Design Disadvantages of the CB1100

[LakeWylieJoe_imp]

Last bike ('86 CB700SC) had hydraulic tappets that never needed fiddling, and that's with a nearly 11,000rpm redline too. Makes the head larger, though.

On the other hand, my 2005 VFR800Fi has the nightmare of all valve clearance jobs. All four cams have to come out TWICE to do the adjustment. The first time is to install the VTEC plugs that force the variable valves to open while the engine isn't running so you can measure their clearance. It's a bloody endless job...

[CB1100DLX_imp]

Great thread! Just read all 13 entertaining pages! I know this is in the mechanical/technical section, but no one commented on the 'Design' of the tank. Overall, the bike gives a nod to the 69-78 CB750, but the tank, without the straight flat bottom line, screams 79-80+! (Some will like that and others will not).
Do you all prefer the stock tank or the one whitehouse offers? Personally, I think the tank could've been designed with the straight flat bottom line in a post modern way with greater fuel capacity. And you'd be able to chrome trim it!

[Chapomis_imp]

Lake Wylie Joe, do you have an VF Interceptor ?

[quietguy_imp]

One of my first questions to my dealer was valve adjustment frequency - He told me 16,000 miles. I guess he's blowing smoke in my face...

[redbirds_imp]

With a few exceptions, I would guess the valves will not need adjusting for 50,000 miles on most CB's. Will check mine this spring.

[quietguy_imp]

With a few exceptions, I would guess the valves will not need adjusting for 50,000 miles on most CB's. Will check mine this spring.

Wow... that's interesting.

I would guess the clearances should be checked a lot more frequently than that(?)

[Pterodactyl_imp]

One of my first questions to my dealer was valve adjustment frequency - He told me 16,000 miles. I guess he's blowing smoke in my face...

That is the service manual stipulation. It's not the dealer that is blowing the smoke. It's Honda. Most people who check the valves themselves have found them to be within tolerance. My dealer checked mine at first major service and made adjustments. I had other issues with that service and since then I do all the servicing on my bike.

Back to Honda. Why does Honda make the stipulation? I don't know, but I believe they have better technical resources than most, if not all, on this forum. Honda chose the valve check interval for a reason. I don't think that Honda was driven by the bottom line in making that the check interval.

The dealer? Well, I don't use a dealer but if I did, I want that dealer to carry out the service manual procedure without deviation or omission. The last thing I would want from a dealer is for him to think, "These CBs probably don't require a valve check so often. The shops busy, my foreman has a hangover after the dealership Christmas party and needs a recovery lunch, so I won't get them to check Pterodactyl's bike, it's most likely OK. And if it's not I will win when he brings it back with the engine running like a sick donkey, or better still, with major damage (I'm planning a vacation in Aspen this winter and would love a new set of carvers)."

So if you, or the dealer, don't want to check the valves at the the stipulated intervals it's up to you. As a wise man once said, "You pays your money, you takes your choice"

Cheers
And I note that Calamari's thread has resurrected. Wonder if he still looks in occasionally. Cheers again.

[quietguy_imp]

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[redbirds_imp]

I was not implying that I would check valves at 50K. I will check at 8K just as Honda recommends but I seriously doubt they will need adjustment based on my own experience with shim under bucket adjusters.

[the Ferret]

Ptero his last visit was April 2014. He's probably annoying some other moderator on some other board. Maybe his beloved W800 board.