Post Reply 
 
Thread Rating:
  • 0 Votes - 0 Average
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Symmetry
Author Message
The ferret Offline
Forum Moderator

Ohio
Posts: 31,333
Joined: Apr 2013
Post: #1
Symmetry
One of the things that makes a motorcycle beautiful to me is the symmetry, the balance if you will. Each side looks very much like the other side..whether from the side, or head on, or from the rear, you see the same thing. It's one of the things that appeals to me most about the CB Deluxe, and what bothered me the most about the 2013 model I had. I know a 4 into 1 was one of the most popular mods on multi cylinder bikes from the 70s and 80s. I even put one on my 83 GS 1100E Suzuki, although immediately I knew the " look" bothered me. There was a big gaping hole on the left side where a muffler should be. The feng shui was off. It was out of balance ( visually).

This photo shows why I made the move to the 2014. A muffler on each side. The feng shui will be in order and life will be good again. Ahhhhhhhhhh

İmage

.
Defender of the Realm
2014 DLX (the pleasure horse)
2021 NC750X DCT (Angry Bird)
02-19-2014 06:50 AM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
Rboe Offline
Been There

Phx, AZ
Posts: 3,228
Joined: Jun 2013
Post: #2
RE: Symmetry
I tend to agree on this. Single mufflers make sense in some cases (e.g. my XR650L, a one lunger but oddly enough has two exhaust pipes into one and I digress again).

One of the reasons I could not warm to the DL650 from Suzuki was because of the single exhaust while the DL1000 had two (I hear it's down to one now).

On the flip side, I really like those mufflers that are on the bottom of the bike with a very short pipe exiting the side. Not as classic as the CB; but it's not intended to be.

2013 Honda CB1100 Red
2014 Honda CB1100 Black
2008 Honda XR650L
02-19-2014 06:55 AM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
Ack-CB11 Offline
High Mileage

Nantucket
Posts: 934
Joined: May 2013
Post: #3
RE: Symmetry
The twin pipe tail shots are very sexy

İmage

Nantucket Dirt Rider:
2006 BMW HP2 #206
2008 Service Honda CR500AF
(This post was last modified: 02-19-2014 07:42 AM by Ack-CB11.)
02-19-2014 07:25 AM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
Rick Froscheiser Offline
High Mileage

Tooele, Ut USA
Posts: 1,107
Joined: Feb 2014
Post: #4
RE: Symmetry
I have to agree with you.

2013 CB1100
HD 45 Flathead
02-19-2014 07:26 AM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
HikerToo Offline
Road Warrior

Delaware
Posts: 1,519
Joined: May 2013
Post: #5
Symmetry
My old 900 Ninja had 4into2, never thought much about it, but kept it stock for over 25 years, so must have liked it


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
02-19-2014 07:33 AM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
Mick65 Offline
1st Service Completed

England
Posts: 154
Joined: Jan 2014
Post: #6
RE: Symmetry
Oh no, just got back from my 1st little trip and took some photos only of the r/h side, now just switched on and you have started this thread, will I ever love the L/H side.
02-19-2014 07:36 AM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
The ferret Offline
Forum Moderator

Ohio
Posts: 31,333
Joined: Apr 2013
Post: #7
RE: Symmetry
I always thought the Kawasaki triple 2 stroke triples looked weird with one pipe on 1 side and 2 on the other, while the Suzuki two stroke triples looked balanced with 2 pipes on each side. My BSA Rocket 3 750 triple had a pipe on each side ( as did the triumph triples). All my twins had a pipe on each side ( but the CJ 360 which I never owned only had a pipe on the right and it looked weird) . The 77 Yamaha XS 750 triple had a pipe on one side for 1 year then went to a pipe on each side the next year.

The weirdest exhaust I can recall was the 3 pipes on the right side of the Vetter designed Triumph Hurricane.

Ever notice when they take side pictures of bikes with a muffler on 1 side, it's almost always from the muffler side?

.
Defender of the Realm
2014 DLX (the pleasure horse)
2021 NC750X DCT (Angry Bird)
02-19-2014 07:39 AM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
road dog Offline
1st Service Completed

The Lone ☆ State
Posts: 70
Joined: Sep 2013
Post: #8
RE: Symmetry
Hey Ferret,

I could not agree with you more on the whole symmetry thing. Thumbs Up

I've never cared for bikes quite as much that didn't have nicely balanced features either... the exhaust being the big one. And here I was thinking that I've always been overly anal about such things. It's good to know I'm........

Hey, wait a second. It looks like the exhaust on that bike is a little uneven. Nope, I'm sure of it... left muffler is definitely higher than the right. ROFL

[font=Tahoma][i]-[b]Phil[/b][/i][/font]
[size=small][font=Trebuchet MS]2006 Triumph Bonneville T100
2002 Triumph Thunderbird 900
1982 Honda CB900F SuperSport[/font][/size]
02-19-2014 08:31 AM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
Buffalohead Offline
Running Like a Top

Oklahoma
Posts: 373
Joined: Jun 2013
Post: #9
RE: Symmetry
(02-19-2014 06:50 AM)The ferret Wrote:  One of the things that makes a motorcycle beautiful to me is the symmetry, the balance if you will. Each side looks very much like the other side..whether from the side, or head on, or from the rear, you see the same thing. It's one of the things that appeals to me most about the CB Deluxe, and what bothered me the most about the 2013 model I had. I know a 4 into 1 was one of the most popular mods on multi cylinder bikes from the 70s and 80s. I even put one on my 83 GS 1100E Suzuki, although immediately I knew the " look" bothered me. There was a big gaping hole on the left side where a muffler should be. The feng shui was off. It was out of balance ( visually).

I couldn't agree more. In my case, a 4 into 1 would have been OK if it was on the left side because of the sidecar. But, I hate it when the only pipe is between the bike and the sidecar. The 4 into 2 will look great. Of course, if I lived in Australia like Carmanus, it would be no problem because the sidecar would be on the left side.
02-19-2014 08:36 AM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
Guth Offline
Forum Founder

Portland, OR
Posts: 3,918
Joined: Apr 2013
Post: #10
RE: Symmetry
My Hawk GT would qualify as intentionally anti-symmetrical with its exhaust on the right side and the single sided swingarm on the left. Back in '88 I thought it was one of the coolest bikes I had ever laid eyes on. I might be in need of counseling. Big Grin

In all honesty, I can very much understand the desire for visual symmetry and the sense of calm it brings. Ironically, the rear view of the bike is the one that highlights best the most non-symmetrical things about any bike: the offset required on the drive system side.

The Honda CB1100: STILL air-COOLed
Deposit placed 11/12/2012.
Received delivery 04/05/2013.
02-19-2014 08:45 AM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
Post Reply 


[-]
Forum Friends
Premium Exhausts & Unique Parts from Japan

[-]
Recent Posts
2024 East Coast Rally - Official Thread
Folks: I just heard back from the Comfo . . .The A-man — 11:35 AM
What did you do to/with your other bike?
it is a great bike, no doubt. its legiti . . .m in sc — 11:32 AM
This Jacket Doesn't Exist...
In a thread a while back, I mentioned a . . .Gone in 60 — 11:30 AM
2024 East Coast Rally - Official Thread
Good afternoon all, Well, the East . . .TooSlo — 09:15 AM
The OEM rack "How To" thread doesn't match t...
Reviving a necro thread, 'cause there' . . .TooSlo — 09:06 AM
Tire Options for our CB1100
Tube tires are well used on the Africa T . . .GoldOxide — 08:27 AM
Tire Options for our CB1100
I literally, yesterday, put on a T32. br . . .m in sc — 07:52 AM
2021 Guzzi V7 Special
TooSlo, you really dig in this forum t . . .TooSlo — 07:17 AM

[-]
Statistics
» Members: 6,531
» Latest member: Tom the mod
» Forum threads: 15,990
» Forum posts: 330,294

Full Statistics

>
Forum Jump: