Here's another review for Larry Igofar. I called him right before the desert spill so it was a few days ago.
I have had my ST1100 in my garage for the last 7 years. No riding and just on a battery charger and fuel with stabilizer changed every once in a while when needed and starting it occasionally. I went out to the garage and tried starting it up and the battery was dead. My battery charger light was on but as I checked the fuse on the pigtail it was blown. I charged the battery overnight on a regular charger and it was dead. So I got a new battery and started the bike up and it ran on the choke great but when I took it off the choke I was hearing a loud thumping and running rough which sounded like the bike was out of oil. I checked the sight glass and saw that the oil was over full. I called the last mechanic that had changed the fluids a couple of years ago and he said no its not over full, its the gas has leaked from the carbs into the motor and its going to need a carb rebuild. After talking to another mechanic who said the same thing I called a carb rebuilder in Texas and started getting information about a rebuild.
I messaged Larry Igofar and asked him if I could call him about the bike and after a few minutes talking to him he gave me a new plan. After describing the story he said it didn't sound like a carb rebuild but to change the oil, then run it out a little bit with some Marvel oil and seafoam in the tank with fresh gas , check the air filter and maybe change the spark plugs. And then he asked if I had any mice troubles...I said no I hadn't seen any evidence of mice but said I would check. He also suggested I change the tires as they were 14 years old.
There were two screws stripped on the air filter housing and when Larry called back the next day to see how things were progressing I told him about the screws and he explained how to get it off with PB blast and strong steady pressure, and if that didn't work I could Dremel the screws into a flathead slot and use a screwdriver that way. I ended up having to Dremel the screws and was able to get it off.
I don't know how he knew but there was a mouse house in the cavity under the carbs. Using a camera I use for my kids ears, was able with forceps and a drain cleaner tool to get all the mouse house out. I spent a lot of time doing that and changing the tires as well but tonight I finally was able to take the bike out and onto the freeway. The bike works great no need for a carb rebuild and I learned how to change the tires for the first time. (I'm going to be working on a long list of maintenance items as I go along whether I try to sell it or not).
I think Larry saved me at a conservative estimate at least $600-1000 bucks this time around. Either mechanic was $800-1200 for the carb rebuild and were months out. The carb rebuild was going to be about 400 if I sent it out, and the tires at a local shop just to get changed were $180.
Aside from the money I gained some experience by having Larry guide me through the process.
I have had my ST1100 in my garage for the last 7 years. No riding and just on a battery charger and fuel with stabilizer changed every once in a while when needed and starting it occasionally. I went out to the garage and tried starting it up and the battery was dead. My battery charger light was on but as I checked the fuse on the pigtail it was blown. I charged the battery overnight on a regular charger and it was dead. So I got a new battery and started the bike up and it ran on the choke great but when I took it off the choke I was hearing a loud thumping and running rough which sounded like the bike was out of oil. I checked the sight glass and saw that the oil was over full. I called the last mechanic that had changed the fluids a couple of years ago and he said no its not over full, its the gas has leaked from the carbs into the motor and its going to need a carb rebuild. After talking to another mechanic who said the same thing I called a carb rebuilder in Texas and started getting information about a rebuild.
I messaged Larry Igofar and asked him if I could call him about the bike and after a few minutes talking to him he gave me a new plan. After describing the story he said it didn't sound like a carb rebuild but to change the oil, then run it out a little bit with some Marvel oil and seafoam in the tank with fresh gas , check the air filter and maybe change the spark plugs. And then he asked if I had any mice troubles...I said no I hadn't seen any evidence of mice but said I would check. He also suggested I change the tires as they were 14 years old.
There were two screws stripped on the air filter housing and when Larry called back the next day to see how things were progressing I told him about the screws and he explained how to get it off with PB blast and strong steady pressure, and if that didn't work I could Dremel the screws into a flathead slot and use a screwdriver that way. I ended up having to Dremel the screws and was able to get it off.
I don't know how he knew but there was a mouse house in the cavity under the carbs. Using a camera I use for my kids ears, was able with forceps and a drain cleaner tool to get all the mouse house out. I spent a lot of time doing that and changing the tires as well but tonight I finally was able to take the bike out and onto the freeway. The bike works great no need for a carb rebuild and I learned how to change the tires for the first time. (I'm going to be working on a long list of maintenance items as I go along whether I try to sell it or not).
I think Larry saved me at a conservative estimate at least $600-1000 bucks this time around. Either mechanic was $800-1200 for the carb rebuild and were months out. The carb rebuild was going to be about 400 if I sent it out, and the tires at a local shop just to get changed were $180.
Aside from the money I gained some experience by having Larry guide me through the process.
