Honda Blackbird wont start.

[Warped]

Hi All,

I've had 2 problems recently and managed to fix both, the 'bird is running sweetly (as it should), just adding the info here in case it helps anyone else searching for similar faults.

Bike is a 97 Blackbird CRBXX1100 - 97 model has carbs, not FI.

Problem 1.
Push start button, a kind of fizz/pop is heard, lights go out, dash lights go out, clock goes out, bike is dead.
Push start works, but it really sounds bad and only just idles with loud knocking noises and the tiniest bit of gas/throttle and it stalls and dies.
Meter across the batt measures 12.3V but drops to 0v when the start is pushed.
Problem is the batt has failed internally and needed replacing. Thought it might be the dreaded Rect/Reg problem but was just the battery. New battery has it running fine again.

Problem 2
Bike runs a bit rough when cold but better when warmed up.
Next morning is hard to start, runs rough, gets a bit better then stalls.
Will start again, but stalls when given some throttle.
Tried starting again but nothing. Cranks over just fine, but won't fire.
Problem is no fuel, not getting fuel because the vacuum hose on the back of the fuel tap has slipped off. The hose must have been working its way off slowly causing it to run rough at first, then die all together when it finally came all the way off.
Lifted the tank, removed the fuel lines from the back of the carbs, put them in a container and cranked the bike over - nothing, not getting any fuel ...bugger!!
Just about to completely remove the tank and start on checking the tap and diaphram, fuel pump, see if anything is blocked then I notice a small connection on the back of the tap that looks like it should have a hose attached to it. Find the vacuum hose laying across the back of the engine connected to nothing, reconnect it to the tank, crank the engine and out comes plenty of fuel into the container - Yay!!
Connect everything back up and she fires first go.

I'm not overly mechanically inclined but still managed to work my through these faults and fix them myself with a minimum of time and effort, and most importantly, minimum cost! So even if you're a complete mechanical numpty, it's still worth taking a look at the basics before setting off to the local bike shop.

Hope that helps someone if they search for a similar fault

[g0zer]

good on you warped

one thing about troubleshooting is there is always a reason why something isnt working the way it should and there is nothing like looking if you want to find something

[Bob P]

Great how far common sense can get you

Word from the wise from someone with considerable 'bird knowledge - if you are still running with the original regulator/rectifier then replace it NOW

Why?

Well when it fails it will do one of two things:
Fail under voltage - you will just have the minor inconvenience of having to replace it
Fail over voltage - it will fry everything and anything it can.........and this can include printed circuit boards, lamps etc etc

From your synposis of the problems you've already rectified then changing this baby out will be a walk in the park

[Captain Starfish]

Thanks Wayne

Too often we search for solutions to our problems on the net, find someone else with exactly the same issue, and find the thread either stops completely with no answer or gets a final post "nvm, I fixed it"

Always good to see a happy ending, and another addition to the collective diagnostic memory

[Para045]

Sounds like that battery dropped a cell if it was doing that I had the R/R go on mine but thought it was the battery, replaced the battery but the bike just kept getting hard to start and then I had to bump start her at work and on the run home in the dark the tacho and speedo started bouncing around wildly and the engine started to miss Funny thing was the lights looked fine and didn't seem to dim at all
Checked the connections and electrical system and the R/R was faulty, replaced it and she's been fine since

Yeah the vacuum hose is a common problem for the BB's on most of the BB forums, what usually happens is people lift or remove the tank and the vacuum hose comes off and they replace it on the rear of the fuel tap (seat side) when the vacuum connection is actually on the front of the fuel tap

[McT]

I had exactly the same problem to issue no1. 30+ miles from home and it wouldn't restart. tiny bit of gas, it cuts out. Jump leads to a car and it runs fine. Checked the battery and it was out of water/acid so thought it'd be OK to top it up. The bike ran for a while, but Big mistake!

The RR was pumping out AC as well as DC, so 12V dc was measured, but moved to the AC scale and it was 46V. I ended up with one dead battery, one dead reactifier regulator and the speedo clock went up in smoke (literally!) . I ended up riding home with the bike draining a friends battery (who went home to get another) and no speedo.

Result £65 for a RR, £40 for a battery and £30 for a damaged clock unit from the scrap yard.