Blade..mini Project

My first ride today of my new (to me) 1993 RRP

I recently bought the bike from a Fireblades forum member and since I bought it it’s been under a cover in the garage and I hate to say that I’ve barely even looked at it. However I taxed it from the 1 April, the weather cleared up today and I managed to get out for about 40 miles just to get some heat into the engine and warm everything up. (The side stand puck is just because the tarmac in the car park was brand new, last thing I want was for the bike to be on its side after my bacon roll)



A year ago I sold my 1994 Urban Tiger project which was an RRR ex track bike converted with Chinese bodywork into a homage to an Urban Tiger.





So how does my new earlier bike compare with the 94

The 16” wheel does make it feel a little bit more nervous, I’ll leave it on because I want the bike original but I can understand why many do the 17” conversion (which my 94 had)
Power feels about the same, gearbox is more clunky and this was a criticism of the early bikes.
Suspension is softer than my 94 bike which I much prefer, it feels more compliant and as a result much more comfortable.
The riding position is just the same, you’ve got to be fully committed to ride it properly, it feels hardcore and very rough around the edges compared with a modern bike, I love it!

However my ST still remains my default “go to” bike, it’s so good at everything.

 

I do like Fireblades

 

Keep it up lads. Loving the Blades.
Still not got hold of one, however, the Bandit has just had new caliper seals front and rear so it may yet makeway for something Fireblade shaped. Just have to get it motd.

 

Do it now before the prices get too silly, they really are shooting up in value, Four years ago you could get a running project for less than a grand, no chance now, hounds are £2000, anything decent starts at £3500 and they need work. Good original early twin headlamp bikes and urban tigers are now £5000 plus.

 

Nah, that was more like a cheers mate wink!

 

Never ridden one, nor the R1 either......

 

You don’t know what you’re missing, I’m a bit old for them now but still love riding them, when you jump on it makes you feel like you’re going to do a lap of the TT

 

I dont agree regarding the bit old thing, I know a guy who is fast approaching 70 and was still riding his 05 R1 at 60 when he decided to go out and add an S1000XR to the stable.
He sold his Bee-em a year or so back but has just purchased an older 1050 Tiger and I can tell you, he is faster than me on whatever he is riding and I don’t hang about when the mood takes me.

 

They certainly keep you young!

 

They all leak, you just need to keep an eye on the clips and hoses

 

I use mainly David Silver and Doble for parts, bit of eBay as well of course!

https://www.davidsilverspares.co.uk

https://www.bike-parts-honda.com

The Doble site has all the microfiche on it so it’s a great resource, Doble are expensive but they do stock a lot of older OEM parts.