sr71cbr1100xx

Follow this ... don't bother with the manual it must make things harder than they are Yeah that manual sure complicates things - Stopper tool -WTF? Anyways it was not hard except for cleaning the gasket residue off. Took it out after work with the new CCT and I lost all my marbles at 3000rpm - very smooth now. Thanks Scott

I looked in the Honda Manual under the Cam Chain Tensioner Lifer Removal and it states that one needs to turn the tensioner shaft fully in a clockwise insert a stopper tool to prevent damaging the cam chain???? Only then do they say remove the bolts and sealing washers and cam chain tensioner lifter. I am kinda confused as I am worried about damaging the cam chain. Please help Thanks Scott

Just received the Tensioner in a nicely double sealed with packing tape Priority Mail Envelope. Thanks John - Can't wait to install it tonight when I get home.

Thanks - you guys are awesome. Thank you John for returning my call - it was a pleasure to talk to you. Ordered from your site and am looking forward to getting those marbles out of the engine at 3K

It is quite important to relax the arms and wrists to be able to drive smoothly and controlled. Try to support the body weight by the foots-legs-knees and lower back and belly muscles instead of arms and wrists. If one comes into a touchy situation and grab the bars instead of just doing the necessary counter-steer commands things can go terribly wrong. Thanks for the above riding comments - that makes a lot of sense and I am making an effort to keep the body weight off the wrists- good to know as this is my first bike ever and its been a hard road the last 4 years just getting use to this brutal animal so any comments are appreciated.

Thanks for all the replies. So in the pic the Tensioner is the new X11 one - is that the one to get or is it best just to get the regular stock one. Thanks a lot Scott

I took my bike in to get the Jaws springs and rear spacer put in and the mechanic said that my Cam Timing Tensioner was sounding at around 3K . told me that I should get it done next time I bring my bike in to do the Valve Adjustments at around 25K as those have never been done and I am at 19,000 miles currently. I asked him if the CTT is hard to install and he told me that I shouldn't do it as the proper way is to take the Cam Cover off and if you don't the cams may move and the timing will be off when you take the tensioner off. I have okay mechanical skill and wondering if I can do the CTT myself. Is it easy to change without screwing up the timing of the cams? Thanks Scott

Thanks a lot everyone for great feedback. Just got the bike back today with 10wt oil and it feels alot more percise - no more boating front. The Spacer for the springs from Jaws is pre-cut to fit with the new springs and the Mechanic said that that was nice because most springs just come with a length of tube for your own cutting. The rear spacer puts a nice rake to the bike - but it sure is harder on the wrists. Scott

I am finally getting the Jaws springs installed this Friday. Can anyone tell me if I should just use the stock weight oil which is 10wt -right or a lighter weight oil like a 5 wt. I am confused because some say that with heavier spring you need a lighter oil and others say the opposite. The guy that I am taking the bike to says I should go with the stock weight oil I weigh 190lbs Thanks Scott

Thanks for the feedback - I am excited about getting it installed - Can any bike shop install these parts or do I need to go to a shop that does aftermarket parts. Also, What is sag? Thanks Scott

I have a set of heavier springs for the front forks from Jaws and the rear shock 5mm spacer coming as my buddy ordered 2 sets and said that they are suppose to make the Bird handle almost as well as a pure sport bike. Is this true?

Yesterday I went to the Honda Dealer -Ridemotorsports in Woodinville and picked up an oil filter for an oil change and they said that the original filter I used 15410-MM9-013 has been superceded by 15410-MFJ-D01. The new filter Height is shorter by a 1/4 of an inch - and I phoned again to check and they said they don't carry the old one anymore. Does anyone know of this new filter. I always thought the smaller the filter the less filtering. I started the bike up after the oil change with the new filter and it seems alright. Because the it is smaller its easier to hand tighten. Scott

Thanks for all the responses as that makes me feel a lot better. My 1998 is such a awesome machine and so far the 3 years that I have had it, its been flawless mechanically. I guess the problem is overrated right? Thanks again

A friend of mine told me he read in the European Magazine Two Wheels Only about a review of the Blackbird and said that one of the weakness of the 1997 & 1998 Blackbirds was the Cam Tensioner which goes around 15,000 miles. I currently have 15,500 miles on my 1998 and I don't hear any funny noise at 3-4K rpm. Should I be worried and do preventative maintenance? Will the engine blow up if the Cam Tensioner is defective. Thanks Scott

Chuck: I got the same set as you yesterday. Brian told me that they didn't have the gold one until the next 3 weeks but he had the nickel colored one which was the newer and stronger one but was 10.00 more so I took his word for it and just bought it. You are lucky to get it at the same price - now I feel ripped off as he charged me 10.00 more :-(