Some members have done the CB500 handlebar mod first related to the forum by Chip Beck.

I've done this modification but was never quite satisfied with the bar position. I had to set the bars to where the control switches were only a few millimeters from touching the tank to get the grips reasonably level. They also tended to interfere with the large 18L Cortech tank bag I sometimes used. Mainly, though, they just were not quite right, not quite sporty enough, not quite level enough, and not enough clearance between the bar and tank at full lock to be really "correct" and avoid trapping my hands if I wasn't attentive.

I read the CB1100RS had the bars moved forward a bit and took a look at the bar risers on my 2013 Standard. The solution seemed obvious.

With some help from a friend, I got the job done. We removed the two 14mm nuts that hold the risers in place (leave the bars bolted in place for this). My friend removed the caps and lifted the handlebars out of the way, and I held the bars out of the way while she rotated the risers 180 degrees. That moved the handlebar mounting point about 20mm forward. We bolted it all back together (there is no torque specification for the riser mounting nut, but it's a locking type anyway) and made a couple of adjustments. It was stone cold on the money. I was able to rotate the bars back toward me to get them into a more level, comfortable yet sporting position. With this adjustment there was still nearly an inch of clearance between the bars and tank.

This setup couldn't be better. And it looks right. I don't know why this didn't occur to me before.

And now there is plenty of room for a larger tank bag.

Guilty of being a sucker for the latest trends. Guilty of following "the look" when it comes to my gear. From my Stylmartin Indian boots, to my Lee Parks deer skin gloves (in yellow), to my tobacco colored Roland Sands Ronin jacket!

Oh, and then there's the helmets! Boy am I a sucker for helmets! Bell Bullitt. Biltwell Gringo, Biltwell Bonanza to name just a few. Bubble shields and blast shields. Goggles and sunglasses. All I can say in my defense is that I'm having fun. Convict me!

The latest purchase ...

[url=http://s51.photobucket.com/user/jamesfontaine/media/bell-moto-3-retro-full-face-helmet-union-garage-classic-flourescent-orange-11.jpg.html]
Photo courtesy of Google Image Search

And, yes, I went with fluorescent orange! I ordered it from Revzilla and should get it by Thursday of next week. I'll return with my impressions after I've had a chance to ride with it.

First post, hello everyone just a update from a post I saw like 1 or 2 years ago so not sure if it is still relevant or if anyone already did this, couldn't find a post that did. First time seeing these forums was when I was looking for saddle bags and got pointed out to a thread started by tomas (http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=6001), which btw thank you very much tomas went with the accessories because I thought the end result pics on your post were the $h!7. Pretty much got the same setup as far as windscreen and panniers, no regrets til recently at 12k miles feeling like I needed more trunk space on my daily commute. So to the point, someone asked if theres any way to get a rear rack connected with the Asahi Panniers since the description on them states can't use with rear rack, assumed it only meant the Honda OEM, with an extra pair of 65mm m8x1.25 screws, same length and size as the rear set of screws that come with the panniers, to replace the front set the Givi SR1118 for the 2013-2014 cb's fit perfectly & handles my full 205lb bearing weight at the end of the rack, wouldn't test that on the panniers though. the rack adds like an extra 1/5th of an inch distance for the panniers on both sides, which I felt was needed but at the same time didn't feel or look like its any wider. Just if anyone was interested, and a long hello . Sorry about the lighting, only time I get to work on it is past 9pm. Just need to get a top case to match now

Along the lines of the Ferret's questioning the competency of the new bits on the RS, I took my 2013 Standard for a nice ride today, with the idea of finding flaws in it that might be improved by the forks, wheels, and suspension of the RS version.

The simple straightforward truth is that, as I mentioned in my little diatribe about the RS last week, I really don't think there will be any improvements and most likely some detrimental effects.

I just spend a tad over 265 miles on two different racetrack over the last couple of weeks on my 2012 GSX-R 750 track bike. Other than removing the mirrors and slightly lower gearing, it's still a stock streetbike. It has the same tire sizes as the CB1100RS, but of course the geometry is much quicker. I've also got an FZ8, with the same tire sizes, and geometry not too far off from the new CB1100RS.

The point is I'm very familiar with the way the 120/70 and 180/55 feel and handle under pretty hard riding conditions on more than one machine.

As one member mentioned, the 180 rear is just drastically large on a bike like the CB1100. We don't need tires that wide on the rear until we get north of 100 horsepower at the rear wheel. The CB is well below that number. My Gixxer puts out about 127 at the rear wheel, the FZ8 about 96. Most dynos put the CB1100 at about 80 hp on a good day. Fat tires slow down the handling and make the ride harsher on the street because of greater rolling resistance over irregularities.

Having just come off the track, and taken the FZ8 for a quick comparison spin immediately before hopping onto the CB1100, I was instantly impressed and pleased with the nearly effortless handling once the bike gets above a fast walking pace.

But the handling remains excellent all the way into the riding envelope. The bike turns quickly, holds its line (even at triple-digit speeds), responds predictably to steering inputs at any speed, and doesn't mind trailbraking into a turn one bit. And it is very, very neutral while handling rough pavement much better than a bike with the wide supersport rubber. It really works like a very overgrown scrambler, going where you point it and responding well to throttle steering.

I took particular note of the fork action; it was very smooth but used a good deal of the fork travel, unlike a stiffly-suspended sportbike. The 18" wheels allow this, because the taller profile doesn't use up so much of the ground clearance. I honestly could not find anything I'd improve about the fork. I like the way it works and don't think I'll change it a bit.

The Ikon shocks are doing their job and I feel the same way about them. Ohlins pieces might give me some additional road feel or control but within the quite narrow performance envelope of this bike, I can't see where there would be any benefit.

The engine is smooth, with a huge torque spread and very predictable power delivery, but the bike is not slow.

The brakes are very good, needing no improvement (I got a good rear brake, albeit a bad battery, apparently).

The conclusion is that I've got to take a pass on the CB1100RS; the fat tires are going to change the handling with absolutely no benefit to performance in the least. The RS makes the same power, the same torque, as the Standard. It can't use the kind of rubber that can be mounted on the 17" wheels. It likely has less cornering clearance; I don't see how it could have more, given the same frame and engine (the engine is really the limiting factor, with that alternator hanging out there in the breeze). That's a problem for my riding style. With the 18's I never touch anything down which is how I like to ride.

I plan to wait until the handlebar assembly for the RS is available and replace the risers and bar from my Standard (it has the CB500 piece) with those from the RS. When I change the bars, I'll have Galfer make me a set of stainless steel brake lines for the front and rear (my bike is non-ABS). It doesn't really need them, but it's an inexpensive upgrade. Other than that, I can't think of anything I'd change about it.

The new RS is a fantastic conversation piece and will surely deliver a really good riding experience, especially for those who've not ridden the standard CB1100. I don't think there will be any issues with the bike at all. But as a current owner of a 2013 Standard I'd be giving up a better streetbike for one that largely replaces function with style (thanks to the Ferret for bringing that up).

However, if Honda had been selling the RS in 2013, I'd have bought it over the Standard with no hesitation and never looked back.

I'm basing my sense of the RS on the fact I already have several bikes with true high-performance chassis and really like the nearly effortless handling of the CB1100 Standard when I choose to ride it.

One more note: the CB500 bars vibrate more than the stock bars, even with the stock bar end weights installed. That's the main reason I want to replace them.

Now we'll have to wait and see who gets one and how they really stack up.

I mentioned that my battery had been acting up in another thread about that, where a few others had experienced this as well.

It was a low battery/low cranking issue, which was cured with a jump.

I pulled out the battery and charged it fully, reinstalled it, checked the charging system - it was at a nice 14.1V at idle.

I fired the bike up and started to go for a ride and after a couple of hundred yards, it died completely. A few red warning lights flashed and then it went dark. No juice at all.

I was able to get in my car and go get an inexpensive ($99) battery from Cycle Gear and install it within about an hour. That fixed it right up. Plenty of juice.

The caution here being that charging an ailing battery and hoping it'll last one more ride is not going to work for those of us who got faulty batteries.

The only thing that can really cause a total electrical failure is a bad cell in the battery, which in this case means a bad, defective product from Yuasa.

I have two other bikes I bought around the same time as the CB1100, their batteries are going strong and both have at least the same number of miles, if not more.

The battery was frequently charged with a Battery Tender wall-wart unit (0.75A charging rate with float charge). It was never discharged.

If you suspect your battery of problems, replace it if you don't want to be stuck somewhere. I am very thankful this happened right out of the gate and not on the freeway.

P. S. The noisome element here is that I just yesterday paid $210 for a new Shorai LiFe battery. Looks like I have a backup now.

Torrential rains cancelled FP2.

There will be a compressed schedule Saturday. Hopefully Ferret will publish times.

Jack Miller should be strong.

Hi guys,
someone knows an european shop for seats, windscreen and so on...
thanks

It may seem like ME, MYSLEF and CB collection of pictures for sole purpose of ego boosting, ..... but it is so.
Guilty as charged.
They are my favorite desktop backgroungs and everytime I see them ...... the road is calling me away from work and responsibilities. Those moments on the road of carelessness and peace are the best psychiatrist. Anyway.
I hope you will like it.

I live in North Jersey and I have a job interview next week up near Poughkeepsie, NY. There is some great riding up there, and it is supposed to be a nice fall day. I was thinking of taking the whole day off of my current job, and after the interview in the morning, spending the afternoon riding. Then I got to wondering whether it is a good or a bad, or a neutral, idea to ride to a job interview?

I'm thinking this group may be a little biased, but I welcome your thoughts.

Hi fellas, I've done a search on the threads but could not find anything about the following. I stumbled on this pic and really like the exposed air pod filters. According to my research these filters fit on the carburetor (4x in total). Can anyone tell me what dimensions they are ? I found some K&N ones but really have no idea where to start on the dimensions. Also I would appreciate to what impact this change will do the bike performance. I obviously really like the aesthetic look!

Thx.
Ride safe



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