Early fireblades; things to look out for

[baffa]

Hey all,

Looking at CBR900RR and CBR919RRS, one particularly is a 1997.

Is there anything in particular to look out for on these bikes?
This particular one has been gathering dust in a garage apart from the occasional ride round the block, so the owner is replacing the chain and fork seals and giving it a service for me. As long as it runs well, I'm happy, but I'd like to know if there is anything else to be wary of.

[SMOKEU]

They're known to have cam chain tensioner issues. I've been told that it's not an expensive fix.

Have a look at this forum here http://cbrforum.com/forum/cbr-900rr-19/

[baffa]

Cheers will do.
Just got a qoute with Kiwibike for less than $400 full cover PA with a $250 excess. It's like the universe is trying to tell me to buy it :cool:

[DEATH_INC.]

The tank emblem. It'll make you 254554

[baffa]

Should I take off the badging and paint it green so squids accept me? :innocent:

[BMWST?]

speeding tickets,and most traffic appears oncoming?

[DEATH_INC.]

Should I take off the badging and paint it green so squids accept me? :innocent:
No, even the squids can still smell gay. :bleh:
Btw, isn't squid spelt G-S-X-R ? :Pokey:

[Maha]

Btw, isn't squid spelt G-S-X-R ? :Pokey:

mmmmm... now who use to own one of dem?...:devil2:

[el_scor_cho]

Previous bike was a 97 900. Yep cam tensioner, mine rattled a bit before I sold her. Not a major to fix
Other than that my girl was pretty bulletproof. Hell of a bike

All the best with the purchase

[Brian d marge]

Gosh I was working for the factory back then....crap that makes me feel old

from memory, can chains and tensioner, easy fix
and top gear, or second can't remember which
and exhaust pipes if been used for short journeys

great bike, loved em one if i still have the training manuals.....

Stephen

[SPP]

16" front? ...ring DPC and ask for Mike, he's had one for a long time. He'll know about 17" swaps or 16" tyres.

[baffa]

Thanks so far for all the responses guys, keep em coming.

[ClutchITUP]

they are slow and old I hope its cheap bulletproof though

[baffa]

I can live with 128hp and 180kg dry.

[DEATH_INC.]

mmmmm... now who use to own one of dem?...:devil2:
Um.........everyone I think!

[Marmoot]

As with any Blade, clutch rattle sound is normal. It can sound like you have gravel in the engine, if you're not used to it.

And, not sure if it impacts anyone, but my '99 Blade suffered misfiring from having 98 fuel in it during winter seasons. I normally had to switch back to 91 midwinter when it's really cold. And I'm in Auckland.

[bsasuper]

Some would jump out of second gear under hard accleration(only from abuse if ridden by ham fisted apes).128BHP?, more like 118, but thats plenty for the road.Honda used very well thought out gearbox ratios which kept the bike in touch with more powerfull bikes of the day.

[SMOKEU]

16" front? ...ring DPC and ask for Mike, he's had one for a long time. He'll know about 17" swaps or 16" tyres.

The late 1990s CBR600 17" rims are a straight swap.

[el_scor_cho]

for a gixxer wheel i believe. Well worth the swap if you can find a replacement, much better performance. Not to mention only having a pick of 2 sets of rubber from cycletreds thanks to the 16.

[bsasuper]

for a gixxer wheel i believe. Well worth the swap if you can find a replacement, much better performance. Not to mention only having a pick of 2 sets of rubber from cycletreds thanks to the 16.

How is it much better performance? I had no problems with my 92 blade keeping up with bikes 10 years older on the track.

The overall diameter of the 16" & 17" with rubber was the same.

[Sliver]

wow $400? nice i got quoted $518 with state with a $750 ex

[baffa]

Got the bike, very pleased. Mechanically it seems mint. Body work is reasonable, apart from a crack in the front fairing.
As for the performance, well lets just say its enough to get me from A - B.

[arkeo]

I owed a 919 and as far as I can tell it is an immortal workhorse. The only problem I found was a current leakage somewhere, I was not able to identify. Some friends told me that I was a bit unlucky because it seems to be an uncommon problem. Anyway, that was one of the reasons why I sold the bike (of course I warned the buyer of the problem), the less important reason. I miss my old fireblade but here, 16'' tire will be unavailable in the not-too-near future.

cheers

A.

[baffa]

I've noticed it backfires a little bit when you are rolling along with no throttle,
and it occasionally has a little hesitation with no throttle also. My thoughts are the carbs could do with a balance, and other ideas?
Also very impressed with the midrange, I thought it would ride like a big 600, but it really behaves like a litre bike.