Do I need to sell my 900F?

Posted: Sun May 27, 2012 10:31 pm

As many of you know, I have spent a ton of time and money on the restoration/rebuild of my CB900F. I always wanted an F when they were new, and fate and circumstance led me to buy one last year tha became the subject of my resto. Understand that I had never ridden one of these machines before embarking on this project.

Now that I have been clocking some miles, I am struggling with the ergonomics. I started with supersport bars, and rearsets, as this was similar to the way I had my last bike set up. This clearly didn't work on the 900F. I switched handlebars for something closer to the stock 900F bars and went back to U.S. spec stock footpegs. It's better now, but still not right. My problem seems to center on my knees and hips. Seems like the foot peg height to seat height relationship is just wrong for my 6'3", 50 year old frame. After an hour in the saddle, I feel like I want to scream. Lower pegs, or higher seat would help, but I don't know of a way to make that work without seriously screwing up a perfectly good motorcycle.

Anyone got any thoughts? It's to a point where I am wondering whether I should trade my Supersport for a Custom (although I have never cared for the quasi-harley wannabe styling).

Anyone got any ideas?

Thanks,

delling3

Posted: Sun May 27, 2012 10:49 pm

get shorter and younger.

Posted: Mon May 28, 2012 12:06 am

Ask JJAM to make you special footpegs, similar to a Cb-CUSTOM. Re-do the seat to make it taller.. Has to be something..

Getting old does suck indeed!

Posted: Mon May 28, 2012 2:03 am

Try folding a towel up a few times and laying it on the seat then go for a ride. If your worried about it shifting then use some masking tape to hold it in place. If it provides you with some relief then you know adding a bit to the seat foam, like 1/2", may be the answer. Keep in mind if its the original seat, the foam may be packing down a LOT when you sit on it due to the foam just giving up its resiliency. As far as the bars go, some say they like the adjustable bars of the 1100F's better so that may be another option.

Good luck and hang in there,
David

Posted: Mon May 28, 2012 3:51 am

I know how you feel. I'm 53 and find it harder to ride my 750F a great distance. My shoulder, ass and knees hurt after 150 miles. I found putting a 1" riser with Daytona touring bars and going back to stock footpegs alleviated any pains. I put footpegs on my case guards so I can stretch my legs and put foam grips (softer and less vibration). Even put a NEP throttle control when my hand falls asleep. But give up my F? No freaking way!

Red CB1100F Joined: Jul 19, 2010 Posts: 6420 Location: Ct

Riding in dis-comfort does suck for sure. I am suprised though, the F bikes are a pretty tame seating position. I also agree with everybody above, a bit of seat thickness may aleviate your knee pain.

Good luck. Hang onto that F!!! Very Happy

Posted: Mon May 28, 2012 4:26 am

I'm 6'6', push 300 lbs, am in the same age bracket and have put several orthopedic surgeons kids through college. I'm missing pieces in both of my knees. I use US 1100 adjustable bars, rearset pegs and a seat I had made by a local shop which is firmer and taller than all the worn out original seats. I also use grip puppies to add some cushion to the grips and open my hands up a tad.

The reason I use rearsets is that it rotates my knees down and takes some of the pressure off my tailbone. While I have done 500 mile days in the saddle I don't make a habit of it. 200-250 mile days are not uncommon however and I do these without issues.

Posted: Mon May 28, 2012 4:30 am

Ride a Ducati 1199 Panigale for 1/2 an hour. Your 900F will
feel very luxurious and comfortable when you get back on it.
(it will also feel lethargic and wobbly)

Seriously, you've got the physical height to go to a higher seat with
better padding. Sargent can build you a really nice seat, on your pan,
for about $200. This coupled with the right handlebar could
make a big difference. I think the sport kit bars are nearly perfect
for a 900F, if you can find them.

Good luck, don't give up on your 900F,

Tom