Swinging arm swap

Nucker

Joined
Nov 23, 2024
Messages
5
Age
60
Location
Wales
Bike
Honda ST1100
Hi All, I'm new to this forum and thought I should join as I have just become the unexpected owner of 2 ST1100's that have been keeping each other company in a garage for many years.
After an initial survey of the first one, I find that there is some corrosion on the swinging arm. "Thats to be expected" I hear you say... So I set about researching the issue and find that I have a few choices.
1. Remove and repair it
2. Buy a second hand one and hope its better than the one I have.
3. Buy a new one if such a thing still exists and I can afford it if it does.
Or.. a thought occurred to me as I was scrolling through the second hand items listed on Ebay, maybe replace it with an aluminium one off an ST1300.... If it would fit??
Does anyone here know if this would be possible? has anyone tried? If so, did it work? and how easy/hard was it ?
Please forgive me if this is a daft question but as I said, I have only just become the owner of said bikes and have had no experience of this model at all previously and could find no mention of such a swap in any forum or owners group... surely I am not the first to think of doing this?
 
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Welcome Nucker from Northumberland.
The 11's and 13's are different beasts and whilst anything is possible it doesn't make it probable. Daft? Ay, if this is daft then lord knows what some of the other stuff we discuss could be classed as.
I was faced with a similar dilemma, not because it was rotten but what if it became so.
My conclusion was to locate a rust free example and once painted and waxoiled put it on the shelf. Which I did.
I found the States was the best option, obviously postage is a ...... how much .....and ..... customs .....blummin ink. But it worked out well enough and all in I think it was around £120 for a rust free example. It went with the bike when I sold it. I think they are harder to find and more expensive now.
I personally wouldn't he happy repairing one because I don't think you would ever get at all the rust, it's a complicated shape and construction. But if you're proper clever with a cutting disc and a welder then maybe that's OK too. It would certainly be a cheaper option as long as you're not paying for the repair.
I hope some of that drivel helps.
Upt.
 
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Uncle Phil said:
I might suggest trying to source a used one from the USA EBay as it appears we do not see them go to pieces like you do across the pond.
I've got the originals on my 2 97s (184,000+ miles, 147,000+ miles) and on my 01 (80,000+ miles) and 02 (140,000+ miles) with no issues.
Click to expand...
Hi Uncle Phil, yes these bikes do seem to be built for an arid climate. Good to see those high mileage figures tho, my 2 bikes have done 90k miles and 50kmiles. Its the 90k one that i have managed to get out of the garage first, i have no idea what state the other is in yet. After an oil and filter change, a set of plugs, a replacement fuel pump and a quick carb clean to stop the float valves flooding the cylinders, the 90k one fired up and runs sweet as a nut with no smoke or rattles. it did however, develop a small pinhole in the radiator tank when it got up to temperature, so that will need replacing. It seems as though it will be worth spending a bit on them if they will last that long.
 
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Nucker said:
Hi Uncle Phil, yes these bikes do seem to be built for an arid climate. Good to see those high mileage figures tho, my 2 bikes have done 90k miles and 50kmiles. Its the 90k one that i have managed to get out of the garage first, i have no idea what state the other is in yet. After an oil and filter change, a set of plugs, a replacement fuel pump and a quick carb clean to stop the float valves flooding the cylinders, the 90k one fired up and runs sweet as a nut with no smoke or rattles. it did however, develop a small pinhole in the radiator tank when it got up to temperature, so that will need replacing. It seems as though it will be worth spending a bit on them if they will last that long.
Click to expand...
Between my four running ST1100s (I own eight in total), I just crossed the 1/2 million mile mark between the four of them. :biggrin:

Half A Million Miles On ST1100s | Ride Reports

Since 'half a million' sounds more impressive than '500,000' I'll go with that. I was down to only 60 miles left so I took sort of a 'ceremonial' ride to finish it off. I felt like RedBird - who started it all in 1997 - was the proper machine for this milestone. And since I love the Natchez...
www.st-owners.com www.st-owners.com
 
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Uncle Phil said:
Between my four running ST1100s (I own eight in total), I just crossed the 1/2 million mile mark between the four of them. :biggrin:

Half A Million Miles On ST1100s | Ride Reports

Since 'half a million' sounds more impressive than '500,000' I'll go with that. I was down to only 60 miles left so I took sort of a 'ceremonial' ride to finish it off. I felt like RedBird - who started it all in 1997 - was the proper machine for this milestone. And since I love the Natchez...
www.st-owners.com www.st-owners.com
Click to expand...
Wow ! Fair play !
 
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Try David Silver Spares. He had a couple in stock a good while ago, but they are aleays searching fir old stock. New stock - Fowlers.co.uk seem to have direct access to European and Japanese warehouse stock. If there are any around in official warehouses, they will be able to locate them.

There were design changes over the years. You need to know your model number and perhaps your VIN.

Good luck !
 
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