![Bye, Bye Blackbird…](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/5243/372203/5d8221bb15558/Bye-Bye-Blackbird.jpg)
Courtesy of a Honda Blackbird, I have some metalwork in my left arm. Actually, courtesy of my stupidity and a myopic Volkswagen Caddy driver, I have a piece of metalwork in my left arm, but you know what I mean. I was riding a Honda Blackbird at the time of the incident, but never held a grudge against the bike itself. I love them so much I’ve owned two of them and would love a third.
And here’s why. It’s a beautiful bike to look at. With an 11-year lifespan, the bike changed little on the outside and it looked classy. Better still, the amazing build quality meant that a well-looked-after Blackbird still looks fresh and new today.
At its heart was typical tech for the mid 1990s: 16 valves, inline four cylinder, DOHC. It produced a stonking 164 claimed bhp with 91ft/lb of torque. The frame was as common as muck, wide ally beam frame – not that you could see it much as most of the bike was covered with slippery, shark-like bodywork, along with two snouts for a Honda ram-air system. Two polished cans jutted from the back of the bike to make the thing look classy as hell. Suspension was 43mm Showa right-way-up forks and a chunky swingarm equipped with Pro-Link rear suspension.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October 2019 من Classic Motorcycle Mechanics.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October 2019 من Classic Motorcycle Mechanics.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Honda VFR750R - RC30
If there’s a more worshipped V4 out there, we’ve yet to see it: welcome to our reboot of the awesome VFR750R RC30…
![Mountain tension!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5243/725565/6128834cd2ab6/crp_Mountain-tension.jpg)
Mountain tension!
Award-winning motorcycle engineer!
![Fazer set to STUN!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5243/725565/61288945b8905/crp_Fazer-set-to-STUN.jpg)
Fazer set to STUN!
What do you get when you mix CRK’s lovely café racer kit to Yamaha’s budget middleweight and the recently-retired Martin Fox? Well, one helluva foxy Fazer!
![Project Suzuki 1984 RG250 part 4 BRUNO BARES ALL!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5243/725565/612877300a5e5/crp_Project-Suzuki-1984-RG250-part-4BRUNO-BARES-ALL.jpg)
Project Suzuki 1984 RG250 part 4 BRUNO BARES ALL!
This month, while we wait for backorder engine parts, we strip the chassis back to the bare frame, assess what is needed and plan the reassembly…
![Project Kawasaki Z900 Stocker part 2 Ralph has a blast!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5243/725565/61288005ee272/crp_Project-Kawasaki-Z900-Stocker-part-2-Ralph-has-a-blast.jpg)
Project Kawasaki Z900 Stocker part 2 Ralph has a blast!
For the best finish on his Z900’s motor Ralph wants the best, so he visits Stephen Smethurst Casting Renovation to find out how it’s done properly.
![Project Suzuki TS400 Part 8 Loom with a view!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5243/725565/61287a0244003/crp_Project-Suzuki-TS400-Part-8Loom-with-a-view.jpg)
Project Suzuki TS400 Part 8 Loom with a view!
We’re getting down into the nitty-gritty this time with component testing and loom building. What could go wrong?
![Project Yamaha TX750 Part 12 A question of balance…](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5243/725565/612874d758e99/crp_Project-Yamaha-TX750-Part-12A-question-of-balance.jpg)
Project Yamaha TX750 Part 12 A question of balance…
Only The Beach Boys had good vibrations… so what’s Mark been up to, to sort out the bad ones coming from his TX750?
![Splitting links](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5243/725565/612881a974776/crp_Splitting-links.jpg)
Splitting links
Ralph Ferrand works with tools all day long – he sells them too at bikerstoolbox.co.uk so he knows what works.
STAVROS: PRINCE OF PRANKSTERS!
It’s probably fair to say that Stephen JamesParrish’s persona and overall levity throughout his life have muddied the waters as to just how good a bike racer he was back in the day.
![Metal magic!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5243/675190/60c86275889dd/crp_Metal-magic.jpg)
Metal magic!
Ralph Ferrand works with tools all day long – he sells them too at bikerstoolbox co uk so he knows what works.. .