Honda ST1100 Carburetors

[MPittma100]

Anyone ever rebuilt the carburetors on Honda ST1100? A friend took his ST to an independent shop for ethanol related problems. They "rebuilt" the carbs. When he got it back, it ran fine for one 14 mile ride in Daytona. On a second ride a few months later, it would not idle, was running rich, lost 8 MPG, and all four plugs were sooty black?

[Schming]

Sorry Mike, no experience with the ST carbs but here's a thorough link to rebuilding them:

http://www.st-riders.net/index.php?topic=10249.0

[madmax-im]

That link to ST-Riders is a good one...those folks are the 1st generation of ST-Owners and they are quite knowledgeable and willing to help...there may even be some members nearby as I know there are quite a few in Fla.

[motoman]

Anyone ever rebuilt the carburetors on Honda ST1100? A friend took his ST to an independent shop for ethanol related problems. They "rebuilt" the carbs. When he got it back, it ran fine for one 14 mile ride in Daytona. On a second ride a few months later, it would not idle, was running rich, lost 8 MPG, and all four plugs were sooty black?

Tell him to initially check that he hooked up hoses to air-box correctly. If the carb boots were not replaced when carbs were off, can almost guarentee a vacuum leak. The boot clamps have a stop to keep from ovetightening. They will NOT re-seal carb boots if not replaced and will create a vacuum leak. Best part, is OEM carb boots will only ruin a couple twenty dollar bill for all four. Tell him to also replace the two coolant elbows and o-rings on heads if it hasn't been done. Otherwise can almost guarentee he'll be pulling all the tupperware and 'turtle top', removing carb bank for access........again.

As stated by Ben..........lots of knowledgable folks on the ST site just like here.

[motoman]

BTW Mike, let your friend know there is very few bike techs that know or even understand the workings of the ST1100.....even dealerships lack knowledgable folks that were factory trained on these scoots. The ST owners site, same as here IS going to be his best source of information. Responses to issues are fast and accurate same as here.
Even at 23yrs. old, and have owned mine for 10+yrs., with exception of the 'one time in their life' coolant elbow/o-ring replacement, they are basicly a 'turn-key' sport-tourer that will give you 300,000mi. of trouble free enjoyment with normal maintenance. 6-8,000mi. between oil changes with no usage inbetween is just the tip of the iceberg as to the quality of these scoots, aside from the supurb ride they are!

[madmax-im]

BTW Mike, let your friend know there is very few bike techs that know or even understand the workings of the ST1100.....even dealerships lack knowledgable folks that were factory trained on these scoots. The ST owners site, same as here IS going to be his best source of information. Responses to issues are fast and accurate same as here.
Even at 23yrs. old, and have owned mine for 10+yrs., with exception of the 'one time in their life' coolant elbow/o-ring replacement, they are basicly a 'turn-key' sport-tourer that will give you 300,000mi. of trouble free enjoyment with normal maintenance. 6-8,000mi. between oil changes with no usage inbetween is just the tip of the iceberg as to the quality of these scoots, aside from the supurb ride they are!

How true this is...sad when you go into a dealership and go to parts and ask for something related to ST1100 and ST 1300 and the parts person gives you this blank clueless look..."Whats a ST1100/1300? The only way to truly get it done right is through websites like ours...because like Brant said this is where the true knowledge and expertise exists...its exteremly rare to find a bike shop that specializes in bikes older than 15 yrs of age....There was one such place in NJ and I knew their top mechanic...they truly knew the older bikes..an exception to the norm tho'