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+--- Thread: Hello from belgium (/showthread.php?tid=14713)
Hello from belgium - Walter - 03-18-2026
Hello everyone,
In march 2018 I bought myself a brand new cb 1100 ex from a local dealer. It was a discount since it didn't sell very well. I believe I have a 2016 model. Whatever. I love the thing and I try to ride 6.000 km on it every year. It is my first bike. Got my license in 2018 and bought the bike because it was there and I allways wanted a universal Japanese motorcycle. Before, I used to ride 125 cc scooters like the S-wing.
It is a black one. Its first service after 1.000 kms was kind of funny. Way too expensive for my likings and the bill stated that the coolant was ok. I mentioned that beeing really beautiful since the bike is air cooled. It was then that I decided to do the maintenance myself. Got the service manual and currently it has 44.000 kms on it. It runs better and better. All hondas do. They don't age, they get better over time. Only thing to do is ride and maintain. They love fresh oil.
Did I change a lot? I got a fehling luggage rack. Made the wheels tubeless. That give me some choice in different tyres.I love Avon tyres. I changed the suspension. At the back it has YSS suspension and in the front it has andreani cartridges. Now I have some setting possibilities. And it feels like a flying carpet on rails. Why did I do this? Well, there was this jump I accidently made with my daughter as a pillion. It was High, fast and rough. 1 meter high, over a little hill thing. Road went up and to my surprise down again, and I rode too fast. The suspension did not like that. Afterwards there were springs, but no suspension anymore.... We both survived this well. My daughter liked it. She is crazier than me. So a replacement was needed.
Valve checks are done, they were just checks. Still everything in spec. Further on, regular maintenance, done whith love.
What else can I say. Should I mention the garage catching fire 4 years ago, and the bike was in it? That was on a sunday. Bike caught fire too. Mostly the saddle and side covers. Replaced them with originals. New mirrors, since the ladder fell on it and the bike tipped over. And new bar ends and brake and clutch handles also new. Not original.
I was just in time to put the fire out. Some heat impact on the switches, which I call beauty marks.
I could not ride for a while because I had to wait for the saddle. I wasn't planning on getting sick, so I had to buy another bike. A kawasaki ninja1000 sx. I am convinced God has forgiven me for this stupidity and when I came to my senses again, I replaced it with a second hand NC 750 X, that needed some TLC, which I gave it and this is still my everyday ride. There is no such thing as winter, when you ride a bike like that. This one got other suspension too, and steel brake lines from Hell. I explained to God the purpose of this and he agreed. This bike too is really comfortable.
Both bikes are complementary and I love them. I jump from one on the other, the nc has DCT, which is really nice to have. There is no time needed to get used to shifting again or not anymore depending on the bike. I goes flawlessly.
That is my story briefly in crappy English. If you read this, it is not my responsability. So have a nice one, where ever you may be.
Thanks for this awesome forum, well done. I might say a thing or two here and there.
One crazy fool from Belgium. We are all fools over here in case you didn't know.
RE: Hello from belgium - Cormanus - 03-18-2026
G'day Walter and welcome to the forum. Your choice in bikes suggests you're not as crazy as you pretend. But time will tell. Nothing wrong with your English.
RE: Hello from belgium - rdprdp01 - 03-18-2026
Welcome, Walter! Fantastic story.
Would love to see a picture of your indestructible CB1100 when you have time. David
RE: Hello from belgium - noroomtomove - 03-19-2026
G'day Walter
Welcome , glad your enjoying the bike again. Fire can be a bother.
Regards NRTM
RE: Hello from belgium - Nachodaddy - 03-19-2026
Welcome, Walter. Belgium is a beautiful place and we look forward to your words and photos.
RE: Hello from belgium - Lord Popgun - 03-19-2026
Welcome Walter and congrats on your bikes!!
That was some story. I think we are going to want more on that fire story. And pics of your bikes.
RE: Hello from belgium - Gone in 60 - 03-19-2026
Welcome Walter!
Hmm, a CB1100 and an NC750X. You’re going to make friends fast around here.
Would love to see photos of both!
RE: Hello from belgium - the Ferret - 03-19-2026
Welcome Walter
a CB 1100 and an NC 750X DCT....sounds familiar lol
RE: Hello from belgium - pdedse - 03-19-2026
(03-18-2026, 05:19 PM)Walter Wrote: Hello everyone, ...
1)
It is a black one. Its first service after 1.000 kms was kind of funny. Way too expensive for my likings and the bill stated that the coolant was ok. I mentioned that beeing really beautiful since the bike is air cooled. It was then that I decided to do the maintenance myself. ...
2)
...The suspension did not like that. Afterwards there were springs, but no suspension anymore.... We both survived this well. My daughter liked it. She is crazier than me. So a replacement was needed.
3)
...What else can I say. Should I mention the garage catching fire 4 years ago, and the bike was in it?
4)
... This one got other suspension too, and steel brake lines from Hell. I explained to God the purpose of this and he agreed.
5)
..,One crazy fool from Belgium. We are all fools over here in case you didn't know.
Welcome to the forum! That's quite the introduction, your sense of humor shines even if English isn't your first language--that's not always easy to achieve.
Regarding the numbers I inserted to refer to your comments:
1) I had the same thing happen with my "radiator". I had a shop inspect the valves @ around 15k miles and it was a "service" package. On the bill it said "radiator flush". I asked them if it was difficult to do, and the guy said "no problem". I didn't want him to feel too bad as he wasn't the one who serviced the bike, but I did point out the oversight and he sheepishly lowered the bill.
2) You replaced your crazy daughter? I didn't know we could do that!
3) your CB may be the first one that we know of that caught fire...and survived. Glad you saved it. Any photos of the "burned condition"? Could be interesting.
4) You bought brake lines from Hell and then went to confirm with God? That's kind of ballsy. Wait...did you do that BEFORE the bike caught fire? I mean, if your brake lines were produced in Hell, what would one expect?
5) If all Belgians are fools, now I feel I have to visit! To compare yours with me and mine.
Again, welcome!
RE: Hello from belgium - peterbaron - 03-19-2026
Walter, welcome to the forum.
Your story is great, and I am sorry to hear about the CB fire.
Regarding the coolant, you need to buy a coolant strenght tester....
Pics of your bikes are essential.