L'oiseau noir

This is the forum for current/former/aspiring 'S owners to discuss their other two wheeled choices.

Moderators: Gromit, Paul, slparry

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Gromit
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Location: Lincs, me duck

Postby Gromit » Fri Apr 26, 2013 8:49 pm

Just bought a new lens for my camera today so it would've been wrong to have not taken a few pics of the old Bird. 75000 miles now and looking/going great...

Image

Image

Image

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nab 301
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Location: Dublin Ireland

Postby nab 301 » Fri Apr 26, 2013 9:02 pm

That puts all my bikes to shame , even when I've cleaned them...
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Nigel

Keep smiling, it makes people wonder what you've been up to!
1999 R1100s (mandarin) '
2018 DL 250V Strom
2019 CB125F Honda.
MZ301 Saxon Fun ( currently retired)
'03 Bullet 65 project..

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PBBoxer
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Joined: Wed Mar 03, 2004 5:41 pm
Location: Yorkshire

Postby PBBoxer » Fri Apr 26, 2013 9:07 pm

my favourites bikes... just too fast lol
1997 CBR1100XXV
1999 CBR1100XX
2009 HP2 Sport
2006 R1200s
2013 R1200RT anniversary

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Gromit
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Joined: Mon Feb 16, 2004 8:33 pm
Location: Lincs, me duck

Postby Gromit » Fri Apr 26, 2013 9:21 pm

PBBoxer wrote: just too fast lol


Naaaa... ;)

Every so often I get a strong urge to chop the Blackbird in for something else. I don't ride it particularly quickly (I'd be way quicker on something like an 1150GS or 11/12S) but it's just such a lovely bike to ride. There are those who say it lacks character - I didn't really gel with it for several months after buying it, but like with a BMW something 'clicked' all of a sudden and I've loved it ever since. Get the motor spinning up above 7000 rpm and it sounds fantastic.

It could be more comfy, and on bumpy/nadgery roads it's a bit of a handful so best to just take it fairly easy. On smooth open roads it's just magic though and that engine (which just seems to get better and better) is unburstable. And ye gods does it go, but unlike some other bikes you always feel like the BB's on your side. Still miss having 3-button indicators though. :(

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PBBoxer
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Location: Yorkshire

Postby PBBoxer » Fri Apr 26, 2013 9:25 pm

I adored all mine. Had 2 1100 and one 1200
One of the best built, quickest and brilliant road bikes ever
1997 CBR1100XXV
1999 CBR1100XX
2009 HP2 Sport
2006 R1200s
2013 R1200RT anniversary

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Gromit
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Joined: Mon Feb 16, 2004 8:33 pm
Location: Lincs, me duck

Postby Gromit » Fri Apr 26, 2013 9:34 pm

PBBoxer wrote:One of the best built, quickest and brilliant road bikes ever


Which I think is very good reason why Blackbird values are actually starting to go up as Honda never replaced it with anything viable.

John Smith (JAWS Blackbirds) maintains he knows of several Blackbirds with well in excess of 300k miles and still on their original engines. Mine's just about nicely run in now in that case. :D

Have wondered about getting a later injected 'Bird but can't really see the point as mine's in nice condition (with a few updates including stainless downpipes, Nitron shock, upgraded fork springs) and I know it really well now.

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PBBoxer
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Location: Yorkshire

Postby PBBoxer » Fri Apr 26, 2013 9:54 pm

carb ones are quicker

Now the 1200 was fast lol... span at a ton
1997 CBR1100XXV
1999 CBR1100XX
2009 HP2 Sport
2006 R1200s
2013 R1200RT anniversary

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Blackal
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Joined: Fri Jul 29, 2005 7:53 pm

Postby Blackal » Fri Apr 26, 2013 10:22 pm

That front fairing just refuses to date................

Cracking bikes for the money - methinks

Al :)
If I am ever on life support - Unplug me......
Then plug me back in..........

See if that works .....
:?

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Steve1200S
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Location: Sheffield

Postby Steve1200S » Sat Apr 27, 2013 6:28 pm

Still looking good, especially for the mileage its done!

I always like the look of them, but shunned the inline four in any bike (I believed them boring and 'normal', and preferred twins), but now I've had the K I can see I was wrong, and the blackbird is a stunning bike for what you can pick themup for.

id say between a 2nd hand K1200S (without any flashy factory extras) and a good nick, late Blackbird, there's not much in it apart from 4k!
----------------------------------------------
Steve.

1980 R100S
2003 VFR 800
A Silly Van.

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Gromit
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Joined: Mon Feb 16, 2004 8:33 pm
Location: Lincs, me duck

Postby Gromit » Mon Apr 29, 2013 11:55 am

Test.

Image
Last edited by Gromit on Mon Apr 29, 2013 12:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Dog Tyred
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Location: Tamuff

Postby Dog Tyred » Mon Apr 29, 2013 12:01 pm

Gromit wrote:Test.

Image


Fail!!

DT
Ride like your life depended on it.

2002 BCR

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Gromit
Posts: 5696
Joined: Mon Feb 16, 2004 8:33 pm
Location: Lincs, me duck

Postby Gromit » Mon Apr 29, 2013 12:02 pm

Dog Tyred wrote:
Gromit wrote:Test.

Image


Fail!!

DT


Sussed it now ;)

conkerman
Posts: 500
Joined: Sun Mar 24, 2013 12:10 pm
Location: He's behind you. Oxon.

Postby conkerman » Mon Apr 29, 2013 12:17 pm

Hondas were really well built in this period.

Always had a soft spot for the blackbird, but the starts never aligned when I was looking, plus such a grunty engine, big bike and chain drive puts me off somewhat, don't know why as it makes no sense.
Gary

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Gromit
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Joined: Mon Feb 16, 2004 8:33 pm
Location: Lincs, me duck

Postby Gromit » Mon Apr 29, 2013 12:22 pm

conkerman wrote: such a grunty engine, big bike and chain drive puts me off somewhat, don't know why as it makes no sense.


I was the same - mine's on 75000 miles now and it's only on its second set of C&S. First set lasted 43000 miles, this one will need doing in in perhaps 5000 or so. Scottoilers really work, and because the oil isn't sticky (as spray lube is) doesn't attract muck. :)

As for maintenance, the only time the chain gets touched is when the rear tyre is changed (4-5000 miles) and perhaps once between then for a small adjustment.

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el-nicko
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Location: Nick from HEREFORDSHIRE, The Oceanian province of Airstrip One.

Postby el-nicko » Mon Apr 29, 2013 12:25 pm

.

Image

Mr. Spock is my role model so be advised; I possess no (discernible) sense of humour.

It's all VFR (DCT) round here now. STILL missing my 1100s tho.


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