Hello all. I've been on every bike out there from Ducati to Yamaha but Honda's have been the best and the Blackbird beats them all. It didn't take more than two seconds on an XX to make me a believer. I've mostly been on CBR's and VFR's and loved them all, but the XX is just in a league of its own.

Looking to add a new XX to my collection to keep the Viffer company and balance out the usage.

Here's the question:

Honda doesn't sell new Blackbirds in the States but they do in Europe. There is a 1997 XX in the garage with a dropped valve and 80,000 miles. There is also a 2000 XX in the garage which runs as smooth as butter. Should I order a new Bird and have it shipped over or should I do a complete rebuild on the '97?

I like the original bodywork and am not liking the proposed redesign for the 1300cc model.

Third or fourth option suggestions are very welcome.

Thanks for reading and thanks for having me.

Welcome. The Blackbird was discontinued in 2007 (over here/Europe) and there are no new ones or plans for a new one, no 1300version in the pipeline.

My opinion get the 2000 XX, if you rebuild the 97, you can't ride it straight away!

Originally Posted by H3r3t1c

Welcome. The Blackbird was discontinued in 2007 (over here/Europe) and there are no new ones or plans for a new one, no 1300version in the pipeline.

My opinion get the 2000 XX, if you rebuild the 97, you can't ride it straight away!

Sorry didnt realise you already had the XX's when you said garage i assumed dealer garage!

Ya a 1300 Bird would be a sweet thing..... I think Honda needs to get it done! 1337cc and new projectors in the headlamp.......

Anyway re-build the 97 and slap one of Grahams turbo kits on it......Keep the FI for your everyday ride.

Welcome DeadOfNight to xx,youve got one of each,its a personal choice, you want to be tempted,easiest is to rebuild,do you know the diff between 97-98 to 99-2000 2001 onwards,just a few differances cheers,

Welcome from South Texas! xxx99 has the right plan of action to take. Go completely gonzo and do the whole forged rods/pistons route and build a scary fast race bike, then ride it on the street! Bwahahaha!

from the Great White North! (well, not so white these days, but I just like that expression...)

There are still great Birds to be had in the States. Personally I wouldn't buy a Bird from overseas and ship it the N.A. Now's your chance to build a rocket. Check the rebuild threads and get youself a Turbo from Graham. Welcome.

i dont have the technical know how. or the inclination.
but if i had i would rebuild the 97. nothing better than a great looking older motorbike. better than new ones any day
but welcome anyway

Be very careful buying any motorcycle out of the state of California and bringing it back into the state. Many of the bikes aren't 50 state ready and you may not be able to register it in CA for lack of the mandatory emission control systems.
This happened to a friend who brought a KLR650 from Oregon and wasn't able to license it due to no CA smog devices installed.

!

from austria

welcome d o night, id rebuild the 97, its a great opportunity to build a great engine, either a big bore kit or go the turbo route, i have a 97 and im waiting for the engine to blow up ! dont think im gonna live long enough though !

!

from over the pond.

Beware the Bird, they become addictive as do 'project rebuilds' as does riding them.
Even court appearances are fun as everybody admires the sheer beauty of the beast