After chasing wild geese for the past month I decided to do business with my local Honda Shop. The people there really know how to make me feel special. When I walk in the door someone usually calls out "Steve's Here."
The owner invited me to take a Standard with 12 miles on the clock on an extended test ride. I did and it didn't take long to really like this bike. Ever since I saw my first CB1100 the only thing I hadn't been crazy about was the pipes. Thinking back, on that first bike, the pipes were very discolored. At the time I didn't know they were stainless, I just thought it was crappy plating. I really liked everything else about the bike. After I got back from my test ride I told the sales manager I didn't need to have a Deluxe anymore but I was still pretty stuck on factory twin pipes. They got on their computer and confirmed they could get all the parts and as soon as we reached our agreement they ordered them. I am not getting all those parts for free but I am getting them at a very reasonable cost. I plan on waiting until the warranty is out before I make the swap.
It's been over 40 years since I've bought a new bike so I wanted to savor every minute of the process. I took video and pictures of every step. From locating the crate in the warehouse,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vs2e17PmDlk
To unwrapping it
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GiI-Npd7K4
to the first startup and short ride around the parking lot. What a blast.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STXmoY9tceQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqNX2EL15Qc
The guys were meticulous in the preparation and they made sure all the cosmoline was removed from the pipes. After 30 miles they are taking on a very nice golden glow.
KIMG0267 by
Steve Steverinomeister, on Flickr