CBR650F Candy Blue Reflections

[Entropy]

On the little trip to Skyline Drive that I took early on, I had used the Waze GPS app on my phone, but I had nowhere to mount the phone so I stuck it in my Aerostitch's right chest pocket and wore wired earbuds. It was a kludgy setup, and although it worked, the earbuds became very painful, they didn't block enough wind noise, and the wire got snagged and pulled them out a couple times.
To avoid that from ever happening again, I decided to go full-monty and ordered a Garmin Zumo XT motorcycle GPS and a Sena 10C Evo bluetooth comm/camera for my helmet.
Among many great features including a large, bright, gloved-finger-useable display, the GPS has bluetooth so I can hear it through the helmet-mounted speakers as well.
The Sena 10C Evo is primarily a comms device, but it is also a helmet cam and has loads of features. It's a jack of all trades, master of none. For the price I feel that it should work a bit better, but it isn't bad. I can hear the GPS, take and receive phone calls, listen to music (though I don't), listen to the radio (nice for traffic/weather reports), take pictures, take video (largely using it as a dash-cam), and of course it can communicate with other riders who have Sena comms devices (though I typically ride alone).
I've used most features of the Sena now, but I haven't used the Garmin on a trip yet. I mounted the included Ram-style mount on the left clip-on to the clutch lever mounting screws as designed, but I haven't run the wiring to the battery to power it yet because it's been a low priority since I can't take trips due to coronavirus lockdown. It does have an internal battery, but it's not really designed to power off of that for long. I plan on running the wiring soon. The GPS has a dual-purpose for me because I can mount it in my off-road vehicle and power it from the standard power outlet, and use it as a trail GPS as well, since it's also designed to be good at that.

Below is a pic of the setup mounted on my 650F. The Ram style ball is mounted permanently but I can pop off the device anywhere I stop and leave the bike and can easily remove the device holder as well when not in use. I like this location. It's easy to see, easy to use with gloved hands (while stopped only, of course), doesn't block the gauges, and clears everything including the taller windscreen through the full steering range.

 

[Entropy]

Next I swapped the silver fairing and windshield bolts for black ones, the first step in my efforts to de-silver most of the bike.
In the first pic you can see the aforementioned Ram-style ball mount that came with the Garmin attached to the clutch lever mounts, and also the black bolts in the upper-mid fairings. The second pic does show the black side fairing bolts and black windshield bolts, but it's an awesome pic regardless. This is where I get my current avatar pic from (which will change because it is now out of date. More to come...).

 

[Entropy]

Suspension of Disbelief

Something felt off. It wasn't a reach-out-and-grab-you type feeling, but the kind that subtly creeps into your subconscious and gnaws away at the solid confidence that you've worked for years to build up. Something holding you down, telling you "No, you can't do do that. Slow down there, chief... might as well stop trying".

I found myself ruminating: "Have I forgotten how to ride?" "Did I lose my nerve?" "Am just getting old?" "What's wrong with me?" But then all of a sudden the rational side of my brain strolled on in and smartly gathered those thoughts, tossed them right out the window, and said:

"Okay Emotion, calm down. What's going on here?"

"Well for starters, I feel a bit weak and wobbly, a bit unsure of myself. I can't quite keep the bike pointed in the direction I want. It's over here in the lane, then after a slight curve it's way over there. I didn't want that to happen! I can't seem to hold a good line in the gentlest of turns, let alone while trying to ride quickly through the twisties! I'm a right mess!"

"Okay now, settle down... It isn't *that* bad; I've been there next to you, remember. Let's think about this. We know the roads aren't very smooth, for one."

"Not very smooth? NOT VERY SMOOTH!? HAH! We might as well be riding over speedbumps and washboards all day! Those lazy roadworkers wouldn't know what a smooth road was if it hit them in the..."

"HEY! Easy there..."

"Sorry, I just get so upset sometimes. I mean, it's even bad right after they lay NEW ASPHALT. Why can't they just make it SMOOTH. It's so jarring sometimes that we get bucked up out of the seat just cruising along! Anyway... What about that intoxicating lefthand hairpin? That's pretty smooth, but we can't seem to hold it very steady there either! IT'S SO FRUSTRATING!!!"

"Yes, it is. So, what have we learned so far? Bumps in the turns whether minor or not send us all over the place, but even smooth corners when taken at speed aren't easy to control. Furthermore, none of the bumps should be enough to cause that mechanical-bull effect on the straights. We also know the bike is in proper working order with proper tire pressures. These roads weren't much different when we had the GPZ1100 and later the ZX-10R, and we didn't have any of these issues with those. What did they have in common that this one doesn't?"

"I DON'T KNOW JUST TELL ME ALREADY!!!"

"Just chill... and quit yelling... you're going to give us a headache. Those bikes had quality suspension. The GPZ already had aftermarket goodies installed and the 10R came directly from the creator with the sweet stuff. Sadly, this 650F was given the cheapest design possible that was already decades out of date. I think the problem lies not with the rider, but with the bike."

"Why the hell would they do that to us!!! Those cheap bas..."

"Stop it. No need to get nasty. It is what it is, and if you dig into the memory banks, you'll find yourself remembering that we knew this issue might crop up. We can deal with it... Just try to keep yourself in check and allow me to do some more research..."

"Ooooooooh yeah... I do remember now getting super excited when finding out about those options! Thanks a lot... I'll sleep a bit better tonight (just don't tell me how much it will cost)."

"Come to think of it, I'm going to ignore the cost myself. I don't think this expenditure could be considered rational".

And there I went, off to the races (well, not literally).
Part 2 coming soon (and that will be the update to finally bring this thread up to date)...

 

[Entropy]

Someone said that a damper rod suspension is stiff when you want it to be soft, and soft when you want it to be stiff. I have to fully agree, and that was the root of the problem. Wallowing around in the corners while hammering on my spine over the sharp bumps is a combination that got old real quick. The worst of both worlds...

Andreani, Ohlins, and MRP Motorsports to the rescue! It took quite some time to receive the parts due to worldwide lockdown, but it didn't hurt too bad since I wasn't allowed to ride anyway (except to work) I finally got the parts and set up an appointment. I prefer to do my own work if I can, but this one was a bit much for me due to lack of workspace (working on that) and limited time since I was back to work full time. Thankfully, motorcycle shops were allowed to stay open.

In addition to installing the Andreani cartridge kit and the Ohlins shock, I had them install a lightly used black swingarm from a 2018 that I bought from Ebay (just for cosmetic reasons), clean/lube the chain, change the 6 year old brake fluid, and give the bike a general lookover (all good!).

Finally, it's time for more pics.
Here it is about to be unloaded from my truck (across the street so I could unload it downhill). This was the first time I used these folding ramps... very easy and secure! The two individual ramps clip together securely to make one wide ramp.

 

[Entropy]

In these pics you'll see that I also added black bolts with blue washers to the rear peg mounts and also in place of the rear cargo stubs (I don't use them for my cargo solutions anyway).
With a black frame, that silver swingarm stood out like a sore thumb. Apparently Honda agreed since they painted it black after 2016. The new one looks SO much better to my eye.

 

[Entropy]

I've only ridden it a bit over 100 miles with the new suspension because my area is still under stay at home orders, but I gotta say WOW! THIS is how I remember riding. Definite vibes of that ZX-10R composure coming through. The wallowing is gone and the mid-corner bumps seem to have nearly disappeared. It's still not a soft ride over the sharp bits of course, but it actually did take the edge off of them, amazingly. I don't get bucked out of the seat anymore (except on the really bad bumps that I should be standing up over anyway). It's definitely a sporty (read: stiff) ride in every situation, but somehow it feels more comfortable. Certainly more behaved. The suspension just *works* now. I haven't played with the adjusters yet, but I might be able to improve it further. I'll know when I get to put more miles on it.

So there we have it. This is the way my bike sits in the garage right now. I have some more bits to install that I haven't mentioned, but nothing major. I'll post about those as they go on.

Next on the list... tires. These stockers aren't horrible, but they are 6 years old, and a great suspension deserves some great tires. I won't go all-out sport because I want some longevity and flexibilty in terms of operating temps (I ride down to 40f/5c). I think the Pirelli Angel GTII's might fit the bill nicely. Great do-it-all street tires for a GREAT do-it-all street bike...

 

[Entropy]

Oh, one other thing to mention. When I bought the bike, the dealer changed the oil (but not the filter since it had only 180 miles on it). I had too much on my mind to remember to ask what type of oil, but I suspected that had something to do with the somewhat ridiculous amounts of missed shifts I've had. I rarely ever missed a shift prior to this bike (maybe 2 or 3 times in my life) so that surprised me. I also had a few false neutrals, and that was a completely new experience because I've NEVER had that happen on any bike before.
So, I changed the oil (and filter) about the time I got it back with the new suspension. Just to get a solid baseline, I put Honda's recommendation in there, 10W30 Honda GN4 and a Honda filter. It's only been a bit over 100 miles, but I'm extremely relieved to say that I haven't missed any shifts since and no false neutrals... and it comparatively shifts like butter now. Awesome! Next time I'll go synthetic which I've read does these bikes even better.

 

[Brammers]

Also adjust the gear lever height if you haven't... Makes shifting even better.

Can vouch for full synth oil personally (but let's not get into oil in here).

Loving the black swingarm. Top marks!

 

[Brammers]

Used black swingarms are cheap ... how do you hold the bike upright while swapping it over?

Seriously considering this "upgrade"!

 

[Entropy]

Yeah, I haven't adjusted the shift lever yet... I feel that it could stand to drop a tiny bit lower.

I think there are stands that you can buy that allow the bike to be held up without using the front or rear, but I don't know much about them. As mentioned, I had this one done at a shop with the suspension upgrade.

I think you should go for it if you can. 👍

 

[Brammers]

I seriously need to get my respray organised too! You're driving me nuts!!!

J

 

[Brammers]

Parts tracked down, abba "swingarm replacement kit" ordered (allows the stand to hold the bike without a swingarm in).

Have enquiries open on a used part on eBay

 

[Entropy]

That's awesome. 😎

I'm still not done de-silvering the bike, either. More to come on that front. 👍

 

[Uncle Meat]

Your gonna fit blue anodized discs all round?

 

[Entropy]

Someone makes blue anodized discs for this bike???

 

[Uncle Meat]

Someone makes blue anodized discs for this bike???

Anything can be made for the right money. Imagine what it would look like

 

[Entropy]

Oh, heh. Actually, among some other parts, I'm about to order a rear disk for a '19 CBR650R (non-ABS like my bike) since the center is painted black. It has the same swingarm and the entire rear caliper and bracket assembly is the same part number so it's gotta fit. Or that's my theory, at least.

 

[ghehen]

Used black swingarms are cheap ... how do you hold the bike upright while swapping it over?

Seriously considering this "upgrade"!

Your topic about swap to black swingarms brought me here )

 

[Eduardo 666]

Nice Color!!! I used to have a Pacific Candy Blue Honda Balckbird XX1100 (mod 2000). Still in love with the Honda Blue