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Not the most inspiring bike...
Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2014 10:46 am
by Gromit
...in the world. But it's darn comfy.
DSCF1491 by
Boxertrixter, on Flickr
DSCF1499 by
Boxertrixter, on Flickr
Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2014 10:55 am
by slparry
oooo that's pretty
Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2014 11:04 am
by Gromit
It's in really nice nick Steve, 16k miles and FSH etc. Brand new tyres (Pirelli Diablo Stradas) too. Most importantly though it's just soooo comfy even if, after the BB, it does feel like someone's nicked the engine.
ATEOTD it's a solid bike which will cut down on the osteopath bills. A bike to respect, if not to really love.
Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2014 11:19 am
by eyore
Congratulations. Nice condition too.
Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2014 11:51 am
by ianbcr
some nice red rim tape to finish it off Richard.
Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2014 1:41 pm
by f90x
That looks brand new! Where do people find the time to keep bikes that clean. Anyone would think it came from California or other equally sunny place.
Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2014 1:46 pm
by Gromit
f90x wrote:That looks brand new! Where do people find the time to keep bikes that clean. Anyone would think it came from California or other equally sunny place.
It's not in bad shape at all Steve - there is the odd mark here & there if you look close but for the most part it's a really sweet example of the breed. Someone's obviously set it up well as there's virtually no snatching on the throttle - something which really got on my nerves with the 800 I had some years ago.
Downside though is I've found a small hole (approx 2mm round) in the exhaust where one of the front downpipes goes into a weld point. The dealer's going to take a look at it next week - what do you guys reckon my chances are of getting a replacement system?
Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2014 2:38 pm
by f90x
Gromit wrote:Downside though is I've found a small hole (approx 2mm round) in the exhaust where one of the front downpipes goes into a weld point. The dealer's going to take a look at it next week - what do you guys reckon my chances are of getting a replacement system?
Nil
Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2014 2:39 pm
by f90x
They'll weld it up I reckon.
Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2014 3:04 pm
by Gromit
f90x wrote:They'll weld it up I reckon.
This is what I'm thinking.
I might just see if I can buy a Motad system and get them to fit it though. Having done a friend's VFR750 downpipes some years ago, it's a major PITA of a job.
Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2014 3:38 pm
by Gromit
One final photo of my lovely old Bird with its replacement...
DSCF9829-2 by
Boxertrixter, on Flickr
Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2014 3:52 pm
by johnny 5
Very nice Richard and very clean
Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2014 6:45 pm
by tanneman
Nice one Grommit. You do know that the VFR bars fit to the Blackbird to raise the grips. Is the riding position so much different?
Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2014 8:58 pm
by ned1
Gromit.....very nice,
MCN (4 June) has nine pages about the VFR family this week.
Ned
Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2014 9:12 pm
by Gromit
tanneman wrote:Nice one Grommit. You do know that the VFR bars fit to the Blackbird to raise the grips. Is the riding position so much different?
Funnily enough I'd been looking out for some Viffer bars for the Blackbird. Trouble is, the Blackbird has a wide tank with high, forward-set pegs. The ideal build for a BB rider would be long arms and very short legs - I'm fine in the arms dept but after a while it starts to feel like a stress position. Owing to an old ankle injury (from years ago when I did a lot of running) my legs don't actually sit straight on the bike so now need a lot more legroom.
I tried raised bars/lower pegs but whilst it was better, it wasn't ideal.
Such a shame as the Blackbird has been a superb bike - sure I don't ride that quickly on it, but it just feels so strong and is built so well.