Just got a 1999 firestorm vtr 1000. Moved up from an old tired katana 750.

When I got the bike the tank was very rusty and dirty. I cleaned the tank and carbs. Took a bit to get the bike started as we couldnt get fuel to the carbs. However after tricking the valve into thinking there was a vacuum it openned and we got fuel.

Bike fired right away however the idle shot straight to 4000 - 4500 rpm. Seems like a vacuum leak to me.

Vacuum lines to the tank and the little think bolted to the bottom of the air box are connected. Could there be one some where that I missed installing the carbs? Or might there be something I am missing?

 

Did you try adjusting the idle down? The **** it under the tank as you reach in from the right side thru the frame ladder.

Also, do you have a repair manual? You can download it on here. Sounds like maybe more carb cleaning is in your future.

If the tank was cruddy, how did you clean it and did you dis-assemble and clean the petcock?

#1 for sure you should put some inline fuel filters in. Any tiny bits that leave the tank can clog slow speed jets and ruin your day.

 

I left the carbs the same as there was only 10,000km on the bike I didnt want to disturbe any of the factory settings.

I didnt change the idle at all didnt want to try. No I didnt clean the petcock will do that tomorrow.

Looking for inline filters right now.

I remember on my Katana when I had a vacuum leak the rpms would do the same thing. Is it the same with the Firestorm?

 

Well, if the bike is running properly, you don't need them for sure. 99% of people aren't running them.

Not that they're not a good idea (I've got nothing against them), but fuel filters will not solve a high idle. I'd fix that first. Will definitely want to go through the carbs... also a vacuum leak at the carb boots seated against the heads will cause high idle. Trace the choke lines to where they attach to the carbs. Those plastic elbows are prone to braking and a poorly working choke won't help the situation.

 

The filters are to ensure you dont continue to re-clog your jets after each cleaning.

You dont have to re-set any jetting, just dis-assemble carbs and clean every orafice. Usually means removing each jet. There is a good how-to on this forum somewhere.

And oh yeah, the carb boots need to be sealed well. Get it running and spray wd40 around them. If it dies then you found where it is sucking in air.

You can coat the boots with vaseline to help them slide on and form a perfect seal.

Did you ever see this bike idle perfectly? The PO may have turned the idle way up for some reason.

Whats that saying? An ounce of prevention is worth a ton of cure? The filters are way worth it.

Especially knowing you had a cruddy tank.

 

Will try checking the boots and vacuum lines. Deff gonna put the filters in.

Will pull carbs and clean again.


The guy that owned it before me told me it didnt idle and he didnt play with the idle control. I trust the guy I purchased the bike alot. Trust me the bike is a 1999 and so clean that it still looks like it just came out of the box.

 

Thats surface clean. You are now dealing with deeper issues. Much like a hot girl who sleeps with your friends, it seems like its cruddy on the inside.

Modern gas turns foul almost instantly and creates varnish and all kinds of awfulness.

Drain the tank if you havent already and dump it in your car or kill some weeds.

Remove each jet one at a time. (open each carb one at a time to avoid confusion)

I cant find it but there is a pictoral carb cleaning thread on this forum that is helpful.

 

You've put the connecting bar on the correct way havent you?
If its the wrong way one carb will be closed while the other is open
Dont ask how I know

 

Just a final update. Turns out someone did mess with the idle control.

Took a look at it when I was tightening the boots as they where still very loose and the prior owner must of spun the idle control all the way in. However he probably didnt know what he was doing.

She purr's like a kitten and pulls like a hell. Huge step up from the 1990 Katana 750 I was riding. I pulled out of me town and rolled into the throttle the same as I would on the Kat and in a blink I was at 140/kmh.

Let her warm up and took her for her first run. Did 50km before I had to park her for the night. Was perfect the whole time.

 

Occam's razor strikes again.

Well, I think my work here is done. I will be riding across the land with Tonto doing justice........

 

Probably need to pull the heads and do a top end rebuild.

 

7moore7's rusty knife.

I see balancing and blueprinting getting this thing running right.

 

Not gonna touch anything on the bike. Previous owner gave me the whole maintenance history on the bike. And he never missed anything.

 

Well......almost never.....