Thanks Biggles.
I did expect to find the engine oil black due to carbon and it certainly wasn't out of the ordinary,
but it did surprise me that it was only a little more than luke warm. With some of the many bikes
that I have owned in the past, I quickly (and painfully) learned that the oil can also very hot after
a fairly short ride. The GSX1400 that I just sold had an oil capacity of 5+ litres and this engine was
oil/air cooled and was quickly too hot to put your fingers in the oil. I suspected that with the ST1100,
having a capacity of 3.8L that it would perhaps at least be just as hot, but it wasn't.
I thought also from past bikes with shaft drive that the oil would be fairly clear so that was also a
surprise to find it black as charcoal. I did flush it out before adding the new stuff and will change it
at the next oil change time.
I was told that all maintenance on this bike had been done by a dealer but I am now thinking that perhaps
that dealer had not held up his end of the deal but more than likely charged for doing it.
I will finish the oil change today and over the next week (rather busy at the moment) check the air filter and
plugs.
But in the meantime, I am very impressed with the way it goes and with the TLC that I will give it, hopefully
even better.
Thanks for responding.
Wayne