Not the most inspiring bike...

Gromit · Post by **Gromit** » Thu Jun 05, 2014 10:46 am

...in the world. But it's darn comfy.

DSCF1491 by Boxertrixter, on Flickr

DSCF1499 by Boxertrixter, on Flickr

slparry · Post by **slparry** » Thu Jun 05, 2014 10:55 am

oooo that's pretty

Gromit · Post by **Gromit** » Thu Jun 05, 2014 11:04 am

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.

eyore · Post by **eyore** » Thu Jun 05, 2014 11:19 am

Congratulations. Nice condition too.

ianbcr · Post by **ianbcr** » Thu Jun 05, 2014 11:51 am

some nice red rim tape to finish it off Richard.

f90x · Post by **f90x** » Thu Jun 05, 2014 1:41 pm

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.

Gromit · Post by **Gromit** » Thu Jun 05, 2014 1:46 pm

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?

f90x · Post by **f90x** » Thu Jun 05, 2014 2:38 pm

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

f90x · Post by **f90x** » Thu Jun 05, 2014 2:39 pm

They'll weld it up I reckon.

Gromit · Post by **Gromit** » Thu Jun 05, 2014 3:04 pm

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.

Gromit · Post by **Gromit** » Thu Jun 05, 2014 3:38 pm

One final photo of my lovely old Bird with its replacement...

DSCF9829-2 by Boxertrixter, on Flickr

johnny 5 · Post by **johnny 5** » Thu Jun 05, 2014 3:52 pm

Very nice Richard and very clean

tanneman · Post by **tanneman** » Thu Jun 05, 2014 6:45 pm

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?

ned1 · Post by **ned1** » Thu Jun 05, 2014 8:58 pm

Gromit.....very nice,

MCN (4 June) has nine pages about the VFR family this week.

Ned

Gromit · Post by **Gromit** » Thu Jun 05, 2014 9:12 pm

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.