Beauty And The Beast
Who are you, how long have you been riding and what bike do you ride?
I’m Trevor Kitney from Bordon in Hampshire, Chief engineer for Surrey Mustang (www.surreymustang.com) and part-time drag racer (www.kissmyrs.co.uk). I’ve been riding since 1976, and have ridden just about everything. I’ve always had ‘compromise’ bikes in the past - ie those I could afford rather than those I really wanted, but now I ride a 1999 Fireblade and a 2000 Triumph Daytona 955i
Where do you ride?
I have to confess I’m a fair-weather biker, and aside from the odd commute to work & back I ride solely for pleasure. My route usually sees me on the A272 or A32 heading for Loomies cafe where I’m usually in the company of 100 other bikers and the best calories for miles around!
Why did you choose this bike?
In both cases I’d wanted one ever since they first came out. Just something about the styling of the bikes and (in the case of the Daytona) the British bike heritage. The Daytona came to me ‘cheap’ via ebay. I couldn’t really afford a good one, so I went with a cheap one that had been ‘streetfightered’ and rebuilt it more-or-less back to standard. The Fireblade was bought from a boot sale! One of the tables had a small picture of a bike with ‘£500’ printed on it. No description, and other than ‘It’s a big one’ the lady had no idea what it was. It turned out to be a 1999 Fireblade 929RR with front end damage. 18k miles. £500.
What changes have you made to the bike?
The Daytona has a full race-weight fibreglass fairing with the indicator holes filled. Indicators now sit in the front air vents. New footpegs were important as the bike had obviously been down the road, but these came from an autojumble from an unknown bike for £3! Mirrors are non-standard, but suit the bike well, again an unknown donor, but at £4 the pair who could argue? CCC Can came on the bike, and all of the other retro-fit parts came from Ebay. The Fireblade is totally stock. Most of the parts to rebuild the bike came from the same seller on Ebay (who was street-fightering his bike) and cost less than £300 inc P&P. The fairing colour isn’t quite right, but it’s still an eye-catching machine.
What’s your favourite modification?
Favourite mod on the Daytona is the smoothed indicator holes. Gives the bike a much sleeker look. That and the deep black paint of course! There are no non-standard parts on the ‘Blade except the flush-fit indicators which came with the ‘new’ fairing, but I still love it!
Have you sneaked any parts into the garage whilst your partner was not looking or told them you won them in the great e-bay giveaway?
Actually no. My wife just tells me to buy whatever I need, ”Oh just f**king buy it, Alright?”
At least I think that’s what she means!!!!
I used to keep track but when I got a certain amount I stopped and thought no more about it but I would say around £2900+
Any future modifications planned?
I’d like to re-coat or polish the wheels on both bikes. The Daytona needs a new rear light unit which (ebay allowing) it will be getting shortly, and I may get rear seat and pillion pegs for it so that the housebeast can enjoy it too. Only other ‘mod’ to the ‘Blade would be matching the paint, but I want to keep it with the original graphics. We’ll see!
Did you do the work yourself or did you get it done professionally?
I did all of the mechanical work to both bikes myself but as I’m a qualified technician I guess that makes it professional? Paint on the Daytona was done by a friend who has a car body-shop.
Do you have any tips or recommendations for readers going down this route?
Yes. If you’re planning a project buy the best bike you can afford! It’s not so much of a problem if you’re doing the work yourself, but if you are paying someone else to do it even the smallest mod/repair can become expensive. Aside from my own labour time I’ve got around £1500 invested in the Daytona, and just under a grand in the ‘Blade, but if I’d have been paying someone to do the work these prices would probably be tripled.
Any other business?
Thanks to my wife Janet who has been very understanding with all of my toys, to my eldest daughter Marie who constantly nags me on the dangers of riding two wheels, and to my youngest daughter Eleanor who joins my ride-outs on her CBR600. Also, thanks to Loomies Cafe for untold amounts of tea, coffee and calories along with friendly chat and the occasional piss-take!!