MCN Fleet: We’ve bought a 954 Blade (and we’re smitten)

MCN have taken the plunge and bought a 2002 Honda CBR900RR Fireblade for this year’s long termer fleet. After an online poll and much deliberation over the last few weeks we looked at a handful of bikes (mostly good but a couple of horrors), but when this one landed on our bikes for sale page we just couldn’t resist.

With just 9543 dry miles on the clock the bike is in impressive condition for a fifteen year old bike. Only the corroded front caliper bolts and flaky patches in the frame paint let it down slightly. As you can see from the pics, the rest of the bike is very tidy, According to the DVLA’s online MOT history check it’s only done 3500 miles since 2013.

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The Blades previous owner is a director of the bike accessory firm Evotech Performance and the bike has spent much of its life tucked up in his warm and dry office. The tail tidy was the first product produced by Evotech (sadly it’s no longer made), and the bike also boasts some very nice Evotech crash bungs and bobbins plus a period Akrapovic end can. The original can is long gone but I do have the original number plate hanger.  

One little job I’ve already tackled is a seized clutch lever pivot bolt. When bikes aren’t used regularly the grease in linkages and pivot points can dry out and gum parts together. A squirt of penetrating dissolved the old grease enough for the lever to be disassembled and with the pin removed more penetrating oil and a rag cleaned off the parts. With fresh grease applied and reassembled the lever was then adjusted to the recommended 10mm of freeplay at the lever end. A fifteen minute job.

Next jobs are to spruce up the front calipers and replace the brake fluid, it’s tobacco colour suggests it’s as old as the bike. Pro-bolt do a very nice range of Titanium caliper bolts for the 954, and while I plan on keeping the Blade looking standard a few subtle upgrades could be on the cards but which ones?

If you own a 954 Fireblade please get in touch and let me know the mods you’re glad you did and the ones you wish you hadn’t.  

Looking for the perfect two-wheeled companion? Visit MCN Bikes For Sale website or use MCN’s Bikes For Sale App.