BigDave

1999. That is 10 years ago give or take depending on the build date of the bike. 30k miles. This is what i just bought. I was very hesitant buying a 30k miler. that is quite a bit of miles on a bike. I know the engine is bullet proof but so much that supports it is not. Ozone and pollution and oxygen in general deteriorate so many items over 10 years too.

My first thought would be to automatically replace ALL the spark plug wires and caps, no matter how the bike is presently running. It just eliminates that area for any problems for quite some time. But i expect to scrap a couple grand or more in parts right off the bat. I don't believe in running around in anything that is remotely half assed. I dont have the time or the inclination for a tow WAY WAY WAY out in the boondocks where these bikes see most of their miles here in South Florida, because I was to cheap to replace a few old parts. That and the fact that the bike is pretty wimpy on the old power so it can use all the help i can give it.
I doubt I will be one of the lucky ones (or talanted ones) who gets 150rwhp out of their bikes. I bought Micron slip ons not Akrapovac or Yosh fpur into ones. So i expect little or possibley nothing from the microns except a bit of weight savings. but I will look GREAT going slow with my red CF cans! LOL I need to wring every last tiny spec of power elsewhere like wires/coils until Graham hooks me up with a turbo. 250hp or bust!
I expect only a mere 128 to 132HP in my present set up even with a power commander. I have no illusions. I would be pleased to even break 135. i doubt it.

I assume the "cap assembly" listed on ronayers.com is ALL four caps for 38 dollars and they are not 38 dollars each.

What about replacing the coils? I could not find any performance wires or performance coils anywhere. I dont think i feel that ambitious for a cut to fit project although that might save me some $$. The wires are quite pricey at 14 dollars a piece WITHOUT caps. What are they? Gold plated or something.??
Why so high?

I think i just talked my self into replacing all the wires and caps. So that is no longer a question. What about the coils?

I already 4 of the correct for my year NGK iridium plugs ordered off of ebay. 31 bucks! That wasnt too bad...

elvetost

Birds are good for over 150k and yes that is miles. 30k? Your bike is barely run in mate...
Change the plugs, oil, put some fresh rubber on it, a full tank of fuel and go ride!
If you wanna get something done, then replace brake fluids and water and check brakes for wear/clean.
This bikes really are very very hard wearing...
Cheers,
Chris

BigDave

Great. Yes, i bought NGK iridium plugs, hi performance dot 4 brake fluid for a complete flush and a gallon of Engine Ice, a gallon plus a quart of Shell Rotella T 5-40 synthetic and a Pure One Puralator oil filter, The search button is my friend. Lucky me, the tires are brand new pirellis so I dont have to deal with that!

I agree that the bikes are tanks but disagree about 10 year old spark plug wires. My bike is getting a brand new set with caps. Sorry.
The coils will stay until i have any issues with them.

Partsguy

The caps are sold individually.Ronnies lists them for $24 a piece,wire is separate too,$12-14 each.

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CanadianBird

PartsG, do you think after 150,000 kms the 'caps & wires" should be replaced? What would one notice/feel if they did need replacing. I'm not starting a "flame up" with Dave, I'd just want an other informed opinion. Is that an oem price? Cheers.

Partsguy

You'd have weak spark,causing worse fuel mileage and harding starting being the most recognizable symptoms.Most easily detected in the rain.
The Honda wires and caps are an excellent silicone quality and last a long time.My 91 600 had them changed a few years ago (basically the same as the 1100) only to rule out 1 more possible cause in that nightmare and it just proved the old ones were fine.The wires get a little stiff when they get old (insert old guy joke here) but thats it on my bike.


FYI,the 99-03 XX and 98-01 VFR800 have the same caps.
The 97-98 are just blue in colour,but the same.

That Ronnies price is good.They go for more up here.My price for members would be about $30 more for all caps and wires.

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99BLACKBIRD

i bought a '99 in April of this year. I so far have put 8k miles on it. this is what i had to replace- In April 09 new tires(, chain, sprockets, flushed all the fluids, new spark plugs, oil and oil filter- did the 15k inspection.

Now in December of 09, new tires, oil hose, gaskets to stop oil leak and the FI light fix.

its was worth it to me. I got 8k miles on a bike before i new there was an oil problem.
Now that its all "buttoned up", i imagine the next required thing will be replacing the chain and sprockets. Not really sure how many miles you get on those. If they until my next tire change, that would be great.

99BLACKBIRD

i am replacing the wires too, which you would have thought would have been done, with the 15k inspection and me saying " i want new plugs and wires". maybe they were good in April, but they need replacing now. I think i am paying 35 each. Happens when there is only one repair shop in town, but they do good work.

X1rider

Check this picture after 61000 miles of use. My first valve adjustment.
Amsoil full synthetic 10W40 changed every 4000 miles and Engine Ice coolant flushed every 16000 miles.
The motor has finally loosened up a bit.

Attached Images

	Valves2.JPG (233.4 KB, 22 views)
	Valves3.JPG (234.5 KB, 16 views)

elvetost

Have a look at my build man... My cams and valves look exactly the same after 100,000 or km...

No cam followers damage, no cams damage or scoring and just some valves needing min shims... And to think my motor has had a hard life, the clutch basket on it is scored beyond use... These motors are indeed bulletproof. Yes the head dont flow as much as a busa, but it will last. Forever LOL!!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL!!!
Cheers, Chris

BigDave

Yep. i bought them. I stand by my decision as peace of mind. I didnt want to pinch pennies on this project at this point. Other than the supension, plugs and fluids this is the only wear item i plan on peremptory replacement.
10 years of use for wires is reasonable. this step eliminates a major chunk of possible ignition concerns. I did look around and read some replace wires every FIVE years. So I think every TEN is reasonable. That's just me. Y'all do what you feel comfortable with and I am OK with that.

Bike is on its way today from Memphis. It will be here Sunday or Monday!
I need a spare key ordered or MADE. How does that work. Usually to get the nice plasitc bits you have to order the entire pre made key from the dealer and it takes weeks and cost more than you would like to pay. Or does someone sell Honda blanks?

I wil be posting a separate thread for a complete set of FAIRING SCREENS...all seven of them that will be for sale. Jaws screwed up and sent me the wrong color. The look of my project will be ruined with out the correct color. So I thought i would give Jaws some help as he will have to pay for shipping the screens back to England,. They are already here. 80usd. I paid 86. they have not even been unwrapped.

steveCBR1100xx

just took my key to a local keymaker...............jobs a good un he just did a copy there and then, nowt special on the older keys cost £5

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outlawgibbs

If you take your key to a Honda dealer it should only cost you like $3 to get a new one. I still remember the bike you bought from Ebay and I have a question about it. In the pics the mirrors kinda looked like they were chromed, or are they just silver. Nice looking bike otherwise.

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BigDave

The previous owner laid the bike down and repainted most or the whole bike house of kolor candy apple red. I assume the mirrors were trashed and the ones on the bike now came off a silver bike. I have to take them off anyways to add the 1.5 inch spacers i have for them.

My painter has the exact same color out right now as he is spraying my 1984 HArley FXRT. I will just chuck the mirrors AND the spacers in the booth the next time he is spraying (after some sanding of course)

ascar

what the hell is a spark plug wire - is it the same as an HT lead
remember the translations for us in the old world

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its not a minimoto blackbird - thats its real size

outlawgibbs

The sparkplug wire is the thick wire that runs from the sparkplug to the coil

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elvetost

Yes!

CanadianBird

Are there "aftermarket" "performance" upgrades for the plug wires and coil?

BigDave

I could not find any. you would have to MAKE up a set of wires using OEM boots. I serioulsy doubt it would be worth it. The 8mm wires that Honda has are most likely just fine.

Now I WOULD be interested in performance coils. Although there is no direct fitment I am POSITIVE there are performance coils out there that are COMPATIBLE and will FIT. It would take a little custom mounting.

Now, the question is, who has the knowledge of what is out there that fits the bill? Something by accel or Dyna or MSD would be my guess. I cant believe the drag racers out there dont have big volt coils fitted. So guys...fess up. What will work?

I have found that performance coils is just anither thing that when combined with several other tweaks is one othe the things that add up to a superior running machine. Going to an ACCEL coil on my Harley was DRAMATIC in how much better the bike ran. Maybe less so for this bike. But i would buy buy what is it??two or four coils?

I found some used 2002 coils for 20 bucks. i am going to buy them as a back up if i cant find any performance coils. There MUST be an application!

shewie

Dynatek has'em. Dynatek Performance Electronics - Dyna Coil Kits

Kit including brackets and plug wires for $200.

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BigDave

Yep those are the MINI coils. Somehow mini and performance dont seem to go hand in hand. I am going to email them to see if they have any full size applications. OK, i will post their reply. Mini...pfft. i dont think so...

BIG coils help with heat dissipation. Heat will kill a coil and i think these are way out of the wind, so the more surface area the better!!!

testrider

On Ron Ayers, I saw the cap is $38 each and wire is $15 each? So that will be $38 x 4 and $15 x 4 for $212 before shipping? That's expensive for a set of wires/caps!

outlawgibbs

Its not that Dynoteks coils are mini. They are about the same size as the stock coil. And the fact that your motor is stock you probley wont evne notice anything with adding there coils. Honda did so much R+D when they built this bike that almost every part they have is just as good or better then the aftermarket parts people replace on them. Even the K+N filter doesnt even flow better the stock filter. Honda did that good when they built this thing. All that just to prove that they could.

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BigDave

So the Dyna is a waste of $$? I found them on ebay for 169USD. thats cheaper than OEM. I am on the fence on this one....but i am scraping for every last HP. Until i get the turbo i will be crying constantly at the wimpy power. At least i will be comfortable.....and LOOK good going slow.

no one down here has stock bikes. They ride boosted HP Busas and GSXR's. most bikes are 180HP minimum and UP!! I wont be able to keep up!!! Not until Graham hooks me up.
so i guess the paltry couple HP i would get wouldn't make a tick of difference anyways. I guess I am just looking to get slammed LESS than possible. Right now every tiny bit counts.....

outlawgibbs

Its not that Dyna makes a bad coil. Its just your spending money on things you dont need. If your going to be putting a turbo on your Bird, spend the money on the things you will need to make the turbo work when you get it. In stock trim your bike should be putting 145hp to the rear tire. I know it dont sound like alot when compaired to the Busa but the fact is that most of the ****tards running the streched Busas with big power dont have a ****en clue how to ride. I have run 10.20s at the strip on my Bird with only slip-ons. If I had a full exhaust, power comander and extensions I could run with almost anyone of then guys your talking about if not beat most of them because of the fact they cant handle the power and the Bird is more predicable.

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outlawgibbs

And I have almost 50K miles on my bike and have only replaced the plugs and air filter once since Ive owned it.. I bought it with 27K in June of 08

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BigDave

I NEVER get that luck. ever. I have to claw and fight for my power. My stock numbers usually are terrible. i will bet you any kind of money i not much over 130HP at the rear wheel. Maybe less. A lot of guys are at this level. I reme ber seeing the OVERWHELMING majority of guys were in the 130 range. That is pitiful. 145 is only with a REALLY good exhaust like a Yoshi or a an Akro, maybe a 2 brothers. If stock 145 output exists it is rare and it wont happen to me. No how. Thats why i dont even hesitate to get a turbo. I have run many birds before. I consider them woefully slow. But Graham can fix that. I was hoping for a little boost before he gets his kit off the ground. I am definitely getting the coils. I know the bike i am getting will need every last tiny bit of help it can get. I talked with Graham, he got new coils first thing too. I know F/I is VERY hard on coils in cars. We need to use gazzlilion dollar Okada Plasma Coils for our M3's. The oems JUST FAIL. So, a set of fresh Dynas certainly wold not hurt. F/I has the tendency to fry old used coils after a while.

It would not bother me at all if i had 145 to 150hp while i waited for the turbo. I just dont see that happening. MAYBE. Thats why i cant take a chance even picking up one or 2HP hear or there. I am getting rid of my K and N and substituting a BMC RACE filter hoping for more flow.


Btw i dont even consider anything in the nines upper to mid nines as fast. Sorry. i just dont. Low nines and mid eights is more like it.
I drove a 520 TO THE GROUND! horsepower M3 that i thought was pitiful. The 760HP Turbo version was unreal and really got me going. That the one for my car!

I have a LONG addiction to speed and what would satisfy the "normal" person is just pissing me off.

I have confidence Graham's turbo will will make me happy...but that is a long way off.

You see I have a tendency to buy what i LIKE, what is comfortable, cool and i can make handle. I dont worry TOO much about power at that point. Then after that, adding HP is easy. It is merely a question of $$. Turbos. blowers, you name it, it is out there for just about anything,

BigDave

OK here is Dynatek's response to my question. I dont believe that i will see a whole 5hp gain, but I am getting the coils anyways. I ALWAYS seen an increase in performance if only just throttle response from a coil upgrade. I stand by this modification. Besides, now i will have a FULL set of working plug wires and coils that is worth a few dollars....

BTW, Graham recommends i look at the ARC2 ignition. I am talking to Dynatech about that as I am appalled at the cost for just the wiring HARNESS for this at 269. I have a serious problem with that on top of the 300 dollar cost of the unit. 569 plus a couple hundred in coils (i found them for 169)This ignition system better damn well jerk you off.
But unfortunately for F/I i need SOME after market system with the adjustablilty i will need to retard and other stuff i really dont know much about...just follow instructions, man!
I bitched LOUDLY to Dynatech. Maybe the will give me a deal. Its happened before. You will never get it if you dont ask. The following is their response only to my inquiry about the coils. i thought it was well done.

Dear Dave,

Thank you for your interest in Dynatek ignitions. While I understand your
skepticism think about the technological advances these days. Who would have
thought that an entire stereo system could fit in your shirt pocket. The
Dynatek Mini Series coils were designed for maximum performance without
operational issues when used with compatible applications. Rest assured that
the DCK1-5 was designed to work with the stock Blackbird ignition and we have
not seen any heat related issues with this application. While individual
performance increases can vary we did see a 5 horsepower increase on the
Blackbird we used for testing this setup. I agree this is an unusual increase
for just a coil change but is does happen sometimes with underpowered stock
coils sometimes. If we can be of any further assistance, please feel free to
contact us anytime.

Thank you,
Scott Valentine
Customer Service
Dynatek
1-800-928-DYNA (3962)
http://www.dynaonline.com

BigDave

I did it. I bought the Dyna coils! 169 with free Priority Mail shipping. Cant beat that. I think these coils will ROCK!!

outlawgibbs

If you can try to dyno your bike before and after so we know if they really made a difference

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