Help me decide (exhaust content)

[chrisross_imp]

The bike is a '14 Standard. I really don't like chrome very much at all, but I don't want my bike to be completely black...there has to be some contrast. Stock the bike comes pretty well blacked out except the chrome fenders and exhaust. I'd like to change one of these to black, and leave the other to serve as the contrast. I also think the stock exhaust is WAY too quiet.

Here are what seem to be the two best options:

A: black exhaust, chrome fenders. Pick up the full Yoshi black exhaust, and that's it.
B: chrome exhaust, black fenders. Pick up a Staintune slipon and some black fenders from samurider.

I'm leaning more towards A because I think that'd look a bit better, but I'm concerned the exhaust wouldn't be loud enough. B is a good option too, but it would be more expensive and more work.

Thoughts? I put up a poll but I'd appreciate a little feedback as to why you chose the one you did.
Feel free to offer another suggestion, but please keep price range in mind.
Obligatory pic:

 

[Todd_K_imp]

If it were me, I'd go with the Yoshi exhaust and call it a day. The chrome fenders are a nice contrast point, bookending the bike.

 

[Elipten_imp]

+2


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[Guth_imp]

Given the fact that you don't like chrome, I'd suggest having the fenders painted silver to maintain some contrast, but rid yourself of those two big chunks of chrome. I love the Staintune slip-on, but since I recommended the silver fenders, I'd suggest an all black exhaust setup like this one from Yoshimura.

 

[chrisross_imp]

Thanks for the replies. I don't mind chrome on this bike, I just want to limit the amount. I think silver would look off in that everything on the bike is either gloss black, matte black, or chrome. Introducing a new "color" wouldn't look right to me.

I guess I'm really concerned that the yoshi won't be loud enough for my tastes, and I'll have to go the other route. I hate not being able to hear the exhaust on the road. This is my first bike with an rpm gauge; I'm used to using my ears to let me know when to shift.

 

[Greg_imp]

How about a Moriwaki titanium full exhaust and some [url=http://www.samurider.com/?p=15721]chrome side covers?

 

[chrisross_imp]

How about a Moriwaki titanium full exhaust and some [url=http://www.samurider.com/?p=15721]chrome side covers?

No offense, but I'm sort of confused by this. The pipe appears to cost twice what the other options do, it isn't black, and then I add even more chrome to the bike with the covers?

 

[Guth_imp]

Thanks for the replies. I don't mind chrome on this bike, I just want to limit the amount. I think silver would look off in that everything on the bike is either gloss black, matte black, or chrome. Introducing a new "color" wouldn't look right to me.

I guess I'm really concerned that the yoshi won't be loud enough for my tastes, and I'll have to go the other route. I hate not being able to hear the exhaust on the road. This is my first bike with an rpm gauge; I'm used to using my ears to let me know when to shift.

Yeah, it's more of an old school look along the lines of a mid-60's Bonneville or Honda's own Black Bomber (CB450). Just trying to stay somewhat within your design parameters.

If I was tasked with styling your bike, I'd skip making it even more black by also painting the side covers silver to match the fenders that I just painted. Then I'd leave the exhaust shiny but slap a Staintune on it, just because I like the exhaust note so much.

I count myself lucky that I like my bike the way it is. Hope you get yours to that point. Good luck!

 

[chrisross_imp]

Thanks for the replies. I don't mind chrome on this bike, I just want to limit the amount. I think silver would look off in that everything on the bike is either gloss black, matte black, or chrome. Introducing a new "color" wouldn't look right to me.

I guess I'm really concerned that the yoshi won't be loud enough for my tastes, and I'll have to go the other route. I hate not being able to hear the exhaust on the road. This is my first bike with an rpm gauge; I'm used to using my ears to let me know when to shift.

Yeah, it's more of an old school look along the lines of a mid-60's Bonneville or Honda's own Black Bomber (CB450). Just trying to stay somewhat within your design parameters.

If I was tasked with styling your bike, I'd skip making it even more black by also painting the side covers silver to match the fenders that I just painted. Then I'd leave the exhaust shiny but slap a Staintune on it, just because I like the exhaust note so much.

I count myself lucky that I like my bike the way it is. Hope you get yours to that point. Good luck!

Yeah, it's more of an old school look along the lines of a mid-60's Bonneville or Honda's own Black Bomber (CB450). Just trying to stay somewhat within your design parameters.

If I was tasked with styling your bike, I'd skip making it even more black by also painting the side covers silver to match the fenders that I just painted. Then I'd leave the exhaust shiny but slap a Staintune on it, just because I like the exhaust note so much.

I count myself lucky that I like my bike the way it is. Hope you get yours to that point. Good luck!
Interesting.

It might be cool do go black fenders and exhaust, and then have a silver side covers. So it's basically "murdered" except the covers, but that's well out of my price range. I set a limit for how much I was going to spend on farkling this guy.

I'm still leaning pretty hard on the yoshi exhaust only, but I'm also still worried about how loud it will be. Some videos make it sound basically like the stock exhaust and some make it sound loud and mean. Are there different baffles?

 

[Offroad]

I agree on the problem of stock exhaust being way too quiet! Which exhaust mod is the loudest? I'm working on modifying a stock muffler, not loud enough yet, but I'm working on it. ;-)

 

[Greg_imp]

You're right, Chris, I didn't read the design brief very carefully, and I completely skipped over "please keep price in mind". So may I have another shot at it?

Contrast is everything, but there are many ways to achieve it. A completely blacked out bike, with matte everything presents a dramatic contrast with everything else around it. But it's also hard for other drivers to see in many situations because it appears to be a moving shadow and people are used to looking for lighter or shinier vehicles.

A completely black bike can have contrasting shiny and matte surfaces and lighter and darker shades of black or very dark gray. On such a bike amber and red reflectors and signal lenses really stand out but these are givens and can't be eliminated (for the most part).

Your bike already has matte and glossy blacks and some chrome, polished stainless and clear anodized aluminum. To completely black it out would require dealing with quite a large number of non-black elements: bolt heads, mirrors, handlebars, headlight bracket and trim, forks, etc. so you're probably not going to do that.

The goal I think you should have is creating a pleasing (to you) pattern of light and polished parts against a black main body, and eliminate or change elements that stick out.

Inexpensive mods along these lines:
Switch out the amber signal lenses for clear and get amber bulbs Ebay link - verify that these will fit
License plate bracket mod [URL=https://cb1100forum.net/posts/716144/]Chip Beck's mod
The amber reflectors on the forks have fallen off some peoples' bikes
Since your engine cases are black you have the opportunity to fill the engraved HONDA on each side with a light paint. I suggest a rattle can of silver engine paint. Spray some into the can's lid, use a small paint brush and daub the paint into the recesses. Let it dry a bit and then wipe off the slop with mineral spirits or other mild solvent. Test the solvent first to make sure it does remove the new paint but doesn't soften the black paint.
Put chrome edge trim on the bottom flange of the gas tank. [url=http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=3021&page=3]CB4ME has some on his bike but I don't know where he got it.
Add tank knee pads. The matte black rubber would contrast with the glossy tank and they really enhance the riding experience. [url=http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=2692]Pics of my bike and links to free template PDFs
I still think shiny side covers would look great on your bike. They would tie the fenders and all the other shiny bits together. Less expensive than buying new side covers would be to vinyl wrap the covers you have now. The badges are just stuck on with foam tape. It's completely reversible and if you're not up to doing it yourself, there's sure to be someone around there who's doing it for hire. If not chrome, there are several great metallic colors. [url=http://www.metrorestyling.com]Supplier of several brands of vinyl wrap

I've gone back and read your previous posts and I get that you don't like chrome, but the reality is that there are lots of shiny bits on your bike and a couple of strategic new shiny parts could really tie it all together.

Dart flyscreen. I love mine. It comes with a new headlight bracket, which you could paint black before installing it. Black Plastidip would be removable later if you decide to change your mind.

Exhaust - the expensive part: I have a Yoshi full exhaust. It is matte black, actually very dark gray next to the black motor, and looks stunning, I think. The stock exhaust was too quite for me, but I was worried the Yoshi would be obnoxiously loud; it isn't. You can't tell anything really from YouTube videos. The Yoshi has more rumble but if the revs are low it just burbles along. In normal riding conditions I barely hear it above the wind noise, but at higher revs it really speaks.

I didn't like the way the stock stainless pipes turned brown and the size of the muffler looked way out of proportion to me, but I get that many people like the stock exhaust. CB4ME has [url=http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=2917]titanium headers and a Staintune slip-on. That combo would be killer on your bike, but the black Yoshi would be great too.

Wow, I really ran on; sorry.

 

[chrisross_imp]

Greg, I appreciate the response. I do understand what you are saying about black bikes being a contrast in and of themselves, plus the contrast of different blacks. I'm simply not looking to completely black out this bike. I have looked this bike over many times and I am happy with what chrome is there (bars, bolts, etc). I just don't like that both the exhaust and fenders are chrome. I am only going to change one of them.

I don't mean to sound ungrateful because obviously you put a lot into your response but I have no desire to add chrome to this bike at all in any way.

Having said that, the knee pads and license plate mods are interesting to me and worth consideration. Thanks!

Now, for the exhaust. This is really the kicker I think: can you constantly hear the exhaust without having to listen for it? I can't hear the stock with my full face helmet, and that bothers me more than anything on the bike.

A little backstory that I possibly should have begun with: I came from an xr650l that probably had 20 mods done. Exhaust, carb work, changed fenders, tank, etc etc etc. I went nuts on that bike, but I was always 1 mod shy of being done and it bothered me.

So when I got on the market for a new bike I researched for a couple of months before I made my purchase. The CB1100 is perfect for me except for 2 things: too quiet exhaust and too much chrome. If the black yoshi exhaust fixes both then I am fine with doing only that. I bought the bike I wanted, it only needs a few tweaks. I want to enjoy riding this bike, not bogging my mind trying to figure out how to fix all these problems I decide exist.

 

[fishmitch_imp]

chrisross,
i bought the motogear titanium full exhaust. it's a little pricey , but the headers are beautiful. would really look cool on your bike.the muffler ,a little louder than stock ( stock is 87db,motogear is 92db)cosmetically is almost identical to the stock. one big difference i wasn't expecting from the ti system is the weight. the bike is noticeably lighter and more maneuverable . just my 2 cents worth. mismatch

 

[The Spaceman_imp]

Of your choices, I think changing the fenders to black is more in keeping with the designer's intent for your bike.

Having said that...do both! Black is the new black, and the 14 Standard has "Black" in spades. If every bit of it were black except some bolt heads etc. it would be one badass bike!

 

[Elipten_imp]

Get the photoshop expert yo mock up to examples for you.


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[CB4ME_imp]

I like the black fenders, Staintune option. Swap-out is a breeze.

I don't think you can go wrong with either option.

Where you can definitely get into BIG TROUBLE is by not posting lots and lots of pictures of the mods, which ever way you go!


(As far as the suggestion of chrome trim on the tank to add contrast, my trim is gone. Lasted a while, but hot days and engine heat finally got to the adhesive on the trim. Didn't want to expoxy back in place.)

 

[Greg_imp]

Greg, I appreciate the response. I do understand what you are saying about black bikes being a contrast in and of themselves, plus the contrast of different blacks. I'm simply not looking to completely black out this bike. I have looked this bike over many times and I am happy with what chrome is there (bars, bolts, etc). I just don't like that both the exhaust and fenders are chrome. I am only going to change one of them.

I don't mean to sound ungrateful because obviously you put a lot into your response but I have no desire to add chrome to this bike at all in any way.

Having said that, the knee pads and license plate mods are interesting to me and worth consideration. Thanks!

Now, for the exhaust. This is really the kicker I think: can you constantly hear the exhaust without having to listen for it? I can't hear the stock with my full face helmet, and that bothers me more than anything on the bike.

A little backstory that I possibly should have begun with: I came from an xr650l that probably had 20 mods done. Exhaust, carb work, changed fenders, tank, etc etc etc. I went nuts on that bike, but I was always 1 mod shy of being done and it bothered me.

So when I got on the market for a new bike I researched for a couple of months before I made my purchase. The CB1100 is perfect for me except for 2 things: too quiet exhaust and too much chrome. If the black yoshi exhaust fixes both then I am fine with doing only that. I bought the bike I wanted, it only needs a few tweaks. I want to enjoy riding this bike, not bogging my mind trying to figure out how to fix all these problems I decide exist.

Yes! I wear a Shoei Quest and almost always foam ear plugs. I can hear the Yoshi all the time. It sounds so good I wish I could ride without a helmet to enjoy it more. If I'm going some distance at a constant speed, 5th gear is usually below 3k and the exhaust note is a purr at that rpm.

The ceramic coated Yoshi runs cooler and I feel less vibration through the bars and seat, so I'm shifting at higher rpms than I did before. I'm assuming the vibs are lower because of less back-pressure.

The system runs cooler for several reasons: catalytic converters start working at 600°F, the PAIR valve adds air to the exhaust to combust and then catalyze un-burned fuel within the exhaust system which generates heat. Also, the O2 sensor input to the ECM results in a very lean running condition at lower throttle angles and below 5500 rpm. Leaner is hotter. The Yoshi does have a bung for the stock narrow band O2 sensor but some people bypass the sensor with an inexpensive plug.

Reports are that gas mileage is unaffected by the above mods; 50 mpg is typical, but lower if the increased responsiveness and exciting exhaust sounds cause one to grab handfuls of throttle at every opportunity!

 

[chrisross_imp]

Well that's probably going to do it for me then. I also wear the Qwest and if you can hear it with plugs, I think that's the route for me.

Also, I screenshotted a YouTube video to get this picture...I'm liking it.

 

[Greg_imp]

You won't regret it. The Yoshi fits great, looks great, sounds great.

Maybe sometime down the road you could get the the shorty black fender from Takashi. It's about $225 plus shipping.

 

[Papa Weeley_imp]

Its always tough to make a call about the looks for another individual's bike. Tastes vary so much that suggestions from others can sound anywhere from "Cool!" to "WTH???"
Further, I've often had what I thought was a perfect part or combo in my head for a bike, only to buy all the pieces, install them, and realize it ends up looking like crap!
I think Elipten's got some great advice in trying even some rudimentary PhotoShopping to get an idea what the combinations would more-or-less look like. And with that, you can make endless switches and changes of gear to see what looks best to you.
Whichever way you go, best of luck - you've certainly got a great looking "canvas" to start your work of art from!