The CB1100 Community Forum

Agree; I've modified a whole lot of stuff in my day, and have buggered up a whole lot of engineering in doing so.
None of these mods messed anything up; they all made the bike just a little bit better (for me) from a performance standpoint, and a whole lot better from an aesthetic one.
I do have to say; for me, the biggest bang for the buck was the tank paint and stickers.

(05-25-2015, 06:14 AM)HaGut_imp Wrote: [ -> ]I'd love to say they transformed the bike; they did not. They are mostly eye candy.
Don't get me wrong; I loved the way the bike handled from the get go, and while you definitely notice the reduction in mass from the wheels, the swingarm and shocks were more of a cosmetic kick that a huge performance improvement. Honda engineers know what they are doing.
The shocks are slightly better at controlling the rear, and the swingarm does help too, but both are barely noticeable at road speed.
The front is stock; was eyeing an Ohlins fork a friend has gathering dust, but my queries so far have been rebuffed. May pop emulators in there next winter.
It is a road bike, made to look like the bikes I lusted after when I was a teen; any current supersport would kick its butt on the track. My old 900ss roadrace bike was better on the track too, but it was horrible on the street.
Again; this is mostly show, especially when you factor in the money spent vs the performance gain.
But I'd do it again.
This is the reason I bought this bike; it is a canvas to paint your dreams.

HaGut,

I looked at those swing arms and I see that two different ones are offered. Both aluminum. One is built like the stock swing arm and the other (the one you have) has a lower brace (I think that's what it is) that hangs down below the main arms. What is the purpose of that? Does it keep the swing arm from twisting or is there another function? It looks trick but I'm sure there is more to it than that.

Chip

I looked at those swing arms and I see that two different ones are offered. Both aluminum. One is built like the stock swing arm and the other (the one you have) has a lower brace (I think that's what it is) that hangs down below the main arms. What is the purpose of that? Does it keep the swing arm from twisting or is there another function? It looks trick but I'm sure there is more to it than that.

Chip

The bracing is used to reduce flex, much like a roof can be strengthened by adding a truss. I believe this swingarm is total overkill for the amount of power, and the intended use of this bike. But it sure looks cool!
...and I suppose I'm ready for that nitrous-super-turbocharging kit now!

Very nice.

I've aways liked the braced swingarm look. I think it became popular with the big superbike racers of the 80s. Here is a pic of a similar swingarm on an ELR.

The picture I linked in the above post is broken, so here is another one.

I'm still on the lookout for your bike running around town...

I agree about the tank paint and decals. My '75 400 four had those and they drew my eye right away when I saw your photo. Your blue paint looks darker than mine was, though. Anyhow, I love what you've done with the bike.
Edit... maybe the color does match... hard to tell in the one photo. Were you aiming to match the old CB?

Yup; 'Varnish Blue'; aka Toyota 8A1.