Does anyone know of a source for Trim Rings/Bezels to dress up the Horns on our CB1100's...sort of like those shown on the latest concept CB1100?

I know that our bikes are supposed to look retro, but some sort of Ring or Cover would make the horns much easier to clean and would look less industrial (read: unfinished).

I'm not really a fan of the R nineT. Said that, I have to admit, the BMW marketing guys know how to get their message across:

Saw this on the Cycle World site. A "Wing" concept that leans and thus rides like a standard motorcycle. I would like to see this make production as it's handling would probably shame a few sort bikes. Something I might want to have when I'm too wobbly for two wheels.

http://www.cycleworld.com/olgallery/158386/158389/3

Hi all. I am about a month away from a new bike and it will either be a CB1100 or a Bonneville. Grew up with and ride with Harley guys. My last bike was a shadow though. Really liked how darned dependable the thing was. Wife has it now. I lean toward the CB1100 because I trust Honda's reputation for reliable bikes and appreciate their much more developed dealer network. Thing is, test rode a CB with some buddies and can't hear it in the pack. I haven't liked the sound of most of the exhaust systems I have found, though the "Jimmy tune" stock mod on this forum is promising... I found a video of a guy removing his cat. while he had it cut open, he started it. WOW! even the monster CI harley dudes I run with raised an eyebrow. Anyone know of someone who has done a straight pipe or open headers with turndowns the right way to be sure they aren't screwing up fuel mixture and so on? I know it is loud and not some people's thing, but it is mine. Any help is much appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Scout

Had a couple errands to run yesterday to the hardware store and the post office. The fall flowers are really starting to bloom and the roadsides are full of Goldenrod, Fox Glove, Daisies and Plume grasses.





My first stop at the hardware store. The view across the railroad track shows the old heart of town and it's boarded up store fronts and some lovely homes from another era.







One more stop at the post office. Mexican Petunias surround the stop sign where I park.



I take the long way home.

Today was an uncommonly clear and sunny day here in South Florida. We have been getting daily downpours off and on since mid August. My fuel tank was full and I had not ridden a "dry" ride without donning rain gear, so I decided to ride down to Isla Morada Key.
With the temperature in the 90's and just a few puffy clouds in the sky I headed south on the bike. I went down as far as the Tikki Bar off U.S 1 and had a greasy burger. When I got back to the bike I noticed a man in his 60's looking over the CB. As soon as he realized that I was the owner he asked, "Hey that's an antique aint it?" I prepared myself to give a full explanation on how Honda brought back the CB 1100 as a "retro" reliving the glory days when Honda revolutionized the biking industry. I was all set to explain the electronic ignition, the anti lock brakes, the sophisticated fuel control sensors, when I realized that he really enjoyed the fact that something so old could be made to look so new. Somehow I sensed that telling this man that this was a modern bike with only 8,400 miles on the odometer would not give him the same thrill as he was getting from admiring this old classic. So, I just looked at him and said, "yeap it sure is!" he stayed there and watched the bike until I got on the road. Later as I was riding home, I began to second guess myself as to weather or not I should have told him the bare truth. Then a revelation came to me. When Honda built the CB motorcycles in the 1970's they built a machine for the ages. The CB750 that I rode in 1983 is almost the same machine I ride today. The ride, the workmanship, the reliability, the look, and that great ride is still there! I've owned other bikes and it just wasn't the same. Today it's got the fuel injection and other bells and whistles my old 750 did not have, but it still close enough for that love affair I had in 1983 to be rekindled with my CB 1100. Todays ride totalled 250 miles of glorious indulgence. Not bad for a pair of antiques.

I got a new toy(GoPro Hero4 Black) and shot a video of my CB and a quick ride on it. I have no idea why this didn't upload in HD since I shot it in 1080 resolution. -Edit, I found out that it has to fully process before it shows up at full resolution

I also don't know how to embed the video here. I am technology challenged. -Edit, I found where to embed the video:

Hi everyone... having tried both heated gloves with my last bike (Bonnie), and heated grips on a previous bike (Yamaha FJR), I have to say that I prefer the convenience of just flicking on the grips when needed vs stopping to layer on electric glove liners, plugging everything in, messing with the controller, etc. I'm seriously considering ponying up the money for the Honda heated grips. Questions to those who have already converted:

Are the heated grips more or less the same diameter and hardness as the stock plain grips? I ask because I had to put Grip Puppies on the originals in order to be able to ride comfortably, and I'm wondering if I end up still needing the extra padding with the heated grips, will the heat still pass through efficiently enough to my hands?

Can you control the amount of heat that the grips produce, or is at "on or off" kind of switch?

Any other observations you can pass along to someone who is wrestling with the question of spending $350 on these grips? Would you do it again if you know what you know now? And by the way, is there any chance at all of finding a lower price? Holy smokes!!

Thanks all. - Karl

Tomorrow is the first day of October. Maybe another 30 days of decent riding here in the midwest, before it starts becoming iffy for snow

After tonights ride I sat down and added up my numbers for the month and year as I do at the end of every month.

Numbers for September:

Rode 28 out of 30 days
Rode the ST 1652 miles
Rode the CB 1349 miles
Total miles ridden for the month 3001

Numbers for year:

Total days ridden for year 193 out of 273
Rode ST 8081 miles
Rode CB 7931 Miles
Rode YPV 275 miles (traded in on Honda Rancher ATV with snow plow)
Total miles ridden for year 16,287

My goal for this year was 15,000 miles so that goal was accomplished (last year I rode 27,052 miles and felt that was too much ). Since I plan on riding some more this year I am going to up the goal to 20,000 miles for this year. So 3,713 miles to go in the next 92 days.

Will get started on it tomorrow .

I got the blue tank from Samurider, wondering about completing the blue theme. It looks pretty cool with the black side covers, wondering if anyone has done those in blue?