Call me crazy...but I'm not so into modding

[glenridgerich_imp]

It seems that more often than not folks like to make modifications to their bikes, and for those who do, I support your decision to do so whole heartedly. Motorcycling is the perfect place to showcase your individuality, and modding your bike is your own way to do what pleases you. That said, I've never been into modding. In particular, the CB is a very refined design, and in my view, not in any need of improvement. I wish the pipe was a little louder though. See, I've contradicted myself already!

I have to agree with you. I took the tank stickers off and made the stock muffler louder, that's it.

I have to agree with you. I took the tank stickers off and made the stock muffler louder, that's it. I'd love to make my stock muffler louder...May I ask how ya did it?

I have to agree with you. I took the tank stickers off and made the stock muffler louder, that's it. I'd love to make my stock muffler louder...May I ask how ya did it?
Remove the chrome end cover (three bolts), then cut off the exhaust tube using a Dremel or something suitable, then drill holes in the end plate. When you get the sound you like re-install the cap and you're done!
Here's the thread where the pictures are:
[url=http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=2829&page=4]http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread....829&page=4

Thanks mininxs...This seems pretty simple. Are you happy with the sound? Would bigger holes make it louder or softer? How much louder is it the way you did it? (I want the bike to be louder...but not crazy loud). Thanks again!
I have to agree with you. I took the tank stickers off and made the stock muffler louder, that's it. I'd love to make my stock muffler louder...May I ask how ya did it?
Remove the chrome end cover (three bolts), then cut off the exhaust tube using a Dremel or something suitable, then drill holes in the end plate. When you get the sound you like re-install the cap and you're done!
Here's the thread where the pictures are:
[url=http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=2829&page=4]http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread....829&page=4

[pwh421_imp]

I have never been a bike "mod" guy.. I dunno why, but it's not my deal..

I figure the engineers at Honda (or BMW or whatever) are pretty good at what they do.. Who am I to say different?

[Motogeezer1949_imp]

All good Happy that we have a choice!

[DocRid_imp]

I prefer the term "personalize" instead of "modify"

I get an extreme pleasure out of turning a wrench, so spending time changing things on my vehicles is more than just about the changes themselves.

Switched out my clip-on bars back to the original handlebars today. Had a couple beers, enjoyed the weather, got an excuse to buy a new tool, had quality "me" time away from the significant other, and at the end of it all I felt accomplished.

[DaSwami_imp]

It seems that more often than not folks like to make modifications to their bikes, and for those who do, I support your decision to do so whole heartedly. Motorcycling is the perfect place to showcase your individuality, and modding your bike is your own way to do what pleases you. That said, I've never been into modding. In particular, the CB is a very refined design, and in my view, not in any need of improvement. I wish the pipe was a little louder though. See, I've contradicted myself already!

I'm with you. It's perfectly fine to make the bike yours. What gets me is if/when the modifier decides to sell the bike they ask for a higher price with the obligatory list of "enhancements" and their price tag. Too bad, buddy.

Mark my words, if you even think you might sell the bike, a clean un-modified stock bike will fetch more than a modded one, almost every time.

The one caveat is if you have all the old stock parts, and your mods were simple bolt-ons/add-ons. You could fare OK.

[Ulvetanna_imp]

It seems that more often than not folks like to make modifications to their bikes, and for those who do, I support your decision to do so whole heartedly. Motorcycling is the perfect place to showcase your individuality, and modding your bike is your own way to do what pleases you. That said, I've never been into modding. In particular, the CB is a very refined design, and in my view, not in any need of improvement. I wish the pipe was a little louder though. See, I've contradicted myself already!

I am thankful someone else started this kind of thread because the Nomex suit would have to come out otherwise! It is true when I was 20 years younger I was more into changing things up, and back then things needed to be changed up a lot more than now. Changes to the carbs to cure hesitation, maybe a pipe, air filter, fork springs, shock(s) and so on. Brake pads, maybe. Stainless lines. Maybe disks, or an aftermarket seat.

After being on so many of these doggone forums, having owned a few bikes over the years, it is easy to see that modding is by far the most popular activity. A very small percentage are into racking up the miles, a smaller percentage into getting the bike to handle well. The first thing a lot of guys ask a new owner is "What have you done to it?"

After having owned more than 50 bikes over the years the main answer I have now is "Not much, mostly I ride it."

Bikes are a heck of a lot better than ever although the EFI changeover from carbs was pretty glitchy for a few years. That's been worked out for the most part, especially for mid- to high-end bikes (not always).

What I have found is that not too much needs to be done to a bike these days to get it to handle well and find the all-day comfort zone needed to spend quality time in the saddle. This has for sure been true with the last several bikes I have owned. A couple of them needed better shocks; I went with the baseline Ohlins on one bike and the Ikons on the CB1100. The tires are important, so tried a few different brands until settling on what worked best for me.

I have seen a lot of guys try to fix things that aren't really broken by spending hard-earned dough. In most cases some time spent making adjustments to riding style or suspension, or perhaps going to a different tire brand or upgrading the suspension a bit, is all that is necessary.

I know in my case, if I had not changed the handlebars on my CB1100 it would have been a lost cause and I would've missed out on the greatness of this bike. I changed out just the bars, as I felt the mirrors were fine, and it cost about $50 and a couple of hours in the garage. Once that was done I could then go about getting the suspension set up, and fitted the Conti Road Attack 2 Classic Race tires. Handlebar, shocks, premium rubber, 15W fork oil, and some elbow grease. I would not change one more thing on the bike, unless perhaps a reflash of the ECU, but it's so good now it doesn't really need that.

So to wrap up I am agreeing with the OP, whilst modding is great fun and can help a guy pass many a rewarding hour in the peace and quiet of his man cave, it's a personal thing. Some of us have learned to embrace the KISS principle which is less photogenic, less controversial, and more intangible. We are the wallflowers of motorcycle modding, LOL!

[EGAlvarez_imp]

I too have left my CB pretty close to stock. I think that Honda did a great job taking styling cues from several Honda's when designing the CB. I've added a fairing as it is practical and easily removed but that's about it. I wouldn't paint a hat on the Mona Lisa either! This is why I immediately remove the giant windshield that came with my bike and refuse to buy a Russell saddle. If I want a comfortable and ugly bike, I'll ride my GS.
What I have observed over the years is that "modding", or going crazy with accessories, often ends up like this; someone spending $12,000 on a bike, putting another $8,000 worth of "upgrades" or personal touches on a bike and then they end up with a $10,000 bike that is hard to sell. But to each his own, that's what makes motorcycling fun, making your bike "yours".