Most expensive Bird in Britain?!

[haggetty]

Likely to be a tricky one as the selling dealer is the one who originally sold it and maintained it!

Double

Simply an observation…… that is the least desirable Bird (not a ‘bad’ bike in itself just the least desirable incarnation).

Do not underestimate the cost of making good those dings. Could easily be the best part of a grand if buying new.

personally I think it is at least a grand overpriced as is but then again it’s not me buying it. The low mileage is good but mileage is less of an issue than condition. Bird motors are not even ‘loosened up’ at that mileage and can be expected to do at least a couple of hundred thousand miles if basic maintenance routine followed - preferably not by a main dealer.

Well you did ask


aAs someone else mentioned above ask if the loom fix has been done…if the dealer looks at you blankly then I would be asking them to do some research and make sure it is done before delivery.

Thanks andyBeaker! Why is it the least desirable? Because it's FI or is it the colour?

The Gen cover can be replaced for a manageable amount and the silencer I'd have to have some luck on that selling site for a cheap fix.
Would a dealer entertain doing the Loom fix I wonder? Interesting question to ask of them.

I certainly think they're asking top dollar so I need to do a bit of soul searching. I've lost tons p/exing newish bikes in previous years so paying a bit more for
a fine example I can probably deal with mentally. I think the issue would be that when I decide to sell it on, I would never recover the premium I'd be paying.
I'd be p/exing my GSX1250FA, 2013, 12500mile minter which I've only had for a few months. I do like it but the handling is a bit weird and the ride is hard.

The Blackbird was a pinnacle bike and I'd like to experience a good'un for a while before we're all legislated into oblivion! Much thinking to do eh, and not much time to do it!

 

[haggetty]

If the price is right for you, then it’s your call. Loom fix done?

Not sure about Loom fix. Doubt it tbh. Is it easy to check or is it a panel off job?

 

[DEG5Y]

If the tax disc is anything to go by, it's not been ridden for ten years.
Dry stored?
Any fuel in the system could be glooped up.
So make sure you hear it running and I would give it a good run.

 

[ogr1]

Thanks andyBeaker! Why is it the least desirable? Because it's FI or is it the colour?

Both.

 

[haggetty]

The last five pics in this one go back to when he bought it, by the looks of it.
He doesn't seem to show a full pic of the bike in it's present condition.

That's quite strong money and it doesn't look particularly well presented either!

If the tax disc is anything to go by, it's not been ridden for ten years.
Dry stored?
Any fuel in the system could be glooped up.
So make sure you hear it running and I would give it a good run.

I think the Tax disc has been left on for posterity! The MOT record shows it's been MOT'd every year and done between 400 and 600 miles between MOT's. Only one period where it was SORN'd for 6months.
My only concern is whether it's been left with old E10 for ages and whether the tank might be corroded!

 

[jeffa]

Most expensive Bird in Britain, dont make me laugh. You have never met Mrs Jeffa.

 

[Duck n Dive]

OK, sensible head on...

I'd bet you will not at all find a good condition silencer on the auction site, they just don't come up. I know! I had a far less slight ding than that and spent many years looking.

That ding looks a lot to me. Many of us will have "gently, accidentally lowered them onto the side all I ever got was the lightest of scrapes on the genny cover and a slight scrape on the silencer at the weld point - careful smoothing plus autosol made that invisible.

Despite what others are saying I wouldn't ignore it because it's an FI or the year, a blackbird of any year is still good.

I had a 2003 FI up until a few months ago, bought when it was a year old.
I took it from just over 2,000 miles to almost 90,000 in that time.

If the genny cover is scratched then very, very carefully look at the fairing panel (upper and lower), indicator housing etc. Check all the panels (both sides) align properly.
If someone grabs the nosecone to lift it they can cause more damage (I've seen it happen at a bike meet with well intentioned helpers lifting).

From memory you're looking at about £130 for the genny cover plus gasket.
Add on the £850 for a silencer and you're already looking at a grand.
For prices and availability try Fowlers website as a guide.

The plastic parts are now rare from Honda (some are just not a available), reasonable aftermarket are available.

If it's been on its side check that nose Cones firm/not twisted and all headlight mounting lugs are OK.

That price really is top dollar in my mind, it needs to be perfection for that.

The silencer ding is the biggy for me, a genny cover scratch is usually on the lower edge and all but invisible from above.

As has already been said, it's the condition overall that's important, the engine is usually bullet proof.

The chap I sold mine to has continued to pile the miles on, says its the best money he's ever spent on a bike and his mates are pissed off that a 20 year old blackbird is more reliable and just as quick as their larger engined five year old machines.

The loom fix is definitely needed, but I would not let a dealer do it.

End of the day it's an awesome bike and only you can make the call if you can live with any cosmetic issues.

 

[Squag1]

when it was dropped during MOT.

 

[andyBeaker]

Likely to be a tricky one as the selling dealer is the one who originally sold it and maintained it!

Thanks andyBeaker! Why is it the least desirable? Because it's FI or is it the colour?

The Gen cover can be replaced for a manageable amount and the silencer I'd have to have some luck on that selling site for a cheap fix.
Would a dealer entertain doing the Loom fix I wonder? Interesting question to ask of them.

I certainly think they're asking top dollar so I need to do a bit of soul searching. I've lost tons p/exing newish bikes in previous years so paying a bit more for
a fine example I can probably deal with mentally. I think the issue would be that when I decide to sell it on, I would never recover the premium I'd be paying.
I'd be p/exing my GSX1250FA, 2013, 12500mile minter which I've only had for a few months. I do like it but the handling is a bit weird and the ride is hard.

The Blackbird was a pinnacle bike and I'd like to experience a good'un for a while before we're all legislated into oblivion! Much thinking to do eh, and not much time to do it!

The first FI was slower than the carb and less mpg, the ‘updated’ FI (which this is likely to be) ‘slower’ again…but it’s relative, still a mighty quick bike.

The FI is also more prone to electrical issues. For what it’s worth my personal experience with an FI is that it can struggle with overheating in really hot weather and heavy traffic. Something to consider if that is likely to be part of your riding.

 

[Malone]

For your money you could get a very mint k8 onwards gen2 Busa. Faster, better on fuel, better suspension and brakes. Markedly better looking too.

 

[ogr1]

Ignore Mr Maloney he suffers from rose tinted spectacle itus.

 

[Malone]

And still in production 24 years on.

 

[ogr1]

And still in production 24 years on.

Honda stopped Bird production in 2007.
Surpassed engineering perfection.
Can't polish a turd, but skudsuki still rubbing the genie lamp.

 

[haggetty]

OK, sensible head on...

I'd bet you will not at all find a good condition silencer on the auction site, they just don't come up. I know! I had a far less slight ding than that and spent many years looking.

That ding looks a lot to me. Many of us will have "gently, accidentally lowered them onto the side all I ever got was the lightest of scrapes on the genny cover and a slight scrape on the silencer at the weld point - careful smoothing plus autosol made that invisible.

Despite what others are saying I wouldn't ignore it because it's an FI or the year, a blackbird of any year is still good.

I had a 2003 FI up until a few months ago, bought when it was a year old.
I took it from just over 2,000 miles to almost 90,000 in that time.

If the genny cover is scratched then very, very carefully look at the fairing panel (upper and lower), indicator housing etc. Check all the panels (both sides) align properly.
If someone grabs the nosecone to lift it they can cause more damage (I've seen it happen at a bike meet with well intentioned helpers lifting).

From memory you're looking at about £130 for the genny cover plus gasket.
Add on the £850 for a silencer and you're already looking at a grand.
For prices and availability try Fowlers website as a guide.

The plastic parts are now rare from Honda (some are just not a available), reasonable aftermarket are available.

If it's been on its side check that nose Cones firm/not twisted and all headlight mounting lugs are OK.

That price really is top dollar in my mind, it needs to be perfection for that.

The silencer ding is the biggy for me, a genny cover scratch is usually on the lower edge and all but invisible from above.

As has already been said, it's the condition overall that's important, the engine is usually bullet proof.

The chap I sold mine to has continued to pile the miles on, says its the best money he's ever spent on a bike and his mates are pissed off that a 20 year old blackbird is more reliable and just as quick as their larger engined five year old machines.

The loom fix is definitely needed, but I would not let a dealer do it.

End of the day it's an awesome bike and only you can make the call if you can live with any cosmetic issues.

That’s great information, thanks for your detailed and considered reply. Appreciated.

 

[Cougar377]

£5.5k..? For that I'd want a completely unmarked bike.

 

[haggetty]

The first FI was slower than the carb and less mpg, the ‘updated’ FI (which this is likely to be) ‘slower’ again…but it’s relative, still a mighty quick bike.

The FI is also more prone to electrical issues. For what it’s worth my personal experience with an FI is that it can struggle with overheating in really hot weather and heavy traffic. Something too consider if that is likely to be part of your riding.

Thank you. Good to know.

 

[Malone]

And if I wasn’t so old and decrepit I’d buy another Busa and that’d make a Norfolk handful - 6

 

[slim63]

Personal opinion if I wanted another bird I would keep looking as that's well overpriced and not 100% immaculate (which it should be at the miles & price)

Apart from that its an FI which in my experience are poor to say the least when compared to a carbie and the 05 is probably the worst of the lot

Lastly you would be better off looking for a private sale of a well looked after bike (on here) don't get hung up on the milage it really is a non issue even at quite high miles, FI birds boil your nuts, its not pleasant its not fun and it becomes wearing very quickly but it you really want one go for a later model where some of the small niggles have been ironed out (and pay less for the experience)

 

[Robbi]

Personal opinion if I wanted another bird I would keep looking as that's well overpriced and not 100% immaculate (which it should be at the miles & price)

Apart from that its an FI which in my experience are poor to say the least when compared to a carbie and the 05 is probably the worst of the lot

Lastly you would be better off looking for a private sale of a well looked after bike (on here) don't get hung up on the milage it really is a non issue even at quite high miles, FI birds boil your nuts, its not pleasant its not fun and it becomes wearing very quickly but it you really want one go for a later model where some of the small niggles have been ironed out (and pay less for the experience)

That's a very encouraging post.!!

Let's encourage a new Bird owner why not !

 

[Robbi]

Op... If you're happy with the price and condition, go for it. . Have fun, experience the beauty of the big Honda.... Health to enjoy your bike Sir.