Andrew Shadow
Site Supporter
Thermal break to reduce the amount of heat the slave cylinder, and therefore the brake fluid, is exposed.
I Made a Decision - First ST1100
- Thread starter Horsehead
- Start date
rwthomas1
Site Supporter
Bhwahahaha! There's an exhaust header pipe about an inch away from that slave, running at oh, maybe 800-1000*F. That and the gasket is easily less than 0.010 thin and made of paper....
RT
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Andrew Shadow
Site Supporter
Heat is much more easily transmitted between two metal objects mated together, especially if both objects are made of a good thermal conductor like aluminium, than it is through an air gap between the two parts. It takes very little separation between the two objects to greatly reduce the amount of heat transfer between them. That is the theory. Whether it is appreciably effective in this particular application is another matter. Most likely a standard operating procedure applied by the design engineers in all situations similar to this without it actually ever having been evaluated in this particular application.
Well, I finally said "enough" to my looming paralysis by analysis and opted for a new strategy. One I'm calling "Screw It, and Do It".
I finished up work earlier than expected on Wednesday and on a whim decided to reach out to the ST1100 owner who was about an hour southwest of me. He had been out of town and unable to show the bike, but I knew that once he was back and the weekend hit, it was going to go fast. I had read everything I could find online and watched every video review on Youtube (or at least, so it felt). It was time to go see it in person. By this point I had decided two important things: 1.) I actually preferred the aesthetics of the older ST11 to the newer ST13. Go figure... And, 2.) I could work on the ST11 indefinitely with my mechanical aptitude and it's simpler systems. But I was still a bit skeptical of the older bike. After all, I had a lead on an '08 ST13 that was $300 CHEAPER and only had 50k miles on the clock. But, as so many of you pointed out, a bike has to speak to you, regardless of what all the tests, specs, and reviews show...
So, as I said, on a whim, I contacted the seller and asked if he was available to meet right now. As in, "Hi, are you home? I'm taking a chance and already driving that direction and will be there in about an hour..." He was available, and he was home, and so, I swung on by and checked out the bike. Let me just say, it is immaculate. 14,600 miles on the clock. He bought it from the original owner in 2011. The seller turned out to be an ST11 nut himself. You see, he used to be a V-twin rider (think Harley) who never would give the Honda bikes a second glance. That is, until he rode one for a few hours on a trip with his son to Yellowstone. As soon as he got home, he bought one for himself. Then he made it his mission to find the best one he could. And so, he started with a 1993, then a 1997, and finally, this 2001 that he acquired in 2011 with 5,000 miles on it. He only added 10k in the last 10 years. A few trips here and there and riding around town. He's currently restoring a 1967 Ford Mustang and it was reassuring to know that a true gearhead had owned this bike and had lovingly cared for it while it was in his possession. We had a good time talking, discussing cars and motorcycles and the inherant enjoyment involved in being able to take care of your own stuff. Needless to say, he was quickly winning me over to the ST11... In the end, a call to my wife was all it took to push me over the edge. She's tired of me endlessly researching these bikes and just wanted me to be happy with whatever I got, so she was quick to say "Well, if you like it, and it's in good condition, and you can work on it, you should probably stop over thinking this and just get it already." Enough said. The seller and I drove to the credit union and did the paperwork.
I rode it home today and I'm in love. It's everything I hoped it would be and I can't imagine I need any "more" bike for my return to riding after a 5 year hiatus. Here she is...
The bike has a saddleman seat, Heli-Bars, a CB system that is a bit archaic, a GIVI top box, PIAA driving lights, Motorcycle Larry highway blades, and is wired for heated clothing. He also threw in a new set of Michelin tires that he'd purchased last season but hadn't gotten around to installing yet. I was really pleased with the deal and he was a great guy to work with all around. He would've kept it but he just can't ride anymore.
So, nothing left to do but head home. And so I did. I stopped half way and one of the lakes I take my kids fishing on. There's a nice scenic overlook that I've never stopped at because I always just go to the boat ramp that's 10 seconds further down the road. Today I pulled in. It also amazed me how many things I saw on that particular stretch of road from the vantage point of the bike that I hadn't noticed before, even though I've driven it dozens of times in my truck on the way to go fishing. Just a great reminder of why seeing the world from the saddle of a motorcycle really is the best way to do it.
Now I just need to figure out a windscreen solution, as with my height and my choice of helmet, my head got tossed about so badly I had a headache by the time I got home (about an 80 mile trip). The stock screen is just perfectly tall enough to hit my head with all the turbulence you could ever want. I honestly think I'd be better off just removing it than leaving it where it is... And then, secondly, I have questions about radar detectors. Seriously. I'm no speed demon. I haven't had a moving violation since I was in college almost 20 years ago. BUT this bike just wants to go about 20mph over the limit, minimum. So any suggestions on either of those would be much appreciated.
Thank you all again for your phenomenal input and free offer of information on my other thread. I truly appreciate it. Even though I recognize the consensus seemed to say "buy the ST13". But man, I just really was drawn to the ST11. And I'm perfectly happy with my decision (Which is saying a lot for someone who tends to grossly overthink things like me).
I really look forward to becoming a part of this community and to meeting some of you in the near future!
Congrats man! Beautiful bike. Have fun on it.
rwthomas1
Site Supporter
Congratulations, i also got my first st1100. Shes a 2000 amd in very nice condition. Bought it off a older gentleman who couldn't do the heaviness any more with him and his wife. 20000 miles on her and i paid 2500 which i felt was a fair price. Extremely excited to start my motorcycle career on such a nice bike.
Congrats and yes, that is a great price! For comparison, I just picked up a 2001 with 64,000 miles in very good condition with a ton of accessories for $1800. I put another $200 into fork seals and wheel bearings so she's ready to go. Enjoy your " new " bike! Jevers
Pop-Pop
Site Supporter
U picked a nice bike. I like my 11 more than the 13,s.
OP
OP
Horsehead
Slow Pokin' the Southeast
Dang y'all! Talk about a couple of screaming good deals.
Making me feel like I got taken to the cleaners.
Oh well. All good. Not going to stress it, just gonna get out and ride!
I don't think I would feel too bad about the bike you acquired. There's not a lot of difference in price between an average condition st with higher mileage ( mine ) and a really nice low mileage one. My advice is don't look back, keep wrenching and ride the hell out of that bike! JeversDang y'all! Talk about a couple of screaming good deals.
Making me feel like I got taken to the cleaners.
Oh well. All good. Not going to stress it, just gonna get out and ride!
OP
OP
Horsehead
Slow Pokin' the Southeast
Well my new gasket came in, so I reinstalled the slave cylinder, bled the system, and went for a ride!
Everyone talks about having to remove, or at least loosen the headers on the right side to get to that pesky volt. But I am here to say I have removed the slave and installed it twice with nothing but a small box end 8mm wrench.
I sure do love this bike. Can't wait to get out and really stretch her legs.
Everyone talks about having to remove, or at least loosen the headers on the right side to get to that pesky volt. But I am here to say I have removed the slave and installed it twice with nothing but a small box end 8mm wrench.
I sure do love this bike. Can't wait to get out and really stretch her legs.
Uncle Phil
Site Supporter
It all depends on how close that right exhaust header is to the slave cylinder - and there seems to be some 'variance' from machine to machine.
Mine last one just took a slight bit of pressure on the header without removing the header.
OP
OP
Horsehead
Slow Pokin' the Southeast
I am VERY happy for that but of variance that allowed me to do it without having to take anything else off!