Thought I was done with the CB - trying again (forks)

[Frulk_imp]

Glad to see all the effort you put into improving your ride comfort coming together.

[ohiorider_imp]

Glad to see all the effort you put into improving your ride comfort coming together.

The bike felt really nice after we re-jiggered the Race Tech Valves on Sept 12th, 2018, with their mid-weight springs. I'd already swapped out the OEM shocks for Ikons, but it was the forks that were beating me up. We'll probably pop the forks one more time (per advice from Race Tech tech dept) and replace the Honda 10 wt fork oil with either 15w or 20w ... probably try 15w first.

I am happy that I've finally made peace with the CB1100. The stock suspension beat me up on our less than stellar secondary roads where I like to ride. I think the bike will now work for me.

Since the bike was purchased for $6995.00 in April of 2017, I felt like this budget-priced bike was worthy of a few extra $$ and some time being thrown at it to make it work for me.

I believe we have arrived!

Bob

[DBM_imp]

Glad to see all the effort you put into improving your ride comfort coming together.

The bike felt really nice after we re-jiggered the Race Tech Valves on Sept 12th, 2018, with their mid-weight springs. I'd already swapped out the OEM shocks for Ikons, but it was the forks that were beating me up. We'll probably pop the forks one more time (per advice from Race Tech tech dept) and replace the Honda 10 wt fork oil with either 15w or 20w ... probably try 15w first.

I am happy that I've finally made peace with the CB1100. The stock suspension beat me up on our less than stellar secondary roads where I like to ride. I think the bike will now work for me.

Since the bike was purchased for $6995.00 in April of 2017, I felt like this budget-priced bike was worthy of a few extra $$ and some time being thrown at it to make it work for me.

I believe we have arrived!

Bob

The bike felt really nice after we re-jiggered the Race Tech Valves on Sept 12th, 2018, with their mid-weight springs. I'd already swapped out the OEM shocks for Ikons, but it was the forks that were beating me up. We'll probably pop the forks one more time (per advice from Race Tech tech dept) and replace the Honda 10 wt fork oil with either 15w or 20w ... probably try 15w first.

I am happy that I've finally made peace with the CB1100. The stock suspension beat me up on our less than stellar secondary roads where I like to ride. I think the bike will now work for me.

Since the bike was purchased for $6995.00 in April of 2017, I felt like this budget-priced bike was worthy of a few extra $$ and some time being thrown at it to make it work for me.

I believe we have arrived!

Bob Are you going with thicker oil to slow down the rebound? What fork springs do you have? What preload setting?

[ohiorider_imp]

Glad to see all the effort you put into improving your ride comfort coming together.

The bike felt really nice after we re-jiggered the Race Tech Valves on Sept 12th, 2018, with their mid-weight springs. I'd already swapped out the OEM shocks for Ikons, but it was the forks that were beating me up. We'll probably pop the forks one more time (per advice from Race Tech tech dept) and replace the Honda 10 wt fork oil with either 15w or 20w ... probably try 15w first.

I am happy that I've finally made peace with the CB1100. The stock suspension beat me up on our less than stellar secondary roads where I like to ride. I think the bike will now work for me.

Since the bike was purchased for $6995.00 in April of 2017, I felt like this budget-priced bike was worthy of a few extra $$ and some time being thrown at it to make it work for me.

I believe we have arrived!

Bob

The bike felt really nice after we re-jiggered the Race Tech Valves on Sept 12th, 2018, with their mid-weight springs. I'd already swapped out the OEM shocks for Ikons, but it was the forks that were beating me up. We'll probably pop the forks one more time (per advice from Race Tech tech dept) and replace the Honda 10 wt fork oil with either 15w or 20w ... probably try 15w first.

I am happy that I've finally made peace with the CB1100. The stock suspension beat me up on our less than stellar secondary roads where I like to ride. I think the bike will now work for me.

Since the bike was purchased for $6995.00 in April of 2017, I felt like this budget-priced bike was worthy of a few extra $$ and some time being thrown at it to make it work for me.

I believe we have arrived!

Bob Are you going with thicker oil to slow down the rebound? What fork springs do you have? What preload setting?

The bike felt really nice after we re-jiggered the Race Tech Valves on Sept 12th, 2018, with their mid-weight springs. I'd already swapped out the OEM shocks for Ikons, but it was the forks that were beating me up. We'll probably pop the forks one more time (per advice from Race Tech tech dept) and replace the Honda 10 wt fork oil with either 15w or 20w ... probably try 15w first.

I am happy that I've finally made peace with the CB1100. The stock suspension beat me up on our less than stellar secondary roads where I like to ride. I think the bike will now work for me.

Since the bike was purchased for $6995.00 in April of 2017, I felt like this budget-priced bike was worthy of a few extra $$ and some time being thrown at it to make it work for me.

I believe we have arrived!

Bob Are you going with thicker oil to slow down the rebound? What fork springs do you have? What preload setting? Yes ...... Race Tech informed me that heavier fork oil (with their suggested mods) would not affect compression damping, but that it would affect rebound damping. The most recent setup is fine re compression damping, but slightly under-damped on the rebound. Not bad, but slightly obvious.

However, I will say that all the blood sweat and tears expended on this project have finally resulted in a bike that I enjoy riding. Initially, the combination of our less than stellar roads, my weight of 160 pounds, and the somewhat stiff stock suspension caused me to leave the bike in the garage in favor of the BMW or Moto Guzzi. I think now that the 'little' Honda that carries its weight so low might be first choice for most of my shorter day rides. She's sweet!

I'm running Race Tech's .80 fork springs, which are rather soft, but just fine on our beat to pieces secondary roads.

We opted to run the fork cap preload settings all the way to four lines showing.

Of more significance, we tweaked the static sag settings to 30mm by lengthening the PVC spring spacers. Initially, static sag was at 45mm. So, having the fork cap adjusters all the way out leaves 12-13mm of preload that can be added if necessary.

[gtmn_imp]

I can only assume we have the same kit in our forks, i don't think you named it so I wont although I love those guys
I have .95 springs and im 250 lbs and mine is awesome. I do think I could go in there and add a little preload to the valve and slow down that initial compression but I just haven't done it yet
good to here you are all set up
on a side note
I took off my rear progressive 490 shocks and installed on my new Bonneville
after the first ride back on the cb I thought I was gonna die so looks like I need to buy another set of shocks
CRAP this stuff gets expensive

[DBM_imp]

I can only assume we have the same kit in our forks, i don't think you named it so I wont although I love those guys
I have .95 springs and im 250 lbs and mine is awesome. I do think I could go in there and add a little preload to the valve and slow down that initial compression but I just haven't done it yet
good to here you are all set up
on a side note
I took off my rear progressive 490 shocks and installed on my new Bonneville
after the first ride back on the cb I thought I was gonna die so looks like I need to buy another set of shocks
CRAP this stuff gets expensive

What's wrong with the stock shocks?

[PowerDubs_imp]

I can only assume we have the same kit in our forks, i don't think you named it so I wont although I love those guys
I have .95 springs and im 250 lbs and mine is awesome. I do think I could go in there and add a little preload to the valve and slow down that initial compression but I just haven't done it yet
good to here you are all set up
on a side note
I took off my rear progressive 490 shocks and installed on my new Bonneville
after the first ride back on the cb I thought I was gonna die so looks like I need to buy another set of shocks
CRAP this stuff gets expensive

What's wrong with the stock shocks?

For me- same as the forks. Jarring impacts over expansion joints, potholes, etc. Especially with a passenger. A set of Ikons are much more comfortable.

[ohiorider_imp]

Still happy with recent fork mods. Putting the miles on the CB. No long trips, but she's been good for closer-to-home shorter day rides of 70-100 miles. Did over 180 miles a few days ago. The Ikons and fork tweaking have made this bike a rider for me. She sat for much of 2017, while I rode the Beemer and Guzzi. Now, she is a sweet, compliant little machine. I can't help but call it 'little,' since the bike weighs approx as much as my Guzzi 1200 Sport, but feels way lighter and less top heavy. She may be the right bike for me at my age.

Must mention, however, the old 1991 R100 GS will be returning soon from the factory-trained BMW tech's shop, to compete for saddle time, with lots of stuff rebuilt and replaced. She'll see a bunch of miles, too, in 2019! A beautiful ride for nearly 160,000 miles.

Life is good!

Bob

[Aussieflyer]

Glad to see all the effort you put into improving your ride comfort coming together.

The bike felt really nice after we re-jiggered the Race Tech Valves on Sept 12th, 2018, with their mid-weight springs. I'd already swapped out the OEM shocks for Ikons, but it was the forks that were beating me up. We'll probably pop the forks one more time (per advice from Race Tech tech dept) and replace the Honda 10 wt fork oil with either 15w or 20w ... probably try 15w first.

I am happy that I've finally made peace with the CB1100. The stock suspension beat me up on our less than stellar secondary roads where I like to ride. I think the bike will now work for me.

Since the bike was purchased for $6995.00 in April of 2017, I felt like this budget-priced bike was worthy of a few extra $$ and some time being thrown at it to make it work for me.

I believe we have arrived!

Bob

Well done Ohiorider! You've got something tuned to your weight and how you ride on the roads you ride ... much more satisfying than just buying a ready made alternative.

[ohiorider_imp]

Glad to see all the effort you put into improving your ride comfort coming together.

The bike felt really nice after we re-jiggered the Race Tech Valves on Sept 12th, 2018, with their mid-weight springs. I'd already swapped out the OEM shocks for Ikons, but it was the forks that were beating me up. We'll probably pop the forks one more time (per advice from Race Tech tech dept) and replace the Honda 10 wt fork oil with either 15w or 20w ... probably try 15w first.

I am happy that I've finally made peace with the CB1100. The stock suspension beat me up on our less than stellar secondary roads where I like to ride. I think the bike will now work for me.

Since the bike was purchased for $6995.00 in April of 2017, I felt like this budget-priced bike was worthy of a few extra $$ and some time being thrown at it to make it work for me.

I believe we have arrived!

Bob

Well done Ohiorider! You've got something tuned to your weight and how you ride on the roads you ride ... much more satisfying than just buying a ready made alternative.

Well done Ohiorider! You've got something tuned to your weight and how you ride on the roads you ride ... much more satisfying than just buying a ready made alternative. One thing yet to do, according to Matt Wiley of RaceTech. Rebound damping is slightly light. When I informed Matt I was running 10W Honda fork oil (with their mods) he suggested 15 or 20w. Apparently heavier oil doesn't affect compression damping with the bored out damper rods and RaceTech valves, but it does control rebound damping.

That's a next spring project. I'm so happy that my CB, with Ikons on the rear and Race Tech on the front, now works for me.

Had her out today for a short run of 75 miles, over my favorite roads. Loved it. And now with 6500 miles showing, the engine and tranny feel so much better to me. Of course, some of that is probably due to the fact that I'm getting used to the Honda way of making bikes.

She's sweet!

Bob