ON THE ROAD AGAIN

[Richard Court]

 
 I got my bike back about six seeks ago.  it is in good working order and looking like new except for the top box which had to be resprayed.  After several attempts they still have not got the colour right.  Total cost $6,300.  Shannons Insurance covered $5,117 of that for the damage caused when it fell over on the trailer. (Great Service).
 My latest problem is the electronic cruise control. Somewhere along the line, and I can not pinpoint when or where, the speed sensor has been moved to close to the disk and has been chewed up which means I will have to replace it or fore go the luxury of cruise control on the highway.  I used to think boating was expensive but biking is starting to rival it. About eighteen months ago I took it in to a well respected mechanic in Port Macquarie for a 90,000 service who, after striping the cowlings off, reported back to me that it required a new head gasket.  While doing that work he said the cylinder pressure in three of the cylinders was down to about a third of what they should be (he commented that they probably had been like that from new) and that he would have to re-seat the valves.  $3,300 later I got the bike back and to be honest I could not tell any difference in performance.  I purchased the bike for $8,000 three years ago which at the time I thought was a bargain.  It has cost $10,000 in repairs and maintenance since then, not counting Tires, Fuel, Registration or insurance. 
Don't get me wrong, I love my ST1300 but I am starting to think I may have been better advised ti buy a new one in the beginning.
I guess I am just letting off steam and I quite understand if everyone ignores this post.

[Brock]

Richard,

Your maintenance problem, are exceedingly rare/unheard of. I havent heard fo any ST needing the heads removed, the valves may have needed the shims replaced to get correct clearance, never heard of anyone needing them reseated. I think you may need a new mechanic or learn to do the maintenance your self. Oil and filter changes are easy and cheap to do.

[Streak]

Richard,

Your maintenance problem, are exceedingly rare/unheard of. I havent heard fo any ST needing the heads removed, the valves may have needed the shims replaced to get correct clearance, never heard of anyone needing them reseated. I think you may need a new mechanic or learn to do the maintenance your self. Oil and filter changes are easy and cheap to do.

I agree with Brock, i have never heard of an ST having this problem.

[Pocket STocker]

And I will agree to cause I have no idea  But it is great to see you back on the road again, see you at Gloucester 


Pockey 

[Greencan]

Crickey Dick, reckon the best thing U could do is check the under soles of all your footwear for gremlin entrails

If that cruise speed sensor is part of a MC cruise control unit, give Frank Gymer a call and he will help you out. Frank is very approachable and helpful. The replacement cost of the sensor wont be much.

A possible cause for its present condition could be due to past rear wheel removal(s), getting in the way and the mechanic (term used loosely), either bending its mounting bracket and / or removing the 2 cable ties that centre it on the underside of the swingarm and not replacing them post returning the wheel. Again, taken a pic and showing its present condition / placement and emailing it to Frank will help you get it right.

Cheers the can :-)

[tj189]

Richard, it does sound a bit suspect for the ST1300.  As Greencan said get in contact with the guys from MCCruise control as they are great to deal with.

[Skip]

Hey Richard. Your experience is unique to say the least. As has already been suggested, time to find a new mechanic me thinks. Have owned my '04 for 7 years and spent nothing apart from tyres, services and 2 batteries. Mate, i too have an interest in boating but I'll put my money on the bikes any day. Hope we can turn your opinion as well, but you certainly have had a bad run. 

[saaz]

Agreed. The actual sensor is quite common (looks the same as some car kits I installed) When removing and replacing the wheel care has to be taken to reinstall the sensor in the right position and the right gap.  Also check that all the magnets are there, as one of mine went missing somehow (they are really hard to get out so don't know what happened) but McCruise were able to give me a setup to work with only half the number of magnets.

Richard, it does sound a bit suspect for the ST1300.  As Greencan said get in contact with the guys from MCCruise control as they are great to deal with.

[Richard Court]

 
What a fantastic bunch you all are.  Thanks so much, not only for taking the time to read my tragic tale of woe but also for all your comments, suggestions and advice.  I didn't expect to so many replies, especially that quickly.
With regard to the cruise control,  I did have a new rear tyre fitted just before the problem started so I guess that they may not have been familiar with sensor settings.  The mechanic I used has a first class reputation in the area and a lot of our Ulysses members use him.  The trouble is he is so busy that he lets his apprentice do a lot of the work.  Anyway he charges like a wounded bull so I have now changed.  My new guy is not cheap but he charges much less than the other place (NO NAMES NO PACK-DRILL).
The suggestion about doing my own maintenance is a great idea, even if it is only for the basic stuff, I will have to look into that and try my hand at next service.
One thing that concerned me about the original company was that several times I got the bike back and the cowlings were incorrectly replaced with edges overlapping the wrong way and fastening pins loose or missing.  Anyway enough of that or I will get a reputation as a winger.

As an aside,  A mate of mine, Bob Brewer ( Also an ST1300 owner) and I are tentatively planning a week to ten day trip to the Snowy Mountains before it gets too cold. He will take his trailer and I will take my tent.  Weather permitting we hope to take off around the 15th or 16th of this month although knowing Bob, he is just as likely to cancel out at the last minute due to business pressure.  71 and he still runs his own company ( Professional Traffic Solutions) and he can get called away at very short notice.  Anyone looking for a good business, I believe he is thinking of selling.

[saaz]

Richard, the Gloucester mid-week ride is on 14th May but looks like are leaving after.  If you want to meet up or stay over for a night let me know (I have already been to Richard's place months ago). I am in Kaleen Canberra.  I could travel with you for a day ride and back.

[Richard Court]

Yes fine Saaz ,
Our planed ride if it comes off looks like we will be leaving Port Macquarie Tuesday 15th April at 12:00 noon.  I am not sure at this stage what Bob has in mind for stopovers but we should be in your area Wednesday or Thursday16th or 17th.  As I said it is a little bit up in the air at the moment as Bob is heading up to Brisbane on this Wednesday and returning to Port hopefully on the weekend. as his plans firm up I will let you know.   Of course I do remember your visit, we enjoied your company and would be very happy for you to join us for a days ride or as long as you like.  Same for anyone else who may like to come along.

Bob and I and possibly Arthur Monk will be at the Gloucester ride. 
We  plan to ride up to Uralla for the night then next day down through Armidale, Dorigo and home.

Thanks for your interest Saaz, look forward to catching up.
Richard