Ride with plastic off ??

skindoo

Joined
Dec 25, 2008
Messages
31
Location
Ontario
Long cold winter here in Ontario. Bike sat all winter. Looked at bike and small green puddle on floor.
Never notice this before. I haven't even started it yet. Reserve tank still above low mark level.
Reading forum I'm going to drain, remove rad, tighten clamps, replace antifreeze.

While the plastic is off I thought I might have that dealer do a valve check. I'm not comfortable with doing it.

Is it OK to drive to the dealer (1 hour away) with each side plastic and 2 small pieces above the front tire removed?

Thanks
 
I have done this a couple of times when getting warranty work done on my ST, wait until you ride it like that as it is way different. Make sure to tire your wires out of the way of anything that would damage them. Sounds like your clamps are loose or the hoses are weeping from the inside out, I would also replace the thermostat while I was in there. Lots of information here on that. Good luck with the repairs.
 
John / BalerBoy - Love your photo, and that you are answering a question about riding with the Tupperware off. Somehow they really go together!

:rofl1:

JohnConner
:rd13:
:usflag1:
 
No problem.
Good time to inspect clean repack the 24pin connector that nests in the left main fairing. Unplug clean the air temp sensor and ty-rap it out of the way.
Have a look at this thread.
https://www.st-owners.com/forums/sh...300-Solving-the-Coolant-Leak-Problem-For-Good
Many use the type II coolant from the honda car stealer.
If you have the dealer do the valve check make sure they record the numbers.
 
I've ridden my ST for months at a time on a couple of occasions with the tupperware removed, no problem. Jjst be sure to install the mirror covers/turn signals before you ride. Just curious, what are the two small pieces above the front wheel that you referred to? I can't think of anything up there except the inner cowling, and those pieces have to be removed during the plastic removal process, plus they aren't exactly small.
 
st1300r said:
No problem.
Good time to inspect clean repack the 24pin connector that nests in the left main fairing. Unplug clean the air temp sensor and ty-rap it out of the way.
Have a look at this thread.
https://www.st-owners.com/forums/sh...300-Solving-the-Coolant-Leak-Problem-For-Good
Many use the type II coolant from the honda car stealer.
If you have the dealer do the valve check make sure they record the numbers.
Click to expand...
I never unplug the temp sensor, just remove the screw that secures it to the inner cowl and leave it connected. Stuff it somewhere where it won't be dangling in the breeze and go ride.
 
The only reason I thru that it there is mine is acting up I think just asking for a connector cleaning.
 
Thanks everyone for your replies.
Got the rad off to tighten the camps under the tank. Went well until I got to one. Clamp thread on one is stripped.
Poking around it looks like this is where the green stuff was coming from. Of course its one the farthest under the tank.
Only took me three hours (hoped it was going to be a 10 minute job) but was able to replace it without taking the tank off.
Had to swear a few times to get it done.
There is a drip on the bottom of the tstat housing . Don't know if its from the housing or could have come from one of the hoses above?

I think Ill replace the housing gasket as a minimum.

Honda car dealership service dept wasn't open today so Ill go there next week for Type 2 coolant.

I did get the reservoir interior cleaned (pea stones and water), permanent marker on the high/low marks and replaced.

Gees- Almost building up confidence to try valve check.
 
skindoo said:
Thanks everyone for your replies.
Got the rad off to tighten the camps under the tank. Went well until I got to one. Clamp thread on one is stripped.
Poking around it looks like this is where the green stuff was coming from. Of course its one the farthest under the tank.
Only took me three hours (hoped it was going to be a 10 minute job) but was able to replace it without taking the tank off.
Had to swear a few times to get it done.
There is a drip on the bottom of the tstat housing . Don't know if its from the housing or could have come from one of the hoses above?

I think Ill replace the housing gasket as a minimum.

Honda car dealership service dept wasn't open today so Ill go there next week for Type 2 coolant.

I did get the reservoir interior cleaned (pea stones and water), permanent marker on the high/low marks and replaced.

Gees- Almost building up confidence to try valve check.
Click to expand...


Now your cooking!! Keep it up!! :bow1:
 
Getting the bike naked IS the hard part. Check the valves yourself. There are several how to's here, and even videos on youtube.
I'll add don't even worry about looking at timing marks. Put the bike in fifth gear and use the rear wheel to rotate the engine till the cam lobe is pointing away from the valve you are checking. This can even be done with the spark plugs in place.

I've been checking/adjusting valves on my own bikes and others since the mid eightys.
 
I wish the valves were like the old shim and bucket. I had the tool for my CB900 and could depress the valve and remove the shim without taking the cams out. Made adjustments a lot easier and quicker.

Keep up the good work skindoo. Checking the valves isn't that bad.

T
 
Right now I have my plastic off of the ST and will take it to Santa Maria on Wednesday for a new water pump. I pulled it apart to change the coolant and found the pump leaking. Thank goodness for the extended warranty.
 
ToddC said:
I wish the valves were like the old shim and bucket. I had the tool for my CB900 and could depress the valve and remove the shim without taking the cams out. Made adjustments a lot easier and quicker.

Keep up the good work skindoo. Checking the valves isn't that bad.

T
Click to expand...

+1
I don't see any good reason for Honda to not have the shim-over-bucket arrangement on the ST. After all, it isn't exactly a high revving engine that's likely to spit out the shims in normal riding situations.
 
When you get the bike back, ensure the temp sensor is plugged in before putting the body work back on. Mine was disconnected during its' service. I just happened to notice that the ambient temp wasn't being displayed on the way home...
 
Hey Everyone thank you for your tips and encouragement.
I thought I would change the t-stat even tough I always run 3 bars. Sometime when its colder outside it would take a few miles to get to 3.

I was surprised to find the t-stat I took out was stuck open. I even tried it in boiling water in a cup. No movement.
I installed new stat filled with the blue stuff from car honda dealer and went for a ride. No leaks so far.
Lets keep going while plastic is off.
Took head covers off and checked all valve clearances. Everyone was with in speck. Its at 40,000 KM / 25,000 miles
That was fun to do :)

I want to clean the valve cover gaskets before reinstall.

Is there something (oil/sealer) that I should put on the gasket before I reinstall to keep it from getting dried out???

I don't see any mention of it in the book.

Thanks
 
By cleaning the gaskets it seems like there is a silicone film in places. Is there a high temp silicone I should use to put a film on the gasket before re install?
 
Oops I think I found the answer else were on the forum.
I think I need some HondaBond to put on the gasket before re install

Unless there is something else I can use. Dealer is closed today but local hardware is open.
 
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