ST1100 U-joint maintenance

jdmccright

jdmccright

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May 21, 2013
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Location
La Plata, MD
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2000 ST1100
I am seeing some more posts about u-joint failures on the ST1300, but very few if any for the ST1100. Got me thinking about what to do for maintenance, if anything? Never been on my mind until now. There's nothing in this forum on it. I've always assumed it was oiled along with the final drive gear oil, yes?
 
Never owned an 1100, but I think most u-joints are lubed for life when they are manufactured. That is the U-joint's life, not yours. Not much you can do to lengthen this part's life (except maybe park the bike, which is harmful to the rest of the machine and your well being).:biggrin:

Years ago some car u-j's had a zerk fitting, but those have gone away. My guess is only trucks have them now.
 
U-joints last for thousands of miles on vehicles which have them exposed to the elements, both natural and man-made. At least they're enclosed in our bikes. They simply work until they don't.
 
Uncle Phil said:
... the ST1100 is certainly 'simpler' by design.
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Dunno if the term 'simple' is permissible...

The whole D&D of the ST1100 roots in different times, budgets where large, central focus on perfection and reliability... took 150 engineers and >5 years...

From those POVs the ST1300 is a completely different thing...
 
ST1100Y said:
Dunno if the term 'simple' is permissible...

The whole D&D of the ST1100 roots in different times, budgets where large, central focus on perfection and reliability... took 150 engineers and >5 years...

From those POVs the ST1300 is a completely different thing...
Click to expand...
IMHO, the ST1100 was purposefully designed to make maintenance a 'simpler' job.
 
St-Gerard said:
The longer I'm on the forum ,the more I think the 1100's are the more reliable bike. Which makes me happy that I have one.
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Not to digress from my original topic, but I have to agree. Numerous GORGEOUS 1300s have been up for sale, but I just can't pull the trigger. Knock on wood, my 1100 has been rock solid. There are things I'd like to do to it, but I'm afraid to upset the balance I already have.
 
jdmccright said:
Not to digress from my original topic, but I have to agree. Numerous GORGEOUS 1300s have been up for sale, but I just can't pull the trigger. Knock on wood, my 1100 has been rock solid. There are things I'd like to do to it, but I'm afraid to upset the balance I already have.
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Yeah, I understand... no one here has EVER put 300 THOUSAND miles on a 1300.
(Did i just stir something?)
 
jdmccright said:
"simpler" did not include thoughtful sequence for removing the plastics. I shouldn't have to remove the saddlebags to do ANYTHING up front.
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Edited - "... after removal of the bodywork."
I guess I've done it so much that I don't find removing the bags or the bodywork a big deal at all.
BTW, if you change the side panel phillip screws to 90112-MT4-000 (5 mm socket head) and the hex head bolts that secure the bottom of the gas tank shelter to stainless 5 mm socket heads (usually found at Lowes), you can remove all the bodywork down to the tailpiece and fairings with a 5mm t-handle. Then with a JIS screwdriver and a 10mm wrench and socket you can remove the rest of the bodywork (except for the tailpiece). ;)
 
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