I've had my 2014 CB1100 for almost 2 weeks and I absolutely love it, but I have a few mechanical questions I was hoping this very knowledgeable group could help answer for me. I've done some searching on the forum, but couldn't find exactly what I was looking for.

1.) When accelerating at lower speeds, I hear what sounds like a chattering noise come from the top of the engine. With my legs against the tank, I really can't hear it, but when spread, it's pretty clear and noticeable. I assume this is all of the valves hard at work, but figured I'd ask.

2.) Speaking of noises, at very low speeds it sounds like my front calipers are ever so slightly contacting the brake pads, even though I'm not braking. I imagine this will go away once the bike is more broken-in, but again, just wanted to ask.

3.) Let me preface this with I am not trying to start a debate on oil. For better or worse, I plan on sticking with Honda brand of oils and was wondering A.) Which kind to use at the 600 mile change (GN4, HPS4, etc) and B.) When I should switch to a full synthetic like HPS4 (or a different kind of Honda oil) and/or if it is even necessary?

4.) Is there any benefit to upgrading to an K&N type air filter? I read some back and forth opinions on the subject, but was curious about any first hand experience. I use the factory replacements in my cars, but I know a bike is a different animal.

As always, thanks in advance for your help!

PS - I have no idea why it has "New New" in the thread name, oh well.

http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2018/06/h...l-reports/

I was expecting Lorenzo to leave Ducati but this is a surprise.

Very happy with the CB, best bike I've had for a very long time (perhaps since the VFR800? ).
Covered just shy of 1100 miles now (must get an odometer photo) and booked in for first service. Long lead time caught me out again but I suppose it's better being slightly late than too early. Quoted £130 which makes me wonder what oil they're putting in there?

https://flic.kr/p/25beWBU

Some of you may remember, I already mentioned that I was up to plan a week's ride to the Balkan with my daughter and her CB 1300.

Well, we want to take off this Saturday. Here's the rough plan so far:

[url=https://djangotours.wordpress.com/2018/06/06/django-tours-goes-balkan/]Django Tours goes Balkan

Part 1

Last year I added to the fleet a 'one owner' 2008 Honda CB400 with 11,000 Km that had been unused for the past couple of years. Although it had been garaged its entire life it needed a spruce up and a bit of work in the tank to remove some surface rust. This is how it looked when ready to ride.



My eldest son developed an itch to ride a motorcycle and promptly worked through the rider licensing system to get his Learner's permit - wish he'd show that much enthusiasm to help me around the house! Initially we scooted around the local streets together and gradually extended the riding distances until he was more comfortable on the machine and ready to head out into the hills. We ventured up to Lake Mountain, I posted a Seat Time thread of a ride I took up there last summer. Well the young fella came unstuck on a tight left hander resulting in low-side crash. Normally not too much of problem, just pick it up and keep going, but this time the bike found the only segment of concrete kerbing within 12 Kms. Unluckily that kerbing ripped the LHS stator cover off taking a chunk of the crankcase with it. Now the once pretty little CB400 looked like this :





The list of damaged components includes:
Bars, headlight, mirrors, instrument cover, fuel tank, engine, front fender, tail piece, foot pegs and frames, gear and clutch levers, muffler, ...

So what to do with the wreck? I found a replacement engine with only 15,000km on it so I grabbed it. Given the young fella needs to develop a few skills we decided that a track bike for him to work out this bike riding stuff would be a useful tool ... the CB400 Track Hack project is born.

First task was to ply my old buddy Mick with a few bourbons for some inspiration and a moment of weakness to agree on helping me ... several drinks later we'd hatched a plan .

Then up she went onto the bench for removal of the unnecessary bits and broken stuff including the engine.



Mick likes to build model engines, this home-built 40cc unit was briefly considered ... clearly we've been fueled with too many bourbons!



Honda engineers did a lot of work to make this bike as compact as possible. Trying to shoehorn the correct engine into the frame was difficult and resulted in few scratches on the frame and on my knuckles. After a healthy amount of perspiring and the necessary cussing we had the engine, air-box and a few other bits in place.



Now is the time to refit only what's needed for the track application so that meant no lights, a set of clipons for a more aggressive body position, a front number plate to hide the wiring that is normally in the headlight bucket. The instrument casing was glued back together, gear and clutch levers straightened, and Mick made a slight modification to the muffler by way of chopping it half! I took it for a sly blast around the back streets to make sure it worked but found that the engine wouldn't pull. After much head scratching and navel gazing through the bottom of an empty glass we swapped the TPS and and the manifold pressure sensor connectors. These are the only two identical connectors on the entire bike that could be incorrectly fitted ... which is exactly what we did

Well, that chopped muffler is way too loud and crackles terribly but now with the correct sensors plugged into the loom the motor is pulling nicely



Next steps will include: installing fork emulators and springs from my CB1100 which should be about right for this bike, fitting sticky Dunlop Alpha14 tyres, a set of cheap rear-sets, a fork brace and steering damper although it probably doesn't need it 'cos the CB400 isn't strong enough to power wheelie even over bumps in the track, but they do look good! I'm going to keep an eye out for a reasonably priced set of adjustable rear shocks which are an essential.

After all that's done then maybe I'll be successful in convincing Mick to craft up an 80's style superbike ducktail and a slap dash paint job. Lots of other priorities at the moment for both myself and the young fella so this thing will take a while to finish, plus it's getting cold now that winter has arrived.

In the meantime I did find a replacement CB400 (2014 one owner with only 5,000Kms).



Happy days again

Because I’m in California and the bike came from out of State is that going to be an issue when I take to get it registered. I see some parts sites offer a California CB1100 but there seems to be only one part number for the single exhaust for a 2014 Standerd meaning all bike have a catalytic converter.

Got the bike today and everything looks good,no scuffs or scraps,can’t do anything until it’s inspected and registered so for now it sits but I did manage to spend $500
on stuff already.

I have been thinking about replacing the spoke wheels on my 2017 CB1100EX with the silver colored cast wheels from the 2014 DLX.

I know the brake rotors will have to be replaced, and the ABS pulser ring, but I'm hoping the 2017 brake calipers will work. I know all the spacers will also have to change, and even the rear sprocket. I think only the front axle is the same part number.

It looks like the 2014 wheel set is still available from Honda. From what I've seen, the Honda Parts House website has the best price.

Has anyone here done this swap?

One of my students is trying to build his commercial portfolio so he asked me if he could take some pictures of my bike.

Hi all,

Any insights into how to properly assemble this housing to get rid of this gap? I put a Renthal bar on a while ago as I was uncomfortable with the stock riding position. Since then, I can not get the housing to sit flush. How do you get it to seat properly?! It is making me nuts.

Thanks!