the tank

now, disassemble to sidestand and remove the bolt etc - do the same to the firestorm sidestand

offer up the firestorm leg to the falco base plate

reassemble :)

you will be able to see which bolts are needed - ie the firestorm one for the main pivot and how the firestorm switch unit fits

thats it :)

at least you slow bronze one does have some fast colour on it.....

[HowardQ]

Welcome to the site mate
Nice choice of bike, hope you get to like as much as the people on here.
Have had mine going on 4 years, best bike I've ever had.

[scorpio24v]

Thanks for the welcome guys.
A 15tooth sprocket will be my second mod after the side stand, Realy appreciate the gen on the Firestorm stand from Aladinsane, sounds easy even for me. Flea bay have a few on so i`ll get bidding.

I think all the later Bronze and Red Falcos were derestricted from the factory, but maybee you know better. As for rubber, after a front delamination on my CB13 last year which scared me shi++es I will never have Conti Road attacks again. Ultras seal saved my bacon. Currently running on Road pilot 2CT`s . When its time to change the Falco will be wearing them too.

prob get an ABBA stand too, thier made just down the road in Maldon.

[HisNibbs]

Welcome scorpio24v,

Always liked the Laverda's though I never actualy owned or even rode one.
I think you'll like the Falco it does every thing well, is reliable and well built.
My quick tip is to drop the yokes over the forks so you have 5 or 6 rings showing and if you have a fancy shock, jack the rear up as well to get more feel through the twisties, from the front end.

Enjoy

[joecrx]

hi welcome scorpio23v ,paint it red ,you know you want to

[Aladinsaneuk]

sorry to hear about the cb13 incident - i swear by the contis on my falco....

is a very personal thing - BUT - run the tyres on 36/42 - ignore the owners handbook....

[Firestarter]

Welcome to the site

[fastasfcuk]

welcome mate

[D-Rider]

I think all the later Bronze and Red Falcos were derestricted from the factory, but maybee you know better.

Actually, not so. Mine wasn't - I got them to do it on my first service - straight after it was run in. Not hard to do yourself though if it hasn't been done already.

[Falcoholic]

And another welcome from me too.

[Aladinsaneuk]

oh - other thing to do with the firestorm stand - the kick bar needs to be delicatly adjusted in its rake to make it stick out at the right angle... a girt big hammer does it well :)

[scorpio24v]

I`m overwhelmed by the welcome. I guess owning a Falco is like joining a family, unlike other makes/models. Aladinsane reccomends 36F 42R pressures, that what i run the CB on, so only one set of figures for my poor feeble brain to remember. Hi Joecrx, my other bike is red---- and white. the red ones do look nice but Falcos are such a rare beast you have to get whats available at your price point.
none of the paint jobs are too shabby though, and with the gold forks, the Bronze looks classy us Essex boys like a bit of Bling

Looks like I`ll have to check the wires been snipped and the restrictor plate is out.

only 6 sleeps to go

Cheers all