• Welcome to the new B.I.R.D. Forum. Please be sure to read the "New Member / New Registered ? Please Read" thread in the Coffee Shop. This contains some important information. To become a full member ( £5.90 a year ) simply click on your user name near the top on the right I hope you enjoy the new site ................ Jaws ( John )

Pillion

Colourtheme Dave

Old Hand
Club Sponsor
Years ago i read that the sub frame on the blackbird was prone to distortion if the pillion rider used the pillion footpegs to mount the bike. So the Mrs has always used my footpegs to get on. We are knocking on now and she finds it difficult to get on when we have the panniers and top box fitted.
Q. Is it true that the sub frame can distort, as it would be easier to mount using the pillion pegs, they would give extra hieght. Mrs is 12 stone fully kitted
 

Me!

Utterly retired
Club Sponsor
@ that weight it should be fine. It’s only when people like PowLo get on the back the distortion occurs. Look at the exhausts. If it’s already bent they will be a drop p1ssed.
 

Jaws

Corporal CockUp
Staff member
Moderator
Club Sponsor
Years ago i read that the sub frame on the blackbird was prone to distortion if the pillion rider used the pillion footpegs to mount the bike. So the Mrs has always used my footpegs to get on. We are knocking on now and she finds it difficult to get on when we have the panniers and top box fitted.
Q. Is it true that the sub frame can distort, as it would be easier to mount using the pillion pegs, they would give extra hieght. Mrs is 12 stone fully kitted
It was a load of squirt put out by Honda to cover the fact thousands of subframes were made SLIGHTLY out of true.
Within tolerances but out nonetheless..
If someone noticed the issue the dealers would blame a heavy pillion !
 

Pow-Lo

Make civil the mind, make savage the body.
Club Sponsor
@ that weight it should be fine. It’s only when people like PowLo get on the back the distortion occurs. Look at the exhausts. If it’s already bent they will be a drop p1ssed.
Cheeky bastard, I'm only 13 and a half stone!
 

Squag1

Can't remember....
Club Sponsor
Years ago i read that the sub frame on the blackbird was prone to distortion if the pillion rider used the pillion footpegs to mount the bike. So the Mrs has always used my footpegs to get on. We are knocking on now and she finds it difficult to get on when we have the panniers and top box fitted.
Q. Is it true that the sub frame can distort, as it would be easier to mount using the pillion pegs, they would give extra hieght. Mrs is 12 stone fully kitted
I'm sure she's glad you publicised that:D
 

Colourtheme Dave

Old Hand
Club Sponsor
It was a load of squirt put out by Honda to cover the fact thousands of subframes were made SLIGHTLY out of true.
Within tolerances but out nonetheless..
If someone noticed the issue the dealers would blame a heavy pillion !
 

Colourtheme Dave

Old Hand
Club Sponsor
John, so are you saying I should let her use the pillion peg to get on.
On a serious note it is now a problem that is making her nervous getting on the bike and spoiling our touring expeditions. I am tempted to just go for it but if it does distort are they easy to line up again?
 

Cougar377

Express elevator to hell
Staff member
Moderator
Club Sponsor
The Blackbird was made back in the days when Honda used to know how to make a quality bike. I can't see a problem.
 

johnboy

rather fond of a cream bun
Club Sponsor
Mrs Johnboy is vertically challenged and she always used the rear pegs to climb on, never had any issues.
 

Jaws

Corporal CockUp
Staff member
Moderator
Club Sponsor
John, so are you saying I should let her use the pillion peg to get on.
On a serious note it is now a problem that is making her nervous getting on the bike and spoiling our touring expeditions. I am tempted to just go for it but if it does distort are they easy to line up again?
Just use it mate.
If it does go further ( watch the gap twixt the silencer and swing arm ) it is a simple matter to correct it

The only subframe I have known break was on a bike with a combined rider / pillion weight of 40 stone, that was fully freighted ...... three boxes, all full, and the back box had a rack on top that was piled high too, so maybe an all up weight of 55-60 stone ( 350 to 360 kg ) !!
And even then it did not fail for ten years !
 

Minkey

Ok it was me
Club Sponsor
Used to tour on Malc's BB with paniers and tent etc always used pillion pegs he never said there was a problem
 

ianrobbo1

good looking AND modest
Going to tell him the easy way to straighten the subframe/cans out John, ?? the lump of wood and a fat git??
 

Cougar377

Express elevator to hell
Staff member
Moderator
Club Sponsor
Going to tell him the easy way to straighten the subframe/cans out John, ?? the lump of wood and a fat git??
Presumably the same fat git who bent it in the first place... ;)
 

Jaws

Corporal CockUp
Staff member
Moderator
Club Sponsor
Going to tell him the easy way to straighten the subframe/cans out John, ?? the lump of wood and a fat git??
Yup.
Remove the can.
Measure between the bottom of the hanger and ground
Cut a lump of 3x2 1.5” longer.
Lean bike over and place wood under hanger.
Push bike upright so the wheel lifts .
Jump up and down on bike until hanger is where it should be. Job done
 

Squag1

Can't remember....
Club Sponsor
Yup.
Remove the can.
Measure between the bottom of the hanger and ground
Cut a lump of 3x2 1.5” longer.
Lean bike over and place wood under hanger.
Push bike upright so the wheel lifts .
Jump up and down on bike until hanger is where it should be. Job done
Very subtle technique :D
 

Jaws

Corporal CockUp
Staff member
Moderator
Club Sponsor
It works because you are not simply bending the subframe hanger mounting points but forcing into a position it should be in
 
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