Posts tagged my bikes

It’s always been important for Hell’s Angels to ride American-made machines. In terms of pure workmanship, personally I don’t like Harleys. I ride them because I’m in the club, and that’s the image, but if I could I would seriously consider riding a Honda ST1100 or a BMW.
Hell’s Angel, Sonny Barger

OK. 150 miles in…

…and I’m starting to think the CBR1100XX is the most complete motorcycle I’ve owned. And I’ve owned a few. The only downside is that it looks like a Hulked-out CBR600F.

Today, I discovered my Caberg lid was well past its safe-date. So I ended up getting a new lid.  The only one in the shop that felt right was this Scorpion EXO-1000 Air E11. It’s a composite (fibreglass & kevlar) shell, and weighs 1.4kg. It feels good. Plush interior, and the visor’s solid - it comes with a pinlock anti-fog system. The fit’s great - helped by the inflatable air-fit liner, which has a pump and release-valve at the base of the lid, at the chin-guard. And it’s quiet, too. Much more so than either my old Caberg or Shoei Raid II. I’m also quietly thankful that I didn’t have to re-mortgage the house to get a Schuberth lid, to end up looking like an off-duty copper, or a RoSPA instructor…

Today, I discovered my Caberg lid was well past its safe-date. So I ended up getting a new lid. 

The only one in the shop that felt right was this Scorpion EXO-1000 Air E11. It’s a composite (fibreglass & kevlar) shell, and weighs 1.4kg. It feels good. Plush interior, and the visor’s solid - it comes with a pinlock anti-fog system.

The fit’s great - helped by the inflatable air-fit liner, which has a pump and release-valve at the base of the lid, at the chin-guard.

And it’s quiet, too. Much more so than either my old Caberg or Shoei Raid II.

I’m also quietly thankful that I didn’t have to re-mortgage the house to get a Schuberth lid, to end up looking like an off-duty copper, or a RoSPA instructor…

New wheels - Super Blackbird CBR1100XX In the mid 1990s, Honda was determined to produce the world’s fastest production motorcycle and to take over the associated bragging rights and marketing impact, at the time held by Kawasaki’s Ninja ZX11. This led to the creation of the CBR1100XX Super Blackbird. The Blackbird name is a nod to the Lockheed SR-71 aircraft, the world’s fastest aircraft. After the Bonnie, it seemed appropriate for a change of pace, posture and civility. I like the Super Blackbird’s power delivery, and the ease with which it makes progress. I like the induction noise. I like the creature comforts. And I like the build-quality. It really is extremely well made. It’ll nudge 180mph, with 164bhp and 91.5 ft-lbs of torque. And though it’s no Fireblade or R1, it will corner surprisingly well for a big-boned girl. I like to think its a spiritual successor to the Brough Superior.

New wheels - Super Blackbird CBR1100XX

In the mid 1990s, Honda was determined to produce the world’s fastest production motorcycle and to take over the associated bragging rights and marketing impact, at the time held by Kawasaki’s Ninja ZX11. This led to the creation of the CBR1100XX Super Blackbird. The Blackbird name is a nod to the Lockheed SR-71 aircraft, the world’s fastest aircraft.

After the Bonnie, it seemed appropriate for a change of pace, posture and civility. I like the Super Blackbird’s power delivery, and the ease with which it makes progress. I like the induction noise. I like the creature comforts. And I like the build-quality. It really is extremely well made.

It’ll nudge 180mph, with 164bhp and 91.5 ft-lbs of torque. And though it’s no Fireblade or R1, it will corner surprisingly well for a big-boned girl.

I like to think its a spiritual successor to the Brough Superior.

This side of the bike was mashed. I’ve repaired and re-shaped it.

This side of the bike was mashed. I’ve repaired and re-shaped it.

Finally done, except for 2 bulbs. (Taken with instagram)

Finally done, except for 2 bulbs. (Taken with instagram)

I’ve trimmed the fender and replaced the smashed unit with this groovy all-in-one LED unit. Going to find shot-glasses to use as covers.

I’ve trimmed the fender and replaced the smashed unit with this groovy all-in-one LED unit. Going to find shot-glasses to use as covers.

Nearly repaired! And fired up after 6 months standing.

Nearly repaired! And fired up after 6 months standing.

I’ve had so many bikes now…

Lost track of them, and lost the photos in various house-moves and a divorce. The memorable missing bikes are:

  • Ducati 600 Pantah (modded, and made to look nice)
  • Ducati 748
  • Cagiva Roadster
  • Cagiva Mito
  • Guzzi T3
  • Yamaha Virago(!)
  • My dad’s old Yamaha XJ
  • …and various dead-end projects
My Triumph Bonnie Speedmaster. Tweaked and ratted.

My Triumph Bonnie Speedmaster. Tweaked and ratted.

My old 900SS. Of course, it’s modded. This one served me well.

My old 900SS. Of course, it’s modded. This one served me well.

My old Ducati Monster. Some simple mods, and it became one of my favourite little bikes.

My old Ducati Monster. Some simple mods, and it became one of my favourite little bikes.

My old modded V-Max. Adjusted geometry, uprated suspension, bored-out and full-time V-boosted. I loved this one.

My old modded V-Max. Adjusted geometry, uprated suspension, bored-out and full-time V-boosted. I loved this one.