The Chrome in the 14 Std

[Nemo_imp]

I look at 13's and 14 DLX's and in my (not-so-humble) opinion the chrome goes perfectly with them. However, when I look at my 14 standard the chrome looks like it was a budget afterthought from Big Red. I imagine the conversation went something like (in Japanese) "Guys, never mind about getting those fenders, bars, mirrors and taillight assembly painted black... We have a million of them already chromed and gotta get rid of them."

I would not mind my CB to be a bit more "blackened". Something like


What do you think?

[Paulb_imp]

I look at 13's and 14 DLX's and in my (not-so-humble) opinion the chrome goes perfectly with them. However, when I look at my 14 standard the chrome looks like it was a budget afterthought from Big Red. I imagine the conversation went something like (in Japanese) "Guys, never mind about getting those fenders, bars, mirrors and taillight assembly painted black... We have a million of them already chromed and gotta get rid of them."

I would not mind my CB to be a bit more "blackened". Something like


What do you think?

If you look at other makes and models on the market black is always the cheap option. I think Honda wanted to the CB 1100 to be a quality model and therefore the more expensive chrome option was chosen.

[immgunn_imp]

I'm with you. I've installed black fenders. I'm gonna' paint my mirrors black with plastidip. I'm considering wrapping my exhaust with black exhaust wrap. I've added a black bikini fairing and a black tank bag.

Oh yeah, almost forgot, I added black motech risers and I'm gonna' add gaitors.

[pdedse]

I'll respectfully disagree with "chasing the black". For me, very little or next to no color contrast on bikes is not good. I look at my 14 standard and simply love the chrome accents. Begin with the front fender. It really makes the bike stand out. The exhaust as well provides a beautiful contrast that sweeps along the right side. The turn signals, the bars, levers, mirrors, the shock coils, and rear fender all splashed in lovely silver and then you have that oh so subtle red stripping on the black tank. I think there's even a little fuzzy grey on the tank. As did immgunn, I added the black motech risers, but they contrast nicely with the rest of the silver around them...The bike is already dominantly black...the silver and chrome, the red stripe tribute to Honda tradition, all make the whole of the bike stand out. I know a lotta guys love their reds, but I've never been a fan of red motorcycles. I don't know why. But all blacked out? No thanks...oh, I went with the black RLETs...because they accent the silver levers : ) But that's it! Look at the picture again that Nemo attached. I think what makes that bike stand out is the silver engine cases. In the end, each has his or her own opinion of what makes a bike look good. What we have in common is a very cool platform on which to experiment.

[Paulb_imp]

I'll respectfully disagree with "chasing the black". For me, very little or next to no color contrast on bikes is not good. I look at my 14 standard and simply love the chrome accents. Begin with the front fender. It really makes the bike stand out. The exhaust as well provides a beautiful contrast that sweeps along the right side. The turn signals, the bars, levers, mirrors, the shock coils, and rear fender all splashed in lovely silver and then you have that oh so subtle red stripping on the black tank. I think there's even a little fuzzy grey on the tank. As did immgunn, I added the black motech risers, but they contrast nicely with the rest of the silver around them...The bike is already dominantly black...the silver and chrome, the red stripe tribute to Honda tradition, all make the whole of the bike stand out. I know a lotta guys love their reds, but I've never been a fan of red motorcycles. I don't know why. But all blacked out? No thanks...oh, I went with the black RLETs...because they accent the silver levers : ) But that's it! Look at the picture again that Nemo attached. I think what makes that bike stand out is the silver engine cases. In the end, each has his or her own opinion of what makes a bike look good. What we have in common is a very cool platform on which to experiment.

I'm with you on this one and I've bought a chrome chain guard to replace the black plastic. My view is that this is a retro bike and there is no finish more retro than chrome. Each to their own though and a modern take on a retro design is interesting and is to be encouraged.

[Chapomis_imp]

The first 2 things that caught my eye when I first saw the CB in a showroom were the tank and the chrome fenders.

[jamestkirk_imp]

I'll respectfully disagree with "chasing the black". For me, very little or next to no color contrast on bikes is not good. I look at my 14 standard and simply love the chrome accents. Begin with the front fender. It really makes the bike stand out. The exhaust as well provides a beautiful contrast that sweeps along the right side. The turn signals, the bars, levers, mirrors, the shock coils, and rear fender all splashed in lovely silver and then you have that oh so subtle red stripping on the black tank. I think there's even a little fuzzy grey on the tank. As did immgunn, I added the black motech risers, but they contrast nicely with the rest of the silver around them...The bike is already dominantly black...the silver and chrome, the red stripe tribute to Honda tradition, all make the whole of the bike stand out. I know a lotta guys love their reds, but I've never been a fan of red motorcycles. I don't know why. But all blacked out? No thanks...oh, I went with the black RLETs...because they accent the silver levers : ) But that's it! Look at the picture again that Nemo attached. I think what makes that bike stand out is the silver engine cases. In the end, each has his or her own opinion of what makes a bike look good. What we have in common is a very cool platform on which to experiment.

I'm with you on this one and I've bought a chrome chain guard to replace the black plastic. My view is that this is a retro bike and there is no finish more retro than chrome. Each to their own though and a modern take on a retro design is interesting and is to be encouraged.

A Retro Flashback...

[Pterodactyl_imp]

That's a fine looking bike, James. Very retro-chrome.

The CB, from its standard form, has morphed into many beasts. Just look at some on this forum. And I'm sure there are many others; some of the Taiwanese ones look very different. Part of the CB's charm. I like the black look but wouldn't do it myself. I also like some of the different custom paint jobs. In fact, on reflection, I just like most CBs.

Cheers

[Cormanus]

The Cormanus CB at night:



Note: it's still got all its chrome!

[Django]