1I 
recently purchased a 2017 CB1100 Ex. I spent the last two months cleaning the motorcycle and making a few modifications. I have two “setups” for the motorcycle. I created them based on information I gathered from the CB1100 Forum. Thank you. 

I love this motorcycle for its graceful lines and perfect performance. That I can complete all of the work myself is wonderful. Be safe and thanks again for helping me. I look forward to learning more from the CB1100 Forum.

David

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[url=https://imgur.com/IOXNdwb]

One of the many charms of the CB1100 Forum is the diversity of backgrounds and inclinations amongst the Members. Some people love motorcycle maintenance while others prefer to focus only on riding. We have engineers, mechanics, commuters, city riders, tourers, and others who approach motorcycling from different perspectives. Yet we all most find a way to return home to those we love. Good maintenance is one way to make sure that happens. 

This post details basic maintenance for the drivetrain: sprockets, chain, and brakes. Most chains need to be cleaned and adjusted every 500-1,000 miles. Because our motorcycles weigh 560+ lbs wet and average around 82-83 horsepower at the rear wheel, there is a lot of force on the drivetrain and a lot of momentum that is generated and controlled by riders through manipulating the clutch, transmission, throttle, and brakes. If any of those components fall into disrepair, bad things happen:

• Wheel lock up
• Chain snapping
• Reduced power
• Premature wear
• Poor handling
• Accidents

Who performs that maintenance on your CB1100 is not as important as making sure that the maintenance is done on a regular basis. Sadly, I have seen more than one motorcyclist place himself or herself in harm’s way because a motorcycle chain is dangerously loose. When I see the chain flopping, I always wonder what else may be wrong. I try to let riders know when I observe the issue, and I encourage everyone to do the same. 

Because I enjoy learning motorcycle engineering fundamentals and performing maintenance as much as riding, I am inclined to do more than most because I have a such a good time reading and wrenching.   

I am certain there are other approaches that can achieve a similar result with fewer steps. If you are still reading this post, trust your instincts about what is valuable vs indulgent on my part!

Every 500 miles, here is what I do:

Step 1: I review Honda’s Maintenance Recommendations:

https://cdn.powersports.honda.com/docume...cb1100.pdf

Step 2: I stage my motorcycle in a brightly lit, flat location and organize my tools. Note the cardboard underneath the motorcycle to protect the floor. It is a messy job cleaning, lubricating, and adjusting a chain:



Step 3: I remove the chain guard from the motorcycle and check the reference label on the swing arm. Note the nasty blackish gunk everywhere:



Step 4: Using a great chain cleaner, I clean the chain using a proper brush. While I am cleaning, I check out the chain to make sure there are no kinks and the sprockets to make sure there is no wear. After I am finished, I move the motorcycle outside of the garage and I rinse the chain and let it air dry. When I am finished, I use some shop towels to soak up the liquids so that no creatures can get into it.

Note the clean, gray color of all the components in the last picture of this step. That is what a clean sprocket and chain look like on a CB1100. 









Step 5: I clean the front and rear brakes using a great brake cleaner. I inspect for damage. 



When I am done, I return the motorcycle to the garage. 

Step 6: Using a torque wrench, I loosen the nuts holding the rear axle in place. I turn each 3 turns and then adjust the tension in the chain following the Honda guidelines. I make sure that the rear tire is perfectly straight by looking at the marks on the adjusters and also measuring with a tap measure. For a motorcycle sold in California, there is a label on the left swing arm. Assuming there is no chain damage, the rear wheel should fall within the “Green” square. I am not sure if CB1100s outside of California have this helpful guide or not. 

When everything is right, I use a torque wrench to tighten things up. I prefer a digital torque wrench so that I can see as I am approaching the proper torque setting. I turn slowly until I hear that wonderful click. I thin lubricate the chain using a Honda OEM white grease. I wipe off any excess:













Step 7: I reinstall the chain guard and anything else I may have removed to clean everything properly. I spin the rear wheel and make sure the brake pad does not rub against the caliber. I also make sure everything “looks” true and is properly aligned. I then go for a test ride. I first ride in the neighborhood and then on a service road. When I return home, I check the chain tension again. Then I clean and store my tools and discard the cardboard. 

I hope this post may help someone sort out their own routine. Be safe, ride often, and have a great week. David

Had to make a run to the local dump to drop off two old fridges. Used the low boy Kendon trailer for that.

Came back home and sun is shining. Mid 60’s and a cloudless sky. Decided to take the 2013 Tim Duncan Tribute Edition (#0021) out for its first jaunt this year. Unplugged trickle charger, removed dust cover. Pushed the Road King out of the way and wheeled the CB out onto the driveway. Fired right up on 1st key turn and purred satisfyingly for a minute. Got on it, engaged clutch and popped it in gear and bike lurched forward. Luckily I had the front brake on or otherwise I would have gone straight into the King.

Tried it a couple more times after pumping clutch lever but same issue. Clutch lever feels mushy/spongy. Reservoir is full but noted one tiny air bubble in glass. Since I already had trailer hooked up I opted to push the bike on and trailered it to local Honda dealer where I bought the bike.

I’m guessing clutch needs to be bled and fluid replaced. Checked all fittings. Nothing loose or seeping. No fluid on garage floor.

Only the second unscheduled routine maintenance trip to the dealer. The other being need to replace fork seals.

Not bad for a 12 year old bike.

and a new definition of offroad

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_q...aki+Corleo

The CB has been sold, for now riding continues on a Kawasaki z900. She is not as pretty, but much lighter, with better "legs" - easier to control in steep descents, and the bike has a great sound from factory. A good bike for a girl my size and strength.

Not all of your comments to my posts (or PMs) have always been tenderhearted, but hey, have been there, have brothers, can handle it. But it wasn't enough to make me think, "I should keep the CB in order to remain a member of this group or this forum". The light in this darkness was Cormanus, and a few others from more "distant" places for away from the "heart"-lands of U.S. American reality.

In fact for the first time in my life I (and brothers) am thinking about leaving the U.S. for good, after 6 generations here in AL. It has become a frequent subject at dinner tables. The recent events have shown me and many other scientists, that this country is going ... downhill, if not completely nuts. And the tunnel to the place where one can see the light ... seems to go in a death spiral. In a few months my family will know if we follow a call to Europe. In 1940-1950 scientist went from Europe to the Americas. In 2025+ this movement to be reversed ? What would the U.S. look like if stripped of science and scientists

I do seriously hope that this post gets not deleted in an attempt to keep politics off the forum. What I say here is not political (your responses might be so). What I say is an expression of total darkness I feel around me.

Luckily I have a Kawa ... great joy every day, and brothers, and ...
Goodby(e)

Was heading home from a weeklong visit to my mother’s house this past weekend and about 30 miles west of Missoula a black CB1100 with a top box merged on to I90 heading east. Was that anybody here?

This is only the second CB (that I can remember) I’ve seen in the road since 2016 when I bought a 2013. The first one being a red CB in San Francisco about a mile from the south end of the Golden Gate Bridge pre Covid.

Rider had on all the prerequisite safety gear, wasn’t riding squirrelly and followed the speed limit.

Starting a new other bikes thread ....

Bought a new battery for Angry Bird (my NC 750X DCT). Almost 4 years since I bought it (June 2021) and 57,206 miles, and since this bike can't be bump started like my CB 1100 (which I had to bump start and replace the battery last October), figured better safe than sorry. Also, I'm told the DCT system needs a strong battery to operate properly so a new battery seemed like a prudent purchase at this time.

Went with another Japanese made Yuasa YTZ-12S AGM

I bought the STELVIO D-AIR D-DRY XT JACKET directly from Dainese. Heavier than my Joe Rocket Jacket with its 2 liners (8 lbs 10 oz vs 6 lbs 6 oz), but once I put the jacket on, I haven’t noticed the difference. I hope to road test it soon.
https://www.dainese.com/us/en/stelvio-d-...35B78.html

Starting a new thread after clearing out the old one due to storage issues

Starting a new thread after clearing out the old one due to storage issues