Guys,
as you know keeping a bike long term is a balance of living with issues and back ordering parts to fix essential things. The ABS system on the ST is full of parts no longer available or worth more than the cost of the bike.
The problem I have had since 1995 is the ABS modulators. They cost $3-4k each if you can get them and have no spare parts. I am aware of only one person in Canada (Norm) who has a track record of repairing them. Fix them and maybe there other problems.
It is not a rabbit hole I am not prepared to go down as I prefer to ride my bikes not spend months working on them. I would consider it if someone offers that service in Australia for a reasonable price. So far no luck on that.
I understand the ABS system can be removed because people have run the bike even when the ECU has failed. It is only for the ABS/TCS.
If there is nobody on this forum that has removed the ABS/TCS or got the ABS1 through a roadworthy with problems, then lets leave it at that.
Now that you explain that way, I can see your logic.
Hi Shiney,
a VASS engineer would disagree with you based on a phone call just had. He was pretty adamant about removing all evidence. I probably would try without replacing the dash, just pulling the circuits.
One key bit of info missing is how well known is this model to Vic Roads and other equivalents? My registration makes no reference to ABS/TCS. If they do not know/check the whole thing gets simpler. It probably does not contravene ADRs based on this phone call.
So we need a helpful person who works with Vic Roads to quietly confirm whether their system knows this model/year has ABS.
Regards
Garry
Having spent time in VicRoads rego and licensing, I don't think anyone there will be wise, experienced, knowledgeable enough to know anything re. ST1100 (or ST1300) with or without ABS to create any difficulties for you. Any difficulty may be at the RWC testing / issuing level.
All of the responsibility rests with the tester, taking any short cuts in the process will be all fine until the
shit-hits-the-fan, ie. a crash, an investigation, the RWC (may be) audited. If the tester is found to have taken a short-cut, they could loose their RWC testing licence, fined, end up at the coroner's court, possibly a corporate fine, loose a lot of their livelihood.
Was talking to a couple of licence testing guys next to my place of work a couple years back, they take their RWC responsibility very, very seriously, and I get the impression that they wouldn't get involved in anything shady.
Re. the ST1100, if it's an ABS model, the RWC tester will be able to identify it as such through the VIN, and if it's no longer an ABS bike, I think this is when your troubles would really start.
If you've been riding as it is for the past 100,000km, perhaps leave it as it is for the next 100,000km, only worry about the change if / when annual RWC are introduced in VIC.
