Common mods and issues with the Falco?

[hornetrider]

In terms of mods I've done a bit of hunting around and come up with the airbox/ecu map, and a new sidestand... is the sidestand that bad, what's wrong with it?

Anything else I need to know?

Also, what should I be looking out for when going to pick it up and giving it the once over - any common issues?

Thanks!

[D-Rider]

In terms of mods I've done a bit of hunting around and come up with the airbox/ecu map, and a new sidestand... is the sidestand that bad, what's wrong with it?

Anything else I need to know?

Also, what should I be looking out for when going to pick it up and giving it the once over - any common issues?

Thanks!

Sidestand "is it that bad?" no, it's worse !

• It is made of cheese or something and bends easily
  
  It is set too close to the bike so the "footprint" is too narrow - hard to park safely on any slope - doesn't like wind.
  
  When you fit a shock with ride height adjustment, you will kick the back up to sharpen the handling. The standard stand is too short and the balance even more precarious!

Solutions:

• US Market Falco stand (different to ours and it works)
  
  VTR stand (requires some fettling) - not sure how well it improves footprint but is longer.
  
  GSXR stand (requires more fettling but does a great job)

The first "mod" has to be to ditch the MEZ3 tyres
The second the sidestand
The third the rear shock

...... then the options are more open ....

Just ignore YD telling you to paint it yellow (clearly he's deranged) or Sab telling you to make it into the bastard love child of a Falco and a Tuono (just kidding there Sab).

Cans tend to rate highly
Airbox is there for some
Double bubble / bellypan / other cosmetics for others
Mille swingarm is popular
PCIII is popular
15t front sprocket is cheap and very popular.
Scottoiler is worth having (IMHO)

If you are Exdukenut you can blow some serious money on some equally serious engine mods.

Brace your credit card .....

[TwinNut]

The first "mod" has to be to ditch the MEZ3 tyres
The second the sidestand
The third the rear shock

Amen brother.

MEZ3 out - Pirelli Diablo in
Sidestabnd out - GSX-R sidestand in
Rear shock out - Ohlins in

Job (partly) done.......don't forget about Mille swingarm fitting (+ shock & linkages), new pair of cans, PCIII, HID light mod, bellypan, tailtidy, new indicators , bar risers (maybe), exhaust hangers, touring screen (for touring, obviously), new rearsets.......oh yeah, and if you can find one, a clear rear lens (sorry D)

[D-Rider]

[...... and if you can find one, a clear rear lens (sorry D)

...... someone's heading for a slapping !

[Tweaker]

The front discs are fairly prone to 'Warping'. I put it in quotes 'cos quite often, a thorough clean of the buttons (the discs are semi-floating) cures it. You'll find the fluid in the clutch reservoir is black but, for once, the phrase 'They all do that sir' is strictly accurate so don't worry about it. Clutch slave seals are not a stranger to failure either but are cheap & easy to replace. The Falco comes with the pillion seat hump AND the seat as standard so make sure you get both.
ENJOY

[hornetrider]

Thanks folks, not too much then

It already has the high level fighter cans

The tyres are recent 020's so they will do until the first time I change... I traditionally have preferred slightly harder tyres on my Hornet (Avon AV45/46 020 equivalent) as I've never got them to spin up or lose grip except a back end weave under breaking, so never felt the need for grippier rubber.

I think the shock will be a longer term thing as I won't be able to justify the expense so soon after getting the bike itself. Sidestand I will get onto pretty quickly as the last thing I want is for the damn thing to blow over (it happened to my Hornet in January but she was saved by her mushrooms)

Oh yeah, mushrooms - I'll definitely want some of those - have seen a couple of different mounting points - one guy had them coming out from the gap in the fairing by the cooling fans I think? Yellow bike on a trackday picture that was. Seen others on the frame mount behind the front fairing. Pros/cons of each location?

Thanks

[falcomunky]

Mine are mounted through the frame/rear engine mounts.

Pros; Erm none so far as such, (not crashed yet...), though I had the same schrooms on my zx6r, (DHM).
They were frame mounts too and did save the plastics quite well! Unfortunately, the bike was a right-off as the footrest bracket was ripped off and thrust first into the swingarm and then up the frame causing severe gouging as it went.

Cons; They do get in the way a little bit. Especially if your sat on and 'walking' the bike.

Oh and you can upgrade the standard blue Sachs shock, (assuming its still on yer bike!), with either the white or yellow-spring RSV shocks quite cheaply too.
But thats another thread entirely...

[TwinNut]

[...... and if you can find one, a clear rear lens (sorry D)

...... someone's heading for a slapping !

Surely it's not beyond the wit of man for someone on here (with the correct gear) to make a new batch of clear rear lenses. If they did they'd clean up.......anyone fancy having a go?

[Gio]

[...... and if you can find one, a clear rear lens (sorry D)

...... someone's heading for a slapping !

Surely it's not beyond the wit of man for someone on here (with the correct gear) to make a new batch of clear rear lenses. If they did they'd clean up.......anyone fancy having a go?

I might have a go sometime next winter as I'll be in a position to make a mould.

[sabestian]

Sign me in!

[Gio]

Sign me in!

FFS let me have a trial run 1st

You might not be aware but moulding them doesn't always work, its something to do with how clean the area you make them in is.

[GregD-UK]

Yes,

Sign me up for a clear lense please When, when, when.....

Or Now, now, now...

Go-on go-on go-on,

U know u need too.

[D-Rider]

The "Just Relish" product line expands again ..... Falco tail light jellies from the newly produced Falco tail light jelly mould .......

.... seriously, good on you Gio, if you can do it you'll become a Falco legend along with Mikeo who did the original lenses and Nooj who did the LED tail lights (also discontinued in case anyone was wondering).
Do you have some background in making moulded parts then?

[Samray]

He aint around. Packed his passport and headed for foreign parts apparently.
Said summat bout a new bike.

He speaks nostalgically bout a degree in engineering tho.
That was before he became a 'merchant banker' and more recently a caterer.

[Gio]

He aint around. Packed his passport and headed for foreign parts apparently.
Said summat bout a new bike.

He speaks nostalgically bout a degree in engineering tho.
That was before he became a 'merchant banker' and more recently a caterer.

Do you have some background in making moulded parts then?

My uncle on his boat, I made a load of deck light lenses for him (35+ years ago) I had one advantage tho, I had the facilities at his factory to work with and they were glass. I've also used plastic sheet for model making.

I'll go dig out my reference books (somewhere in the loft) in the next couple of weeks.