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Posted: Fri Apr 26, 2013 8:49 pm
by Gromit
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...

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Posted: Fri Apr 26, 2013 9:02 pm
by nab 301
That puts all my bikes to shame , even when I've cleaned them...

Posted: Fri Apr 26, 2013 9:07 pm
by PBBoxer
my favourites bikes... just too fast lol

Posted: Fri Apr 26, 2013 9:21 pm
by Gromit
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. :(

Posted: Fri Apr 26, 2013 9:25 pm
by PBBoxer
I adored all mine. Had 2 1100 and one 1200
One of the best built, quickest and brilliant road bikes ever

Posted: Fri Apr 26, 2013 9:34 pm
by Gromit
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.

Posted: Fri Apr 26, 2013 9:54 pm
by PBBoxer
carb ones are quicker

Now the 1200 was fast lol... span at a ton

Posted: Fri Apr 26, 2013 10:22 pm
by Blackal
That front fairing just refuses to date................

Cracking bikes for the money - methinks

Al :)

Posted: Sat Apr 27, 2013 6:28 pm
by Steve1200S
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!

Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2013 11:55 am
by Gromit
Test.

Image

Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2013 12:01 pm
by Dog Tyred
Gromit wrote:Test.

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Fail!!

DT

Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2013 12:02 pm
by Gromit
Dog Tyred wrote:
Gromit wrote:Test.

Image
Fail!!

DT
Sussed it now ;)

Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2013 12:17 pm
by conkerman
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.

Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2013 12:22 pm
by Gromit
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.

Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2013 12:25 pm
by el-nicko