Hy Guys

I am new to the board and to the bike so I wanted to find out what things I should look for when buying a Blackbird. I am trying to find an FI model. I have seen some bike with after market paint jobs. Is that ok or are they painted to cover up a wreck? What about the electronics is there anyway to tell if the bike is in good electrical shape. I am not a walking money bag so when I get this bike I have to make sure I am getting one that will last me a good long while.

Thanks Big-V316

That should be easy.

I'd buy a bike which is stock. Unless the mods are in good shape, you already want them, and they're done well.

Assuming the bike runs and rides correctly, and the bodywork hasn't been damaged, I can't see you picking up a lemon. I'm sure they exist, but this is a very well put together motorcycle.

Depending where you are, another board member may be able to assist with a PPI for a bike you're looking at. Existing owners with mechanical aptitude are an excellent resource, and there are more than a few of those here at the forum.

Good luck in your search.

Personally I would steer clear of a Bird that has been sprayed.

Cops, on the way home, when you learn how addictive twisting the happy handle is.

Very true! :D

Beware that the 1999 and 2000 injection models can have a lot of problems with the main wiring loom. You can not see that without opening the loom. Just look out for strange behaviour of the F1 light on the dashboard, or other weird behaviour...

Hey Helvet my buddy is having funny problems with his FI light right now on his '99. What's the fix?

Squareman357:
http://www.bikersoracle.com/blackbird/foru...light=wire+loom

Watch out for cupped tires. :wink:

As an active memeber of the UK site and close friend of Jaws I question the appearance of this wiring loom problem here in the States.

It was rarely seen but did show-up in European models only. If there is anyone here on this site that has had to have a Loom replaced either under warrenty of at a cost, they need to speak up.
I have seen many "FI" problems but never one that involved the wiring loom replacement. I believe this was isolated to European models only.

If your FI problem is an intermittant light but no engine cutout problem.... then check your electrical grounds and the problem can be gotten rid of easily and permanantly as many have done.

Things to watch out for:
Cops (already mentioned)
Cupped tires (Already mentioned)
Gravel
Sand
Wet corners
Women driving SUV's
Any teens with cell phones (which is all teens)


The bike itself, there is little to nothing to worry but don't go for salvaged or beaten bikes unless you REALLY know your stuff, this would cause nothing but headaches.

Yeah John, that's pretty much his problem. Intermittant light flickering, some times turning on the turn signals makes the FI light go off for a while, but she's still running strong with no problems. Think it's just a grounding issue? If so, where should we start to troubleshoot that?

Others should post up here as that is a problem that has happened to many. Mine was the ground under the tank. I have heard that the ground block under the seat has caused it also.

FI flickering problem solvers SPEAK UP

Solved mine.
The sidestand was down.

Check the ECU for fault codes. Repair the faults, if any, and reset the ECU. I was having intermittent FI light issues and this fixed mine. (I had an IAT fault due to a bad connection. I think I failed to get the IAT sensor plugged in properly after a service.)

The light would not come on all the time, but seemed to glow randomly. I could turn it off by flashing the turn signals, honking the horn or turning on the high beam. That sounded just like a ground problem to me.

I checked and cleaned all the grounds I could find before doing the reset and still had the intermittent light. I pulled the harness apart where the plug has been corroding on the Euro models. Mine was clean and bright so I just put it back together.

There have been a couple of reports of corrosion on the site, but mine was not one of them. Try this tip and see if it fixes the problem.

i for one. have had a problem with the loom. twice. both times, fi and lights flashed, bike cutout. but the problem with the loom for me. was corrosion. cleaned and everything, went back to working normally. i posted on this matter. here.

oh yea mines a 99

Watch out for brake light switches that are stuck always on.

Oh almost forgot. The rubber strap that holds the tool kit in place.

a simple way to check for ground problem.


turn on lights/indicators - what ever shows problem with FI light, then run a wire from the battery earth to anything metal at the front end, if FI light goes out you have a simple earth problem, there is an earth under below tank on left, heavy red wire in black sleeve, you can see through the hole in left cowling, not much room but if you can remove philips screw and clean with sandpaper this should fix problem.

Harness replacement cured my problems. Honda replaced the ECM under warranty but it didn't fix the problem. Another dealer called the Honda tech line and they had him run some tests on the harness which it failed. Harness replaced and no problems in 9000 miles.
My bike is also a flood damaged vehicle so that could have been a contributing factor.

I have had problems with the loom to, and I'm in a hot place al year.
F1 lite on after bikes got in temp.
problem solved when eliminated the big good for nothing plug.

question: has any one has have seen the F1 lite come on with the power comander? I had to remove the comander and the problem stop, send the comander to check at dyno jets

Yes, my problem started a few weeks after installing the Power Commander. First I disconnected the new Powercommander, but that didn't help for long.....
Why do you ask?

I was having that problem the F1 lite kept coming on but when I check the comander , it didn't open with the pc so we took it of an send it do dyno jets , ones I took the comander of the F1 lite went off an have had no problem since.
did you reset the ecu after taking the comander of?

not a major issue, took me 30mins to remove the connector and make my own using basic terminal block, but it was evident on my bike.