Serious advice needed: Super Blackbird as first bike???
Discussion
Guys,
Before you all go off on one please read the rest of this post. I'm in need of sound advice...
So..... The opportunity has arisen for me to be given a 98' low mileage Blackbird for FREE.
Here's the story and why it is so close to my heart. I had a cousin who sadly passed away in 2004, he had an accident in the truck he was driving and died at the scene. For me in my teens, this guy was my idol, a gentle giant. I looked up to him and he kept me on the straight and narrow (kicked my arse a few times as well!). He got me in to bikes and took me out riding with him. The bike he had when he passed away was the Blackbird in question. Sadly I never had the chance to go on it with him. Since 2004 the bike has been garaged and ridden only very occasionally. It was gifted to his best friend who, due to work and financial commitments, hasn't been able to maintain and ride it as much as was hoped. So I've been offered the bike by my cousin's widow, in the hope of keeping it within the family.
So that's the background of the bike and you can see why I have an emotional attachment. The question is, does this just sound utterly stupid to be even thinking about?
I'm trying to weigh up the pro's and con's. I would feel so proud to own this bike, I would have no issue with respecting the bike and what it is capable of. However, I do not want to become a statistic. The fact the bike is free also helps! I thought that a restrictor kit will be sensible? Also, a lot of it for me is restoring it back to its former glory, stripping it all down, rebuilding etc, really getting to know her.
.... I dunno, my heart is saying yes, for obvious reasons! however my head is telling me to be cautious. But you only go as fast as your wrist tells it to, right?
Any constructive advice is really appreciated....
Before you all go off on one please read the rest of this post. I'm in need of sound advice...
So..... The opportunity has arisen for me to be given a 98' low mileage Blackbird for FREE.
Here's the story and why it is so close to my heart. I had a cousin who sadly passed away in 2004, he had an accident in the truck he was driving and died at the scene. For me in my teens, this guy was my idol, a gentle giant. I looked up to him and he kept me on the straight and narrow (kicked my arse a few times as well!). He got me in to bikes and took me out riding with him. The bike he had when he passed away was the Blackbird in question. Sadly I never had the chance to go on it with him. Since 2004 the bike has been garaged and ridden only very occasionally. It was gifted to his best friend who, due to work and financial commitments, hasn't been able to maintain and ride it as much as was hoped. So I've been offered the bike by my cousin's widow, in the hope of keeping it within the family.
So that's the background of the bike and you can see why I have an emotional attachment. The question is, does this just sound utterly stupid to be even thinking about?
I'm trying to weigh up the pro's and con's. I would feel so proud to own this bike, I would have no issue with respecting the bike and what it is capable of. However, I do not want to become a statistic. The fact the bike is free also helps! I thought that a restrictor kit will be sensible? Also, a lot of it for me is restoring it back to its former glory, stripping it all down, rebuilding etc, really getting to know her.
.... I dunno, my heart is saying yes, for obvious reasons! however my head is telling me to be cautious. But you only go as fast as your wrist tells it to, right?
Any constructive advice is really appreciated....
Chaps,
Thanks very much for the honest replies. After much thought I think I will be getting it. However, I'm going to be sensible about it. I'll put her in my garage and work on her for a while, I'm in no rush. Whilst I'm bringing her back up to scratch I'll buy something with tax/test just to get some more experience. And when I feel ready, and only then, will I take the bird out and gradually get to know the fat heffer. I will also put a restrictor kit on for as long as it takes.
How do restrictor kits work exactly?
Thanks very much for the honest replies. After much thought I think I will be getting it. However, I'm going to be sensible about it. I'll put her in my garage and work on her for a while, I'm in no rush. Whilst I'm bringing her back up to scratch I'll buy something with tax/test just to get some more experience. And when I feel ready, and only then, will I take the bird out and gradually get to know the fat heffer. I will also put a restrictor kit on for as long as it takes.
How do restrictor kits work exactly?
Wow, all the replies have been astonishingly good and well thought out so many thanks for the constructive input chaps. I like to think I'm fairly level headed and can play the long game as I intend. For me, riding isn't about blasting out of every corner with both arses twitching(!) it's for the flow from one corner to the next and the sense of freedom.
However, I'm not daft and know that temptation can kick in when you see others on their litre sports bikes blasting past.
I'm perhaps thinking I should give more thought to the weight of the bike. At 6ft and nearly 19st I put the weight of the bike second to my concerns about the power and speed. I'll definitely get booked on to a few advanced riding courses. Maybe a few hours spent down the local supermarket car park would hone my low speed skills and teach my to work with the weight?
Again, thanks for the replies. This has all come about quite out of the blue...
However, I'm not daft and know that temptation can kick in when you see others on their litre sports bikes blasting past.
I'm perhaps thinking I should give more thought to the weight of the bike. At 6ft and nearly 19st I put the weight of the bike second to my concerns about the power and speed. I'll definitely get booked on to a few advanced riding courses. Maybe a few hours spent down the local supermarket car park would hone my low speed skills and teach my to work with the weight?
Again, thanks for the replies. This has all come about quite out of the blue...
Chaps,
Once again I'm overwhelmed by the positive responses, so thanks very much for the input.
I guess the next stage will be to post some pics up once I get the bird. Not sure when that will be atm but will hopefully be sooner rather than later. All my questions and concerns have been addressed and I am feeling a lot more at ease about getting her.
I'll keep you all updated with developments as hopefully some of you will want to know how I get on.
Thanks again
Martin
Once again I'm overwhelmed by the positive responses, so thanks very much for the input.
I guess the next stage will be to post some pics up once I get the bird. Not sure when that will be atm but will hopefully be sooner rather than later. All my questions and concerns have been addressed and I am feeling a lot more at ease about getting her.
I'll keep you all updated with developments as hopefully some of you will want to know how I get on.
Thanks again
Martin
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