I'd read on the visordown review ( http://www.visordown.com/road-tests-firs...22133.html ) of the CB11 that the Honda president commutes to work on one - and took it with a grain of salt - but then came across this older article today:

Honda CEO Takanobu Ito used CB1000 motorcycle to tour quake area



"The March 11th earthquake and tsunami in Japan hit Honda hard, as production was down for weeks and the automaker's research and development center was badly damaged. In fact, the quake damaged the Tochigi facility so badly that one employee died and 17 others were injured after a cafeteria wall collapsed.

Due to the fact that many roads were closed or badly damaged, getting to the facility was a challenge. But that didn't stop Honda CEO Takanobu Ito from visiting the site in person to assess the damage. The Wall Street Journal reports that Ito hopped on his stripped-down, 1,100cc Honda CB1100 and headed to the site only two days after the incident. The 57-year-old CEO and his trusty bike were able travel where few autos could go, and he made it all the way to the Tochigi facility to witness the damage for himself.

The Tochigi facilities are very important to Honda as they are the company's main research and development centers. The automaker was forced to relocate 1,000 of its engineers to other facilities, but the damaged buildings still house another 500 workers. Ito adds that the automaker will rebuild at the site because it "is a place where all Honda's brains are gathered."

The fact that Ito risked his own safety to check on the welfare of his engineers has no doubt boosted his credibility among Honda employees. And it likely doesn't hurt that he got there on the back of a Honda sport bike. "

More here: http://honda599.com/forums/archive/index...-9569.html

Pete C

The other night I got the itch to run the 1/8 at the local drag strip. Its not the best the bike is capable of, but not too bad either. I could use a little practice! My best run of the night was 8.130 at 87 mph with 2.045 60ft. After watching the video, it really shows just how quiet the exhaust is. That stock can is going to have to go.

Hi all, For those of you who prefer different color bikes, there is an option although costly. SAMURIDER is selling black, silver, or white OEM fuel tanks with the fuel pump gasket for $869. Add the new painted side covers (silver not required) and you could be riding a "different" bike at will ......... http://www.samurider.com/?cat=98

Hey guys. I'm new to the forum and introduced myself yesterday under "New Members". I thought some of you might be interested in this info.

I read in a previous post where another member flew to another state to buy a CB because the price justified the extra trouble. He said it was the Honda dealer in Chattanooga TN. (sp?)

I thought some of you might want to know about another dealer who makes good deals.

I will be buying a CB1100 soon and I have a friend who recently bought one. What a great dealer to be about 100 miles away. I also previously bought a Suzuki TU250X from the same dealer and received a great price (every day low price).

The dealer is Bartlesville Cycle Sports in Bartlesville Oklahoma.
Their total out-the-door price quoted to me is currently $9388.00 for a CB1100.
I think that is pretty good and I am going to buy mine from them. My friend and I have both been very happy dealing with these guys. Of course I have heard of other dealers who offer great no-haggle pricing but it's good to know where these dealers are and to find one close to you.

I hope it's okay to post this kind of information. I know I would want to be informed. Competition is a good thing!

I just received the Pro Grip 719 open end gel grips I ordered but I've never switched out grips myself before. Anyone whose done this with their CB have any pointers? Do I need to cut off the old grips or can I pry them off? Do I need to buy glue for the new grips (they didn't come with any)?

Any advice is appreciated!

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Finally stopped riding long enough to install Renthal low-rise bars
Drilling the holes didn't go exactly as planned.
Had to oversize the holes a bit, and found the "pins" in the switch clusters do a majority of the anchoring. Wrapped some electrical tape at clamping surfaces to keep things tight.
Choose gold color due to impending Ohlins upgrade.
Pros:
I like the look and the more aggressive riding position.
Cons:
Bars are shorter than stock bars, so brake line and throttle line rubbing on head light housing. Brake side mirror is farther inboard now.
They do put more stress on forearms and hands, probably not great for long range stuff.
Had to buy Renthal bar ends (35$,
Overall, I really like the look, so they're a keeper

Probably too early, but if any has any skinny on 2014 US colors I'd love to hear it. I think the red is fantastic and my wife is encouraging me to go for that since she thinks it's more conspicuous. But I also like the Black with the bright engine I've seen offered on other continents.

Thanks!

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Value of 1983 honda cb1100f?

Took an afternoon spin today, I was behind a couple cars for a mile or so when a newer 1200 Sportster w/straight pipes caught me. A long, tightly curved 30 and 35 mph road. The 2 cars pulled off at the same road and we are off to the races. He roared off first, until then I didn’t know if he wanted to go or not. I was on him like glue, sticking my wheel up next to him on the few short straights. He was really on it too through the corners, using both lanes to stay on the road. It was funny to watch following. We could hit 90 or so, on the straight he was about 65 through the turns. We slowed up for a second and I took off, all turns for a mile and a half until a stop sign at the next village. I was having too much fun to think clearly and lost him. Hardest I pushed it yet, those hard skinny tires make me nervous to say the least. The new shocks worked great it was planted and in control through it all, some turns are a little dippy. I was running the turns about 75+ and lost him in the mirrors after the first few.
I slowed with the stop coming and he caught up. At the stop sign he shuts his bike off and says “I had one just like that, is it an early 80’s one?” I said, no its brand new 1100 fuel injected. “Oh, thank God” he said “my old one never went like that” He liked the bike but said it was way to quiet.
This was the most fun I’ve had on the bike to date, bike handled well as did the shocks. I was able to push it enough to use the whole chicken strips on the back tire. It was a blast……
Not much on Nantucket as far as tar goes, here's the road. I only have about 50 sq miles to ride.
http://maps.google.com/maps?bav=on.2,or....CDMQ8gEwAA