ENGINE

FUEL SYSTEM

4x 42mm carburetors (early)

Computerised fuel injection)

IgnitionDigital transistorised

Cooling Liquid

Maximum Power

164bhp @ Crank (’97 to ’01 models)

150.4bhp @ 9,539rpm  (’97 to –01 Models)

Maximum Torque  89 lbs ft @ 7,281rpm   (rear wheel)

EXHAUST SYSTEM

System Layout 4-1-2 into 2   (all models)

4-1-2 into 2 with 3 catalytic converters (2001)

TRANSMISSION

Primary Drive Gear

Clutch Hydraulic wet multi plate

Gearbox  6-speed

Final Drive ‘O’ or ‘X’ ring Chain

WEIGHTS AND CAPACITIES

Tank Capacity

22litres(early models)

24 litres (later models)

        Dry Weight 223kg              (490 lbs)

Wheel Base 1,490mm (58.6ins)

Overall Length 2,160mm(85.0ins)

Overall Width 720mm(28.4ins)

Overall Height 1,170mm(46.1ins)

Seat Height 810mm    (31.9ins)

CYCLE-PARTS

Frame Aluminium twin spar

Rake/Trail 25 º / 99mm

Front Suspension 43mm telescopic forks

Travel 120mm

Adjustment none

Rear Suspension Pro-Link, Monoshock

Travel 120mm

Adjustment Preload, plus rebound damping

Tyres Front  120/70 x ZR17

Rear 180/55 x ZR17

Brakes Nissin

Front  2 x 310mm discs, opposed

3-piston ‘Dual Combined’ callipers

Rear   256mm disc, opposed 3-piston

‘Dual Combined’ callipers

Engine, Clutch and Transmission

The engine is angled forward to push the centre of gravity downwards which improves the balance of the bike. To reduce overall bulk, the cylinder block was designed with the minimum of excess material, to keep it as light as possible. Even the valve angles were steepened to keep the combustion chamber utterly compact !!! In the interest of narrowness, the twin camshafts are driven from one end of the crank, and the other driving an ultra-compact generator.

The bike has  knock (detonation ) sensors fitted to each cylinder to constantly monitor the combustion efficiency and optimise the ignition timing. This ensure the engine is is at peak performance every second. 

For the ultimate refinement the CBR-XX engine is purged of every last vibration by the use of the unique Honda dual-shaft balancer system, which had never before been used on a sportsbike! It gives a final, creamy consistency to an already super-smooth power delivery. In fact, the engine of the Super-BlackBird  is so smooth that Honda bolted it directly to the frame without the use of rubber mounts , adding even greater overall rigidity while allowing the frame to be lighter. Honda even developed a special scissor-type primary drive to reduce transmission backlash and gear-whine. As far as the clutch goes, it was quietened down with a floating cover and rubber mountings.

PGM FI Resetting The Module

Do you know that there is a service check connector which can be reset at the ECM block below where there is a bunch of cables?

From the original service manual you can buy from HONDA website, it says -

1. Turn off ignition

2. Short the service check connector or the PGM-FI system using a jumper wire

3. Remove the jumper wire from the service check connector

4. The malfunction indicator will illuminate for about 5 seconds. While the indicator is lit, short the service check connector again with the jumper wire. 'The self-diagnosis memory data is erased if the malfunction indicator (FI lights) turn off and start blinking'.

It stores all the electronic and electrical faults for your bike. Therefore, it can be erased or reset if u do so.

FOR MORE DETAILED AND IN-DEPTH INFORMATION CLICK HERE!

Wind Drag

By designing the revolutionary and first ‘piggy back’ headlight, in which the high beam unit sits above and behind the low beam one, it was possible to taper the the CBR-XX’s nose in both the horizontal and vertical planes, leading to it’s distinctive bullet like point. Similarly, the opening behind the front wheel is tapered inwards (if you look carefully) allowing the radiator to receive a precisely measured amount of air, but no more, as this would increase wind drag and turbulence . The remarkable result is an ultra-narrow frontal aspect and a wind drag coefficient lower than that achieved by the ‘WORKS’ Honda NSR250 GP-bike! Even the front fender was designed in a wind tunnel to counter the effect on wind on the front wheel!

BlackBird Riders

According to the 2000 RIDE survey the average age of a Blackbird rider is 41, crash every 10 years, have an average of 16 years riding experience, 52% have had advanced training and on average meet a policeman every 2 years! (Oops! Sorry Officer..) and 78% of Blackbird owners reckon they’d buy another one.

Exhaust System

In addition to the PGM-FI fuel injection system on the BlackBird, it also employs air-injectors at each exhaust port to encourage complete burning of any residual fuel mixture on the exhaust stroke. Also, the exhaust downpipes have been specially shaped and designed to boost midrange torque, rather than just a way out for spent gasses which is typical of many aftermarket systems.

Mirrors

The Blackbird mirrors are the exact same mirrors as fitted to the Honda NR750. That is the bike truly exotic Honda super-bike with oval pistons and a 32 (yes…32!) valve 750 V4 engine…that’ll be £24,000 please!

Passenger Grab Rail

Did you know that the pillion grab rail is made of Nylon?

Acceleration

It is a fact that the Honda CBR1100XX Super-Blackbird accelerates from 0-90mph faster than Yamaha’s mighty R1!

Wheelie!

Did you know the fastest wheelie was done on a turbocharged Bird in 2001 at 201 MPH?? That is a fact!

Mick Doohan

Mick Doohan, one of the most successful GP500 racers of all time owns and rides a Blackbird!

Wonder if he actually paid for it?

Alright For Some!

One Blackbird riding policeman has been flashed 22 times by a Gatso and never been prosecuted.

This Website

This website has attracted over 100,000 hits in 18 months and has a membership of over 400, worldwide

THE DYNO GRAPH!

Brake Lever

The brake lever was redesigned after high speed testing showed that air pressure was operating the original lever sufficiently to bring on the brake light.  Hence, the rather odd profile of the production version of the lever.