Speedo/Tacho Gauge alignment?

[Richard_imp]

Every time I sit on my CB1100EX I am convinced there is something not quite aligned around the bars or instruments.

In the past I had bikes with misaligned bars/forks but I am not convinced this is the issue here and it may just be an optical illusion in play. In fact, I observed the same issue with another CB1100 (an RS) in the dealership.

When I spoke to the dealer about it, he told me it was a common topic and it is caused by the fact the gauges are rubber mounted and therefore, often look a bit out of line.

I've tried to photograph the gauges and bars on my bike but I have to admit, this picture does not really show the issue with any clarity.

[url=https://postimg.cc/XBB8Wv0r]

Does anyone else have the same issue or know of any solutions? I could try realigning the forks I guess, but thought I'd ask here before starting that.

[pdedse]

Every time I sit on my CB1100EX I am convinced there is something not quite aligned around the bars or instruments.

In the past I had bikes with misaligned bars/forks but I am not convinced this is the issue here and it may just be an optical illusion in play. In fact, I observed the same issue with another CB1100 (an RS) in the dealership.

When I spoke to the dealer about it, he told me it was a common topic and it is caused by the fact the gauges are rubber mounted and therefore, often look a bit out of line.

I've tried to photograph the gauges and bars on my bike but I have to admit, this picture does not really show the issue with any clarity.

[url=https://postimg.cc/XBB8Wv0r]

Does anyone else have the same issue or know of any solutions? I could try realigning the forks I guess, but thought I'd ask here before starting that.

Hi Richard, I own a '17 ex and at first I thought you must be imagining things. But I went out to the garage and sat on the bike, looking at the instrument gauges. First impression was that it was fine...but as I moved left and right a bit, I thought maybe the gauges point just a hair to my right. With my hand I noticed I could move the instrument panel, maybe half a centimeter of play to it, part of the rubber mounted function as your dealer mentioned. Still wasn't convinced that anything was "off" until I looked at the edge of the panel compared to the ignition lettering. The ignition piece is fixed and so moving the instrument panel with my hand showed that its resting spot, was indeed, off by just a hair. Compare the two pictures from my bike.

Here is the instrument panel "at rest", notice how close the lettering "push / off / on" is to the circular silver edge of the panel, and notice how far the "ignition" lettering is from the right circular edge. In fact, if you just look at the photo as a whole, the alignment seems off:


And with this photo, I'm firmly pushing the right side of the panel so that it moves that 1/2cm left. Compare the same lettering. Now the circular silver edge of the panel seems centered over all the lettering. This is not just an effect of a different camera angle, as I played with angles several times:


So the whole instrument panel does seem to have a slight horizontal tilt--just a bit. I would never have noticed unless you mentioned it. Is this what you refer to?

Every time I sit on my CB1100EX I am convinced there is something not quite aligned around the bars or instruments.

In the past I had bikes with misaligned bars/forks but I am not convinced this is the issue here and it may just be an optical illusion in play. In fact, I observed the same issue with another CB1100 (an RS) in the dealership.

When I spoke to the dealer about it, he told me it was a common topic and it is caused by the fact the gauges are rubber mounted and therefore, often look a bit out of line.

I've tried to photograph the gauges and bars on my bike but I have to admit, this picture does not really show the issue with any clarity.

[url=https://postimg.cc/XBB8Wv0r]

Does anyone else have the same issue or know of any solutions? I could try realigning the forks I guess, but thought I'd ask here before starting that.

If the "off-centered-ness" I show is what you refer to, maybe the instrument panel can be loosened to wherever and whatever it is attached to, then "centered" and then retightened?

I'll probably live with it as it doesn't bother me, but I thought I'd at least try to confirm what you have.

[GoldOxide_imp]

Every time I sit on my CB1100EX I am convinced there is something not quite aligned around the bars or instruments.

In the past I had bikes with misaligned bars/forks but I am not convinced this is the issue here and it may just be an optical illusion in play. In fact, I observed the same issue with another CB1100 (an RS) in the dealership.

When I spoke to the dealer about it, he told me it was a common topic and it is caused by the fact the gauges are rubber mounted and therefore, often look a bit out of line.

I've tried to photograph the gauges and bars on my bike but I have to admit, this picture does not really show the issue with any clarity.

[url=https://postimg.cc/XBB8Wv0r]

Does anyone else have the same issue or know of any solutions? I could try realigning the forks I guess, but thought I'd ask here before starting that.

Likely not a biggie, but based on the provided image the left clutch hydraulic reservoir is somewhat tilted (rotated) forward when compared to the right front brake reservoir. This appears to create an illusion that something is amiss on the handlebars?

[pdedse]

Every time I sit on my CB1100EX I am convinced there is something not quite aligned around the bars or instruments.

In the past I had bikes with misaligned bars/forks but I am not convinced this is the issue here and it may just be an optical illusion in play. In fact, I observed the same issue with another CB1100 (an RS) in the dealership.

When I spoke to the dealer about it, he told me it was a common topic and it is caused by the fact the gauges are rubber mounted and therefore, often look a bit out of line.

I've tried to photograph the gauges and bars on my bike but I have to admit, this picture does not really show the issue with any clarity.

[url=https://postimg.cc/XBB8Wv0r]

Does anyone else have the same issue or know of any solutions? I could try realigning the forks I guess, but thought I'd ask here before starting that.

Likely not a biggie, but based on the provided image the left clutch hydraulic reservoir is somewhat tilted (rotated) forward when compared to the right front brake reservoir. This appears to create an illusion that something is amiss on the handlebars?

Good eye...now that I see that I can't unsee it!

[Richard_imp]

Every time I sit on my CB1100EX I am convinced there is something not quite aligned around the bars or instruments.

In the past I had bikes with misaligned bars/forks but I am not convinced this is the issue here and it may just be an optical illusion in play. In fact, I observed the same issue with another CB1100 (an RS) in the dealership.

When I spoke to the dealer about it, he told me it was a common topic and it is caused by the fact the gauges are rubber mounted and therefore, often look a bit out of line.

I've tried to photograph the gauges and bars on my bike but I have to admit, this picture does not really show the issue with any clarity.

[url=https://postimg.cc/XBB8Wv0r]

Does anyone else have the same issue or know of any solutions? I could try realigning the forks I guess, but thought I'd ask here before starting that.

Likely not a biggie, but based on the provided image the left clutch hydraulic reservoir is somewhat tilted (rotated) forward when compared to the right front brake reservoir. This appears to create an illusion that something is amiss on the handlebars?

Good eye...now that I see that I can't unsee it!

And therein lies the problem.

Thanks both for taking the time to try to help.

I have adjusted the clutch reservoir a little (whilst remaining obsessive that the clutch and brake levers are at a similar angle to the bars).

I have also checked my gauges in comparison to the ignition and it is off in the same way as the one above...

[url=https://postimg.cc/kBF8LHVN]

I've also noticed that the 2019 European spec bike has a universal "on" symbol rather than "Ignition".

However, I'm now more convinced that my bars are a smidgen out of line when the front wheel is straight, meaning the forks need a small realignment.

Looking at this picture, which is as straight-on as I can get it, I can see more of the left suspension adjustment than the right...

[url=https://postimg.cc/4YftG1tD]

The difference is tiny and of course, it in now way affects how the bike rides.

So, I will either learn to live with it, or carry out the simple procedure to realign the forks. The only thing holding me back is to find out the torque settings for all the various fasteners.

Thanks again for your help.

[Houtman_imp]

And I thought that it was my eyes seeing the clocks slightly of . I wish now that I did not spend the $ 600 to have new glasses ….

[Richard_imp]

Well the good news is that I re-aligned the forks (a fancy way of saying I loosened a few bolts and pushed the forks down) and I have now convinced myself the "problem" has gone away.

At the same time I have also slightly adjusted the handlebar angle, aligned the clutch and brake lever angles (and therefore, the reservoirs) and moved the mirrors accordingly.

All these small adjustments mean the bike is now "mine".


The damn gauges are still out of whack though, due to the rubber mountings, but I'm not worried...

[Cormanus]

Nice work, Richard. Congratulations. Now go riding.

[Richard_imp]

Nice work, Richard. Congratulations. Now go riding.

Too cold for the CB... I'm using the GS today with its nice big windscreen, hand guards and heated grips. Horses for courses.

[Bazbro_imp]

Well done, Richard.

Meanwhile, I'm left with my OCPD.... I've had it all my life and so I've learned to ignore things like this. Until you come along and get me all stirred up...!!

I think you're correct in that it is a combination of a lot of small things. For me, the clock faces are all wrong... the "blank" spaces at the bottom of the clocks' faces are unequal and "wrong". If I were designing them, I would ensure that the plain black wedges, with no white lettering, would appear equal on both sides. Currently it's not and it does offend the eye - this matters more to some people than others.

The angle of the master cylinders, the handlebar fitting, gauge mount, etc., all have a bearing on "oddness". I've had to learn to deal with all this visual discomfort regarding many things (even food upon a plate, ffs!!) but it's really interesting that others see these things too.

See? I'm not THAT odd!!