After over 2 years of ownership i thought i'd put up a little bit about my experiences.

It all started with an impulse buy of a 2001 Bird from Ebay. I knew nowt about them and have always been a sports bike rider. My girlfriend wanted to ride on the back but the Ninja was a big no no, so i thought i would go down the Bird route.

Below is the original advert pic showing the 2001 Bird. (which turned out to be an XXV Carb model!) And immaculate meant mismatched tyres, fasteners like toffee and rotten collector box. Damn Ebay Iphone apps!
However all's well that ends well!

I'll be updating this to show the current state of the Bike and hopefully the soon to be finished mods!

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j70/Rick448/BB1.jpg

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j70/Rick448/bb2.jpg

Hi Rick!
Good to have you onboard man!

All's well that ends well indeed buddy!

Looks good in the pics. I would have been rather nonplussed to find it carbureted when I was expecting fuelie. That alone would have killed the deal for me. Nothing against carbs, but if I'm looking for fi, I expect fi.

Originally Posted by shewie

Looks good in the pics. I would have been rather nonplussed to find it carbureted when I was expecting fuelie. That alone would have killed the deal for me. Nothing against carbs, but if I'm looking for fi, I expect fi.

I wasn't looking for an FI as I didn't know it should have been. I'd never looked into a Bird seriously and was under the influence when bidding!!

All's well that ends well. So where's the rest of the story...?

Who would want an fi bike anyways?
everybody knows carbies are kings in the bird!!!!

Yeah where's the rest of it man?

I'll be adding a bit at a time listing the jobs I've done and had to do. Its been the longest I've ever kept a bike and won't be selling it even when I can afford a sports bike for road / track stuff. My current choice is the BMW S1000RR but it will be a couple of years until I can afford one so this may change. Until then the Bird will be my track tool as well as road choice for passenger carrying. I'll try to write chapter 2 tomorrow.

Good luck with the bird. Don't hesitate to ask. These guys know everything there is to know about the BB.

It's about time

Well when i picked her up it was a freezing cold November night and i could instantly see this was a totally different bike to the ones i had been used to. Not bad, just different. Lots of go and much slower handling than i was used to, i didn't like the brake feel although they seemed to work OK at reasonable speeds.

First impressions out of 10.

Performance 8 - 10
Handling 6 - 10
Brakes 5 - 10
Condition 5 - 10
Comfort 7 - 10
Looks 7 - 10

Upon closer inspection there were a few things i wanted to change right away.

The brake lines (original rubbery spongy things) were in a poor state and also rusty.

So i changed the lines for a delink kit from Jaws and also added a 6mm shim under the rear shock to quicken the steering up a litte. This was an interim measure as the front was quite soft and rear shock had little in the way of damping which all meant there was lots of weight transfer going on when accelerating and braking.

Now i realise that this is after all an old design and not a sports bike but with a bit of tweaking and time i thought there was a lot more to be had. (and thought rightly)

With new brake lines and delinked, plus rear shim the scores on the doors are now...

Performance 8 - 10
Handling 7 - 10
Brakes 7 - 10
Condition 5 - 10
Comfort 7 - 10
Looks 7 - 10

Next to come was an exhaust and new fasteners all round. This will be chapter 3 if anyone is following!

Next thing was this kit from Probolt in Stainless Fairing Bolt Kit - Excluding Screen - Pro-Bolt - Titanium, Stainless Steel, Aluminium Fasteners & Motorcycle Bolts

I also replaced the disc bolts front and rear and pad retaining pins and grub screws with Titanium. Came to a few quid but looked a lot better than the rotten original fasteners.

Then i ditched the rotten collector box and downpipes in favour of a 4-1 system in order to save some weight. My original plan was to go down the Akrapovic route but due to the exchange rates and being unlucky the system went up by over £150 on the day before i ordered it so i go a Quill Evo 2 Titanium system. The whole lot weighs less than one original silencer. The looks of a 4-1 i realise are personal taste, but i like it.

The blurb says that no rejetting etc is required. Erm, i beg to differ (see later chapter)

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j7...8/0393c0f3.jpg

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j7...IMG_3072-1.jpg

Here are some pics of the pipe fitted.

Bling is nice, I have much of it, however, you might visit Jaws again for suspension, front and rear, hugger, which I can't see. All imo. Perhaps, geelong carbon craft for some bling. I will spend your money for you. Cheers, I like the colour and no stickers is cool.

and good luck with your projects

Jéan