My 98 Blackbird purchased from Craigslist.

[cat0020]

I got to swap ride with a friend's 03 Blackbird back in 2005, ever since then I've been wanting to get some more miles on a Blackbird.

I have been watching eBay, Craigstlist on and off for 4 years, Last week I spotted a cheap one on local Craigslist, rode out to take a look and bought it within 1/2 hour.

It's a 98 Blackbird, engine starts with ease, 90+ degree heat probably allow it to start much easier. I rode it for little over 4 miles, nothing unusual, owner says that it has got some electrical issue that bettery does not get charged (or stay charged) when ridden. Needs rear brake pads replaced and maybe a can of SeaFoam through the carbs.

What are the differences between 97 and 98 Blackbird? AFAIK they are both carburated.

The non-charging battery issue could be that it needs a new regulator/rectifier, battery, or stator.. Does the tail plastic have to come off to replace the R/R? What size allenkey to take off the tail plastic?
I plan to replace the R/R and ride the bike 50 mi. back to my place.

[Jake]

One difference I know between the 97 and 98 Blackbirds is that the 98 has ram air and the 97 doesn't.

Congrats on the new bike btw!

[cat0020]

Finally got the Bird home this afternoon, getting her off the truck was trickier than getting her on.

[bjay51d]

how much did you get her for?

[rockertom]

i like my 98 I got about 4 months ago. Congrats and have fun.

[striker77]

Congrats.

[cat0020]

Originally Posted by bjay51d

how much did you get her for?

Less than $2500, previous owner took really good care of it, just the electrical problem that doesn't seem to go away... I fixed the battery charging problem by replacing the regulator. Put a can of SeaFoam in the tank and ride..

The heat trapped into the side plastics are really something.. I feel like my legs are getting cooked while crawling in traffic in 90 degree heat.

[Hotwheels]

nice bike, I have 85,000 miles on my 98.

the 97 and 98 are carb models...no ram air

the FI and ram air came along in 99.

the bike is a great sport-touring platform and will hold it's own in the canyons.


life of certain items....

tires....5k

chain and sprockets and brake pads...15k

the cam chain tensioner will need to be replaced at about 20-25k...easy 10 minute job. Just listen for the "can of marbles" sound coming from the engine between 3-5,000 rpm.


The charging system needs to be watched. The system can be damaged by trying to charge a weak or dead battery. So get a good battery tender and keep an eye on the fluid level in the battery.

The regulater/rectifier and stator are the main failure items. As you found out the R/R is easy to replace and the stator is easy at about 1 hour for replacement.


Heat coming from the engine? The engine is completely encased in the fairing for aerodynamics. Try to stay out of congested areas and just keep the bike moving, preferably at good rate of speed.

[Nightfall]

Beautiful bike, I love the fairings, one of the main reasons I love bikes from the 80's and 90's is because of the solidity of the fairings, they're very solid, not overly complex to the eye like newer bikes.

[cat0020]

Put about 2000 miles on the XX since late August. Last week, I checked the valves @ 16k mi. all of them are spot on. I flushed the brake/clutch fluids, changed the oil/filter/coolant and did a throttle sync. Now it's set for the next 6 months or so.

[bjay51d]

Man you got a smoking deal on her...she looks great

[striker77]

$2500 ?!?!
And I thought I got a deal on my 2000 Blackbird (16k miles) at $4400.

Nice job.

[cat0020]

<$2500.. but the bike did have a dead regulator.

Put some cold weather miles on the XX, the wind protection is quite good from the fairings, even my hands on the control don't get much exposure to the cold wind. The warmth/heat from the side pannels are welcomed features, keep teh legs nice and toasty on my autumn riding: