Do I still even fit in on my own forum?

[the Ferret]

I'm not much of a farkler either. One has to look really hard at my bike to see it's not bone stock.

The rlets and gaiters I put on because that's how a CB Honda should look IMO. I changed grips for gel grips, but they look stock. I changed to black aluminum valve stem caps because I hate rubber ones, but they also look stock. I hid a battery tender pigtail discreetly by the rear shock. That's it. No pipe, no rack, no engine guards, no shield, no extra chrome (although I will get the chrome instrument cups when/ if they ever become available for the 14 DLX)

I post a fair amount but I am a rider. I've ridden in every month of the year for years and that's saying something in the midwest (wasn't easy this year but I did it). I rode 2 days in January, 1 day in February, 8 days in March, 17 days in April, 23 days in May and I've ridden every day this month except one, June 12 th, the day after I got back from riding to California and back in 11 days. (spent that day unpacking and washing clothes and putting gear away). When I wake up in the morning, I'm pretty sure I'm riding somewhere that day. I've managed to roll up 11,009 miles so far this year, spread over 3 bikes. It's 6 am here, and pretty sure after I watch the MotoGP race from 7-9 a.m. I will be riding somewhere. I retired so that I could ride more, and I promised myself, not to waste a day when I could be riding. The only things that keep me from riding is a snow storm, a thunderstorm, or watching my grandson Riley. Other than that, I'm probably on 2 wheels. I LOVE riding!

[The Spaceman_imp]

A very thoughtful post Mr. Guth.

My last bike was a VStrom DL1000. I put every flippin' farkle made for it on that bike, and even helped develop/test some new ones. It was fun and I don't regret it, but like you, I haven't done the same with the CB. The Dart, a sprocket, the rack and the meter covers is the extent of it. I don't pretend to know why the CB is different, but it is.

Having said that, I still enjoy the heck out of the forum. Reading and seeing what the other guys are doing to their bikes is vicarious fun. And, I don't have guilt pangs over all that money spent!

As time goes by I think the forum will become when more useful as a technical resource. At the moment we haven't begun to uncover the issues that only miles and years will reveal, but I'm sure someday someone will Google "CB1100 failure xyz," and a link to a thread on this forum will appear!

[Blockhead_imp]

I have to say that when I first bought my bike last August I was somewhat disappointed with the lack of accessories available. I had previously owned a Vulcan 900 and that bike had a plethora of aftermarket options and I took advantage of that -- there's nothing like the feeling you get when you see the UPS truck stop in front of your house with new goodies for the bike.

Anyway, after a few months I bought a windshield for the CB1100 and then a Cortech tail bag. Then I started exploring options for a seat, exhaust etc...And then, like Guth, it hit me that I was getting away from what attracted me to the bike in the first place so off came the windshield and bag. The only thing I have extra on the bike is the little rubber thingies, I LOVE them!

[Tortuga_imp]

Blockheads dog looks like Darth Vader.

My bike is totally standard it still has the original Honda farkles.

[Aussie_imp]

Gee, this strikes a chord with me as well. I really should get a rack and top box as I commute everyday, use the bike everyday, but I just bungee cord a bike bag to the back or whack it on the tank if my gear for the day is light (magnetic). I just hate to ruin the look of the bike. I bought a dart screen, but was too turbulent so it's gathering dust. I bought a staintune, which I love, but it's a little too loud around town so I'm back to OEM muffler and am enjoying the quiet. Maybe some red side covers, yes, to complement the tank. The seat looks good, not the very best for comfort but not worth changing. Yep, it's just a great looking bike to begin with.


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[tomas_imp]

Good luck on fighting those demons Guth, to farkle or not?
I've farkled a lot of bikes in my time. But on the CB I went the other direction. I've removed some small items from the bike already. The front fork side amber reflectors, the rear side red reflectors, the rear red reflector, and the dual horns. Now if I could only remove that oil radiator without compromising to much reliability.

[redbirds_imp]

Good luck on fighting those demons Guth, to farkle or not?
I've farkled a lot of bikes in my time. But on the CB I went the other direction. I've removed some small items from the bike already. The front fork side amber reflectors, the rear side red reflectors, the rear red reflector, and the dual horns. Now if I could only remove that oil radiator without compromising to much reliability.

Have you added your Illudium Q-36 Explosive Space Modulator?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuUJfYcn3V4

[wildezt_imp]

I don't know what hit me. I got home from work tonight and I de-farkled.

Yes, you read that right, I'm actually less farkled now than I was this morning. It's not like I was ever a major farkler. I ordered the factory rear rack when I picked up my CB1100. I didn't have to wait long before I had it mounted on my bike. Up next was a Staintune exhaust (rarely have I had a expenditure of this nature where my line of reasoning for the purchase was "just because I want it, I really want it"). Eventually the chrome instrument gauge covers followed. But after that, most of my bike related purchases have been standard maintenance items and various cleaning supplies.

For now, the rear rack sits alone, cast off in a remote corner of the garage separated from the CB1100. I like the look of the bike better without it although it is nice to have when I need it. I figure that I can always put it back on when the need arises. Now my farkle list is down to 2 items — 3 if you count each gauge cover separately (and a whopping 4 if you count the batter tender cable mounted to the battery). I suppose 4 items is almost respectable.

Maybe I should have seen this coming. The signs were there all along. I never worked up the nerve to order a set of the little rubber lever end cover thingies. I never bookmarked the Samurider website (blasphemy, I know, I know). I actually could have lived happily with my CB1100 just the way it came when I rode it off of the dealers parking lot that very first day. I can almost hear the sound of jaws hitting the floor over that last one. But it's true, and I'm trying to come to grips with it. Maybe I'll slowly re-enter the world of accessories at some point, but for now that's too much too contemplate. It's just going to take some time but I think that everything is going to be okay. Still, I'm almost reluctant to look at my own reflection streaming off of the CB's gleaming chrome surfaces.

All kidding aside, I rolled the bike into the garage after work tonight and just happened to think: let's go ahead and change the look back to what drew me to the CB in the first place. Honestly, I still feel insanely fortunate to own such a wonderful machine. Glad that all of you folks are along for the ride.

All the best,
Guth

True Guth.. I do this all the time.. put on and put off my slipon atleast 2,3 times...

I'm not much of a farkler either. One has to look really hard at my bike to see it's not bone stock.

The rlets and gaiters I put on because that's how a CB Honda should look IMO. I changed grips for gel grips, but they look stock. I changed to black aluminum valve stem caps because I hate rubber ones, but they also look stock. I hid a battery tender pigtail discreetly by the rear shock. That's it. No pipe, no rack, no engine guards, no shield, no extra chrome (although I will get the chrome instrument cups when/ if they ever become available for the 14 DLX)

I post a fair amount but I am a rider. I've ridden in every month of the year for years and that's saying something in the midwest (wasn't easy this year but I did it). I rode 2 days in January, 1 day in February, 8 days in March, 17 days in April, 23 days in May and I've ridden every day this month except one, June 12 th, the day after I got back from riding to California and back in 11 days. (spent that day unpacking and washing clothes and putting gear away). When I wake up in the morning, I'm pretty sure I'm riding somewhere that day. I've managed to roll up 11,009 miles so far this year, spread over 3 bikes. It's 6 am here, and pretty sure after I watch the MotoGP race from 7-9 a.m. I will be riding somewhere. I retired so that I could ride more, and I promised myself, not to waste a day when I could be riding. The only things that keep me from riding is a snow storm, a thunderstorm, or watching my grandson Riley. Other than that, I'm probably on 2 wheels. I LOVE riding!

I am jealous...

[tomas_imp]

Good luck on fighting those demons Guth, to farkle or not?
I've farkled a lot of bikes in my time. But on the CB I went the other direction. I've removed some small items from the bike already. The front fork side amber reflectors, the rear side red reflectors, the rear red reflector, and the dual horns. Now if I could only remove that oil radiator without compromising to much reliability.

Have you added your Illudium Q-36 Explosive Space Modulator?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuUJfYcn3V4

Have you added your Illudium Q-36 Explosive Space Modulator?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuUJfYcn3V4
No I haven't yet, but if I start to farkle the bike, that would be my first accessory add on.

[Guth_imp]

No worries all. I just couldn't help but to have a bit of a laugh at the irony of the situation. Even though I haven't modded out my own CB very much, I do enjoy reading about (and seeing) what others here have done.


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