Not from my perspective!
Igofar Reviews
- Thread starter kscssmith
- Start date
ToddC
Site Supporter
st11ray
2006 ST1300
No, just the wrong side of the one he's on.
NobodySpecial
Site Supporter
After I acquired my new-to-me 2004 ST (w/42K miles) in October of 2018, I immediately set about methodically going through it. The many high quality articles here were absolutely instrumental in the successes I had. I will certainly fail to remember all of the many things I've done but after pulling it out of storage this spring I was hoping to start the year with most things done. Unfortunately, that was not to be. I ran into some issues and with some misplaced hesitation I reached out to @Igofar and he responded, and that's what this post is really all about.
It's not worth listing all of the things I learned, but perhaps as an example this will help: I took nine pages of notes from just our first conversation. I would wager I'm up to more than double that at this point. But it's more than just notes.
The list of stuff I checked or addressed early on included the preload adjuster fluid change as well as minor adjustments to the dampening, the SMC function, and an over-the-phone brake system check (as much as could be done that way), some clutch checks, and so on.
For example, I had trouble with headshake after new tires were installed (this is a common issue with many potential causes). But because I had done a number of other things at the same time I wanted to make sure that I didn't inadvertently cause the issue. Again, conversations were had and I tried a bunch of things, many of which helped me to understand my bike better and some unrelated but still material improvement was made. Ultimately, it was a bad tire but the willingness of the "OCD Garage" to help me work through the other items that I could check without spending money was really great. Purely because of the many things that he had me check I had the confidence it was the tire (and, indeed, it was). Plus, my forks are aligned now and I own some new tools and fancy moly goop.
I also had trouble with a minor oil leak, another common problem. As a Systems Engineer, I really appreciated the way that Igofar explained what usually leaks, the paths the leaks follow, and how to diagnose and repair these issues. As they say - if you want to really understand something, explain it to somebody else. In my industry, we call this a "Theory of Operation".
Before I took my wheels in to have new tires mounted and balanced, I resolved to learn what other items I should address. Another conversation yielded pages of notes and a laundry list of TO-DO items, but more significant was the way some of the procedures were explained and why they were important. I would not have bothered to clean the pistons (with the "tooth floss" method using some old paracord), clean and lightly grease (with the right stuff) the studs the calipers slid on ("until they slide like a trombone"), and so on.
I write this today after having had another brief conversation and in 15 minutes he was able to narrow down the most likely suspect. 30 minutes after that I was performing a test ride, and when I got back I can say (yet again), Winner Winner Chicken Dinner. A brief follow-up conversation helped me to understand not just what the adjustment did but also why - for me that's a big deal.
For those of you with these absolutely fantastic bikes, this forum is chock full of people willing to share their experiences and offer assistance. I can personally attest to my positive experiences here and in particular I'd like to thank @Igofar; he's easily spent a few hours with me and it has been much appreciated, my bike runs better than ever, and I've learned a great deal. If you're having trouble with your bike, consider reaching out to the OCD Garage -- seriously.
It's not worth listing all of the things I learned, but perhaps as an example this will help: I took nine pages of notes from just our first conversation. I would wager I'm up to more than double that at this point. But it's more than just notes.
The list of stuff I checked or addressed early on included the preload adjuster fluid change as well as minor adjustments to the dampening, the SMC function, and an over-the-phone brake system check (as much as could be done that way), some clutch checks, and so on.
For example, I had trouble with headshake after new tires were installed (this is a common issue with many potential causes). But because I had done a number of other things at the same time I wanted to make sure that I didn't inadvertently cause the issue. Again, conversations were had and I tried a bunch of things, many of which helped me to understand my bike better and some unrelated but still material improvement was made. Ultimately, it was a bad tire but the willingness of the "OCD Garage" to help me work through the other items that I could check without spending money was really great. Purely because of the many things that he had me check I had the confidence it was the tire (and, indeed, it was). Plus, my forks are aligned now and I own some new tools and fancy moly goop.
I also had trouble with a minor oil leak, another common problem. As a Systems Engineer, I really appreciated the way that Igofar explained what usually leaks, the paths the leaks follow, and how to diagnose and repair these issues. As they say - if you want to really understand something, explain it to somebody else. In my industry, we call this a "Theory of Operation".
Before I took my wheels in to have new tires mounted and balanced, I resolved to learn what other items I should address. Another conversation yielded pages of notes and a laundry list of TO-DO items, but more significant was the way some of the procedures were explained and why they were important. I would not have bothered to clean the pistons (with the "tooth floss" method using some old paracord), clean and lightly grease (with the right stuff) the studs the calipers slid on ("until they slide like a trombone"), and so on.
I write this today after having had another brief conversation and in 15 minutes he was able to narrow down the most likely suspect. 30 minutes after that I was performing a test ride, and when I got back I can say (yet again), Winner Winner Chicken Dinner. A brief follow-up conversation helped me to understand not just what the adjustment did but also why - for me that's a big deal.
For those of you with these absolutely fantastic bikes, this forum is chock full of people willing to share their experiences and offer assistance. I can personally attest to my positive experiences here and in particular I'd like to thank @Igofar; he's easily spent a few hours with me and it has been much appreciated, my bike runs better than ever, and I've learned a great deal. If you're having trouble with your bike, consider reaching out to the OCD Garage -- seriously.
ToddC
Site Supporter
Yep!!! 
the Ferret
Daily rider since May 1965
a true asset to this community, no doubt.
MTRider
Rider of Gigolo
Yes, this is Larry. No one else touches my ST unless I'm stuck on the side of the road and he can't rescue me.
Slydynbye
Will ride for Pie
Makes me wish he lived closer and worked on ST1100s
PS. He's a sucker for Stans' buttermilk donuts but you can only get those in Santa Clara CA
PS. He's a sucker for Stans' buttermilk donuts but you can only get those in Santa Clara CA
JBIRD
2006 ST1300, sold
We need a Northeastern Larry!
There is some good Donut shops in the Cleveland area!
Jbird
There is some good Donut shops in the Cleveland area!
Jbird
the Ferret
Daily rider since May 1965
If he were in the Cleveland area I would probably still have my ST
Thought about stopping by one day until I just saw that fricken snake 
How do I contact Larry? Am planning a late fall ride from Grants Pass down through AZ
His username is igofar. Search for that in the member list, or click on his username in post #5 in this thread, then use the "Start conversation" link to send him a private message.
migresch
"Carpe diem"
SNAKES!!!!!! I HATE SNAKES!!!!!
ToddC
Site Supporter
He's not that far away...I only traveled 1400 miles to see him in March..... 
skipcurt
Skip
Yup, me too in March and 1766 miles later I'm riding home on what feels like a new bike.He's not that far away...I only traveled 1400 miles to see him in March.....