2014 CB1100 suspension changes

[Guth_imp]

Are these the same spec sheets that say the 2014's have a 5-speed transmission?

No..they say 2014s have 6 speeds and 2013 has 5 speeds, but I see where you are headed..spec sheets can be wrong

True enough.

Although I took the original information from Honda's news releases which do tend to be scrutinized rather closely, I finally pulled out my 2013 factory service manual for reference. It lists front wheel travel at 4.21 inches, rear wheel travel at 4.49 inches, rake at 27 degrees, trail at 4.5 inches and a wheelbase of 58.7 inches.

So the only question that would remain is the trail of 4.4 inches for the 2014 models, which is more than likely a typo.

[Deanohh_imp]

The 2013 reference in post #8 give trail at 4.2 inches so somewhere there is a misprint, a calculation error or round off difference. Or there could be a small difference in the triple clamps or set up of the bike that was measured, or from some design drawing..... No point in figuring out exactly why. The geometry is well into the safe range and some of the "specs" are only for reference anyway. If they were meant to be precise values, they would use more decimal places.

[Aussieflyer]

I think the point of this thread is about identifying the differences in the 2014 model from those built in 2013 or before - when we see the part numbers for the 2014 vs 2013 we'll know for sure. Maybe there are some differences to geometry but that would seem unlikely and it's probably just a misprint. I'm with Deanohh on this because in the real world the minute difference in this specification won't amount to much of a difference in feel and is only observable when the bike is static. Under operation with the loads placed on the suspension by braking, accelerating and cornering mean the effective rake and trail are constantly changing so IMO a 1/4" difference in the trail spec would be hard to notice ... certainly not by a rider of my skill level.

[Guth_imp]

Looking at the specifications that I pointed out from the sources I posted, the differences were not exactly minor, though they didn't exactly make much sense. I had also noticed in the bike show photos posted up by CA200 that the top triple clamp on the '14 model appears to be a polished unit and it got me to wondering if there were any other associated changes made, so down the rabbit trail I went.

[flynrider]

I think all that cold and snow is giving you cabin fever

Ok, Im bouncing back and forth on spec sheets .... how does rake (27 degrees) and wheelbase (58.7) stay the same on both models, and trail change? (4.2 for 2013 std vs 4.4 on 2014 std and dlx)

Also the 2014 std seat height is .1 lower than the 2013? (31.3 vs 31.2) while the dlx is same as 2013 std (31.3)

Also spec sheet list fuel capacity at 3.9 gal for 13 and 14 std and 4.6 for 14 dlx (which is .7 gal difference not .5 as generally stated)

2014 std and dlx both have same fork and shock travel 4.2 front 4.5 rear ( figures not on 2013 spec sheet)

Also the 2013 std and the 2014 dlx are both called candy red

Methinks the spec sheets might contain some errors

2013

http://powersports.honda.com/2013/cb1100...tions.aspx

2014 std

http://powersports.honda.com/2014/cb1100...tions.aspx

2014 Dlx

http://powersports.honda.com/2014/cb1100...tions.aspx

They were just being lazy on the spec. sheet. The 2013 is Candy Glory Red and the '14 is Candy Alizarin Red, which seems to be a shade darker.

If you've ever seen a Honda paint code chart, you'd notice that they have well over a dozen colors called "Candy ______ Red".

[the Ferret]

I think all that cold and snow is giving you cabin fever

Ok, Im bouncing back and forth on spec sheets .... how does rake (27 degrees) and wheelbase (58.7) stay the same on both models, and trail change? (4.2 for 2013 std vs 4.4 on 2014 std and dlx)

Also the 2014 std seat height is .1 lower than the 2013? (31.3 vs 31.2) while the dlx is same as 2013 std (31.3)

Also spec sheet list fuel capacity at 3.9 gal for 13 and 14 std and 4.6 for 14 dlx (which is .7 gal difference not .5 as generally stated)

2014 std and dlx both have same fork and shock travel 4.2 front 4.5 rear ( figures not on 2013 spec sheet)

Also the 2013 std and the 2014 dlx are both called candy red

Methinks the spec sheets might contain some errors

2013

http://powersports.honda.com/2013/cb1100...tions.aspx

2014 std

http://powersports.honda.com/2014/cb1100...tions.aspx

2014 Dlx

http://powersports.honda.com/2014/cb1100...tions.aspx

They were just being lazy on the spec. sheet. The 2013 is Candy Glory Red and the '14 is Candy Alizarin Red, which seems to be a shade darker.

If you've ever seen a Honda paint code chart, you'd notice that they have well over a dozen colors called "Candy ______ Red".

You have no idea.

[Deanohh_imp]

Looking at the specifications that I pointed out from the sources I posted, the differences were not exactly minor, though they didn't exactly make much sense. I had also noticed in the bike show photos posted up by CA200 that the top triple clamp on the '14 model appears to be a polished unit and it got me to wondering if there were any other associated changes made, so down the rabbit trail I went.

if they changed the triple clamp in a way that changed the offset or angle of the forks in the clamps. It could potentially change the trail without changing wheelbase. But who knows? With different data given at different times for the same thing I think its more of the documents being inconsistent more than anything else.

[Guth_imp]

Looking at the specifications that I pointed out from the sources I posted, the differences were not exactly minor, though they didn't exactly make much sense. I had also noticed in the bike show photos posted up by CA200 that the top triple clamp on the '14 model appears to be a polished unit and it got me to wondering if there were any other associated changes made, so down the rabbit trail I went.

if they changed the triple clamp in a way that changed the offset or angle of the forks in the clamps. It could potentially change the trail without changing wheelbase. But who knows? With different data given at different times for the same thing I think its more of the documents being inconsistent more than anything else.

After I finally looked at the detailed specs in my service manual, I totally agree. Cabin fever indeed.

[the Ferret]

Looking at the specifications that I pointed out from the sources I posted, the differences were not exactly minor, though they didn't exactly make much sense. I had also noticed in the bike show photos posted up by CA200 that the top triple clamp on the '14 model appears to be a polished unit and it got me to wondering if there were any other associated changes made, so down the rabbit trail I went.

I can't tell of the upper triple clamp is polished, and at times in certain photos the passenger grab rails seem polished, but I don't think either are. However the brake reservoir lids for the clutch and front brake ARE polished.

The instruments have different graphics in the sweep area. The 13s have 1 line... The 14 dlx has two lines and a grid like pattern. It also says 6 speed in the tach.

2 things I don't understand are the repositioning of the headlight and the smaller turn signals..I mean why bother

And I wonder now about the mounting on my street shield EX due to the higher headlight mounting.

[Guth_imp]

Looking at the specifications that I pointed out from the sources I posted, the differences were not exactly minor, though they didn't exactly make much sense. I had also noticed in the bike show photos posted up by CA200 that the top triple clamp on the '14 model appears to be a polished unit and it got me to wondering if there were any other associated changes made, so down the rabbit trail I went.

I can't tell of the upper triple clamp is polished, and at times in certain photos the passenger grab rails seem polished, but I don't think either are. However the brake reservoir lids for the clutch and front brake ARE polished.

The instruments have different graphics in the sweep area. The 13s have 1 line... The 14 dlx has two lines and a grid like pattern. It also says 6 speed in the tach.

2 things I don't understand are the repositioning of the headlight and the smaller turn signals..I mean why bother

And I wonder now about the mounting on my street shield EX due to the higher headlight mounting.

In this photo, you can see the difference in the finishes between the upper and lower clamps. The lower appearing more silver/gray like the 2013 model clamps:


And in this photo, the upper clamp certainly looks more polished to my eye than the silver/gray finish on the 2013 model:


I think this works nicely with the styling of the Deluxe.