sight activity

Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2016 7:41 pm

Is it just me, or has activity on this site been diminishing? Compared to 2015, we are almost 1/2 a million less visits in activity this year. Seems like every time I log-in there is less and less being posted Rolling Eyes

Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2016 10:25 pm

I've seen similar declines on just about every forum I visit. Various subjects.

Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2016 11:28 pm

petrat wrote:

Is it just me, or has activity on this site been diminishing? Compared to 2015, we are almost 1/2 a million less visits in activity this year. Seems like every time I log-in there is less and less being posted Rolling Eyes

It's inevitable. It may take decades, but it's bound to happen, we'll go virtually extinct.

I knew that going in and it's ok. While there are existing CBFs out there we'll cater to them and give them a place to gather.

Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2016 11:41 pm

Facebook is taking it's toll, and this kind of forum is waning. Much better access to information here, but new users don't want to deal with this kind of format, they're hooked on FB and apparently are numb to its data collection, open doors everywhere (no privacy), and poor organization.

Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2016 11:44 pm

I log on everyday..thats 1

Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2016 12:11 am

What is the "Face Book" you speak of?

That's 2

T.

Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2016 12:13 am

I do both. On here almost everyday. Still trying to pay it forward........

Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2016 12:22 am

Don't get me wrong .... I login several times a day, and this site is a valuable resource. I guess it is more upsetting and troubling to me to see the activity go down. There are several facebook pages and groups and there is an enormous amount of activity on them from around the world, but the problem is that there are no searchable threads to gain information needed for builds or restorations, but in the same breath, often any question you have are answered within minutes of being asked. There are pros and cons to both types of sites.

Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2016 1:12 am

Quote:

... but in the same breath, often any question you have are answered within minutes of being asked. ...

There is also the issue of quality over quantity of answers, and weeding the answers is often an issue. Are the Facebook answers as accurate as here? Are the questions properly interpreted into correct issues and solutions? There is a lot more than lots of snappy answers that makes this forum a good resource.

Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2016 1:34 am

I am wondering if its old age starting to lessen the amount of people on the sight. Take a look at some of the bike rides people go on and you see a lot of gray in the pictures and I think the young guys do not wanna work on their bikes when they can buy faster more dependable
bikes.

Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2016 1:38 am

reddog1100f wrote:

I am wondering if its old age starting to lessen the amount of people on the sight. Take a look at some of the bike rides people go on and you see a lot of gray in the pictures and I think the young guys do not wanna work on their bikes when they can buy faster more dependable
bikes.

Or in my case, my riding style has changed. I have two CB750F's but in the last year have taken to riding my '77 GL1000. Why? Its just more comfortable. Plus I'm riding longer miles on my trips. The Gold Wing is just better suited for touring. Many members have non-Honda bikes as well. For different purposes. Could just be a shifting of the demographics...

Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2016 1:59 am

petrat wrote:

Don't get me wrong .... I login several times a day, and this site is a valuable resource. I guess it is more upsetting and troubling to me to see the activity go down. There are several facebook pages and groups and there is an enormous amount of activity on them from around the world, but the problem is that there are no searchable threads to gain information needed for builds or restorations, but in the same breath, often any question you have are answered within minutes of being asked. There are pros and cons to both types of sites.

I haven't noticed. Glenn likely sees it better than most. I see the core here pretty much the same as always. Some new core. some old core gone. mostly Pitergordi. hacksaw, eatpasta, fasterspider, so many others. Gone but not forgotten OH yea and Bulldaug (spelling?). A stroll thru mermen list shows a lot of zero contributions as well. Fortunately for you-all I'm still here to brighten your days. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah. Delightful Winter solstice or/or what ever you celebrate to everyone.

Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2016 2:22 am

genesound wrote:

Quote:

... but in the same breath, often any question you have are answered within minutes of being asked. ...

There is also the issue of quality over quantity of answers, and weeding the answers is often an issue. Are the Facebook answers as accurate as here? Are the questions properly interpreted into correct issues and solutions? There is a lot more than lots of snappy answers that makes this forum a good resource.

There is some of the same (Captain is very active), and some others that are not active here but active on facebook and very knowledgeable. For the most part, it works well. You can get the same pollution there as here .... but many of the pages / groups are well moderated and don't put up with shit. If people don't stay on topic, troll, or personally attack someone .... their posts are removed and ultimately can get banned after a few warnings.

Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2016 2:41 am

I've noticed that some of the regulars that were here when I joined in 2009 are now gone, but we seem to be getting new members on a regular basis. Like anything, people lose interest in certain hobbies over time and get into other ones. Years ago I was seriously into Corvairs and knew a lot of guys in that arena. Now I don't own a single one and have lost touch with all those contacts. That was before the internet - I can't imagine restoring a bike without it now.

Facebook may be popular, but I find the platform to be awkward to use and not very intuitive. I just don't like it, period. Maybe it's just me, or maybe because I don't use it enough I'm just not well versed with it. I've been told that I should be more active there and that I'll get a lot more PC business if I do, but I can only handle so much now.

Some of the guys who were regulars here are still very actively working on their F's, but just don't get on here as much. Doc Olds, Michael, Jebbysan, and some other come to mind, but I know that they're still out there messing with their F's.

I'm on here multiple times a day and love the site. I've made so many good friends here that I've lost count. And the knowledge I've gained is incredible.

Tom

Hawk Joined: Jul 21, 2015 Posts: 509 Location: Norway

it's winter here so i'm hibernating. fyi

Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2016 9:49 am

I'm here still, and check in most days. I have to agree with those that say this forum is a valuable source of information and IMO is formatted in a way that you can (sometimes with difficulty) find a solid answer to a question. That doesn't happen as much if at all on FB so there are good reasons to continue to participate on this forum.

I have noticed that I don't get as much of a discussion anymore about some of the technical points that I would normally contribute or post about and I think that this may be because of the shift in the type of interest of the newer or more recent members. I am not saying that is a bad thing but it is not providing the stimulus that interests some.

Captain

Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2016 10:12 am

Perhaps it may also be that as people have issues and post answers, a bigger searchable database is developed. Instead of asking a question, the question may have already been asked, and answered previously, so the person finds the answer and does not post.

Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2016 11:40 am

"I have noticed that I don't get as much of a discussion anymore about some of the technical points that I would normally contribute or post about and I think that this may be because of the shift in the type of interest of the newer or more recent members. I am not saying that is a bad thing but it is not providing the stimulus that interests some."

Captain

That might be in part because "Sonic Boom" seems to be missing.

Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2016 1:04 pm

Let's start a discussion about what oil to use.

That'll bring 'em back!

Hawk Joined: Jan 10, 2012 Posts: 439 Location: Chicago

CBX-tras wrote:

Let's start a discussion about what oil to use.

That'll bring 'em back!

LOL..!!!!!

I'm always here...just may not be contributing as mush as I could....

E

Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2016 2:14 pm

CBX-tras wrote:

Let's start a discussion about what oil to use.

That'll bring 'em back!

That's true! Don't forget tires as well. Smile

Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2016 2:17 pm

I look at this site everyday and I'm still learning how to use it. But I absolutely love this site for all the information and the people I have meet. Sillygoose is the one guy that I have gotten to know over the years. Great guy

Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2016 2:26 pm

BullittDave wrote:

CBX-tras wrote:

Let's start a discussion about what oil to use.

That'll bring 'em back!

That's true! Don't forget tires as well. Smile

Yeah, most of the basic questions were answered over a decade ago.

Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2016 3:07 pm

I belonged to a Jawa/CZ site for a while and was trying to crumple up a pair of 175s Jawas to make a single bike, this around the time I joined this site. I bailed on the Jawas and especially the site as the attitude there seemed to be 'if you are an accomplish mechanic/restoration professional/ machinist we have no time for you." I campaigned a CZ 250 for 2 years and did every lick of work on it so i knew a tad of Czech bikes. I came here after 10-12 years of Harleys. I knew little of my 900 that brought me back to riding after giving up for a bit. I was delighted to find Glenn's site. Good info delivered in and instructive and humorous way, good natured chiding and members who had a real desire to meet other Fers. Notice above the guys who say "I'm still here". May be that they have nothing to say of "great social or political import. (janis) but it's good to know they are out there keeping tabs on us beginners. And my special thanks to Glenn (who can take a gentle needle well). beerchug

Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2016 3:25 pm

I'm thinking that forum type formats seem less popular for hanging out on than facebook style media ...and on the other side, many of the fans of these bikes are aging out.

My opinion is that markets for cars and motorcycles top out financially (and in interest) when people that were in their formative years during their heyday , reach prime earning years (their 40's and 50's). At that time, they have the financial means to realize their dreams of their youth.

It's near 38 years since the DOHC bikes came out and guys that were 18 are now 55..Guys that had these bikes in their early twenties when these bikes were hot are of an age where motorcycles aren't for everybody... health problems and age related discomfort on a standard style motorcycle are also issues for some....

And as you get older you don't have the tolerance for mechanical issues that old bikes have...People have less patience for problems and a newer bike is the solution for some.

Some people start to lose driving skills at the age this generation of admirers is at.... and that's in a car!

If you are losing driving/riding ability a motorcycle isn't the vehicle to be on...a fender bender in a car is often a fatal accident for a senior citizen.....

Of course there are the exceptions, and die hards will try to hold on as long as possible...Some forums like Yellowbullet also seem real popular as ever with tons of traffic, but we don't have threads here where we post daily naked pictures of our wives and girlfriends either......

Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2016 3:42 pm

I visit everyday. I have a lot of friends here and that is a direct result of Glenn's efforts. Thank you Sir Smile

.

I have learned a great deal over the years and continue to do so. My bikes are a direct result of this site. I have several Honda's that would have been retired or never been brought to life. The Captains parts have given me confidence to restore a motor that would have otherwise been put back together with marginal cam chain tensioners at best.

The Northeast rides are the highlight of my year. The NE seems to generate a large number of users. Our biggest ride up here has been 43. That's awesome for CBF's. Some of that is attributed to our weather, there are quite a few bikes up here that are 30 years old with under 20,000 miles. Some is a large population within 500 miles.

Less traffic can generally be attributed to that we have all learned a great deal already and applied it. Some is our age.

I think overall we are actually putting a large number of ""F"s back in the market. That a good thing.

Best regards,

Toddk

I could go on but I will "Sigh" off

Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2016 5:32 pm

I check in every day as well, and have also noted the recent decline in activity but it does routinely ebb and flow depending on the time of year and the family pull on time for a lot of the guy's. I've never been a frequent poster but I do enjoy the virtual companionship the site provides.

And, with Todd and the rest of the NE F'ers the North-East Rides are a yearly highlight. Whenever I get asked by someone about the logo on my sweatshirt and start explaining what we do (NE Rides) it's easy to see the envy in their eyes. Where else would we have had the chance meet up and get to know one another? Then, bomb around on some great roads and hang out. My wife doesn't even question whether I'm going or the time ($) I spend on my bike.

That FB thing doesn't work for me either. I can't figure my way around it and just get frustrated with it. And that's if I'm trying to find a link that I know is there, let alone just noodling around.

Thanks Glen, and all the rest of you F'in Brothers.

Gabe

Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2016 5:43 pm

I'm starting to get back on the site more often nowadays. I picked up my 900 five years ago while browsing for a project. Never rode an F, never saw one in person until I picked it up and brought it home to pull it apart.

Fast forward to now and while life has gotten in the way somewhat (baby, new job, move across the Country etc) I'm still very much in love with this bike, its history and the process of bringing something back from the dead that may have otherwise gone to the dump.

There's such a wealth of information on here and I'm hoping to continue learning and be one of those "old guys" eventually who knows a thing or two about these bikes and can pass that onto someone else like you guys have for me!

Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2016 6:05 pm

it seems that there is a resurgence of CB / RS based bikes / teams generally in the classic racing world, is there an opportunity to establish a racing section in an effort to attract more of the Brent's into the forum - the technical aspect / bike / team portfolio's - following team progress / celebrate their success -- down the road - possibility to help via supporting a team ( imagine a CB based bike with a CB1100F.net sticker kicking the Suzuki XR69's off the top spot at the TT classic and the story unfolding on here) - even atract some of the old racing masters to pop in and tell a few stories

dunno but I believe this is an example of how to stimulate new interest in many aspects

Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2016 7:14 pm

This forum is a great resource, all the answers are here, just need to find them
I had Boldors at 19, and now again at 55, will be great to get mine back on the road....
forums are dying, old boys get fed up with answering the same questions over and over
same at our Ausjeepforum, but the diehards remain