Tech Questions from an Aspiring Owner

[calamarichris_imp]

So I'm giving thought to getting a CB11 DLX when they come out, and have a few questions:

~Cylinders--electroplated? Sleeve liners? I had a very negative experience with my '98 Honda VTR1000 Superhawk, and I don't trust electroplated cylinders. It's become common industry practice (Honda is one of the most heinous producers of dispos-a-bikes IMO) to electroplate limp, low-grade aluminum and bore the cylinders into the top half of the crankcase. IMO a distinct cylinder block with a ferrous sleeve or lining is a superior design, and it appears the CB11 has one.

~Valve actuation--shim-under-bucket? Locknut/screw? Other? I'd prefer shim-under-bucket. They're a PITA to adjust, but they're smoother, quieter, and more robust over the long-run.

~Two mufflers vs. One--I like the visual symmetry of the DLX's dual mufflers, but I generally believe the opinion that 4-into-1 is more efficient: provides better fuel economy and more power. But it's better to look good than to feel good, if you know what I'm saying....

Got more questions, but I'd probably better spoon them out in small doses. Many thanks in advance for any information & guidance.

-Calamarichris in Carlsbad, CA


Many of my questions can be answered with this one:

Does anyone know where I can find online exploded parts diagrams?

Kawasaki has it in the owner-information page on their website, but I can't find it on Honda's site.

[Lord Popgun]

Here is a link to on-line parts diagrams. It goes to the tool kit listing, but you can figure it out when you get there for the rest of the diagrams.

http://www.hondapartshouse.com/oemparts/...d3269/tool

[the Ferret]

Chris, it's shim under bucket. Checking valves not so hard, cams have to be pulled to adjust. Rarely need adjustmant. Most Japanese designed engines over the last 20 years or so use this system.

Can't tell you about the cylinders, but thats another common Japanese habit.

Curious though due to your propensity towards Kawasaki, and apparent disdain for Honda, why you would not buy the new 125 hp Ninja 1000 for roughly the same money to replace your aging ZX9 and keep the Kaw 650 which you apparently adore for your classic ride?

[calamarichris_imp]

Hey Ferret.
Delighted to learn about the shim-under-bucket, but the new ZX10 must sure make more than that--my 12-year-old carburetted ZX9R makes that much. I'd wager the new literbikes are making closer to 150. Anything more than 100hp on two wheels is just excess IMO.
My Honda disdain is well earned. I'll try not to let this drag on. My '98 Honda Superhawk's cylinders were worn egg-shaped after only 50,000 miles, despite responsible riding and meticulous maintenance. I spent about $7000 on parts & tools, and about 7 months in the garage rebuilding that Superhawk (a $9000 bike), and I got something even more precious than my beloved bike back: an education.
Felt like a complete tool spending that much money and that much time, until I learned that Motorcycle Mechanics Institute in Phoenix charges about 20,000 bucks, (I've met a few MMI graduates, and feel pretty confident that my knowledge is superior.)

It's hilarious to me that Honda touted this engine design as lighter and more robust, when the Superhawk was a heavy bike and the cylinders might as well have been made out of recycled water bottles.

Why Kawasaki? Well, the W650 caught my eye, I was impressed by the internals of my father's Concours engine when I did his valve adjustments, and the ZX6R I bought my ex-wife turned out to be quite a peach as well.
I don't buy a new bike every 2 years--I prefer to ride them until they fall apart. Just didn't expect that last Honda to do so after only 50,000 miles. I've fallen for pretty bikes before, so I need to learn more about the CB11's cylinder block before I commit.

[the Ferret]

Chris I was talking about this model Ninja 1000 the sport touring model not the new hypersport model

http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2013/12/2...de-review/

Whatever you find about the cylinders on the CB 11, please let us know

[calamarichris_imp]

No offense to anyone who owns one of those, but that thing isn't powered by gasoline, it's powered by its own ugliness. Everywhere you ride on that bike, you will be propelled forward at astounding speeds by the desire of everyone who sees it, because they'll want it to immediately leave.
My ZX9R is a perfectly capable sport-tourer. Too perfect of a sports-tourer, in fact.
We don't need the latest geegaw to see the country. The best sport-touring bike is whatever you have. Ever read Pirsig's "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance"?

[Cormanus]

This has nothing to do with this thread, but I am very out of touch with what's available on the motorcycle market, so I often Google bikes referred to on this forum to get a look at them. When I looked up the ZX9R, the second link I saw was this one: http://youtu.be/8n6z_jrrKuI. A riding master class!

[Red Mist_imp]

Be careful, guys, I think we are dealing with...not a troll...not a squid...but the dreaded "journalist"

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance? Robert Pirsig?

I bet he calls his bike "Phaedrus"...

Stick around, Chris, a few brainiacs around here would do us reg'lar guys some good, LOL!
Ahhh...excuse me...

You are not the Chris that rode all over the USA with said Pirsig? Or is that just an homage?

[calamarichris_imp]

Not all of us ride like Drunk Russians in traffic.
My 9R's name is Zed, after the homo-hillbilly in Pulp Fiction.
I'm neither brainiac nor nutjob; just smart enough to see a phony, but barely smart enough to avoid being one myself.

[Red Mist_imp]

Not all of us ride like Drunk Russians in traffic.
My 9R's name is Zed, after the homo-hillbilly in Pulp Fiction.
I'm neither brainiac nor nutjob; just smart enough to see a phony, but barely smart enough to avoid being one myself.

Watch it around here, we don't hold with any dadburn intalektuals. Next you'll be wanting us to read Das Kapital, LOL!!!