I have a 98 in the red, purple and white colours. Bought it on a whim cheap off Ebay. It was fairly decent but went through pretty much everything and put a full Akra, Jet kit, 17" F3 front wheel and I honestly don't think I'll ever part with it. Rebuilt a 98 R1 and the engine is in a different decade but the Blade holds a line soo much better and just oozes quality and is just more rewarding to ride. I also have a 2020 S1000RR so I do know what modern stuff rides like.
Sounds like you have an amazing bike and are gonna have a lot of fun on it… I’m curious about the 17” wheel. Heard a few say it’s good and a few say it’s not as quick steering as the 16”. How you finding it?
Interesting project - I have a 1996 FireBlade that I've owned for 20-something years, so I'll be watching this with interest. One comment for anyone doing a similar job - the fuel tap has a pipe to the inlet manifold and, even in the 'on' position, won't flow fuel unless there is engine vacuum, i.e. it's running. So there is no need to clamp the fuel pipe. In fact, the bigger problem is that the tap has a tendency to gunk up, so getting fuel through after being laid up often requires the tap being dismantles and cleaned up, in my experience!
Thanks for the comment mate and stay tuned for more to come. About us clamping up the fuel tap hose for no reason... well... I guess that makes us a bit silly. However, as the whole project is about learning new things I guess I can be forgiven ☺ The fuel tap is beyond repair...It's one massive pile of rust. Got a new one though ready to go on.
I certainly wasn't trying to make you feel foolish - merely letting other viewers know that it's not necessary. Unfortunately, with ethanol-based fuels, I've had to take my tank off far too many times in recent years to sort out the effects. I've put race fuel in it for this winter in the hope that I can avoid having to sort the fuel tap and carbs for the umpteenth time in the spring! I'm only in Bracknell, just south of Bucks, so maybe there's a FireBlade rideout when you have it done?
@@dannycallaghan3601 that’s a brilliant idea… We’ll have a BladeDay when I, eventually, get this beautiful pile of rust, cobwebs, and dead rodents on the road. My mother bikes are filled to the brim with E5 and the fuel treated with additives for the winter… You mentioned race fuel though; is that ethanol free?
Yes. It's not cheap, (I paid something like £75 including delivery - actually the delivery was half the cost!) but it should save me loads of trouble. It lasts for years, so I'll siphon it out in the spring and keep it for next winter - and the one after!
I'm currently doing the same thing with a 1999 Kawasaki ZX-7R. I'm just tired of 200 HP motorcycles overloaded with electronics. Back to the basics of motorcycling. And honestly, the old ladies look irresistibly good.
Thanks for the comment ☺️ There’s something about the old girls that is so much better than modern bikes. Whilst on paper new 200bhp super bikes are better they seem to lack personality… And you’re right, they look better 😉 Good luck with your ZX-7R.. I’m back in the garage tomorrow working on mine after being far too busy over Christmas and new year! Can’t wait although it’s gonna be a tad cold 🥶
@@TheBucksBiker-lh2nmGood afternoon, friend, I don't speak English. I'm using Google Translate. Right now I want to contact you because I have a problem that I'm sure you can help me. You can send me your email or phone number, WhatsApp.
Just come across your channel and these videos. I have the exact same blade and the mileage is very similar. Luckily mine was in decent condition when I got it. Just needed some horrid Yellow undertray/chainguard and non standard indicators removing. Managed to get a half decent uncut undertray for £45!