Hi from the East Coast and Rockies. - Discuss Hi from the East Coast and Rockies. on CBRXX, the ultimate on-line community for Honda motorcyclists. Read it in Introductions. (New here? Introduce yourself!)

BlackBirdMoJoe · 09-29-2007, 6:38 PM

Hi All,

A month ago, I bought a 2003 Black Bird and am in the process of "personalizing" it. I've been riding for most of 30 years but am new to the liter plus class and the Black Bird.

My first bike was a used Honda 360, the next year I got a Honda 550, then the year after I got my first new bike, a Honda CB 750F, then another 750F. My next bike was a V45 Saber, then in ’87 I bought my only non-Honda, a Kawasaki Ninja 750R (GPX750R-F1). I’ve owned the latter until now. I guess I'm back to my roots.

Currently the Ninja is in parts strewn about my garage and living room in Colorado. After 20 years, and a layer of rust found in the bowls, I decided a total rebuild was in order. During the search for parts, I came upon the Black Bird and decided I couldn’t wait any longer to ride. So, I bought the Bird from a guy in Wisconsin and had it shipped to my “other” home in Boston (I grew up there, learned all of my riding back there, and now spend about half my time with friends and family). So, I have one bike in Boston and parts of another in Colorado. I hope to have the Ninja rebuilt for springtime in the Rockies, but for now, I have the Black Bird for fall foliage in New England.

I joined this forum because I found myself perusing it for suggestions and advice, and felt that it would be nice to join this community to share mutual experiences and get help with my Bird.

As I indicated, I’m a newbie to the BB and to bikes over 750cc. My first indication that the Black Bird was going to be a whole new experience was when I was cruising along on the Mass Pike (a wide, straight, toll road), at what I thought was a not unreasonable clip, only to look down to see my speedo in triple digits. I don’t know if I was more concerned about troopers, or the fact that, due to the bike’s smooth go-fast nature, I hadn’t had a clue as to my speed. With my Ninja, I’ve been on the “jail him” side of a buck, but I was always very much aware of it, and not because of the incarceration factor. The smoothness of the Bird caught me totally off guard, not to mention the first time I mistakenly put the bike into unicycle mode. I can see that this is going to be a wonderful relationship, however, like any other; it’s going to take some time, care, and understanding.

The original owner took immaculate care of the bike and when I took delivery, it looked as if it just came off the showroom floor. The bike came with Hyperpro fork springs, Pilot Powers tires, Givi windscreen (soon to be replaced with a double bubble), Heli bars, Throttle Meister, K&N replacement filter, Yoshimura slip-ons, a PCIII USB, and integrated taillight (will be augmenting the latter with original rear directionals to make it street legal in MA).

I am an engineer by nature and by training, so of course I have to take a great thing and make it better. And, like any good engineer, I sometimes don’t know when to stop before I start making things worse. I’m hoping this forum and you guys can protect me from myself!

Modifications I am considering in addition to those above:

Lowering (I’m vertically challenged) – the rear with the 120° link plate rotation trick, the front by slipping the forks about a ½ inch.
Suspension, I want more tuneability – the rear with Ohlins or Hyper Pro, the front ???
Pazzo Levers to reduce reach and fatigue because I got the stock ones in as far as they go (not sure, short or standard length?)
Custom Corbin seat
Gel grips
Fender eliminator?

Waiting to be installed (I’m in CO right now):

Carbon fiber tire hugger.
Alarm System – Internatrix TW-400.
Smoked double bubble style windshield.
Magnetic tank bra.

I got the 1999 – 2002 Service Manual in PDF format and a ’97 to ’02 Haynes manual to supplement it. However, I am always open to suggestions and recommendations. So, feel free to suggest away (especially on any of the current, waiting, or “considering” modifications listed above).

Looking forward to sharing rides with the community!

Life is full of mojo, just insert yourself where you want!

Keep the rubber on the road!

flblackbird · 09-29-2007, 8:51 PM

Jason-1999-XX · 09-29-2007, 9:53 PM

Nice introduction. Spoken by a man whos obviously been around two wheels for awhile. Welcome to the site. Your XX sounds real nice, and the mods you intend to do are awesome. I like Ohlins, Pazzo levers are in the future for me. I may be a needle in a haystack, but I never cared for Corbin seats. I had one on my XX when purchased, it was sold a week later. They don't allow you to move around on longer trips. It seemed to make "monkey butt" come on faster than the stock seat. Take care

BlackBirdMoJoe · 09-29-2007, 10:25 PM

Thanks for the welcome and the feedback on the seat. Considering the price of the latter, I think I'll probably ride the stock seat for a while before I make a decision. Definitely will make the suspension mods first. I really want to lower the bike as I do feel it's a little tall for me and I don't yet feel "one with the bike" (use to the smaller feel of the Ninja). So, keep the feedback coming!

Aurora · 09-29-2007, 10:51 PM

PJNXX · 09-30-2007, 11:20 AM

Welcome to the site.

CanadianBird · 09-30-2007, 2:03 PM

Welcome. I have a Corbin GFL and I love it and it suits my pillon as well. Plus the colours etc I chose looks good and today you can get them heated! I would join the Brit site, www.superblackbird.co.uk and check out Jaws for all things Bird. Also, John on this site has lots of stuff. Consider HID low beams, frame plugs, Givi hard luggage, radar/gps, Penske rear, springs from Jaws and pre-load adjusters from Jaws. His site is excellent and he's very knowledgeable. The rear Hugger is mandatory. Goodridge steel lines allround, is very nice, and try this site for a horn. The OEM horn is wimpy and therefore dangerous. NIPPY NORMANS - the No. 1 supplier of BMW motorcycle accessories! Steble Magnum, it's a straight swap, 139 dbls, Loud I say. I couldn't find Steble in Van. so on advice from the Brit site, I ordered from nippy. Excellent service. You might want a pro-oiler however I don't use one. Motul Semi works excellently as does Motorex - Oil of Switzerland:* Motorex - Oil of Switzerland dot 5.1 hydrolic fluid. I also use Motul coolant and have for 100,000 kms. Do searched for everything that you want to know about. Tires and oil are the ongoing, everlasting threads. I'm running on Avon Storms and I'm liking them in the dry and wet. Cheers, it's a good thing I'm not too opinionated. '02 Bird, 118,000 kms of trouble free touring. If you are vertically challenged, as I am, I added Heli bars, but I also ride in my Harley boots to give me some height. I can place a foot flat on the ground.
Frame sliders are nice from Jaws as well.

BlackBirdMoJoe · 09-30-2007, 5:35 PM

CandianBird (or anybody else), do you have any pictures of your seat that you could email me? I suggested to my girlfriend that I might put off the seat purchase and she indicated she might put off riding on the bike... So, I'm thinking I could use the GFL when she's riding and the stock seat when I'm solo and need a little more movement in the twisties. Also, for long rides I'm going to need to move the passenger footpegs forward a certain amount to make it a little more comfortable for her. I'm gonna do a search, but if anyone has a pointer or suggestion, feel free to voice your opinion.

mikedevine · 10-02-2007, 12:39 PM

Howdy neighbor!

red-oh-one · 10-02-2007, 2:06 PM

Why don't you like the Givi windscreen? I was thinking of replacing my stocker with the Givi. People say the quality is very good.

BlackBirdMoJoe · 10-02-2007, 5:08 PM

The Givi screen is great, and I plan to keep it for longer rides. It's not that I don't like it, it's that I wanted something sportier and shorter for general day to day riding. Being vertically challenged myself, the sportier windscreen should channel the air stream up to and over my full-face. Once I install the double-bubble, I can let you know if I find myself disappointed.

CanadianBird · 10-03-2007, 7:30 AM

Visit the Corbin Motorcycle Seats & Accessories | Cool Motorcycle Stuff since 1968 | 800-538-7035 for their product line. A heated seat would be nice on those chilly fall mornings. How tall are you, less than 5'6"? I haven't lowered my Bird, just a Penske rear. I don't see what's so great about the sock seat but there are other seat manufacturers out there. Mustang seats, I think.

09-29-2007, 8:51 PM	#2
flblackbird What cop?? Join Date: Jan 24 2007 Location: Edgewater, FL, USA Age: 40 Posts: 1,859	Re: Hi from the East Coast and Rockies. __________________ Mike 02 Silver Bird I'm a Yamaha tech., that's why I ride a Honda

09-29-2007, 9:53 PM	#3
Jason-1999-XX Join Date: Nov 23 2006 Location: Jacksonville,FL Age: 33 Posts: 205	Re: Hi from the East Coast and Rockies. Nice introduction. Spoken by a man whos obviously been around two wheels for awhile. Welcome to the site. Your XX sounds real nice, and the mods you intend to do are awesome. I like Ohlins, Pazzo levers are in the future for me. I may be a needle in a haystack, but I never cared for Corbin seats. I had one on my XX when purchased, it was sold a week later. They don't allow you to move around on longer trips. It seemed to make "monkey butt" come on faster than the stock seat. Take care __________________ Cheers to the best bike ever built... Our Blackbird

09-29-2007, 10:25 PM	#4
BlackBirdMoJoe Join Date: Sep 29 2007 Location: Boston, MA & Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 11	Re: Hi from the East Coast and Rockies. Thanks for the welcome and the feedback on the seat. Considering the price of the latter, I think I'll probably ride the stock seat for a while before I make a decision. Definitely will make the suspension mods first. I really want to lower the bike as I do feel it's a little tall for me and I don't yet feel "one with the bike" (use to the smaller feel of the Ninja). So, keep the feedback coming!

09-29-2007, 10:51 PM	#5
Aurora Join Date: Oct 21 2006 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,260	Re: Hi from the East Coast and Rockies.

09-30-2007, 11:20 AM	#6
PJNXX Moderator Join Date: Nov 12 2006 Location: Medford, NY Age: 40 Posts: 1,904	Re: Hi from the East Coast and Rockies. Welcome to the site. __________________ -Paul

09-30-2007, 2:03 PM	#7
CanadianBird Join Date: Nov 25 2006 Location: BC Canada Posts: 4,433	Re: Hi from the East Coast and Rockies. Welcome. I have a Corbin GFL and I love it and it suits my pillon as well. Plus the colours etc I chose looks good and today you can get them heated! I would join the Brit site, www.superblackbird.co.uk and check out Jaws for all things Bird. Also, John on this site has lots of stuff. Consider HID low beams, frame plugs, Givi hard luggage, radar/gps, Penske rear, springs from Jaws and pre-load adjusters from Jaws. His site is excellent and he's very knowledgeable. The rear Hugger is mandatory. Goodridge steel lines allround, is very nice, and try this site for a horn. The OEM horn is wimpy and therefore dangerous. NIPPY NORMANS - the No. 1 supplier of BMW motorcycle accessories! Steble Magnum, it's a straight swap, 139 dbls, Loud I say. I couldn't find Steble in Van. so on advice from the Brit site, I ordered from nippy. Excellent service. You might want a pro-oiler however I don't use one. Motul Semi works excellently as does Motorex - Oil of Switzerland:* Motorex - Oil of Switzerland dot 5.1 hydrolic fluid. I also use Motul coolant and have for 100,000 kms. Do searched for everything that you want to know about. Tires and oil are the ongoing, everlasting threads. I'm running on Avon Storms and I'm liking them in the dry and wet. Cheers, it's a good thing I'm not too opinionated. '02 Bird, 118,000 kms of trouble free touring. If you are vertically challenged, as I am, I added Heli bars, but I also ride in my Harley boots to give me some height. I can place a foot flat on the ground. Frame sliders are nice from Jaws as well. Last edited by CanadianBird; 09-30-2007 at 2:12 PM.

09-30-2007, 5:35 PM	#8
BlackBirdMoJoe Join Date: Sep 29 2007 Location: Boston, MA & Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 11	Re: Hi from the East Coast and Rockies. CandianBird (or anybody else), do you have any pictures of your seat that you could email me? I suggested to my girlfriend that I might put off the seat purchase and she indicated she might put off riding on the bike... So, I'm thinking I could use the GFL when she's riding and the stock seat when I'm solo and need a little more movement in the twisties. Also, for long rides I'm going to need to move the passenger footpegs forward a certain amount to make it a little more comfortable for her. I'm gonna do a search, but if anyone has a pointer or suggestion, feel free to voice your opinion. __________________ Life is full of mojo, just insert yourself where you want!

10-02-2007, 12:39 PM	#9
mikedevine Join Date: Feb 23 2007 Location: Boston Age: 47 Posts: 307	Re: Hi from the East Coast and Rockies. Howdy neighbor!

10-02-2007, 2:06 PM	#10
red-oh-one Join Date: Dec 04 2006 Location: Tampa,Fl. Posts: 128	Re: Hi from the East Coast and Rockies. Why don't you like the Givi windscreen? I was thinking of replacing my stocker with the Givi. People say the quality is very good.

10-02-2007, 5:08 PM	#11
BlackBirdMoJoe Join Date: Sep 29 2007 Location: Boston, MA & Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 11	Re: Hi from the East Coast and Rockies. The Givi screen is great, and I plan to keep it for longer rides. It's not that I don't like it, it's that I wanted something sportier and shorter for general day to day riding. Being vertically challenged myself, the sportier windscreen should channel the air stream up to and over my full-face. Once I install the double-bubble, I can let you know if I find myself disappointed. __________________ Life is full of mojo, just insert yourself where you want!

10-03-2007, 7:30 AM	#12
CanadianBird Join Date: Nov 25 2006 Location: BC Canada Posts: 4,433	Re: Hi from the East Coast and Rockies. Visit the Corbin Motorcycle Seats & Accessories \| Cool Motorcycle Stuff since 1968 \| 800-538-7035 for their product line. A heated seat would be nice on those chilly fall mornings. How tall are you, less than 5'6"? I haven't lowered my Bird, just a Penske rear. I don't see what's so great about the sock seat but there are other seat manufacturers out there. Mustang seats, I think.