The probable end of my CB1100F

Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2011 6:23 am

I've owned her since July 1984 when I bought her with 1900 miles on her, after falling down hard on the one I bought new. I've ridden her regularly for 27 years, gave most of my kids their first ride on her, have done some fabulous touring, lots of commuting, sport riding, and bike nights, putting almost 106,000 miles on her. I had an absolutely fabulous last ride on her a couple weeks ago.

This year I trailered my ZRX and the CB1100F down to northern California to do a Thursday track day at Thunderhill and meet with some fellow ZRX'ers at our annual Trinity Alps rally. A minor incident at Thunderhill left my Rex temporarily out of commission, but I had the trusty F as my backup. Just for grins, here are a couple pics of me on my Rex from Thunderhill:

Yeah, I know I need to get my head lower and my butt and body more inside.

So I used the F for the rest of the weekend, riding some incredible Northern California roads with some great riders and friends. On Friday we rode from Weaverville south on CA 3 to CA 36, which we took out to Eureka. One sweet piece of road! Lunch stop at the Samoa Cookhouse right on the water. Here are some of the group, including yours truly by my F.

The F fit in pretty well with the many ZRX'es. Here are about a third of the total bikes attending the rally after we returned from Eureka. Non-ZRX bikes included an Aprilia Mille, KTM Super Duke, Suzuki SV-1000, Suzuki TL-1000, Honda RC-51, Yamaha FZ-1, some of which are in this group.

Saturday we went east on CA 199 to Redding, then through some back roads. The F was running well, the Pirelli Sport Demons sticking clear to the edges, the newly-rebuilt shocks by PGSmick working perfectly. A couple of shots at stops along the way:

A few of the guys noted that the old girl was smoking quite a bit, both under throttle and on compression braking. But with nearly 106,000 miles on the original, untouched motor, I guess it was to be expected. Our leader then took us to a fabulous, secret, secluded, snaky 17-mile section of wonderful mountain road, and it was sport-bike heaven! Never-ending curves, no straights longer than a couple hundred yards, no traffic. The old girl still had some moves in her, and was dancing gloriously through the twisties, shortening the footpeg feelers ever more in the tight stuff. I was waved by the slower group about half way through, and caught up to the faster group just before the turn-around. We re-grouped on this bridge.

On the way back out, I followed faster guys on ZRXes and the KTM Super Duke, excellent riders and racers all. The F was singing and flying, sweeping and carving with the best of them. Then about halfway back out, as I was had just cleared the apex exiting a right-hand corner and began feeding in throttle, the rear end suddenly went away. With no cornering clearance I was down before I could blink, sliding on my rear and watching the bike slide ahead of me. The rear wheel caught some pavement and the bike tumbled like a log rolling down the road, coming to rest completely blocking the lane. I was able to get up, run back to the corner and wave off the following riders. No injuries to me, but my riding pants had worn clear through the butt on both sides. The bike didn't fare quite so well. The good side:

The not-so-good side:

A few detail pics of the damage:

This pic shows the alternator cover broken; what it doesn't show is the fractured upper and lower engine cases behind it.

I'm thankful I had zero injuries and could still smile (somewhat) after this.

Looks like some of the road grit worked its way up under my jacket during my slide. I'm very thankful I was wearing full armored textile gear even though the temps were in the 90's and low 100's. My backside would have been hamburger otherwise.

Inspecting the site where I lost traction, we found a slight raised berm in the pavement with an aluminum-colored stripe on it just before the impact gouges. Our theory is that my tires were on the outside of this berm, and the footpeg and brake pedal (and maybe the header -- there is a buff at the collector) made contact. That slight bit of unweighting in conjunction with throttle application finally overwhelmed the rear tire; either that or the tire itself was on the outside of the berm. That's one of the consequences of riding with little traction margin; if a couple of factors come together at the wrong time, down you go.

So now I need to decide what to do with the old girl. Part of me wants to resuscitate her to her old glory, since we've been together for so long. Part of me says it's time to let go -- she's not my only motorcycle love, and we've had a wonderful 27 years and just 5 miles short of 106,000 miles together. There are lots of good parts there -- the frame, sport-kit rearsets, front fender, side covers, suspension, wheels, and believe it or not, the header. The engine, besides being very high mileage, is unknown due to the engine case damage. The rest of the bodywork, as you can see, is pretty much toast, though the tank doesn't leak, but that is a big dent in the front. My first inclination is to let her go to someone who can use the parts. My second is to find a parts bike and put her back together (like a really need another project!).

In the meantime, I'm re-evaluating my riding (and personal) attitude. Thunderhill (my first track day) proved I'm not as fast or competent as I thought. The last ride on my F proved I may be lacking in common sense-- I still wanted to hang with the fast guys, even when I'm on slightly-outdated machinery. I've enrolled in a track day school (not a race school) later this month to help improve my competence and knowledge of capabilities, and I'm resolving to leave more margin on the street. I've had my fun with the fast guys; now I'll have fun with the next group back.

But it was an incredible last couple of days with the F. The old girl showed she could still dance. She'd be dancing still if her rider had more sense.

Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2011 7:34 am

Very nice epitaph.
Sorry to hear about your bike. It's good that you suffered no injuries, something to be thankful of.
Good luck with what you decide to do and your future rides.

Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2011 9:52 am

Gosh, that's too bad about your old friend. Good that you got out clean though.

I tend to over do it on the mountains and canyons too. They aren't really there to be raced on, and they're full of hazards. Be careful.

Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2011 11:21 am

What a remarkable read. I love how you've dissected the crash and why it may have happened, and even included you may have been over enthusiastic. I also love how you're planning on improving your skills AND considering having more fun with the slower group. Its not easy to admit we may be getting older sometimes, or we're just not in as much control as we thought. Everytime I've gone down I HAD to know why, even if on the cover it seemed obvious, like a car turned left in front of me. But even then I had critical choices to make and sometimes I made the wrong ones.

I think you'll have a long and adventerous riding career ahead you. If it were me I'd be satisfied with what the old F had given me, part it out and move on. Either way, congrats on a healthy attitude and so glad you're in one piece. Wink

Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2011 12:17 pm

I would just fix it. If my 750 went down like that there would be no question about it, I've had that for 28 years and have no intention of parting with it.

Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2011 12:57 pm

Fix her

Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2011 1:20 pm

glad your ok...got to get me a pair of those pants though.... Laughing

PM sent on some parts

Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2011 1:21 pm

I too say "Fix her", although it's easy for us to give advice, ultimately it's only your decision. Very glad you're uninjured!!! Keep us posted on what you decide, and let us know if we can help with parts (either leaving your garage, or coming into it, based on what you decide).

Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2011 1:30 pm

Oh, yes glad you walked away, that is the most important bit. Given that you have torn the arse cheeks out of your riding pants have you thought of getting a Harley? This is just the sort of outfit that goes well on a harley. Laughing

Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2011 1:58 pm

To paraphrase The Six Million Dollar Man, "We can fix her, we have the technology".

That would be my vote if we get one. Glad to hear that you escaped unhurt and the old girl seems to be in rebuildable condition. Looks like you have an early start on a winter project.

Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2011 2:06 pm

I vote fix her. She is like a woman you've been married to for 27 years. When she is gone - you'll regret it, especially since you parted in such a way. You'll never find another one like her, particularly since they only made it for one year and then broke the mould.

Would your kids be interested in a rebuild project? Could be some good father-son quality time.

I recently rebuilt my dad's SC with him over the winter and it was the best time! Memories of my dad that I'll keep forever.

You don't necessarily have to have her fall to the parts vultures circling overhead.

Something to think about.

Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2011 2:06 pm

That was a very nice story. Too bad about the ending.

It sucks that you crashed but at least you're not damaged. I crashed my 1100 into a deer a couple of weeks ago and I was also fortunate to come out relatively unharmed. I say fix it, too. My bike wasn't nearly as damaged as yours is, but I got it back on the road yesterday... it was a great feeling.

Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2011 2:15 pm

I would rebuild her. She has been good to you for a long time. She is hurt now and needs your help. You know why she went down and are humble enough to admit things to yourself and others. After this long, she is a part of you and should remain so. Let us know what you may need to get her back in the true glory she belongs in.

Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2011 2:38 pm

wow ! a very good read and with pics... right to the end Crying or Very sad

but like everyone has said at least you are ok.... I would be on the fence as far as a rebuild... that's a tough call Confused

Dan

Twinstar Joined: Sep 05, 2010 Posts: 130 Location: Seattle

Glad you're ok. People have been taking unscheduled depatures from their bikes aroung me lately. I've found myself wearing my leathers more, and evern puttin on my relfective nerd armor (icon vest) as well. 36 years old and I'm already turning cautious. Guess it had to happen sometime. Might need to shop for some armored textile pants soon myself, sounds like though they rubbed through they did their job too..

My vote- give her a rest and fix her at your own pace. Nice ZRX BTW- those are a favorite of mine too.

Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2011 3:31 pm

Happens to the best, More times than i care to remember when i was younger Confused

. I say fix it if the frames not involved.

Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2011 3:39 pm

crap!! sorry for you dude but glad you came thru better'n the bike.

Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2011 4:12 pm

Wow!..I'm glad you came out of that unscathed! Shocked

Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2011 4:17 pm

Well done, the writing and the pictures part anyway. Too bad about the *mishap* though. You're ok, and the bike is repairable, sellable, or leave it as is and put it on a pedastal in your garage.

Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2011 5:02 pm

Good thing that you came of so well,for the bike,I wouldt repair it and continu collecting miles on it.The bike deserve`s it, you have done four times the globe on it man.
Wim

Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2011 5:42 pm

metalganz wrote:

Good thing that you came of so well,for the bike,I wouldt repair it and continu collecting miles on it.The bike deserve`s it, you have done four times the globe on it man.
Wim

+1 if the frame and interior sections of motor ( barrels, cases) are ok. There are getting to be fewer and fewer of these old girls around. Put her on the lift and get after it. I've been working on one for years. been riding it all along. beauty is only skin deep yaknow and you can pick up body parts as you go. 106 K the motor was ready for a spiff anyway.

Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2011 7:10 pm

I'd say go for it, now you have an excuse to tear the motor apart and replace the valve seals and rings.

Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2011 11:52 pm

Glad your ok
Bruno

Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2011 12:06 am

bmcdonau wrote:

I'd say go for it, now you have an excuse to tear the motor apart and replace the valve seals and rings.

Yeah, and drop in a 900 crank after APE lightens and balances it, and an 1123 kit, and port the head, and...... Twisted Evil

Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2011 1:16 am

towerguy wrote:

bmcdonau wrote:

I'd say go for it, now you have an excuse to tear the motor apart and replace the valve seals and rings.

Yeah, and drop in a 900 crank after APE lightens and balances it, and an 1123 kit, and port the head, and...... Twisted Evil

. . . and all that after you win the lottery Laughing

Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2011 1:28 am

Glad your ok. Sorry about your bike man, that sucks.

David

Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2011 2:16 am

Great story and pix...glad you didn't get hurt...Fix up the old girl, she deserves it. I wouldn't part ways with her in that condition.

Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2011 3:04 am

Thanks for the great narrative. You put a great moral of the story in there and reminded me at least that it's time to throttle down a bit. At our age any missing skin is a real PITA (Pun intended Smile

)

Good lesson here for everyone .... wear your protective gear, it works!

As for the bike I think you got your money's worth and more out of her. Lot's of good memories now to reflect back on. Obviously you rode the bike lot's but when you think of rebuilding now I guess you have to look at whether you enjoy rebuiding things and spending time on E-Bay bidding for parts. Then add up the time, money and personal traits of whether you still ride the F enough to get all that effort back.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2011 5:07 am

Wow, sorry to hear Mike, glad you are OK. I rode with Mike a few times and he can really ride that F and is a heck of a nice traveling partner to boot. Tough call there Mike, let her be for a while and see if she still speaks to you.

If it's not to be, at least she wet out like a warrior.

Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2011 5:23 am

Mike, glad to hear you are OK. Man what a loss! Somehow I feel proud of her. She served you well and never let you down. Even when matching the speed of more modern sport bikes she would take you to her limits. Looks like you found them.

Looks like a hard drop. I would be really worried about the frame. These old girls don't take a drop well. I have a titled stock bike nearly complete but no engine. Would be a great project for a transplant. PM me if you want to take a look.