Nice job!...
Now that you've had a chance to put a few miles on it, how do you like it? How does it compare to your SV? What would you improve?
Thanks, Goofaroo!
Great question. Before I make note of any observations I should make it clear that the bike still needs some tuning and this is my first riding experience on a vintage cycle. Some of these observations may be related to tuning while others are just nature of the classic beast.
It's took me a little while to get used to the power band. The SV pulls from just about any point in any gear and I think I tend to shift early on that bike. The CB requires the revs to be wound up a bit (I believe I have read about that before) to really get through the gears. The only other 4-cyl I've owned was a 919 and that thing pulled on demand - any gear, anytime, anywhere. Weight aside, we're talking EFI and twice the horsepower....not a fair fight.
I like the look of the stock grips but they feel odd, especially throttle side. I may look into preserving the stockers while replacing them with something with less of a bulge in the palm area. I want whatever grips I decide on to have a proper look so I'll have to poke around a bit. Cheap items - worth a shot.
I will need to adjust the rear shocks and eventually replace the fork oil. However, the bike really rides nicely. Took my hands off a couple times to see how true she'd stay and it was spot on. Took sizeable bumps like they were nothing.
I'm sure over time I will learn more about the handling and make improvements (wheel bearings, steering bearings, suspension) but for now it feels just fantastic.
During my test rides last week I noticed that cornering felt really stiff - like I had to really force myself to make turns. However, I really didn't notice that today. I think it was a combination of unfamiliarity and caution with slick new tires. It always takes me a few miles to get used to the feel of a bike so I believe it was in my head more than anything.
I've got a metallic buzz somewhere near the gauges at certain RPM. Minor issue but it was driving me nuts. The bike sounded fantastic but that buzz was nagging. Will do some hunting and sort it out.
My humble SV is 13 years old and has 44k on the clock. It's a great bike with sufficient power but it doesn't make me smile like the CB. Sure, I've done my share of work on the SV but it's never been as intense as what I have put into the CB. They are great stablemates and I look forward to digging into my Nighthawk project to have yet another bike with its own unique qualities.
