06-20-2016, 10:24 PM
When I look at retro-type bikes, I become distracted by plastic-banana styling features. Some, like cooling fins on a water-cooled engine, come off looking OK (but still "fake"). Some, like phony carbs or other bolt-on do-dads are more egregious to my eye. But the longer I contemplate the design of my CB, I appreciate how honestly it incorporates, yet subtly improves on the best design of 30-40 years ago. Every detail I see is "real", necessary for function, but carried out, unashamedly, with modern materials, design and manufacturing. Take the front end. Yes, it is a "retro" 5-spoke cast wheel, but the casting is airy and elegant. There are no disc carriers; the rotors attach directly to the wheel. The brakes have a smallish diameter within the 18" arc of the rim. They are grabbed by powerful, compact 4-piston calipers, bolted to fork sliders without need of hangers. It could literally be displayed alone as art. And that's just the front! Maybe next time I'll comment on that gorgeous engine.....