OzSTOC
Honda ST1300 Section => Suspension ST1300 => Topic started by: Down Under on February 26, 2012, 10:00:47 AM
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This is part of my on going project to upgrade my ST1300's suspension. Hope these pics help with anyone contemplating the same. I found that it was a straight forward job but having access to the Haynes Service & Repair Manual for the ST1300 sure made life easier.
(http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/DownUnder193/017.jpg)
First step is to place the bike on the centrestand and chock the front wheel. You'll then need to find something to support the swing arm. I used my car jack which worked perfectly, allowing me to make fine adjustments to take enough weight of the rear shock mounting bolt so I could remove it.
(http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/DownUnder193/002.jpg)
Remove side cowls and muffler. Unbolt rear brake reservoir from bracket and push aside. Remove battery and unscrew the bolts which attach the footrest bracket to frame. You'll also need to remove a small bolt which sits directly beneath the battery, now the footrest bracket will be free enough to let you get at the shock's lower mounting bolt.
(http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/DownUnder193/003.jpg)
A pic of the lower mounting bolt which can be a bugger to get out. I used a ring spanner on the bolt head and a 17mm socket with extensions from the left side to undo the nut.
(http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/DownUnder193/005.jpg)
Getting at the nut on the top mounting bolt is tricky. I found the easiest way was to lift the tank and go in through the area shown. You've got to be careful withdrawing the nut once it's unscrewed, otherwise it'll be lost in the abyss below it.
(http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/DownUnder193/004.jpg)
Back across to the other side of the bike. Remove the cowl which houses the preload adjuster. Remove the preload adjuster knob very slowly so you don't lose the small ball bearing which locates the knob on the adjuster body. I taped the bearing on the body after removal so I wouldn't lose it. Unscrew 2 bolts which attach the preload adjuster to frame. Before withdrawing the preload adjuster take note of the way the hose is routed. I used a peice of nylon rope to follow the hose so I wouldn't forget how to locate it when I reinstalled the shock.
(http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/DownUnder193/007.jpg)
The preload adjuster hose routing is the devils work. I had to loosen the seat bracket to make enough room to pull it through. Now you can pull out the shock with bit of jiggling.
(http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/DownUnder193/011.jpg)
Check the spacer in the lower moun on the swingarm for too much free play. I removed the spacer, gave it a clean, as well as the roller bearings and gave them a fresh application of some high temperature bearing grease.
(http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/DownUnder193/009.jpg)
Here's a comparison pic of the OEM Racetech shock on the right and the Wilbers shock that'll be replacing it.
(http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/DownUnder193/016.jpg)
New shock in position. Mr Honda recommends replacing the top and lower mounting bolts as they're treated with their special thread locking chemical. I gave the thread of both bolts a clean and applied some loctite which I reckon will do the job. I placed some liquid paper marks across the top bolt/frame, as well the lower nut/bolt and frame and I'll watch it for any signs of movement.
(http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc462/DownUnder193/012.jpg)
The Wilbers shock preload adjuster + oil reservoir with high/low speed compression damping adjusters.
Now for some good weather to check it all out!
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Good write up..
:thumbsup :thumbsup
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I can see know why ST13 has heavier spring rates on the rear, as it at more of an angle than the ST11 shock. That Wilbers shock looks trick! European riders like them, and seems they are now more available.
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Thanks for the great and informative post Down Under - be sure to let us know your new lap time around Mt Panorama with the new shock!!! :wink1
Cheers, Diesel
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I can see know why ST13 has heavier spring rates on the rear, as it at more of an angle than the ST11 shock. That Wilbers shock looks trick! European riders like them, and seems they are now more available.
I was really impressed with the quality of the Wilbers shock, it's a work of art but you pay for it.
I could've bought one for a lot less if I purchased direct from O/S but the problem is they're valved for smooth European roads. I had this shock rebuilt/revalved by a highly recommended motorycle shock specialist in Sydney to suite our rough road conditions.
I'm trying not to get too excited until I give it some serious road testing.
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Thanks for the great and informative post Down Under - be sure to let us know your new lap time around Mt Panorama with the new shock!!! :wink1
Cheers, Diesel
To the uninitiated Mt Panorama is truely a terrifying place to ride a bike hard! :grin
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It looks a bit like Mr Honda started with the rear shock and built the bike around it :eek
Props to you for doing the heart transplant!
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mmmmmmmm Wilbers ...
Clever tricks with the rope & tape :thumb
Remember what the spring rate was?
Great pic's. Thanks
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mmmmmmmm Wilbers ...
Clever tricks with the rope & tape :thumb
Remember what the spring rate was?
Great pic's. Thanks
Spring rate works out at around 1070 lbs. OEM spring rate is 900 lbs.
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Brilliant work Down Under on the pics and info.
My 03 ST13 is about to clock up 100K and my grey STeed is in desperate need of a suspension upgrade.
Alas, Wilbers shocks are out of my budget so I was thinking to remove the rear shock as you have done and send it off to be rebuilt.
I was greatly encouraged by your words in your opening paragraph - "straight forward job".
However, later I saw the words "the devil's work" - a very apt description.
I suspect that what is "straight forward" for DownUnder is the "devil's work" for SkidMark!
I will just have to keep saving and pay a professional to do it for me (and send them a print out of your magnificent work)
Cheers
Skid
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Hey- welcome back to reality Mark. Hope to see you on the rides again soon! :beer
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Brilliant work Down Under on the pics and info.
My 03 ST13 is about to clock up 100K and my grey STeed is in desperate need of a suspension upgrade.
Alas, Wilbers shocks are out of my budget so I was thinking to remove the rear shock as you have done and send it off to be rebuilt.
I was greatly encouraged by your words in your opening paragraph - "straight forward job".
However, later I saw the words "the devil's work" - a very apt description.
I suspect that what is "straight forward" for DownUnder is the "devil's work" for SkidMark!
I will just have to keep saving and pay a professional to do it for me (and send them a print out of your magnificent work)
Cheers
Skid
G'day Skid,
If you take your time its not that bad. Technically it's not hard, it's just accessing some of the nuts and bolts which can be challenging. Regarding the shock rebuild: if you where happy with your old shocks performance than a budget rebuild is the way to go. I spent a lot of money on my Wilbers shock and I'm still having dramas getting the set-up right, the ride has improved but not as significantly as I was expecting. Good luck with it!
Cheers,
Tony
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Thanks for all this info I just got a replacement spring for the rear shock & I'll be using all this to get the Shock out I'll post up some pic's when it's done
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Got my shock out tonight thanks for the write up made it a lot easier :thumbsup
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Great work. I won't compalin about taking the ST1100 shock out ever again, as it is a doddle by comparison
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To the uninitiated Mt Panorama is truely a terrifying place to ride a bike hard! :grin
Nahhhh piece of piss, all loaded up for a few weeks, all the gear on, tent, sleeping bag, Tank Bag, Panniers chocka, feeling like a king.
Ahhh that is until your going down hill, brakes on hard figuring out how you will crash when you take that left into the straight :rofl
Then like a fool you do another lap :runyay
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Does anyone know how the stock spring comes off? I've done a few on bikes over the years but not quite sure how this one comes off
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Gas axe????
Not recommended if you want it to go back together :grin :grin
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Does anyone know how the stock spring comes off? I've done a few on bikes over the years but not quite sure how this one comes off
Does the workshop manual have anything in it about spring replacement?
:blu13
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All good, the work shop manual has nothing in it.
I was looking at the wrong end >:() you compress the spring & take a circlip of that is sitting at the preload adjuster end
(http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/i379/scarp57/ShockAssy.jpg)
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Gas axe????
Not recommended if you want it to go back together :grin :grin
Not sure if that comment was appropriate after todays newsletter telling us to stay on topic & be helpful, you mite have to smite yourself :spank
Oh hang on I've gone off topic too, BUGGER :o
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My comment was indeed on topic, as a gas axe is an excellent method for taking items apart.
On the other hand, questioning the methods of the Sheriff is fraught with danger :well :well
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My apologies I forgot myself
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Sick 'im Brocky - you KNOW we all LOVE a good ol SMITING!!!!! :thumbs :hatwave :runyay
Oh, and I believe the spring is sprung at around 35kg/cfm2 :whistle
Cheers, Diesel
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Sick 'im Brocky - you KNOW we all LOVE a good ol SMITING!!!!! :thumbs :hatwave :runyay
Oh, and I believe the spring is sprung at around 35kg/cfm2 :whistle
Cheers, Diesel
No Diesel, that's tomorrow, the 1st of September!
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Got the spring out & in last night, a friend of mine (Dad, well he's not really but I call him that) made a Hydraulic Press in about 15 mins using a bottle jack & some machine parts he had in his shed, I spose hoarding tools for 50 years can be a good thing :grin
Took literaly under 5 mins to change the spring I was impressed. :thumb
He's going to make a proper one up so that if anyone wants to take their spring out they can use it
Now to put the shock back in
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You too will grow up to have a shed like that with an answer to every problem in it! :thumbs
He's more of a legend in that he can find the stuff he knows he's got!
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Gas axe????
Not recommended if you want it to go back together :grin :grin
Not sure if that comment was appropriate after todays newsletter telling us to stay on topic & be helpful, you mite have to smite yourself :spank
Oh hang on I've gone off topic too, BUGGER :o
:rofl :rofl :rofl
Do as i say not as i do rules for Mods me thinks :well
:crackup :crackup :crackup