A few months ago, I posted on the ‘What bike have you bought twice’ topic that I had just purchased a 1970 Kawasaki H1. I had one back in the ‘70’s and regretted selling it for decades. If anyone’s interested, I thought I’d bring you up to speed on where I am with it right now. First, here’s a few pictures...

On the trailer going home... a repeat photo from before.



A selfie of me on one of my rides. I know... atgatt... not this time, a rarity for me.



A cheesecake shot...



This chrome polish works really well...





Here’s what I’ve learned... I’ve ridden it 4-5 times for maybe 15 miles each time. I’m just learning about her right now and frankly, don’t want to get stranded anywhere.

-I forgot how peaky the power band is. It’s hard to launch it, you really have to rev it... it’ll lug a bit...then as the revs climb, be careful or the front end will come up!
-It handles like my Harley... which means it doesn’t.
-It starts the first or second kick when cold, but is a bear to start when hot.
-It takes ‘forever’ to warmup. If she isn’t warmed up, you’re not going anywhere.

I’ve taken it to the Kawasaki dealer in St Pete already and it’s going back tomorrow. I can do the maintenance, but they have a tech there who likes working on the old bikes... so I’m letting him have some fun. So far, he’s...

-replaced both tires (stock, retro look and style, Dunlop’s I think).
-replaced the clutch cable (ordered the correct cable and color on line). The old one was working, but was frayed at the top. Didn’t want to take a chance.
-fixed the brake light. The front brakes lights the light, but the
switch was missing for rear.

This week, he’ll...

-sync the carbs (should help the hot starting issue)
-do a compression test (to see if that’s a problem causing the
hot starting issue)
-fix the rear brake switch issue
-maybe install a full set of correct turn-signals (bought on line).
Maybe, because I might decide to just do that myself.

What I’ve done...

-transmission fluid change (BelRay gear saver). The previous owner was just using 10/40 engine oil. Yikes!
-changed over to BelRay 2 stoke oil. The previous owner was using a 2 stoke oil for outboard motors. Double yikes.
-a complete wash
-cleaned and lubed the chain
-replaced the missing handle on the left side, for use when pulling the bike up on the center stand. (NOS, found on line).

What I’ve still got to do...

-install a new set or L and R mirrors. (correct and matching found on line)
-really dig into the cleaning and polishing of the frame, chrome, and paint.

I’m not riding the Honda, or any other bike, much at the moment... having too much fun with this one. So it’ll be fun to be in Berea with the CB next month!

More on this subject... down the road.



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...ago today I brought it home.

These 2 bikes are on my short list for my next new bike purchase. Do any of you CB owners also have a Vulcan S? I'm curious which bike you like better and why. Most of my riding is closer to home. I ride maybe 200 miles for a day ride. I sometime go on 3-4 day trips. My girlfriend would be riding with me maybe 10% of the time. Together we are about 350 lbs.

Thanks for your input.

I live in the "Thumb" area of Michigan. Those of you from Michigan will know what that means. I am very interested in getting a CB1100. My concern is...the last 2 bikes I bought new, I soon realized I did not like them. Lost money on those for sure. So, I would like to ride a CB1100 before I make a decision to buy. If anyone in Michigan is game, let me know. I would pay to be able to try one out. I currently have 2 bikes: 2006 Triumph Scrambler and a 1998 Honda Magna (with fewer than 2,000 original miles). Two weeks ago I sold my 2008 Versys 650 after owning that for 10 years.
If anyone in Michigan would be kind enough to let me try their CB1100 out, it would be greatly appreciated. I am in my mid-40's and have been riding since I was 12 years old.
A dealer in my area recently sold 2 2014 CB1100's for $6465 OTD. Yes that was the actual price! They bought out a Honda dealer and wanted the CB1100's gone. I was right there and could have bought one....but I promised myself I would not buy a new bike until I could try it out first. Those bikes were both sold last week.... Ugh

Thanks everyone

Do they float or not? It looks like they are bolted solid to the rim. Is that the “floating” mechanism bolted to the rim? (2014 Standard)


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Metallyguitarded?

I really like the looks of the Road Comet I, but I am concerned by the possibility of wind noise. I immedeatly removed the windscreen pictured below after I bought the bike because it my helmet sound like it was in a wind tunnel. I am 6'2" and sit fairly tall and it looks like the RC would direct the wind much lower. Can anyone share their experience, thanks.

Passed this guy while working in LA today

So, I just got my first piece of genuine farkle today:

and, of course, it's going to replace the standard "cb1100" emblems on the side covers of my bike. I've also got some nifty red diamonds coming, but that's later.

Anybody have any experience carefully and effectively removing the existing emblems without damaging the side cover? I found some threads on the forum talking about applying new emblems but nothing about removing the old ones.

I recently took a long trip on my 1994 Honda Shadow VT1100 and had a revelation. The corbin seat and buckhorn handlebars really made my 70 year old body feel much more comfortable. I needed no cushion, sheep skin or anything.

I recently bought a corbin gunfighter and lady seat with a 1 inch rise. I am now wondering if there is any way to get the handlebars in a more relaxed position so I can sit back in the new seat.

My mechanic says that it is impossible to lengthen the control cables and hydraulic lines. Honda apparently does not offer those modifications .

Any thoughts? Has anyone changed the ergonomics of the riding position of the CB1100?

Thank you in advance

George
Arizona