Rider on the edge of nervous Bird purchase!

[thedavebird]

Hello all BIRD members,

I have just joined the forum and hope my voice is about to be heard! Name is Dave Bird (Haha..its true!), from Dundee Scotland.

I presently own a VFR800Fi (2001) and am seriously considering upgrading to a blackbird, as I have always promised myself one (since test riding back in '2000).

I have seen a potential purchase at a local dealer, which has a low mileage and FSH. It is a red [maroon] 1996 'P' in all original condition with 21K miles..at a premium price! I have the new (old?!) bike reserved pending weather improvement..8ree!

I have read that there was a cooling system upgrade to the blackbird around '98 - Can anyone tell me if this was due to early model cooling problems? Further, are there any other drawbacks/ pitfalls to be wary of when buying a '96 vintage BIRD??

Happy new year,
all replies would be much appreciated before I 'take the plunge'....incidentally, can anyone suggest a good insurer (just incase my current one - through 'Carole Nash' decides that I can't transfer my existing VFR policy to the new bike..)

DB w;;v

 

[Artemis]

Hello Dave, and welcome to the Birds Nest. More knowledgeable people will be along presently to fully answer your questions, but from my limited knowledge, mileage is all but irrelevant as they go on forever. You've chosen the right model as the carbed version is very slightly faster than the FI model and doesn't suffer from the loom problem that the FIs have.

All but the redbird riders will tell you that you have chosen the wrong colour (naturally, as it should be black), but that'll be the least of the abuse you'll get on here.

You'll love the Bird and learn to love the nutters on the forum (maybe!).

Now, down to the really important stuff:












Want a sweetie little boy?

Do ya?

Eh?

 

[thedavebird]

Thanks for posts...hopefully more to follow!

Thanks for the welcome Artemis... Not sure about the sweeties - What sort of confectionery is on offer?

Lumpy, i appreciate the web link and will prob give them a phone sometime tomorrow, unless I get some feedback from any other sources..

Truth is, I have been keen on the idea of a blackbird for a long time. There doesnt seem to be that many good ones come up North of the border. Will most likely trade the VFR in for the Bird in question, especially as I get a full years parts & labour warranty with it. Will post a picture of the Redbird :bow: as soon as it is in my possession...

DB

 

[Artemis]

Thanks for the welcome Artemis... Not sure about the sweeties - What sort of confectionery is on offer?

I have been known to take orders, what's your poison?

Lumpy, i appreciate the web link and will prob give them a phone sometime tomorrow, unless I get some feedback from any other sources..

Dave, our Jaws is the source of information for all things Blackbird.

 

[TheGrocer]

Welcome to the Mad House

Hello all BIRD members,

I have just joined the forum and hope my voice is about to be heard! Name is Dave Bird (Haha..its true!), from Dundee Scotland.

I presently own a VFR800Fi (2001) and am seriously considering upgrading to a blackbird, as I have always promised myself one (since test riding back in '2000).

I have seen a potential purchase at a local dealer, which has a low mileage and FSH. It is a red [maroon] 1996 'P' in all original condition with 21K miles..at a premium price! I have the new (old?!) bike reserved pending weather improvement..8ree!

I have read that there was a cooling system upgrade to the blackbird around '98 - Can anyone tell me if this was due to early model cooling problems? Further, are there any other drawbacks/ pitfalls to be wary of when buying a '96 vintage BIRD??

Happy new year,
all replies would be much appreciated before I 'take the plunge'....incidentally, can anyone suggest a good insurer (just incase my current one - through 'Carole Nash' decides that I can't transfer my existing VFR policy to the new bike..)

DB w;;v
Firstly welcome and youve made one of the best decisions of your life in buying a bird.
Now I have a 96 BIRD with 21K on the clock and the CARB version is the fastest and the best. ( wait for the comments from the FI boys & girls)

Some nice BIRDS on flea bay- if your paying more than 2.2K - and you probably are through a stealer then you might want to take a look at fleabay

John at JAWS is the oracle of all things BIRD and is very helpfull. Im sure he will be on soon offering his wisdom. I think the upgrade to the cooling system was due to the BIRD being overcooled and the rad fan now comes on way too frequently with the new Rads. Mines the old rad and it rarely fires up and cools the BIRD a treat.
Usual stuff to watch out for are noise from the cam chain tensioner and check the regualtor has been upgraded as the originals were crap. JAWS supply them and they are dead easy to fit - unplug the old and plug in the new.
Enjoy your BIRD which ever one you get:yo:

 

[silverfox.xx]

Will post a picture of the Redbird :bow: as soon as it is in my possession...

DB

Welcome Mr BIRD,
with a name like yours, it was obvious you were going to chose the best colour bike.

You've met I see our Lumpy san... another RED bird supporter, regretfully he can only afford an imaginary RED one.. and we had to issue him with that.

You've got a few (growing number) of birdie riders in Scotland.. hope you can join them sometime. There is a BASH (weekend meet) in Fyvie in August 2010.

Jawsie, John will help you out with most things birdie, even some nice trick parts.

Oh, and don't be nervous, birds are really ubber reliable.. condition more important than age/mileage.

Insurance try go compare (dot) com

w;;v
Clive

 

[Wolfie]

i have a 96 bird

hoses,
cct,
reg/rec
discs,
the pivot on the front left leg for the rear brake thing
wheel bearings
kill switch

are what has gone on mine in 10yrs of owning it.

hoses and disks were last year

rest 3-4 years ago.

oh and by the way it lived outside with no cover until november this year. And i dont believe it washing bikes or polishing the things, they get ridden badly and just parked up.

 

[silverfox.xx]

i have a 96 bird

What mileage have you got on it please.

 

[Wolfie]

What mileage have you got on it please.

about 50,000.

 

[Supabird1100]

And i dont believe it washing bikes or polishing the things, they get ridden badly and just parked up.

Spoken like a true Crap Rider !!! :bow: :-0)

 

[dn1873]

w4lc0m3
Welcome to the growing band of owners in NE Dave, no worries on the BIRD man it will be the best bike you ever owned.......dare I say it,( and watch the replies ) pity about the colour.

dn1873:yo:

 

[silverfox.xx]

w4lc0m3
Welcome to the growing band of owners in NE Dave, no worries on the BIRD man it will be the best bike you ever owned.......dare I say it,( and watch the replies ) LOVE the colour.

dn1873:yo:

:k:k... :-0)

 

[e-ready]

make sure tires are up to 42 psi or they feel like shit

 

[MacFly-]

[quote:]
can anyone suggest a good insurer (just incase my current one - through 'Carole Nash' decides that I can't transfer my existing VFR policy to the new bike..)
[unquote]

w;;v andw4lc0m3 Dave, the balckbird was made for you and named it seems, I also have a carb. bird, as for cooling issues, neva heard any bad things about em. Only that Red birds neva get up to temperature, as most who own em are busy admiring em in passing shop windows h1d1ng2
Have fun with it, for insurance, go compare, good luck!

 

[gypsy]

2 mates? w08th

 

[silverfox.xx]

that was exactly what my 2 mates thought and bought bikes cos of their names. I wonder where they are now. So, George Hayabusa and Eric VFR800i, where are you?

Bollox... Muddy Fox :bang:

 

[hmplant60]

Hi Dave, Got myself a Bird a month ago, its a 2000 y model Blue, colour is irrelevent its you getting the bike in the first place,I got it with the help from the team as I will call them, very helpful with plenty of advice. I got rid of a FireBlade no regrets.

 

[silverfox.xx]

Another helpfull bit of advice...

Don't ride it in the SNOW. Hope that helps.:-0)

 

[TESLACOIL]

no real issues with the bird

carb birds run cooler ...i got a 98carb and a m8s got a 97 ...no cooling issues

I think the fan only came on once or twice in the year i had it

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Issues

1 Pesky rattles (u can only hear cos the bird runs so quiet anyway)
about a dozens causes for rattles ...mostly fixable just hard to track down

2 cant adjust front end suspensions..but can get kit to upgrade or diy mod

3 shes heavy...easy to drop...i dropped mine twice scratched to buggery now...get crash bungs all round

4 prolly want to get bar risers ( Later VFR bar are good as are helibars)

5 cam chain tensioner and rectifiers go regularly

6 seat a bit high for some (easily lowered by rotating triangle plates)

7 eats soft tires

8 low rpm shes a bit flat carby birds ( not slow...just flat ) can rejet/dyno round that

9 THE MOST BORING BIKE YOU WILL EVER OWN ..shes just too good at everything to be inspiring or involving....u will spend 99% of your time at 5% throttle openings ....cure +3 teeth extra rear & -1 front (Vfr damped sprocket best )

10 once u got it its hard to get rid of your bird few other bikes come close...be prepared too look outdated for the next 10 years or so

 

[TESLACOIL]

Good Points

Good Points

you will spends 1000's moding and tweaking her

Why ?


well prolly the first bike u ever owned that was really worth investing in in this way



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My mods so far

cut 1 1/4inch of front fork spacers

rotated triangle plates (also drilled a hole in em ..lowered the rear by 6 inches...lol too much handling sucked)...so u cut and extended the subframe instead and dropped the battery 4 inches

seat height now 27 inches (2 inches from seat & 2 inches from tringle plates for 4 in total)

fixed pesky rattle due too lose bolt (headlamp bracket works lose)..rattles just like a cct ! would too

im on my 6th custom seat (diy )

custom tail assembly ...i took off original tail peice...i can no swing my leg over the bike without kicking the side of the bike ....shes long....my tail end is 6inches lower than stock and 4 inches shorter

diet ....took a lot of crap off ...im now 15kg lighter than stock

delinked the front..just let some air in ...front brake just does the front now
(blackbird has 4 indpendant master cyclinders not 2 )

custom yoke to renthal type bar conversion.....i have semi chopper bars on...3 inch rise 4 inches back

cut down windsheild...so i can see over the top - lol

rear preload set to minium (cos bikes lowerd front n rear handlings still good but no pitching under throttle or brakes ) yet i have a realy soft ride over the bumps

frame plugs

pazzo clutch lever..looks good but total waste of 80 quid (thought it would be )

new battery ...essential to keep reg/rectifier alive on such a big bike as this..dont skimp & get a top up charger & tp up regular
rear hugger..because shes worth it
truimph vintage rubber knee pads for the tank (essential unless u like shagging pregnant turtles).....u will be hitting them front brakes hard and often

tried the Jaws preload risers but they aint the best solution and look naffso i took em off....save the money buy VFR bars and just drop some washers in to increase prelaod ...VFR bars look stock when fitted...Jaws is good..only if like doing it his way lol....sad but true..he does hold lots of good spares n bits so we let him live for now
On my never ending shoping list
....lower geared sprockets, new front tire and CCT next (shes had the rectifier done allready)

gold valve kit for front forks (thinner oil if im feeling tight) cos front end is undersprung and overdamped

footpeg lowering kit

and some custom front mounted ultra slim panniers/combo crash bars im gonna knock up

gonna change my 7/8th inch bars for a slightly strighter setup over what i got

tank bag ...maybe


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this will give u the general idea of the kind of common mods....other go the more sporty or touring route....i just went for comfort and ease of use