Do I still even fit in on my own forum?

[MFGUSA_imp]

Personally I think your going in the right direction Guth. Minimalist is the purest form of a motorcycle and that's what makes the CB1100 so good. All those bikes you have or have had, have a soul underneath covered in some aesthetically appealing design. The plastic and farkles may have purpose, but they hide that raw form. You bolt enough stuff on there and you'll have "any other bike" and I'm glad your backing up a bit. Your CB deserves it.

Don't rub it in Damfino. Nice one though.

[Rick Froscheiser_imp]

Yes you do! It's about setting up the bike the way you want it. I put RLETS, Gaiters, and the old Honda valve stem caps on mine and called it done.

[PistolPete811_imp]

I know exactly what you mean, after adding rack, saddle bags, am/fm radio, sat radio, gps, gators, engine guards, windscreen, mirror extenders and tank bag, I took my plain jane 1976 CB400F out for a long spin. When I got back I just stared at my CB1100 and came to the conclusion that I was missing that simple feel, look, and ride. So, while I'm keeping the farkles, they are coming off until I go on a major ride, like across the country! So thank you 38 year old bike for keeping me centered!

[redbirds_imp]

You're headed the right way Guth. The CB is hard to improve on.

First "farkle" I did was remove the hideous government mandated side reflectors, first thing I do on every new bike. A battery tender harness and a screen to keep the wind blast off. I may get the side covers painted to match the tank. Farkles complete.

[Damfino_imp]

Personally I think your going in the right direction Guth. Minimalist is the purest form of a motorcycle and that's what makes the CB1100 so good. All those bikes you have or have had, have a soul underneath covered in some aesthetically appealing design. The plastic and farkles may have purpose, but they hide that raw form. You bolt enough stuff on there and you'll have "any other bike" and I'm glad your backing up a bit. Your CB deserves it.

Don't rub it in Damfino. Nice one though.

[Pterodactyl_imp]

Guth, you're my anchor, my rock, my foundation.

Guth, how many miles are you up to? maybe you do more riding than posting....?

If only that were the case. While I commute to work by bike every day, between my real job, my family and other pursuits (not long after I bought my CB I became addicted to fly fishing, more specifically steelhead fishing, and it sucks up a lot of what was previously weekend riding time), I'm just not racking up many miles on the bike. As my commute is short and I still ride my Hawk some days, I'm only around 2,500 miles or so last I checked.

In fact, only recently did I even manage to get the CB out of town for as long as I can remember, and that was to ride out to a fly shop to pick up some "fishing farkles". But it was a nice reminder of what I've been missing out on and I'm planning on changing that. — hopefully soon.

Careful Guth, "fishing farkling" can be even more addictive than the motorcycle variety. For example, of the hundreds, nay thousands or even millions of sure-fire lures, flies and plastics paraded at tackle shops it is certain that the target species for the vast majority, if not all, is the angler. It is a private vice often concealed in expensive tackle boxes. I think the term could be "stashed". How do I know? My name is Pterodactyl, I am a ..........

As for my CB, like yours the OEM rack is on only for touring and the Staintune is there cause I like it, plus I trashed the OEM. I don't have to worry too much about the "farkler posts", after all I can handle that stuff without any problems. Really, I can. Now I think I will just have a quick look at the Samurider site..........

Cheers mate, thanks for the forum.

[Cormanus]

I reckon any sort of farkling has the potential to be addictive and distracting.

I can't talk with authority about this: my only purely cosmetic farkle is a couple of RLETs. The other changes I've made to the CB1100—a top box and power outlet—are purely for reasons of practicality. I'm too lazy to take the top box on and off as I need it so it stays there. In the same way, I'm too lazy to get terribly exercised about the colour of my exhaust headers. I bought the bike to ride it and that's mostly what I'm doing.

Go Guth. Do exactly what you want so the bike makes you happy. Just don't forget to ride it to your favourite fishing spot. If you're worried about how to get your catch home, here's an example. You don't even need to pout the rack on. The bottle is petrol—flavours the fish or helps light the barbeque.

[Randy B]

Guth, you're my anchor, my rock, my foundation.

Guth, how many miles are you up to? maybe you do more riding than posting....?

If only that were the case. While I commute to work by bike every day, between my real job, my family and other pursuits (not long after I bought my CB I became addicted to fly fishing, more specifically steelhead fishing, and it sucks up a lot of what was previously weekend riding time), I'm just not racking up many miles on the bike. As my commute is short and I still ride my Hawk some days, I'm only around 2,500 miles or so last I checked.

In fact, only recently did I even manage to get the CB out of town for as long as I can remember, and that was to ride out to a fly shop to pick up some "fishing farkles". But it was a nice reminder of what I've been missing out on and I'm planning on changing that. — hopefully soon.

Is anyone else even close to 18,000 miles yet? I've been out for a month with at least two more to go and AFAIK I'm still in the lead.

Just checking. (and yes....its a race. )

[Pterodactyl_imp]

Guth, you're my anchor, my rock, my foundation.

Guth, how many miles are you up to? maybe you do more riding than posting....?

If only that were the case. While I commute to work by bike every day, between my real job, my family and other pursuits (not long after I bought my CB I became addicted to fly fishing, more specifically steelhead fishing, and it sucks up a lot of what was previously weekend riding time), I'm just not racking up many miles on the bike. As my commute is short and I still ride my Hawk some days, I'm only around 2,500 miles or so last I checked.

In fact, only recently did I even manage to get the CB out of town for as long as I can remember, and that was to ride out to a fly shop to pick up some "fishing farkles". But it was a nice reminder of what I've been missing out on and I'm planning on changing that. — hopefully soon.

Is anyone else even close to 18,000 miles yet? I've been out for a month with at least two more to go and AFAIK I'm still in the lead.

Just checking. (and yes....its a race. )

Is anyone else even close to 18,000 miles yet? I've been out for a month with at least two more to go and AFAIK I'm still in the lead.

Just checking. (and yes....its a race. )
20510 miles. But I've had it two years.

Cheers
That is just under 33000kms

[Rocky_imp]

Guth, a lot of what you said rings true.
At first I was excited and hot to trot to get a rear carrier, but as time passed that idea began to wane and now I don't really care if I have one or not.
But I do have a pair of SW engine guards; a Pyramid Fenda Extenda and a fly screen waiting to be installed.
I have no desire to try and turn this bike into a road burner with exhaust; ECU mod, etc. If I feel the need for speed I still have my CB900F.
I may look at the Ventura luggage system which has a carrier rack that can easily be added and removed when not needed and leaves only a grab handle in place.
So, in the meantime, just like you, I'm enjoying the bike just like it is, but I'll get to the farkles eventually.