Blackbird owners
Discussion
I have my fabulous 2005 FZ6 up for sale of swap, been offered the usual crap.
One chap that lives not that far away has asked if I'll take his 2001 Blackbird, 40k, mot April, will need a back tyre.
It's in a gorgeous blue and has gold wheels, fitted with bar risers and a solo seat hump cover.
The closest thing I have ridden is my brothers zzr11,
Anyone owned one, it looks very long, I suspect I'll feel the power difference after my 94bhp.
One chap that lives not that far away has asked if I'll take his 2001 Blackbird, 40k, mot April, will need a back tyre.
It's in a gorgeous blue and has gold wheels, fitted with bar risers and a solo seat hump cover.
The closest thing I have ridden is my brothers zzr11,
Anyone owned one, it looks very long, I suspect I'll feel the power difference after my 94bhp.
My brother in law had one. Technically he still does, but it's been covered in dust in his garage for a long while now. I had a ride or two on it - lovely machine. They're quite tough, BIL's one had at least three (fairly minor) accidents and was cheaply but adequately patched up each time.
Pretty sure they are non-ULEZ compliant, at least not without individual bikes being tested and certified compliant. May or may not be an issue to you, depending how close you are to London.
Pretty sure they are non-ULEZ compliant, at least not without individual bikes being tested and certified compliant. May or may not be an issue to you, depending how close you are to London.
mikey_b said:
My brother in law had one. Technically he still does, but it's been covered in dust in his garage for a long while now. I had a ride or two on it - lovely machine. They're quite tough, BIL's one had at least three (fairly minor) accidents and was cheaply but adequately patched up each time.
Pretty sure they are non-ULEZ compliant, at least not without individual bikes being tested and certified compliant. May or may not be an issue to you, depending how close you are to London.
Liverpool :-) Pretty sure they are non-ULEZ compliant, at least not without individual bikes being tested and certified compliant. May or may not be an issue to you, depending how close you are to London.
I had one in blue the same as your pic, but with gunmetal wheels.
Loved it, still quick today, beautifully built and super smooth.
Only got rid as I went on to naked bikes to slow me down a bit, now on an X11, so very similar engine.
As others have said, regrec, camchain tensioner are only real weak points. Both my blackbird and current X11 the clutches rattle when cold, they nearly all do it, just pull the lever in, nothing to worry about.
Wes
Loved it, still quick today, beautifully built and super smooth.
Only got rid as I went on to naked bikes to slow me down a bit, now on an X11, so very similar engine.
As others have said, regrec, camchain tensioner are only real weak points. Both my blackbird and current X11 the clutches rattle when cold, they nearly all do it, just pull the lever in, nothing to worry about.
Wes
When I was an apprentice mechanic I balanced the wheels on a customers Blackbird. He asked could I guarantee no more wobble at 100+ I said yes and bit of banter ended with me on the back for a return trip on a nearby DC at 180, still the fastest I've ever been on a road.
That one 15min ride has left an impression on me my whole life.
That one 15min ride has left an impression on me my whole life.
Went on tour with a good mate who bought one just for euro trip. We did 4000 miles and I rode it a few times + thrashed my bike with him through the mountains. He low sided it at one point but it never missed a beat - not once
Even did a few laps of nurburgring. Very quick bike and handled great as long as you planned a bit at speed going left to right. Was better on mpg than my gen 1 Tuono too. Heavy bugger to wheelie though although he did hoick a fair few up
Even did a few laps of nurburgring. Very quick bike and handled great as long as you planned a bit at speed going left to right. Was better on mpg than my gen 1 Tuono too. Heavy bugger to wheelie though although he did hoick a fair few up
Can't be certain from the photo but has the previous owner de-linked the brakes?
From new, when you squeeze the front brake lever it also operates two pistons of the rear caliper as well, when you press the rear brake it operates one of the pistons of each caliper up front too.
A lot of people hated it because 'just because', so then changed the brake hoses to remove this; the best kits for doing this also connect the other pistons into the system at each end i.e. all three pistons in both front calipers when you squeeze the lever, all three pistons in the rear caliper when you press the pedal.
If it is done on the cheap and you don't have the 'extra' pistons included then this then means that you're never getting full brake performance for a fairly heavy and fairly fast bike.
From new, when you squeeze the front brake lever it also operates two pistons of the rear caliper as well, when you press the rear brake it operates one of the pistons of each caliper up front too.
A lot of people hated it because 'just because', so then changed the brake hoses to remove this; the best kits for doing this also connect the other pistons into the system at each end i.e. all three pistons in both front calipers when you squeeze the lever, all three pistons in the rear caliper when you press the pedal.
If it is done on the cheap and you don't have the 'extra' pistons included then this then means that you're never getting full brake performance for a fairly heavy and fairly fast bike.
Edited by Rubin215 on Tuesday 2nd January 16:18
Rubin215 said:
Can't be certain from the photo but has the previous owner de-linked the brakes?
From new, when you squeeze the front brake lever it also operates two pistons of the rear caliper as well, when you press the rear brake it operates one of the pistons of each caliper up front too.
A lot of people hated it because 'just because', so then changed the brake hoses to remove this; the best kits for doing this also connect the other pistons into the system at each end i.e. all three pistons in both front calipers when you squeeze the lever, all three pistons in the rear caliper when you press the pedal.
If it is done on the cheap and you don't have the 'extra' pistons included then this then means that you're never getting full brake performance for a fairly heavy and fairly fast bike.
.From new, when you squeeze the front brake lever it also operates two pistons of the rear caliper as well, when you press the rear brake it operates one of the pistons of each caliper up front too.
A lot of people hated it because 'just because', so then changed the brake hoses to remove this; the best kits for doing this also connect the other pistons into the system at each end i.e. all three pistons in both front calipers when you squeeze the lever, all three pistons in the rear caliper when you press the pedal.
If it is done on the cheap and you don't have the 'extra' pistons included then this then means that you're never getting full brake performance for a fairly heavy and fairly fast bike.
Edited by Rubin215 on Tuesday 2nd January 16:18
Ta V much, I do know about the linked brakes and have heard that people have deleted them, I would not have a clue what they looked like, now I know to ask.
The first bike I rode after passing my direct access was a mates blackbird!
One unexpected 50mph wheel spin later I took it back and spent about half an hour swearing at him.
I’ve loved them ever since!
Be aware that they hide speed very well (in the best super tourer sort of way) so you can end up going really quite a lot faster than you expect.
One unexpected 50mph wheel spin later I took it back and spent about half an hour swearing at him.
I’ve loved them ever since!
Be aware that they hide speed very well (in the best super tourer sort of way) so you can end up going really quite a lot faster than you expect.
Friend who I ride with in the summer has an early FI Blackbird with nearly 80k on it now and it’s still purrs along happily all day in all temperatures. Don’t think he has had a single issue with it in his ownership.
He was very anti link brakes when he got it and said first thing he was going to do was delink them. Never happened as he grew to quite like it.
He was very anti link brakes when he got it and said first thing he was going to do was delink them. Never happened as he grew to quite like it.
CoreyDog said:
Friend who I ride with in the summer has an early FI Blackbird with nearly 80k on it now and it’s still purrs along happily all day in all temperatures. Don’t think he has had a single issue with it in his ownership.
He was very anti link brakes when he got it and said first thing he was going to do was delink them. Never happened as he grew to quite like it.
There is a common misconception that you cant use the rear brake for slow control without it also affecting the front, hence the dislike.He was very anti link brakes when he got it and said first thing he was going to do was delink them. Never happened as he grew to quite like it.
In actual fact, there's a clever Honda thingummybob in the system that means you have to be pretty firm on the rear pedal before any pressure gets to the front.
waynedear said:
.
Ta V much, I do know about the linked brakes and have heard that people have deleted them, I would not have a clue what they looked like, now I know to ask.
Bear in mind there are several different ways of doing it including drilling calipers internally, various different hose arrangements, removing/replacing mounting brackets etc.Ta V much, I do know about the linked brakes and have heard that people have deleted them, I would not have a clue what they looked like, now I know to ask.
It may also be the case that the current owner doesn't even know if it has been done.
CoreyDog said:
Friend who I ride with in the summer has an early FI Blackbird with nearly 80k on it now and it’s still purrs along happily all day in all temperatures. Don’t think he has had a single issue with it in his ownership.
He was very anti link brakes when he got it and said first thing he was going to do was delink them. Never happened as he grew to quite like it.
The reason Honda produced linked brakes is because there are a large number of bikers who don't use the brakes properly. Sport bike riders tent to use front only and cruiser riders tend to use mostly rear. Neither of those is correct, even on the specific type of bike, but, with a very fast, heavy, relatively long wheelbase bike like the Blackbird, it's even more important to get it right, hence the linking.He was very anti link brakes when he got it and said first thing he was going to do was delink them. Never happened as he grew to quite like it.
I suspect your friend found the benefits of using both brakes.
I owned one (dark grey) briefly in the late 1990's. The bars were a stretch for me but otherwise it was a lovely bike to ride and was quite comfortable as I recall. Very fast back then and probably still quick compared to the latest offerings. Two up and still pulling at and indicated 165mph on a German autobahn. The bike was as steady as a rock and was quick enough for me but almost too much for the girl on the back!
CharlieAlphaMike said:
I owned one (dark grey) briefly in the late 1990's. The bars were a stretch for me but otherwise it was a lovely bike to ride and was quite comfortable as I recall. Very fast back then and probably still quick compared to the latest offerings. Two up and still pulling at and indicated 165mph on a German autobahn. The bike was as steady as a rock and was quick enough for me but almost too much for the girl on the back!
Last time my wife went on the back was 8/9 years ago, gsx750ef, never went above 70, never got on again...Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff