Honda Blackbird

You can de-link the brakes if it's an issue with a £100 kit but most opinions are that the brakes are best left alone. Only issues are cam chain tensioners rattle sometimes and reg/recs explode every 20k or so -its a Honda so pretty reliable.

Originally Posted by ThEGr33k

VFR....

....with a Zorst sunds a LOT better

+ 1

Ah, the V4 sounds is sorted because I'll have access to a VFR400

Hmmm...honda cam chains have always been something of a moot point anyway (think back to honda VF's, and there's your part-reason why honda used gear-driven camshafts for the VFR's). Reg/recs going isnt anything too bad, that can affect any bike. like an sv. (d'oh)

Been watching some youtube vids...oooo yum

Originally Posted by alpinestarhero

Ah, the V4 sounds is sorted because I'll have access to a VFR400

Hmmm...honda cam chains have always been something of a moot point anyway (think back to honda VF's, and there's your part-reason why honda used gear-driven camshafts for the VFR's). Reg/recs going isnt anything too bad, that can affect any bike. like an sv. (d'oh)

Been watching some youtube vids...oooo yum

Ahhh but the VFR400/750 race reps don't sound as good... It uses a 360 crank the tourer uses a 180 crank and sounds better for it

It wasn't the chain that was so much the problem (I dont think?) as the chocolate cams... They forgot to harden them and things bent and broke and ouch.

Originally Posted by ThEGr33k

Ahhh but the VFR400/750 race reps don't sound as good... It uses a 360 crank the tourer uses a 180 crank and sounds better for it

It wasn't the chain that was so much the problem (I dont think?) as the chocolate cams... They forgot to harden them and things bent and broke and ouch.

yea, and they made the cam chain tensioners out of the same stuff i think. My dad has a mate who brought a VF when they came out, and it ate a couple of cam-chains. Honda replaced each one free of charge because they didn't want to be see to be ignoring what was a really big issue

For good V4 sound, i need to buy an RC30 or RC45 really. mmmmm

Have a ganders at this months Performance Bikes as well, they've got a Blackbird tested against a Hayabusa, ZZR1400 and GSXR1000 and they were well impressed with it.

Their Blackbird had a full Akrapovic system on it which added a load of power and a lot of weight off the bike too...

[Ruffy]

Originally Posted by alpinestarhero

Hmmm...honda cam chains have always been something of a moot point anyway (think back to honda VF's, and there's your part-reason why honda used gear-driven camshafts for the VFR's). Reg/recs going isnt anything too bad, that can affect any bike. like an sv. (d'oh)

Originally Posted by alpinestarhero

yea, and they made the cam chain tensioners out of the same stuff i think. My dad has a mate who brought a VF when they came out, and it ate a couple of cam-chains. Honda replaced each one free of charge because they didn't want to be see to be ignoring what was a really big issue

Originally Posted by ThEGr33k

It wasn't the chain that was so much the problem (I dont think?) as the chocolate cams... They forgot to harden them and things bent and broke and ouch.

+1

The 1998-2002 VFR800Fi (pre-underseat exhaust) has gear driven cams, so no cam chain issues at all. The engine is reportedly solid. I've never had a problem with mine but it's hardly high mileage. The common problem is reg/rec going on early bikes, but post 2000 version is a reliable fix. For the later bikes, Honda reverted to chain drive cams (suspicion: cost cutting) but I'm sure they learnt their lesson from the 80s VF series.

Originally Posted by alpinestarhero

For good V4 sound, i need to buy an RC30 or RC45 really. mmmmm

My 1998 Fi-W has an RC45 series engine number. Does that count?!!! You certainly won't get V4 sound from a Blackbird.

Originally Posted by Ruffy

+1

The 1998-2002 VFR800Fi (pre-underseat exhaust) has gear driven cams, so no cam chain issues at all. The engine is reportedly solid. I've never had a problem with mine but it's hardly high mileage. The common problem is reg/rec going on early bikes, but post 2000 version is a reliable fix. For the later bikes, Honda reverted to chain drive cams (suspicion: cost cutting) but I'm sure they learnt their lesson from the 80s VF series.

My 1998 Fi-W has an RC45 series engine number. Does that count?!!! You certainly won't get V4 sound from a Blackbird.

We ment the VF the first gen V4's... not the VFR's.

[Luckypants]

All talk about Honda using nasty cam-chains on latest VFR as if it a BAD THING. All their other bikes use cam chains and everyone says how reliable Hondas are! I know of many VTEC VFRs with in excess 100K miles and no issues. Just putting a little perspective on this.

Aye... but you cant beat the whine of gear driven cams