Hey friends!

I have signed my wife up for the motorcycle training class (she wants her own woohoo!!)

I want to get her a beginner bike that she won't outgrow instantly. I'm thinking like a 500 or a 750. I would love to find a nice CB or CX for her. I want to keep it retro style. No crotch rockets or cruisers. craigslist is a bust and dealerships wont sell bikes that old.

I am thinking a bike from the 80's in good shape.

Do anyone you know a resource that either has what I am looking for or can help me locate what I am looking for?


Thanks!

As we approach the fall season, and I start to think about cold weather riding, and possible gear I may need to ride in sub 40/50 degree weather, I was wondering now that I'm not 20 years old any more, how cold I'll even ride my CB1100, even with the proper gear?
Do most people lock up their bike for the winter or try to ride on "nice" days all winter long, what are your limits?

Has anyone ever entertained the thought of converting the CB into a retro scrambler? Obviously it would be just for the looks not the function. However, with the proper tires I know the CB can easily handle gravel roads. I toured an old cemetery in Co. with little winding gravel and grass roads...

Gentlemen,

While it may be true that form follows function, that adage often culminates in results that are less than beautiful.........but not always. During World War II and under tremendous pressure to develop a new, more effective fighter for American and Allied pilots, North American Aviation was certainly not attempting to create the most beautiful aircraft that has ever been produced when they started designing the P-51. They were cobbling together a platform that could use our plentiful Allison water-cooled V-12 engines, six wing mounted 50 caliber machine guns, and was relatively easy to produce and maintain. The fifth-generation of that aircraft was powered by more powerful Rolls-Royce and Packard built V-12 engines and more by chance than design, it's shape was stunningly beautiful from any angle. The passage of over 70 years since its production has not aged it and to many pilots, both young and old, the P-51D Mustang is still the best looking airplane that has ever been produced.

In the 1960's, also under pressure and time constraints, the Ford Motor Company, under the direction of Henry Ford II, was spending a fortune trying to develop an endurance racer capable of kicking Ferreri's ass in the 24 Hourys of LeMans. Production of the first Ford GT's (soon nicknamed the GT40 because they were only 40 inches high) commenced in 1962 and they made their race debut at LeMans in 1963 where they were a disastrous failure. They failed again in 1964 and 1965, all the while undergoing continuous modifications as they were raced, crashed, and rebuilt. Henry Ford II was clearly a proponent of, "If you have a problem, throw money at it". And tens of millions of dollars later, in 1966, the GT40 II was victorious at LeMans, dominating Ferreri with a 1,2,3 finish. The GT40 went on to win again and '67, '68, and '69. Having proven their point, Ford retired the GT40 program and their LeMans efforts. Again, they certainly were not trying to build the most beautiful automobile that has ever been produced, but many enthusiasts feel that the Ford GT40, especially in it's 1965 Mark I guise, is just that. Racing Ferrari's from the 1960's look dated and old today. But the Ford GT's shape is timeless.

Which brings us to the CB1100. Like the GT40, Honda produced it in the late 1960's to prove a point. A display of technical, engineering, and production capability's unmatched by any other motorcycle manufacturer at that time.

The Ford GT and the Honda CB750 were both landmark vehicles in the 1960's. 2004 celebrated the 100th Anniversary of the Ford Motor Company and they wanted to produce a re-creation of one of their most historic vehicles to commemorate the event. They chose to build a modern interpretation of those 1960's Ford GT's. The result is an amazing car with world-class performance and handling that is every bit as stunning visually as the originals. I purchased this one brand-new in 2006. I have thrashed it on racetracks from coast-to-coast and raced it in countless Standing Mile events. And just as I do with my CB1100, I love to work on it and I get as much enjoyment out of looking at it as I do out of driving/riding it.

The Honda Motor Company also wanted to celebrate their heritage by re-creating a modern version of the motorcycle that put them at the forefront of all motorcycle makers, the CB750. And like the P-51D Mustang and the Ford GT, the new Honda CB1100 is one of the prettiest motorcycles that has ever been built. It just looks right.

I spent the last two days detailing and prepping my GT for the 8th Annual National Ford GT Forum Rally that begins a week from today. Passport Transport is picking up my car tonight to take it to that event, held this year in Northern California. I'll rejoin it there for 4 days on some of the best roads in the country. When I got it out of the garage today I thought some photos with the CB11 would be good. I hope you enjoy them.

Timeless beauty, modern day reliability, and retro cool. A fine combination in any vehicle. All the best.

Chip

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This is a link to view the rim. Its worse in real time but you can see its out of round.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPnU8eaMG...e=youtu.be
Better view from the top:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPtzO1Fr_3M

Adjusting my chain the other day noticed high and low spots spinning the wheel as if in there was a kink. No kinks in the chain. Put her on the centerstand in 1st gear and noticed the inner hub was not true or out of round. The outer rim is fine to the naked eye. Put a set point on the sprocket where the shock meets the frame little half moon area and sprocket is ever so slightly out of true.

While picking up oil at local dealer not mine i put a CB on the centerstand and the the chain was true as it should be.

Went to me dealer on Saturday and had him observe. He sew the center hub out of round and chain movement and called Honda yesterday.

There response was that its not possible, these molds are checked for tolerance daily. We'll this threw a red flag lol. If mine were out there would have to many other. If a few of you could check your inner hub it would be appreciated before i meet with the rep.

BTW this is something a tech would never pick up on during service

My build date is 2/2013 last four 0838

Thanks,
Steve

I am a prospective CB1100 owner and I have a question. My previous four cylinder bikes (1982 Seca 650 & 1999 750 Nighthawk) had great power and good road manners except for one handling quirk. When leaning into a curve I would lean so far and then feel like the bike wanted to "fall in". I did not have this feeling on my airhead BMW or the Moto Guzzi.

Perhaps those other 4 cylinder bikes were a little more top heavy than the CB?

Could I get handling feedback on your mountain/curvy road experiences?

Thanks!

I need a more comfy seat and I little higher too. What seat is the best? What's your opinion? Pros and cons?

Here are the choices that I like.

K&H high double seat. A,S-1102A or the Corbin seat?
http://www.samurider.com/?p=13091/#itemImage
http://www.corbin.com/honda/hcb1113gl.shtml

Does anyone have the Chic Design Road comet. I really like the looks but I was wondering about fit and finish. How well does the paint match?
http://www.samurider.com/?p=6690/#itemImage

Thanks for all your imput.

How can I post photos from my iPhone 4S. That's all I generally take with me any more... and I keep getting a message that the file is too big. ???????

Or my iPad... since the cloud moves them over from the phone.

My daughter invited me to the first public function at a new distillery opened by a couple of her friends in Corktown, Detroit Mi., Two James Spirit Company.
They had about 25 vintage & custom machines in two rows in the cask room. Very up close and personal display.
The real show was outside. The street was lined with chopped or cafe'd HD, Triumphs, BSA's & Honda 750's.
Most of these bikes were small budget garage or small shop built daily riders. Built by guys mostly in the 20 to 30 something age. I haven't seen this kind of enthusiasm in years.
Michigan Avenue echoed with the sound of open pipes laughter and great conversation until midnight. I felt like I was in a Dave Mann painting what with all the bikes, hair, loud pipes, black leather, denim cutoffs and babes.
I haven't seen this much kick starting since the seventies.

My cb1100 received a lot of attention too. It was the first time anyone had seen one in the wild.

Just got back from the local dealer where I stopped by for some oil. Long time sales manager said he can NOW place an order for a 2014 CB1100. They generally can place future orders 6 months out and he noticed the CB1100 returning. He and I both speculated it wouldn't return so we were both pleasantly surprised.

Couldn't tell me anything about different colors, but you holdouts may want to go bug your local dealers soon!

Aloha,
Huladog