ST1100 won't idle-Shame on me

[BuddingGeezer]

My wifes ST won't idle or run unless I keep the choke full-on and keep spraying carb cleaner in it. So somthing is plugged up. My ST runs fine except it won't idle. I wonder if I can get to the problem without pulling the carbs? I'm sure I could do it but it looks like a pain in the butt.

If you have been spraying carb cleaner in your carbs, you more than likely need a total carb rebuild. Carb cleaner attacks and dissolves the rubber parts, o-rings. I would guess you have a pretty serious vacuum leak due to this. This is a major NO NO.

Ralph Sims

 

[wjbertrand]

My wifes ST won't idle or run unless I keep the choke full-on and keep spraying carb cleaner in it. So something is plugged up. My ST runs fine except it won't idle. I wonder if I can get to the problem without pulling the carbs? I'm sure I could do it but it looks like a pain in the butt.

If Seafoam or Techron in the fuel doesn't do the job, I don't think you're going to be able to avoid pulling the carbs, opening the float bowls and replacing or cleaning out the pilot jets. it's not too bad a job, just takes some time. You can leave all the carbs bolted together to do this as the bowls are accessible with the assembly inverted (careful, fuel will spill out when you do this).

If you are lucky and that's all you need to repair, you're done. I think I would pull the chromed caps off of the vacuum pistons and inspect the condition of the diaphragms while I had the carb bank on the bench though.

 

[AZst1100]

MMO will clean the fuel system and lube the valve guides as well.

The Sea Foam is by far a better carb cleaner though. Just about a miracle in a can product. I use it in the crankcase oil ( 1 oz per quart ) for a hundred miles or so, then drain and new filter. Does wonders for returning the clutch to OEM feel.

 

[curtspivey]

I hate to dig up an old thread but I thought I would post a follow-up. I ended up taking it to the Stealer. $400 dollars later I rode it home. My wife had her ST in the shop having her carbs rebuilt. So, we only had one bike to take on a trip we had planned. We got everything loaded up and with anticipation we headed out. And I'm sure you can guess the rest of the story. About 10 miles out of town it started to surge, then loose power and then leave us stranded at the side of the road. I was glad that I had just renewed my AAA membership. We called a tow truck and sat at the side of the highway.

The tow truck driver wasn't real happy to see that he had a bike to load. I was just a wee bit concerned myself. He had one of those big tilt-bed trucks that when tipped went just about straight up. Not much of a problem when you use the tow cable to pull a car to the top. It was a real concern when trying to push a monster of a bike up that same incline. I could just visualize my baby falling over and going for a long slide. After some creative strapping we got it back to the dealer.
The dealer stated that they had driven my ST at least 50 miles and didn't have one problem before returning it to me. So, we rolled it off the tow truck and so begins round 2. A couple weeks later I rode my ST back home. This time they said they let it run in the shop for almost an hour.

A few weeks go by and I get my baby back out to go for a ride. And guess what it won't idle. I messed with the idle adjustment to no avail. I called the dealer back and they said to swing by and they would look at it. It would be at least a week before I could bring it by because of my work schedule. A week later I climb aboard to ride over to the dealer. And guess what? It won't start! It acts just like it wasn't getting any fuel. So, we borrow a friends trailer and off to the dealer it went. And so, it still sits to this day.

I wouldn't have returned my bike to the dealer. But, I felt they were obligated to get it right. WeSToc is a few weeks away. We may end up on my Wife's ST.
Sorry for the long post. But it's been a long story.

 

[George]

Curtis, sorry to read about yur bike troubles. My first guess is, the fuel pump (maybe because of all the carb cleaner run thru there) has given up. It can be an intermittent problem.

Also, I think I'd find another shop.

Third, DIY!!! No sense in spending good money to have someone else do what you can do better yurself.

Keep us poSTed.