OzSTOC
Honda ST1300 Section => Honda ST1300 General Questions => Topic started by: RGardner on May 01, 2013, 05:19:18 PM
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Hi All,
I couldn't see if this topic had been covered before...
My 2011 ST 1300 has 65,000km on the clock (not bad for a 2-year old). I checked the valve clearance myself at 49,500km (recommended is 24,000km) and everything checked out ok so I put it all back together again and rode on. Some of the valves were very difficult to get at with the feeler gauge and I've since found out that the exahust valves tighten rather than loosen as the valves progressively bed in. I understand real damage can occur if left too long as the valves don't fully close and subsequently overheat.
As replacing the valve shims is outside my mechanical comfort zone and Honda labour is expensive here, I want to leave the evil moment for this service as long as possible. What milage(normal touring riding) have ST owners comfortable got before the shims really (emphisis on the really) need replacing?
Cheers,
Rob
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I have left checking the valves at more than 50,000kms on the ST11. I did my first shim replacement at 100,00kms or so, and after that not much change at all. When I did replace shims it was only when they were at the bottom of the range, and if I could not be bothered they might not needed to be changed for another 25,000kms or so.
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To throw a little more light on this old chestnut...
I asked a reputable bike mechanic about ST1300 valve inspections, admitting mine had never been touched, and that the general consensus from anyone who had the job done was "They were fine!" His response was there are no obvious symptoms of their being out of spec, but if they were, the engine damage could be serious. He did say that if the engine was hard to start, then valves might be the problem. Mine always starts promptly.
I put Ruby2sday in to have all the fluids changed and plugs changed (I've done plugs myself, and the rear right one is quite difficult to access, and a professional is welcome to the brake bleeding).
When I picked her up today the verdict was the valves were well within specs! That's after 123,500 kays, gents. The head cover gaskets cost $131.60. A fair bit of the $575 labour would have been the valve inspection.
So if you're feeling a bit short of cash and worried about your valves, don't stress- Hondas are wonderfully engineered.
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I had my valve clearances checked on schedule and every time it was due, and in 180,000km, they never needed adjusting. :thumbsup
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I had my valve clearances checked on schedule and every time it was due, and in 180,000km, they never needed adjusting. :thumbsup
That's a "rich man's" pastime! :grin
At $131.60 just for the gaskets before you figure in the labour involved, I think I'll stay with 100,000 kay intervals. The book specifies 24,000km intervals which comes around fairly often for me.
It's a bit like the timing belt on ST1100s- they always pass inspection perfectly and barely show any wear at replacement.
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I am a pedant when it comes to maintenance. Ask Shilllas about the beautiful and problem free ST that is in his shed.
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It's a bit like the timing belt on ST1100s- they always pass inspection perfectly and barely show any wear at replacement.
That reminds me, I'm just short of 200000Ks, and should do mine..
:agro: