telling the difference 900 to 1100 f

Posted: Tue May 06, 2014 9:48 pm

Ok guys, hopefully you can help me out a bit. Surfing the good old CL the other night and stumbled across a glorious piece of Honda machinery, an old CB. Guy doesnt know much of anything about it past that its a honda and he wants to sell the thing cheap. It really looks to me like either a 900 or, possibly, an 1100. Dual piston brakes so i know its at least an 83 if I'm not mistaken. Bike has no original decals on it, so cant go by that. Box swingarm on it. Im leaning towards 900 due to the cluster, but all the pictures of the 1100 have a fairing so i cant see much detail to tell if he just removed the fairing at some point (it is an 80s bike so anything could have happened over the years). Rims also look to be 1100 versions (unless the 900 changed in 83 maybe?) with the three sets of twin spokes. Any tips are helpful guys.

Posted: Tue May 06, 2014 9:58 pm

Canadian/European cb1100 have the mickey mouse cluster.
The 1100 have the box swing arm.

Look at the right side 1100 clutch actuator comes in forward of cover between the clutch and alt cover. The 900 clutch cover has an little screw in cover in the center.

The 1100 alt cover has an arrow like flat spot in the center. Where the 900 has raised lines

Posted: Tue May 06, 2014 10:02 pm

CC's are stamped onto the jugs at the back.
Post up a picture..

Posted: Tue May 06, 2014 10:03 pm

Playinwitmatchz wrote:

Ok guys, hopefully you can help me out a bit. Surfing the good old CL the other night and stumbled across a glorious piece of Honda machinery, an old CB. Guy doesnt know much of anything about it past that its a honda and he wants to sell the thing cheap. It really looks to me like either a 900 or, possibly, an 1100. Dual piston brakes so i know its at least an 83 if I'm not mistaken. Bike has no original decals on it, so cant go by that. Box swingarm on it. Im leaning towards 900 due to the cluster, but all the pictures of the 1100 have a fairing so i cant see much detail to tell if he just removed the fairing at some point (it is an 80s bike so anything could have happened over the years). Rims also look to be 1100 versions (unless the 900 changed in 83 maybe?) with the three sets of twin spokes. Any tips are helpful guys.

It sounds like an 1100F with some bodywork and decals removed. As Tom said, the boxed swingarm is exclusive to the 1100F, but it could have been swapped to a different model. The dual piston calipers are the same on all 81 & 82 750F/900F models as well as the 83 1100F. (there was no '83 900F)

What does is have for an exhaust? 750F's and 900F's came with chrome 4-into-2 systems. The 1100F exhaust was black chrome. Also, where is the choke lever? Is it part of the clutch perch? That again is exclusive to the 1100F. Another dead giveaway is the front suspension. If you have a fork brace and anti-dive unit-equiped TRAC forks, then chances are that this is an 1100F minus decals and front fairing.

Where are you located? We could be next door neighbors. I sent you a PM with contact info if you need some help in determining what the bike it.

Posted: Wed May 07, 2014 8:48 am

If you can get the seller to give you the first four characters of the frame number and the same for the engine number we can tell you. This way we can see what chassis and engine combination you are looking at.

Regards,

Max

Posted: Wed May 07, 2014 10:53 am

The 900 forks and calipers look the same as the 1100 EXCEPT only the 1100 Forks have the "Trac" anti-dive.

Posted: Thu May 08, 2014 12:57 am

Sorry for the delay in posting gentlemen but I'm pleased to let everyone know all signs point to 1100. The choke control and everything. JH2SC1102DM is my serial beginning

Posted: Thu May 08, 2014 1:26 pm

So you bought the bike, eh? Awesome news. Post some pictures of it as soon as you can. We can all help you get it in good running shape again, so don't hesitate to ask for help.

Tom

Posted: Fri May 09, 2014 2:09 am

Thanks Tom. For the money i was shocked at the shape it was in. Yeah, it has a couple issues, but for the most part its all there minus a couple cosmetic bits and hell, even has new tires on it! Of course the moment i put a battery to it the main fuse popped (figures) with the key off so i have a short somewhere. Tank will be coming off monday and ill start going through wires to figure it out. Ill start a thread to try and follow bringing this thing back to life too.

Posted: Sat May 10, 2014 2:22 am

Playinwitmatchz wrote:

.... Of course the moment i put a battery to it the main fuse popped (figures) with the key off so i have a short somewhere. .

Read this post to localize where the short is..
http://www.cb1100f.net/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=74776&highlight=