Bird on a wire?!

[Biggbiker]

Hi All,
Thought you might like to see how the "bird" is coming along.
Engine is back together again following 16k service and casings powder coated. All valve clearances were within spec and cams / chains etc. looked like new. Iridium plugs fitted, K&N filter + dynojet kit.
Fork legs away at powder coaters, a Jaws spring kit awaiting their return!
New Ohlins at the back and EBC HH pads going in all round.
Roll on summer! When Banzai Bainzer will once again be in second place!?! :beer:

Gaz

 

[Rolfy Dave]

Having seen the pic.....

Sorry about the "tanks surfing" thing...
.
.
.
.
You aint got a tank

Still reckon you should use nuts & bolts, and not string... I know yellow is better quality, but having consulted an expert at Cyclops Repair And Parts, they still say bolts are best......

Gaz, you obviously have too much time on your hands mate...LOL You need to get it back together & ride the thing...

Wishing you lots of sunshine after your hard work. You deserve it...

Mucho respect to you :bow: :bow:

Rolfy
:beer:

 

[derek kelly]

How does it handle with no wheels?

 

[Rolfy Dave]

How does it handle with no wheels?

well, they dont let go like Avons :f

Rolfy
:beer:

 

[Jono]

What the f**k is it? g0551p

 

[Rolfy Dave]

What the f**k is it? g0551p

Bloody hell Jono... Aint you never seen a naked bird before ?????

Its what we call Blackbird porn:blush:

Enjoy,

Rolfy
:beer:

 

[Jono]

I'm doin' well if I manage to change the screen! 8l1nd

 

[Biggbiker]

Hi all,
Glad you like her.
I just wish I'd taken a few pics when I had her stripped!
It's just about finished now.....................if I can find all the bits that is!?
Cheers,
Gaz :neenaw:

 

[Biggbiker]

Hi again,
I'm home once more and just returned from the painters with some lurvley powder coated fork legs and fairing stay.
Will be building up the forks this weekend and if you are all good will post some new pics next week as the "bird" begins to take shape once more.
On order are some radiator grills from Jaws, DB screen and digi gear indicator.
I have also just picked up a givi box and rack!
Watch this space! :yo:

 

[Biggbiker]

Just in from the garage and am happy to report the re-build is going well.
Got the forks built up yesterday (With the addition of a Jaws spring and spacer kit) after taking the kids to football and slotted them into place last night.
I was up at Knockhill today helping out a racing friend with his machine but managed to get the radiator and oil cooler added this evening along with the fairing stay and clocks. Nothing too dificult, it's just a case of taking your time and cleaning up parts to a high standard! I took a lot of digital pics during stripdown which is a massive help when you can't find the picture your looking for in the Haynes manual. There are a lot of subtle differences between the carb and fuel injection versions! Beware! The majority of pictures in the Haynes manual are of an injection model!
The fork leg powder coating looks very nice but it should be tough and much easier to keep looking good than if I had polished them as I originally intended.
The gold anodised grill is also from Jaws (Cheques in the post John), and although ?35 for a single grill isn't cheap, it's well made and fits well.
Anyway here is tonights picture....................... :beer:

 

[Nosher]

Keep the updates and the piccys coming.... w;;v

 

[Biggbiker]

All,
Spent the majority of today cleaning the brakes and polishing up bolt heads etc. It's slow progress but will be worth it in the long run.
I have one of those ?20 polishing kits which came in very handy for the handlbars. It's the first time I've used it and am quite pleased with the results.

Thanks goes to jaws once again when I ran into a problem getting the new EBC HH pads to fit....................there can be a difference with early front brake calipers but this was easily resolved by leaving out the anti rattle shims for the first 1000 to 1500 miles!

I have rider and pillion foot pegs returning from a polishers in Nottingham tomorrow and once fitted will be able to get the exhausts (standard) on and hopefully fire her up.

The manifold has been painted with a "stainless steel" coating from Eastwood. It looks like grey primer at the moment but should burn off to leave an adorable finish..........................bloody better, cost me ?20 for the tin!!
Anyway here are a couple of snaps taken earlier.

Gaz.

:beer:

 

[Biggbiker]

Well it's time for todays update.
Another day spent polishing and cleaning bits prior to fitment. Also got my footrests and hangers back...................don't they look great?
Top fairing re-fitted without incident and other bits of body work washed and made ready.
Here's the pics, I'm off for an early night now as it's a big day tomorrow!
If everything goes to plan I think we'll give her a run!
Gaz
:beer:

 

[Allan]

Well it's time for todays update.
Another day spent polishing and cleaning bits prior to fitment. Also got my footrests and hangers back...................don't they look great?
Top fairing re-fitted without incident and other bits of body work washed and made ready.
Here's the pics, I'm off for an early night now as it's a big day tomorrow!
If everything goes to plan I think we'll give her a run!
Gaz
:beer:

Nice work on the polising - did the same with mine but beware.

Now all that hard works been done, dont feck it up by trying to keep it the same by using Autosol, it too harsh.
If you use Autosol you will dull the shine, heres the tip, use Brasso, works a treat. Smooth, soft and brings that deep shine back up to factory finish.

Buzz.

 

[Biggbiker]

Thanks for your comments guys, I have been using autoglym metal polish which isn't too bad but agree Brasso is superb for keeping the shine without a lot of effort!

Now then did she run or did she run?.........................of course!

Cranked her over for quite a while to make sure oil was right the way around the engine. It did in fact take a while to build up oil pressure but just kept cranking it over a little at a time until the waring light was extinguished. Remember not only was the oil filter empty but also the cooler and pipework.
When satisfied I simply added some fuel. Almost fired immediately without choke so gave her 3/4 choke and away she went.
Let her warm up and went on to set up the carbs................only a little out of tune on 3&4 but now perfect. I use the Morgan Carbtune II gauges now after originally owning their first mercury types. These gauges are without doubt the best on the market, so if you are on the lookout for a set, these would be a very worthwhile investment.

No running problems with the dynajet kit and K&N fitted, no leaks..........No worries!

So there you have it one happy bird and chuffed bird owner.
Just a Few "nice" jobs to finish off.................going to take the weekend off as I think I have a wife and kids around here somewhere!*?
I'll let you all know how it finshes off sometime next week.
Keep the comments coming.
Take care,
Gary
:beer:

 

[Hornblower]

Gaz it looks like a lot of hard work but well worth it in the end. Could you post details of the paint you used on the manifold andpossibly a picky of it burnt in. Ive tried several products in the past and they have not been that good. :beer:

 

[Biggbiker]

Hi HB,
The Paint I used was from Frost restorations (www.frost.co.uk) and is made by a well known firm called Eastwood.
Must admit I'm still not that impressed. It goes on well and coverage is excellent, it also appears to be hard wearing. Unfortunately the finish isn't that great and it is expensive! :xm
You pay your money........................
Gaz

 

[Biggbiker]

This isn't the end..............it's just the beginning!

Hi all,
Well got on pretty well this weekend after all, due mainly to the poor weather........probably the best thing about having a nice warm dry garage!
My winter project is finished and summer beckons - Superb.
Datatool digi gear indicator was fitted without any problems, made a nice tidy job and soldered the connections at the plugs behind the clocks.
Top box and rack was also straightforward. Just needed to make up a plug and socket to enable use of the fitted brake lights.
For those of you who don't think I ride enough, think again. Just got booked up for the Czech Moto GP in August (with seven friends) and believe me I will have the bike well proven before that and at least one set of tyres used up!
It's been a good project and well worth it. I picked up the Blackbird locally in October last year after selling my trusty VFR (97 model) to a good friend. R#?
I got her for a song and as you can see went over her with a fine tooth comb, and spent a few quid.
The result? Well an excellent machine with no hidden suprises and with a high standard of extras. If it is 1/2 as good as it looks or as my VFR I will be more than chuffed.
Hope you have enjoyed my little series as much as I have. Many thanks for your comments along the way, and please get in touch if I can help you in any way with your own machines.
I must thank Jaws for his help and the excellent service he has provided along the way...............Cheers John.
When the weather improves, I'll get a nice picture or two and post it on the "our bikes" thread with a full list of mods.
Take Care and I'll see you on the road, enjoy the final pics.
Gary
:beer:

 

[ianrobbo1]

well as you appear to have finished it, "and made a bloody good job an all" :bow: can I have your bike lift??? :blush: :}

 

[Biggbiker]

:} Sorry Ian, may need it to polish the underside of the bellypan! R#?