Hey guys, I just got back home with my new toy, a 99 BLACKbird with 18k kms on the clock.

Ive rode an afrika twin for the last year (20000km), and heres some observations:

MUCH more power, its wicked how much it still accelerates past 200 km/h, and how you can go from 1-120 in first gear. Just sickening.

2 gear is great, you can easily start in it, and it does anything up to 100km/h like a charm, so basicly its great for anything within city limits.

Very low ridingposition, the afrika twin is a bike you ride, feeling that you literally look down on everyone else out in the traffic, its great, and I kinda miss that on the bird.

Thirsty! Its simply amazing, take her out, fill her up, out and strech her legs, and next time you check how much shes got left, shes ready for a refill again. Where can I find a girlfriend with that appetite ?!


Think that was all, ill add more later when it comes up, and something probaly will, since its my second day owning it.


Oki, and now for the question, I noticed a wierd sound, it comes at around 3500-4000 revs in first and second gear, from the right side of the engine. It sounds kinda like a ratteling sound, like somebody forgot they screwdriver in there and its tumbling around or something. Its barely noticeable, but of course, once I noticed it I cant stop listening after it. Any ideas on what it is? And how to fix it? Its kinda annoying since its the only thing thats bothering me on an otherwise PERFECT bike.


Yes, we are are still very much in love, and I think its gonna last more than the usual two years

IF it comes from the right side of the engine, it sounds like the cam chain tensioner is loose. The cam chain tensioner is cheap and easy to replace.

Welcome, Kiriath, and congratulations on your Blackbird purchase. I too have a '99 with 16,000 miles on it. That noise probably is the cam chain tensioner. Check out a member here in our forum - John01XX - he is selling the cam chain tensioners now at a great price.

Originally Posted by testrider

IF it comes from the right side of the engine, it sounds like the cam chain tensioner is loose. The cam chain tensioner is cheap and easy to replace.

+1 It is almost certainly the CCT. Replace that and it will sound like a tomb.

Since you're in Europe, see this (he's in the UK): Jaws Motorcycles and Motorcycle parts supplys
(Scroll down about 2/3 down the page)

I'll say the same thing, the cct

Aha! Just was I was hoping to hear, cheap and easy to replace! Thanks guys!

Originally Posted by haWHYnXX

+1 It is almost certainly the CCT. Replace that and it will sound like a tomb.

Since you're in Europe, see this (he's in the UK): Jaws Motorcycles and Motorcycle parts supplys
(Scroll down about 2/3 down the page)

I can save you some dosh on the CCT. I am the supplier for the CCT's to Jaws. Jaws (John) is a great person and friend who I go on Holiday each year with. I stay at his house for a week with his John and his wonderful wife.

As a member here you get a discounted price of $38.50 delivered Global Priority Mail.

Originally Posted by John01XX

I can save you some dosh on the CCT.
I am the supplier for the CCT's to Jaws.
As a member here you get a discounted price of $38.50 delivered Global Priority Mail.

Sorry John, didn't know you were Jaws' supplier and thought I could save him some aggravation with overseas shipping!!

Not a problem. I was just trying to save him a few bucks is all. Global Priority Mail delivers CCT's anywhere in the world in 3-4 days consistantly except right before Christmas !!! I just mailed 15 to Jaws on Thursday and he will let me know the day they arrive in England. They should show up on Tuesday. The only delivery hang-ups I have had are by the local carriers getting them out to the customer.

I make right at $3.00 profit on each CCT sold so just trying to fill a need exclusively to forum members. I don't advertise them on my BikeBits site.

Congrats on the ride...I got a '99 too. I'm partial to analog gauges. Like everyone has said it's the CCT making the noise. You may want to check your wiring loom for corrosion one day...that's a problem on the 99's as well if you are in rain/damp climate a lot. Ride safe.

Heres an update.

I ordered a CCT at my local mechanic last december after both him and you guys said that were the problem ( thanks for the offers though guys, but im not much into buyin stuff over the internet, no offence meant to anybody, I just dont like computers ).

And today I finally got time to go pick it up and install it! And I gotta say, that had to be the easiest repair ive ever done!

And it worked! So now the engine sounds like a kitty when revving! Niice!


Thanks for the help guys!


(btw, 40 bucks for the CCT... Thats a great price you got going there John, I paid what would amount to about 120 at the mechanic... I need to get into this buying over the internetstuff, it would save me a fortune... )

Is this a common thing on these bikes? I think I might have the same thing going on, but not sure if it is a right or left side issue, it is just a rattle at around 4K.

Originally Posted by Rage

Is this a common thing on these bikes? I think I might have the same thing going on, but not sure if it is a right or left side issue, it is just a rattle at around 4K.

Yes, very common. Change out the CCT and your engine block will sound like a tomb. Contact John01XX, he has them for the cheapest shipped price around.