“Katsumi” - a new project in the making

[Zee9_imp]

Hello everybody,

I’m new to the honda forum but not new to the world of motorcycles. I remember trying a honda cb350 four in india as a teenager with a 4-1 Kerker (I think) exhaust and always loved that look of a retro bike.

Here in America my first bike ended up being a mint condition 2000 Triumph Thunderbird Sport which was all stock but after a stupid spill due to a guy running a atop sign got me thinking of customizing the triump. I owned her (Emma) since 2014 and made quite a few changes to her. I’ll let the before and after pictures do the talking

This was Emma all stock the way I got her:




Emma when she got sold:









So why am I adding triumph pictures on a honda forum. Well I just brought home my new (to me) “Katsumi” (pictures below) who is a 2014 cb1100 and I was hoping to gain some guidance from the gentlefolk here for the few mods I have planned.





Planned ideas so far:

1. Tail light: will be changed to a black powder coated Lucas tail light to clean up the rear area but I want to keep the rear mudguard unlike the triumph.

2. I changed the stock headlight on the triumph (also a 7” headlight). I tried the motodemic but found it too modern looking and eventually settled on the truck light 7” complete enclosure as I love the beam pattern and retro look but it bothered me that it sticks almost 1/3” out of the headlight bezel so I’m open to ideas as I feel the oem headlight is not that great.

3. Handlebars: I’m a bit ocd so I ended up try 8/9 bars on my triumph and actually made an excel sheet pointing out the differences. Issue is that those were foe all fat bars that fit on the larger diameter Rizoma risers. With the Honda I was thinking ok keeping the mids as minimal as possible so as to keep that retro look the same. I still do have 7 handlebars in storage and a pair of Rizoma risers which may end up going on the honda but first is love to hear more ideas.

4. Mirrors: either bar end mirrors or the reverse Napoleon mirrors are planned. Much easier to decide than all the other planned mods.

5. Exhaust: I’m going to save this for last as the ideas I have sound really pricey and experimental ($$$$

6. Blinkers: I have a set of arc blinkers which are small led nullet shaped blinkere. Just need to figure out wiring and compatibility

***** Rear tyre - still need to decide on this but my Triumph Thunderbird Sport had the same size rear radial tyre as the stock cb1100 when I bought her but found the ride to be much much more fun with a 150/70/17 tyre on the twisty roads. I still need to cover more miles on the honda to decide if this is a requirement.

Hope to hear positive and constructive thoughts

Zee


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[the Ferret]

Ok what's the story on the 8th pic? Gentlemen's ride, or riding to work?

[Zee9_imp]

Ok what's the story on the 8th pic? Gentlemen's ride, or riding to work?

Gentleman’s ride would be correct. I didn’t wanna start off by asking people to donate money. But yes it’s been a fun 8 years that I’ve participated in nyc at the DGR. If you were ever at the nyc DGR then you know my moustache since I think I’m the only one whose won best moustache twice so far.


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[Tev62]

As Triumph T300 owner I have seen your bike (and posts) several times before, welcome to CB1100 ownership. Enjoy your DGR, this year we in Ireland are officially limited to solo rides, no grouping due to Covid regulations which are still pretty harsh here (although our schools have been open for a long time). There will be plenty of Honda's taking part in DGR in Dublin, it's all quite relaxed on make/model in these parts and we get a great bunch of 80/90's Japanese taking part.

[Cormanus]

Welcome Zee9. I'll follow your journey with interest. Be aware: the CB1100's wheels are 18 inch and finding tyres for the bike is a real problem and the source of many an anguished post on the forum.

[GoldOxide_imp]

Hey Zee - welcome to the Forum.

[Zee9_imp]

Welcome Zee9. I'll follow your journey with interest. Be aware: the CB1100's wheels are 18 inch and finding tyres for the bike is a real problem and the source of many an anguished post on the forum.

Wow I didn’t even notice that. Just went to the garage to have a peek and you’re right. I guess i’ll have to search more on the forums about what decent tyres are for this bike


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[KiowaEagle_imp]

Welcome Zee! I love that copper look on your Triumph. That's something I never would have thought of for a bike. I'm looking forward to following your progress with your CB.

[Zee9_imp]

This is probably going to turn out to be a long thread with all my questions, photos and updates.

Today I Added the airhawk-R from my 2015 BMW F700gs which is now sold. The CB1100 seat is just a tad bit wide for my inner thighs and I’m hoping the airhawk helps.

I also added the fairing that the seller had. No idea what brand of fairing this is but looks similar to the emgo venom. Please do let me know if you know what fairing this is.
It looks much better than I had expected. I’ll know if it helps after a test ride tomorrow.

Also added the quad lock for the phone. Still have to plan a switchable power socket or a usb with voltage display.

Removed the bar end weights and the inners. I’m planning to change the handlebars and mirrors and thought my Rizoma or triumph bar end mirrors would fit but those inners were made for fat bars. Not sure if I wanna take away some of the retro look with the fat bars I have lying around.









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[ampm7_imp]

I've always liked that Thunderbird Sport and almost bought one with the orange tank/flyscreen/seat cowl which looks great but I really like your copper motif. However, I did not buy it and for the life of me I can't remember what I did buy. Good luck on the CB...