New member needs help CB1100F

MB-5 Joined: Oct 27, 2010 Posts: 10 Location: Fremont Mi

I just purchased a blue 1983 CB1100F winter project, I guess not so much of a project due to the fact it’s in pretty good shape it has approx 22k on her. I actually was looking into older Goldwings (naked Goldwings to be exact) I really like the café style bars, modified seats, and custom exhaust. I grew up having the only café racer back in high school 1987 it was a 1984 Honda 500 interceptor. So when I came across the CB1100F all sorts of memories came back of my 500’s bigger brother. I will post some pics soon.
Here is the help I am in need. Due to my limited knowledge, and tool supply, oh and $$$ I will be having a certified mechanic and close friend help me with any major items however the small stuff I should be able to do myself. This bike has been sitting for two years but ran well when parked. Here is what I think I should do first... Tune up for sure. What kind of battery, spark plugs, oil, and filters should I go with??? I read somewhere on this forum that some people run different plugs for better performance??? Any tips on doing these simple maintenance items would help greatly.
Some things I would like to do eventually would be new bars, exhaust, chain and sprockets, seat, K&M air, and I love the look of the round headlight (no faring) with the round Speedo and tach. How do I go about even finding these items?? I believe it’s called a continental kit? When I looked into a sporty seat I keep coming up empty handed. Corbin seems to have a really nice one however it says it’s for a super sport. My seat is the long stock one. I guess what I am looking for with these items would be a simple recipe for some upgrades that would improve the looks and performance without doing too many mods that would cause me to constantly have to carry tools with me. Once again any help would be appreciated. Thanks

Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2010 11:33 am

Welcome to the site and congrats on your purchase.
If the bike sat for 2 yrs you will have some gummed up carbs and maybe the tank. They will need to be cleaned. Valves need to be adj. Hows the chain? Tires?
You should spend a few hrs reading and searching on this site. Not much wrong with these bikes. Starter clutch bolts tend to loosen up.
Corbin makes a fine seat for our bikes. By the way, "F" means supersport in Honda lingo

There are many Fers(and CBXers) around us in MICH. We can help Very Happy

Cheers, John

Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2010 2:57 pm

Check the Technical Documents Forum and download the Service Manual for your bike. Specs for things like plugs and oil are in there. Some guys are running NGK Iridium (DR8EIX) plugs and like them very much. I changed to NGK Iridium but don't have enough miles to form an opinion. Most folks here recommend the Deka or Big Crank ETX15L AGM battery. Big Crank is a Deka battery so no issue other than price to decide. I have one and love it.

Putting on K&N Filters without knowledge of carb jetting and tuning could cause you some headaches in the way your bike runs. Stay stock or get some aftermarket carbs if you want to run K&N filters. I liked the look of the K&N filter over the stock airbox so I spent the money $$$$ on aftermarket. Starts much better and I like the performance but it was mostly looks for me too, just expensive in the long run. Stay with the stock airbox to begin with to eliminate variables while you get it running well again and then think about changes afterwards.

Make sure you can stop (i.e. Brakes!!!) and that you have fresh fuel.

Learn to use the search function as that has most of the answers to your questions answers many times over. The search tool will be your best friend.

Good Luck.

Dave

Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2010 5:02 pm

Welcome and congrats on the new ride!!

Learn to use the search function and do alot of reading. Just about anything that needs to be done is here.

Don't be afraid to do a bit more mechanically than you give yourself credit for. There's ton's of info here with many knowledgible members, more than willing to walk you through it.

Good luck!!

Twinstar Joined: Jul 13, 2010 Posts: 71 Location: Florida

[img]http://www.aztec8.com/id106.html[/img]

aztec8.com has some of the stuff you are looking for. they have a round headlight kit, gauge brackets.
also check out dimecitycycles.com those guys have a lot of retro looking cafe parts.

good luck, looking forward to seeing a few pics of your machine

MB-5 Joined: Oct 27, 2010 Posts: 10 Location: Fremont Mi

Thanks so much everyone all these tips, seems like the perfect place to start. Looking forward to getting started on this project. I will be back from time to time and will post some pics soon.

Posted: Sat Oct 30, 2010 2:31 pm

PM Sent - please check your mailbox.

Welcome to the web site and good to see another Michiganian join the F community.

--Roger--