Lots of places have car pool or high occupancy vehicle lanes, which only vehicles with two or more people can use. In my area, some of those car pool lanes are slowly being converted to paid-use toll lanes. Motorcyclists have been able to use the car pool lanes, and thankfully, we're also able to use the toll lanes on regular roadways for free. We have to pay to use dedicated toll roads like everyone else.

One of those newly converted stretches of toll lanes is on the 405 freeway which runs past my office, so I'll be using it frequently. Motorcycles haven't really been regulated on these toll lanes, but with the increasing adoption of the toll lanes, I was recently admonished for not having a transponder on my bike, and the FasTrak (roadway administration) people just sent one for each of my bikes.

The transponder is a thick decal with wires running through it, and there are different ones for cars, so they can be billed, and motorcycles, so they can be excluded from billing. The transponder decal can't be attached to metal, only glass or plastic, so the instructions suggest sticking them to the bike's headlight or windscreen.

I'm not about to sully the pristine looks of my two-wheeled children with an ugly decal. But, what to do? Well, what do I already carry, that's made of plastic, and is already an eyesore? My top boxes! I have three bikes, I have three top boxes. And, on any given day that I'll be using the toll lanes, I'll be commuting, so I'll be using one of the three boxes. I made smooth mounting plates for the decals, and 3M taped them on my boxes.

Problem solved. A problem that would only be considered a problem by anal-retentive weirdos like me.

Hi everyone, newly joined member of the forum here, but a long time viewer/owner of an 1100!

I am in search of a set of clear turn signal lenses for my 2014 model year (USA spec) CB1100 (i.e., the smaller signal size versus the 2013 model year).

I see that the clear lens set on WeBike has been discontinued. Does anyone have a lead on where I can source a comparable set a clear lenses? Or, does someone currently have a used set that they would be willing to part with for some $$$?

Photo of from the WeBike listing is attached for reference.

All the best!
Nico

Not seeing any posts from Long ranger (Eric) since December 2022. And no response to a PM. Anyone know of his status?

Not mine, just sharing a good deal.
[url=https://www.ebay.com/itm/116033286316?hash=item1b041f70ac:g:yjQAAOSw0zllm3Ov&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA0EPLBg0TZ0rpnuMFginqNb0pszYjg7FIWlpdnUn5FAZz3MokXaZtMwW​68vF9udmRgPZA%2FC51CdDfRLuX%2BGWupgKHSV1ZdFYV%2BiFKCmTRUTha81cPGq3KjBGiQTKqUMVRj​z1qidkllVoXuC7Gnok33OGFmIffi54b4%2FmTaACD%2B09gAyxz%2Fm7FHWO380wV2FwfnenssGIVm5w​F%2BCYbb6EzYVx4rWOWhp3kAv2KaMsLlFTXA8ry3EPGo1LRsDCdMAuc5qTDAhh2Z3JMVTtOt%2FQQeg0​%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR7LO7q6dYw]
On eBay for $89.99 includes shipping.

They're moving to the i100 and gradually phasing the i90 out.

I paid $189-229 for mine (I own more than one) and have been very happy with the value at that price.

I used to use the Shoei Neotec and Jtec series modular helmets and found the i90 when the Shoei stuff went up to $800.

Hope this helps someone needing a helmet!

So, interesting situation. I find Scorpion to be my best fitting helmet brand. They're well made but not too expensive. Since I like variety, I like having four different Scorpion helmets in my fleet that I can rotate through.

A few of them are getting older, and I want to rotate them out of daily use. Tried on a Scorpion HX1 at the local shop and it was really comfortable, but it's only available in black and a textured grey that looks like cement. Problem is, I like bright or white colored helmets for visibility and don't buy dark helmets.

Looking online, the European version of the same helmet is available in white with a red stripe in a "nostalgia" pattern. It's on a website in the Netherlands, http://www.chromeburner.com for a clearance price that's low enough that even with shipping to the U.S., it's cheaper than buying a U.S. version in black.

Rather than a standard D-ring, it has a ratcheting strap, and interesingly, the Euro version of the helmet has a drop-down sun visor while the U.S. version does not.
It's ECE rated, but not being a U.S. market helmet, it's probably not DOT rated. I'm not really concerned about that, as I'm sure if it's safe and legal for riding in Europe, it will be fine here in the U.S., and I doubt it would ever be questioned.
I pulled the trigger and bought one, and look forward to getting it.

Anyone else bought a European version helmet that's also available in the U.S.? If all is good, I'll probably buy another one from them. They have some other models that I'm familiar with at great prices.

Read a few articles where different m/c "expert" and journalist claimed and reiterated that the famous Honda quality was no longer what it used to be.

It made me curious ... on a long winter day. Knowing what kind of problems are reported here on our forum, or should I say how few and little problems are reported, I looked into the U.K. forum for the Z 900 RS, after all a very popular machine and a big forum site.

In "general discussion" only, last few weeks alone, there is an endless amount of very nasty problems reported - on Kawas no older than 2-3-4 years. Often sensor failure, but also much simpler annoyances like gear switch mechanic, corrosion, "doesn't start", idle problems (like the earlier CB models), and many more.

I don't wonna rub it in with the wrong audience, but as little as my search may be statistically relevant, I did quickly get the feeling that Honda is still up on top. A quick look into a BMW forum and some Italian chicks .... seems to confirm it.

So I took the 2017 EX out the evening before last for a short ride before the snow set in here and for the first time on the bike, I happened to get back just a touch after sundown. What I experienced was downright scary. The LED headlight on the EX has to be the worst headlight ever to grace a motorcycle, LED or not. It is a silly afterthought and really not up to Honda's design and engineering standards. The small rectangle of illumination was completely inadequate. Once I got closer to home where the street lights are few and far between, I found myself laughing incredulously in between white knuckling my grips in the sweeping turns where I struggled to even see the road at all.

Has anyone here replaced their EX headlight by chance? Is it even possible?

I would love to go back to the incandescent light that was on my 2014 Std. That was a wonderful light by comparison. I can say that until the light on this bike is sorted, I will only ever take it out in daylight, or else be on the FJR if I have to ride after dark. Heck, the FJR headlight is better than most cars I have owned. What was Honda thinking?

Today, I had to pick up another prescription for my ailing leg lol. So I rode down to the pharmacy. It was 36 degrees and sunny out. Chilly, but nice and bright.

As I get in line to pick up my script (wearing full mc gear) the guy ahead of me turns and says.."Kinda cold riding out there today isn't it?" to which I reply "I'm plugged in (while wiggling the power chord to my heated jacket liner) it's like riding wrapped in an electric blanket". and the guy says "Wow, I didn't know there was such a thing." Then he ads "there used to be a guy that lived by me down on State street years ago, that rode every day, I can't remember his name". I said "Bob Johnson use to live down on State street, he was a real rider". And he lights up "That's the guy, Bob Johnson". I said "Bob was a good friend of mine. I took my first out of state motorcycle trip with Bob in 1969 to some parks in Indiana on 350 Hondas. He was sort of my motorcycling mentor".

The guy said "I don't think he had a car", and I said "right now I don't have a car either" and laughed. The guy said "wow, you guys are tough.". I finished picking up my script, bid the guy a good day and left, but I smiled all the way home thinking about Bob. Still smiling typing this. I miss Bob.

Bob was a riders' rider. Went everywhere by motorcycle. He did have a car, but I only saw him in it a couple of times. If he and his wife were going somewhere, she drove, he rode. Always wore custom Langlitz Leathers (I still have one of his jackets given to me by his daughter after he passed away. She knew I would appreciate it), engineers boots, and Bell helmets. I've always wanted to be as dedicated as Bob, but have never succeeded.

Bob's been gone a long time now, over 25 years I think, but it was great having someone remember and remind me, what a rider he was.

Getting down to the finish line on this project. Started out as a frame hanging from the ceiling.
1971 Honda CB175. After some prodding from friends; painted the frame red vs the tradition black. Lots of custom touches.
Here’s a few photos.







Still need to finish the tank and headlight bezel. The exhausts are custom made. Kind of excited to hear them…. getting close!

Super Cub : .....4587

Grom / MSX : ...3594

CB 1100 : ........2986

CB125 F : ..........996 (sold)

Monkey : ........ 3107

Vultus : ...........2874

CL 500 : ..........4202

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.....................22346 km