Buying Bike help?

Knubje

Knubje

Knubje

Soldato
Joined
5 Jun 2008
Posts
6,240
Location
Portsmouth/Fareham
Hi all,

The time has come where I am looking at upgrading my current wheels :cool:

After much looking and research over the months whilst saving I am unsure what to do now that I have bike in my sights.

I'm looking at a Honda Blackbird and have found one within my budget range. It looks good but not a lot of advice on the advert. Other than its in good condition (the pictures prove that at a glance) and that its had full service history.

I know from some basic vehcile checks that the VEL doesn't expire for another 6 months, which is nice.

I'm thinking of going and taking a look as the seller is very close to me. What sort of things should I be looking for with this specific bike?

- I know that Blackbird (CBR's) have certain "issues" with exhausts in that they need changing every 16k miles (iirc from my very limited/poor mechanical knowledge of this bike).


Shortlisting some basic questions I have:

When is MOT due?
When was any last major work/repairs done to it?
Has it been in any accidents?
Can I have a test ride?


Any help would be really appreciated, it is a private seller not a dealership so obviously I'm being extra cautious!

Cheers all!
 
Things I'd check would include:

The suspension, check that the forks are straight, sit on the bike and push the front end down, make sure it feels even all the way down, and should be firm, and check the seals and such.

Also check the drive chain, I know it's only a basic thing, but IMO should indicate if it's been looked after as it's such an easy thing to keep on top of. It should have about 3/4" of play up and down, and rotate the wheel to check for any tight spots all around the chain.

Check brake fluid levels, check that it's low and that it's not dark. Low should indicate that the brake pads may be low, and dark that the fluids not been changed in some time. Can't help to try and give a quick check on the brake pads too with a torch, check the wear indicator.

Check the tires, see how much treads left of them, don't want to buy a bike then need new tyres in no time.

Give them frame a once over the best you can, check for any damage or cracks.
Check steering, see if it will turn full lock either way, check for tight sports, see if it 'catches', basically check it turns ok.

Maybe I'm just overcautious, but they'd be some of the tests I do before even bothering with a test ride.
 
you can also check for worn sprockets / chain by trying to pull chain from 3 o'clock postition on rear sprocket, shouldn't be much play

check when at low speed brake lever doesn't pulse in your fingers, sign of warped / damaged discs... if they have a large ridge on discs from wear, might be worth taking a micrometer and measuring if they are still MOT'able (usually a min thickness stamped on disc)

if you can pull brake lever to handlebar easily, there is 'issues', maybe worth haggling on price :)
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the protips so far guys, this is exactly the sort of thing I was after. Anymore suggestions would be excellent. Hoping to go and visit by the end of the week so hopefully will have an extensive list of things by then!

Please, keep any ideas comming!
 
Check the last service and next service due and mileage against the service requirements, you dont really want a big pricey service due a few k after youve got it.
Ive asked a mate who knows Blackbirds to let me know of any gotchas :-)
 
Get it on its centre stand and give the back wheel a good couple yank. If there's play its either rear wheel bearings or the swing arm pivot bearings.

Reg's were common to go on these, so get it fired up and turn on the lights - give it a rev and if the lights go brighter, its fine and charging. :)
 
kippermitten said:
Check the last service and next service due and mileage against the service requirements, you dont really want a big pricey service due a few k after youve got it.
Ive asked a mate who knows Blackbirds to let me know of any gotchas :-)
Click to expand...

Will do! Also will be great to get your friends knowledge out on Blackbirds. Anything you can find out in the near future, please post, I'd really appreciate it!

Barry Smalley said:
Get it on its centre stand and give the back wheel a good couple yank. If there's play its either rear wheel bearings or the swing arm pivot bearings.

Reg's were common to go on these, so get it fired up and turn on the lights - give it a rev and if the lights go brighter, its fine and charging. :)
Click to expand...

Centre stand so the backwheel freewheeling then yank it? I take it, if it spins freely thats "play" that you're talking about?

Sure thing about the Reg, I had this on my Deaville quite recently so was something I was keen to look at, but you have reminded me! Nice one!


Keep it coming guys, this is really good stuff!
 
Knubje said:
Centre stand so the backwheel freewheeling then yank it? I take it, if it spins freely thats "play" that you're talking about
Click to expand...

Nah, I think he means try and move it left and right, see if there is any free play, or possibly back and forth, either way, there shouldn't be free play, well except up and down with the suspension lol.
 
Yes do it from the top and bottom of the wheel so you are effectively rocking it on its axis and then try and pull it away from the bike when you're standing at the arse end. :)
 
Thanks for straightening that out for me guys. Going to have a look tonight so I am quite excited. Can't test ride it without leaving the price of the bike with him in cash (which I am yet to withdraw) so I will mainly having the once overs as described above.

If it passes the tests tonight and maintains my interest I'm going to have to get the cash out to test ride it in the next couple of days.

Also, wondering if there is any news from your friend Kippermitten. Have you had a chance to speak with him?
 
Echo the posts above

As for you guys thinking your paranoid - I would say the opposite.

Youd be mental not to check out a bike for defects.. if the bikes dangerous then itll go a lot worse for you than in the likes of a car.

If youre not 100% confident in checking these things yourself then perhaps try to nab a friend who knows more or failing that then someone from a local biking forum etc :)

Happy Riding !!
 
Hi mate, got your PM :)

The advice above is all good to be honest. Blackbirds don't really have many weak spots and are generally looked after. The reg/rec is weak, like all hondas of that era. There are better aftermarket options anyway.

I'm not sure what you mean about replacing the exhausts every 16k miles?! I think you're getting getting confused with the valve check at the 16k service. This, like all IL4 engines, is quite time consuming and therefore pricey. If it's been done already (ie it's well past 16k with a service stamp) I probably wouldn't bother getting it done again as they rarely go out of tolerance as they get older.

The other area to check is the fork legs, which can get badly pitted. Can't really think of anything else to be honest. They are possibly Hondas best built bike ever and are exceptional value for money now. Plenty of power, good tank range, decent handling (although you need to muscle it about much more than a CBR600) and comfortable, especially with the VFR bar risers.

Plenty of add-ons and spares here: http://www.jaws-motorcycles.co.uk/bird.htm
 
Well, thought I'd report back as I have been and seen it this evening.

To say that it is immaculate is an understantement. For a 2000 reg (W) bike, it is pristeen. Obiviously the guy has had a clean but even still, it has one slight scuff on the mud guard and a little scratch (miniscule) on the tank, which is half expected almost.

I took my check list that was devised with all of your help and it passed everything. The only thing was the chain was a little lose, but that is because it had been modified due to the current owner being a heavy dude and I can have this fixed soon enough.

Its been a fun bike for the current owner who has barely done 1k and it had 2 owners before that who also treated it very well. Even the exhaust as it meets the engine underneath the bike wasn't in bad condition. No signs of bad pitting or rust and the joints all seemed solid as a rock.

Going to test ride it Saturday and can't wait tbh. I'm practically sold now but need some time spent on it to really guage if it is for me. Something tells me I'm going to love it though!

Just wish I knew someone local who knows more than I do to take a look at it and give approval. Still, I can take it down a mechanics my family know who might do that for me after I buy it (if I do((which tbh I probably will all being well)).

Might aswell give a link to the bike on sale for anyone following the thread to take a look at!
 
Check the head bearings, it's a MOT fail if they are notchy and expensive and messy to replace and sometimes need special presses, I picked up two bikes that needed doing and I wish I'd checked first.

If the bike has a centre stand get someone to push down on the rear so the front lifts and slowly stop to stop the forks you should feel no clunking or notching, if it's got a side stand only it still can be done but is trickier.
 
Same colour as mine :)

Personally after owning both the carb and FI versions I much prefer the carb model - it just feels a little more aggressive and less like a turbine.

I'd say the price is a bit high for they mileage - don't get me wrong the bikes will take huge mileages, but for example mine was £2650 for the same age (year older bike but bought it a year ago) from a dealer with just 13k miles and a few more extras like Corbin seat.

I'm sure you'll love it, but it does take a few miles to gel with it compared to a 600. It's a longer, heavier bike and needs much more input to turn. It's rock solid when banked over though and the torque means you have power in any gear, which is nice, but it's ballistic above 8k :)
 
I seen that one but didnt like the colour! Glad it checked out on viewing :)

I got my 2001 on Sat, 1 owner, 15k miles, scot oiler, spyball security, absolutly mint condition - £3050! Knocked him down £550 :)

Page 21 of show us you bike thread :)
 
It has been done! After a test ride was very happy, as I knew I would be. Didn't get too long as he didn't want me racking up milage, which was understandable.

The only thing I wasn't sure of at first was the noise of the engine and of the chain. Been used to disc so having a chain was something to get used too. I think the chain might be a little tight so need that looking at and that was the reason I think I got him down a few hundred.

Went for a cruise with my old man and his bike after and it is a great bike. The amount of power is quite insane! I'll post some pics when I get them done in the next few days ;)

Thanks for the advise all!
 
A little taste of the pics, apologies for the early post lol but I could not wait to get this one in, will send over the links to the others tonight :)

_MG_4518_19_20.jpg


The bike is insane. The noise is insane. The colour is insane! When I was following behind you it just looked so stable as if it was going 30MPH at all speeds, it was a good look :D

I want one ¬_¬
 
Last edited:
They are great bikes. I was cornering on a fast A road on Friday at (quite high) mph and I could move all around the bike and it didn't change line in the slightest.

They are just heavy at slow speeds and manoeuvring out of the garage etc - that's about the only negative
 
Congrats, very nice i like it a lot in that colour :cool:

As Sagalout said possibly Hondas best built bike ever, you've got a shed load of bike for your money enjoy !! :)
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom