The CB1100 Community Forum

That renowned Internet dating site, the CB1100 forum, has come up with the goods again. After initially some forum PMs, and then phone contact, last Tuesday VicsCB1100 and I were to meet at Heathcote, to the south of Sydney, for a short day trip. As I battled through the early morning peak hour, filtering like a madman and cursing all those who stood before me, I was driven forward by the thought of a first meeting with another forum member and, as an added bonus, taking a ride in company on this beautiful spring day. The weather forecast promised a temperature rising to a high of 25deg C with a steady northeaster of 15knots. Perfect. The road gods were smiling benignly.

After forty five minutes of city traffic I arrived, a little behind time, at the Caltex servo at Heatcote to find Vic patiently waiting. Couldn't miss him really. He was the only one in the car park with a CB1100. After brief “G’days”, and a quick look at each other’s bikes (the same but different, a little more on that latter), we topped up fuel tanks and followed the plan. Yes, Vic actually had a plan. He was one ahead of me.

[url=http://goo.gl/maps/wJ0jH]The Plan

First stop Stanwell Tops Lookout for the obligatory photo and to check out the bikers who were enjoying a break after a ride through the Royal National Park, a favourite of Sydney bikers. There was a plethora of bikes there; cruisers, sporties and adventurers. Our pair of CBs created some interest. We left just as we were about to be upstaged by a beautifully restored Honda CB550 Supersport in yellow. Good timing and sorry, no photos.

[url=http://s847.photobucket.com/user/tonys_mail/media/Vics%20Ride/IMG_1826_zps0ce5f2cf.jpg.html]
My CB, partially obscured by Vic, with Vic's CB partially obscured by half the industrial worlds annual chrome production. I didn't want to be a professional photographer anyway.

We headed south at a nice pace along the motorway until Albion Park where we turned onto the Jamberoo road. Jamberoo is a small town supported by the local dairy industry and tourism. It looks to be motorcycle friendly. As an aside, a number of small towns over our country have become "motorcycle friendly" in the last few years. I guess our dollars are as good as the next and we often don't carry our lunch with us I suppose. The Jamberoo road is a beauty; perfectly surfaced and a combination of sweepers and medium speed bends with mostly good visibility through the corners. During the week not over trafficked.

[url=http://s847.photobucket.com/user/tonys_mail/media/Vics%20Ride/IMG_0438_zps927802fd.jpg.html]
[url=http://s847.photobucket.com/user/tonys_mail/media/Vics%20Ride/IMG_0437_zpsb3503961.jpg.html]
Jamberoo Road. Not the best view but for most of the time we were enjoying the ride and not thinking photo ops. Look at the surface and those lovely white lines!

The original plan was to stop at Jamberoo for lunch but we had made good time so we continued through to Kiama for fish and chips.

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[url=http://s847.photobucket.com/user/tonys_mail/media/Vics%20Ride/IMG_1827_zpsc91b7df0.jpg.html]
Fish and chip joint to the right. No photo of food as not in the same league as fried cheesecake et al.

I had read Vic’s posts on the forum regarding his bike and was interested in talking with him about the way he has modified his bike, particularly the PCV installation and its value. Over lunch was a good time. Vic's bike is mildly "farkled". Dart screen, chrome CB1100 side cover badges, quilted seat and, most uniquely, white wall tyres. It is in great condition and makes Last Blast kinda dowdy. Shame on me! For some beaut photos of his bike see:

[url=http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=3738&pid=54858#pid54858]VicsCB1100's CB1100

What is not shown is the PCV and, of less importance, the BatteryMinder cord adjacent to the right side cover. Vic assures me me that the PCV, with stock map, makes for "Smooth Power Everywhere" ([url=http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=2495]Smooth Power Everywhere) as he puts it in his thread of this name. It certainly idles nicely and pulls away from roundabouts well when in second or maybe third gear. I know, I was following him. So I am giving the PCV some thought.

After lunch we went and had a look at the Kiama Lighthouse.

[url=http://s847.photobucket.com/user/tonys_mail/media/Vics%20Ride/IMG_1829_zps163b2717.jpg.html]

The famous, and infamous as some have tried to swim it with fatal results, Kiama Blowhole is next to the lighthouse. Unfortunately, due to the swell direction and size, it wasn't working. Maybe next time. if interested check out: [url=http://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/south-coast/kiama-area/kiama/attractions/kiama-blowhole]Blowhole

To cut a short story even shorter after the above we retraced our path over the Jamberoo Road, this time giving it a "bit of stick" to clear the cobwebs from the headers, and returned to Heatcote. After the Jamberoo Road we mostly travelled via the Motorway with a small diversion onto the old, pre-motorway, highway. Two lanes and a nice ride. All in all a great day and next time I ride with Vic we might take a look at the north or west of Sydney. Its gonna happen!

For me about a four hour ride and 250kms. Beat the afternoon peak hour home - Yeeeeha!

Cheers

Good one, Pterodactyl. The south coast of NSW is a lovely spot and it looks like you had a good day for it.

Maybe Vic would like to join us for a while on the way south in October?

Great write up and photos. Thanks!!

(09-11-2014, 11:27 AM)Cormanus_imp Wrote: [ -> ]Good one, Pterodactyl. The south coast of NSW is a lovely spot and it looks like you had a good day for it.

Maybe Vic would like to join us for a while on the way south in October?

Depending on the date I may be tempted to join you.

Early in the month is school holidays and my twin 15 year old daughters (my mid life crisis) will need to be entertained. Also have promised the financial director a holiday away to the islands in October.

Otherwise I will certainly be joining Pterodactyl for some more short blasts and company around Sydney and hopefully other rides.

I also will need to rack up some more miles and practice as he is little quicker than I on the CB. With less than 5000 klms on the clock on my bike vs his at over 20,000 the familiarity with machine and skills need a quick refresh. Too much time spent on the twins and their many hobbies and not enough on mine.

Lovely pictures and interesting narrative
I spent a fantastic week in Sydney last January and love seeing and hearing anything about Sydney and the local area.

That's great the you were able to get together and ride, and in such a beautiful place to boot. very cool!

Great pictures and write up of you ride! Thanks for sharing with us.
Ride safe my friend

Love these ride reports from Down Under. Good one!

(09-11-2014, 03:28 PM)VicsCB1100_imp Wrote: [ -> ]

(09-11-2014, 11:27 AM)Cormanus_imp Wrote: [ -> ]Good one, Pterodactyl. The south coast of NSW is a lovely spot and it looks like you had a good day for it.

Maybe Vic would like to join us for a while on the way south in October?

Depending on the date I may be tempted to join you.

Early in the month is school holidays and my twin 15 year old daughters (my mid life crisis) will need to be entertained. Also have promised the financial director a holiday away to the islands in October.

Otherwise I will certainly be joining Pterodactyl for some more short blasts and company around Sydney and hopefully other rides.

I also will need to rack up some more miles and practice as he is little quicker than I on the CB. With less than 5000 klms on the clock on my bike vs his at over 20,000 the familiarity with machine and skills need a quick refresh. Too much time spent on the twins and their many hobbies and not enough on mine.

Depending on the date I may be tempted to join you.

Early in the month is school holidays and my twin 15 year old daughters (my mid life crisis) will need to be entertained. Also have promised the financial director a holiday away to the islands in October.

Otherwise I will certainly be joining Pterodactyl for some more short blasts and company around Sydney and hopefully other rides.

I also will need to rack up some more miles and practice as he is little quicker than I on the CB. With less than 5000 klms on the clock on my bike vs his at over 20,000 the familiarity with machine and skills need a quick refresh. Too much time spent on the twins and their many hobbies and not enough on mine.
Don't stress it. The Pterodactyl sets a cracking pace and I struggle to keep up with him.

We'll be heading out to Phillip Island early in the week beginning 13 October. Will get in touch before then as even a brief catch up would be good.