Hi from Italy (hope it's teh right section)
Thread Starter
Member
Squid
Joined: Jul 2025
Posts: 37
From: Trento, northern Italy
Hi from Italy (hope it's the right section)
Hi folks,
this is Gianfranco from Italy, aka Dr. Ergal on the net.
After years and years of curiosity from afar, I recently took a Firestorm (I know it's Superhawk in USA, but I really can't use this name
)
I bought a wonderful VFR G5 a few ago. I renewed it and made some fine tuning:
I knew it deeper in my gut, but I never wanted to admit: VFR G5 is a fantastic machine, indeed, and it's probably one of the most noble bike ever but in the end it doesn't win me over.
During my tuning setup I worked to get the VFR more sporty, more radical, more visceral; something that a VFR definitely isn't.
Then, a month ago, I had the occasion to go out for a ride with this old wreck:
Not so old (2003) but in very poor maintenance conditions: timing chain tensioners about to fail, repainted and crashed, with left side fairing scratched and footpeg bent down, VERY BAD electrical jobs on the tail lights... IN SHORT, THAT SUCKED.
But guys... I fell love at the first corner ❤️
This bike, probably one of the last carbureted big bikes, gives a purely mechanical connection with its pilot, something rough and ancestral.
I decided with no hesitation: I traded an even exchange with my VFR, with no expenses for me (any bureaucratic fee up to the previous owner) and I took it in my garage.
Dismantled and renewed (CCT's, coils conversion, silicon hoses, etc (I'll open a dedicated post, for that)
Here's how it is now (so far):
And much much more is coming (exhaust brackets by my design, footpegs, suspensions upgrade, overall lightening, etc).
This bike gave me enthusiasm again, so it definitely worth the step.
I hope to find a lot of support and inspiration in this forum; I have a lot of ideas, but many of them are probably stupid, so I'd like to confront with you prior to make something dumb
Thanks for reading
this is Gianfranco from Italy, aka Dr. Ergal on the net.
After years and years of curiosity from afar, I recently took a Firestorm (I know it's Superhawk in USA, but I really can't use this name
)I bought a wonderful VFR G5 a few ago. I renewed it and made some fine tuning:
I knew it deeper in my gut, but I never wanted to admit: VFR G5 is a fantastic machine, indeed, and it's probably one of the most noble bike ever but in the end it doesn't win me over.
During my tuning setup I worked to get the VFR more sporty, more radical, more visceral; something that a VFR definitely isn't.
Then, a month ago, I had the occasion to go out for a ride with this old wreck:
Not so old (2003) but in very poor maintenance conditions: timing chain tensioners about to fail, repainted and crashed, with left side fairing scratched and footpeg bent down, VERY BAD electrical jobs on the tail lights... IN SHORT, THAT SUCKED.
But guys... I fell love at the first corner ❤️
This bike, probably one of the last carbureted big bikes, gives a purely mechanical connection with its pilot, something rough and ancestral.
I decided with no hesitation: I traded an even exchange with my VFR, with no expenses for me (any bureaucratic fee up to the previous owner) and I took it in my garage.
Dismantled and renewed (CCT's, coils conversion, silicon hoses, etc (I'll open a dedicated post, for that)
Here's how it is now (so far):
And much much more is coming (exhaust brackets by my design, footpegs, suspensions upgrade, overall lightening, etc).
This bike gave me enthusiasm again, so it definitely worth the step.
I hope to find a lot of support and inspiration in this forum; I have a lot of ideas, but many of them are probably stupid, so I'd like to confront with you prior to make something dumb
Thanks for reading
Last edited by Dr. Ergal; Jul 21, 2025 at 06:12 AM. Reason: mistypo
Thread Killer
SuperBike
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 2,093
From: Geneseo, IL
Welcome to the forum, Doctor. There is still a handful of individuals active here, but not as many as in the past. There is a wealth of information here a little searching can reveal, but don't be shy posting questions as well. I'm happy you have arrived at the one, true motorcycle.
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