Design Disadvantages of the CB1100

[thessler3_imp]

Thanks for the compliment CAPO. Note that the new Norton has a 90 degree crankpin separation. So does the Husqvarna Nuda (now discontinued). They sound like Ducatis when running. I once owned a Norton Combat Commando with the isolastic suspension. It was a bit like a rubber mounted Harley in that the engine shook a lot at idle but was smooth at highway speed. I am thinking of buying a CB1100 and confirmed it has a single balance shaft running at twice engine speed geared off the crankshaft. It also appears to have rubber grommets on one of the rear engine mounts. Suzuki has done this before too to help quell vibration into the frame near the footpegs. I am very sensitive to vibration and have studied it quite a bit. In line fours are hard to get smooth over about 5000 RPM. I currently own a '73 Ducati 750GT and that 41 year old motor is quite smooth.
I once restored a mid-sixties BSA 441 Victor. It was indeed a paint shaker and would also kick back violently when trying to start it. The all-time vibrator I have ridden was a friend's 1956 Harley '74, which would vibrate your feet right off the floor boards at 70MPH. My '66 Triumph Bonneville would go through light bulbs every month or so when the filaments would get vibrated to an early death. Smoothest I have ridden - a CBX six, a Gold Wing six and my restored 73 Ducati 750GT on which you could balance a quarter on the crankcase when it was running - no exaggeration. It now has replacement pistons and is not quite as smooth as it was originally. My Foggy Monster with 916 engine was also pretty smooth, but not as smooth as the 750GT.