The CB1100 Community Forum

Well, the CB has finally arrived safely and is installed on the ramp. The rear wheel is in the "wheel clamp" and is reasonably steady - it holds it upright but allows a bit of side-to-side movement, more than I'm comfortable with - I'm not using the centrestand because I'll be installing the 4-into-4 exhaust. So, as I
said to 2017EX, I've just supported (not lifted) the 'bike at the steering head, from the overhead winch and I also put a couple of ratchet straps round the forks. It's now rock steady, isn't going anywhere and no matter what work I do on it, I'm happy that it (and me!) are both safe.

I've been all round it, assessing and photographing all the areas of damage. Over the coming days I'll work out how I'm going to tackle each area - some are more serious than others. The dented tank, for instance, I'll approach one of the dedicated "Mr Bump" type of franchises, to see whether it's worth having it repaired or just sell it cheaper and let the new owner arrange the repairs. Neither dents are SO horrendous that the tank cannot be used.

The battery is almost flat and I've just ordered a battery cable for my Optimate4 charger that I leave on the Beemer, trickle charging. I'll put the new lead on the CB to charge the battery and be able to periodically trickle charge either 'bike.

My first job, I think, will be the rear mudguard and rear light, a new number plate, followed by the damaged engine cover. I could, if I wanted to, then have the Authorities examine the 'bike for roadworthiness.

How powerful is JB Weld, does anybody have first-hand experience if its strength (or relative weakness?

Here's the 'bike, in the garage, all strapped up and ready to be worked on (after I've cut the hedge, done a bit of painting outdoors, cleaned the car and had it serviced, cleaned the motorhome (RV) inside and out... You get the idea!)

Mate, no task, no chore, nothing is more important than making a start on the CB1100.

It becomes a little of your soul.

(06-04-2019, 10:25 PM)Cormanus_imp Wrote: [ -> ]Mate, no task, no chore, nothing is more important than making a start on the CB1100.

Yup! I told Maggie that too....

Finally. Did you get to ride it at all? Good luck with the repairs.

(06-04-2019, 10:35 PM)GoldOxide_imp Wrote: [ -> ]It becomes a little of your soul.

I know what you mean - in fact it already has. Looking at the manual and checking the internet for info is a poor substitute for having the 'bike actually in my possession.

Here is the 'suspension' of the 'bike from the overhead winch - a great sense of security.

The front forks are strapped and the rear wheel is held in the wheel clamp, so I feel quite safe that it's not on its centre stand.

(06-05-2019, 12:30 AM)The ferret_imp Wrote: [ -> ]Finally. Did you get to ride it at all? Good luck with the repairs.

No, I haven't yet. The battery was too flat to start it in the yard of the storage place up in Manchester. I nearly gave myself a hernia pushing it up onto my trailer and then back into the garage again! Then home here in Devon we pushed it straight from the delivery van into the garage.

It's not permitted to go on the road in its current condition - it's classed as "unroadworthy" and as such, has no insurance, so I cannot legally ride it on the road. My first jobs will be attending to that damage that makes it "unroadworthy" so that I can present it to the Authority sooner and get it declared "roadworthy" and therefore rideable. For instance, I don't need to deal with the dented tank before getting it examined - that's one item that can wait!
This is the mangled state of the rear mudguard, light and number plate that is part of the damage that makes it unroadworthy...

I've just had a stroke of luck...
I'd spotted that the handlebars had been very slightly bent, cracking the chrome, so they had to be replaced. I had particularly wanted Honda's 'low' handlebar option anyway, so the bent bars just forced my hand.
I checked with Samurider and these bars are about (UK)£85, plus postage and packing, plus Import Duty, plus Customs charges. This would put the price up considerably (maybe as much as c£120?).
On the same day as I saw the bent bars, I happened to look on eBay and, amongst the hundreds of handlebars, I found a guy selling a new, unopened Honda low handlebar that had come from Samurider. He'd obviously tried to sell it before and because it didn't sell, had to lower the price. There was just one day left on the auction and... no bidders.
I got it for the £60 he asked! It's just arrived. I dont normally have luck like this!

cool! yea I would never be that lucky lol

I hope that you have more luck getting your bike on the road!

Thanks, John. I'll need every bit of luck I can get...