Looking for an ST, but would appreciate some experienced input

[SteveR]

Good evening everyone,

After such a warm welcome to the forum, I have to just straight in and start hunting down a bike! 

About 18 months ago I had a quick play on a '92 ST1100 belonging to a club member who lives not far from me, I was just toying with the idea of getting a bike more suited to longer distances at the time.  Now I'm more seriously hunting and have found one which sounds about right...

I've been chatting with the owner of a '90 model, he rides a scooter and wanted to get back on a bigger bike, but decided it wasn't for him, so he's only owned it 12 months.  The chap he bought it from (yes, this is all just here-say at the moment) was a bit of a perfectionist with too much money, in 2010 he did what sounds like a ground up rebuild, full respray, new engine (from a '99 model).  The thing looks immaculate, 117 000K's on the bike, 70 000K's on the engine.

The only problem, he's up near Cronulla, NSW.  There's a member in another Honda group who lives up there, but talking to him today, he's had an off and smashed his ankle (so no test ride), and admitted to not being all that mechanical... but still willing to take a 'look', but that's pretty much all he'll be able to do at the moment.  I know I'm the new guy, so I don't want to be asking favours before I've had a chance to contribute to the group, but on the off chance that someone knowledgeable in ST's lives out that way and would be available to give this bike a once over, I'd really appreciate hearing from you. ...and I'd definitely owe a round or two when I come to pick it up    Here's a link to the ad: http://www.bikesales.com.au/private/SSE-AD-3319982/1990-Honda-ST1100/?cr=0&psq=((((((SiloType%3D%5BBrand%20new%20bikes%20available%5D%7CSiloType%3D%5BBrand%20new%20bikes%20in%20stock%5D)%7CSiloType%3D%5BDealer%20used%20bikes%5D)%7CSiloType%3D%5BDemo%20%26%20near%20new%20bikes%5D)%7CSiloType%3D%5BPrivate%20used%20bikes%5D)%26(Make%3DHonda%26Model%3DST1100))%26Service%3DBikesales)&pso=0&pss=Premium

...Don't suppose anyone would know this particular bike by any chance?? 
Thanks!

[saaz]

A few members around there could have a look. The 99 motor would solve a potential problem with the 28amp alternator, as 96 on used a car style 42+amp alternator.

Just read the add, new regulator seems odd, best to check if it has the upgraded alternator of the old one.

[ST2UP]

Good luck with your search Steve, have a comb through the For Sale section here there may still be a few about forsale.....my old ST1100 is still forsale in Glen Innes 


Had a read of the bikesales add and the replacement engine from the NSW Ambulance ST1100.....nup  NSW Ambulance have only ever had BMW's and FeeJars.


 

[SteveR]

Ahhh, see? That's why you come to the pros for advice! Thanks for the input guys, apparently he has receipts and paperwork for all the work done, so hopefully there will be some proof of origin of the motor.

[spanner]

I was in the same boat as you when it came to this forum and a bike.

I found one that was for sale through the club here and got some really good feedback from other members about the bike itself, the person who rode it, their mechanical and service personality type etc.

I actually ended up buying it unseen and un-ridden.

With the whole 'Buyer beware' going through my head and knowing the other club members could only give me their 'best information' I was EXTREEMLY please with the help I got.

I would recommend checking out some of the club members who have bikes for sale because there is a relatively to excellent chance the bike is exactly what they say it will be or they will face the wrath of the other members.

I do know the bike ST2UP was sprucing above would be in good nic.

[spanner]

ALSO..... can anyone tell me does the screen look a bit bodegy?? Looks like they have just got some Perspex and tried to wrap it around the front. It does not sit in the screen groove nicely? ..... or is that how early models were?  Also the rear mud guard looks like it may have been shortened for some reason ????

I am NOT an expert though!!!!!!

[Brock]

$4000, for a 1990 bike and 117000 Ks is a bit much I think, especially as the engine history is sus. Why replace the engine???? Does it have a 40 A alternator????

Keep looking around, folk are always reposting adds for 1100/1300 STs here. I'm sure some one with knowledge can take a look and ask the hard questions tho...

[WendyL]

ALSO..... can anyone tell me does the screen look a bit bodegy?? Looks like they have just got some Perspex and tried to wrap it around the front. It does not sit in the screen groove nicely? ..... or is that how early models were?  Also the rear mud guard looks like it may have been shortened for some reason ????

I am NOT an expert though!!!!!!

Definitely looks like an aftermarket screen

[Skip]

I know nothing mechanical but I'm not bad with Maths. Bike 117,000 and new engine 70,000. That's an engine change at 47,000. Has anyone EVER heard of such a short life from a ST?  I think not. Keep looking my friend.

[saaz]

The pictures shoe two different screens. The one with the cats eyes looks like my eagle screen with the winglets at the top (ie wider coverage) the other one has an adjustable vent, don't know what brand. There would be better more original ones around that are not bitsas.

[STeveo]

$3,000 would be closer to the right price. Rear tyre has done more than 500Km. My advice is too look elsewhere.

[SteveR]

Morning guys,

Thanks for the insights, re the engine, the replacement had 60 000 on it when it went in, so not a brand new one, but still, definitely before the old one 'should' have needed replacing... I got the impression that the owner who dos most of the work was the sort to want to upgrade anything possible, perhaps thinking that an ex-government engine had been 'tricked up' over the stock engines?

I appreciate the input and how you can all pick out little things, like the screen, because you all know the bikes so well!! On the CX forum, after they became a bit of an 'in thing' for a while, people would join the boards having bought a 'fantastic deal', which was actually a machine cobbled together of left over parts from someone's failed cafe racer attempts... I don't want to be that guy!!

It would still be interesting to have a look at this bike, just to look at the finer details and see whether it all adds up, but since I haven't been able to find anyone local to it, I'd have to wait until I'm next up in Sydney in Sept. I'd imagine it'll be gone by then, so I'll start looking elsewhere... I should probably start by posting a 'Wanted' ad on here, shouldn't I?!  Thanks again!!

[Brock]

Its much preferable to get a bike with a 40Amp alternator, it allows a lot more fun stuff to be fitted.

[tj189]

keep looking 

[spanner]

I don't want to be that guy!!

I should probably start by posting a 'Wanted' ad on here, shouldn't I?!  Thanks again!!

Don't be  THAT  guy!

and yes look elsewhere and this is as good as any but keep lo0oking on gumtree, ebay, bikesales.com etc.

My fantastic one was on Gum Tree which when I came on here to say this is what I had found there were plenty who could attest to its history etc.

Keep looking and don't be in too much of a hurry if you can help it.

Cheers

[SteveR]

...and don't be in too much of a hurry if you can help it...

That's easy to say, until one starts looking and getting excited!

[WendyL]

That's easy to say, until one starts looking and getting excited!

Yep, I can relate to that.  I bought my ST1100 sight unseen from a dealer in Sydney.  I had test ridden one here in Darwin and fallen in love with it.  Bought the one in Sydney, flew down and rode it back via Melbourne, Geelong and Adelaide, visiting family on the way and picking up a Shadow trailer in Adelaide.  That was about 8 years ago, it's now done 182K and still going strong.

[StinkyPete]

I'd be suspicious of any ST that needed an engine transplant at 47,000km, as they are good to well beyond 200,000km.
Sorry to disappoint you but I too would look elsewhere.  There will be plenty to look at, and lots of folk on the forum who would be prepared to have a look at a them for you.  Don't be afraid of buying interstate and riding one home as Wendy has said.

[SteveR]

...Don't be afraid of buying interstate and riding one home as Wendy has said.

That's certainly been my plan, my partner is on the South NSW coast, I'll be riding up there for a visit next month, but if I could tie that in with collecting a bike, that'd be awesome.

[Sabie]

O pOnly 1 option as far as I can see  that's a blue st1300 .. who's with Me? Shiney, gadget, skip Duncan, Sean??


Sabie, member of the blue brethren....

[alans1100]

That's easy to say, until one starts looking and getting excited!

Yep, I can relate to that.  I bought my ST1100 sight unseen from a dealer in Sydney.  I had test ridden one here in Darwin and fallen in love with it.  Bought the one in Sydney, flew down and rode it back via Melbourne, Geelong and Adelaide, visiting family on the way and picking up a Shadow trailer in Adelaide.  That was about 8 years ago, it's now done 182K and still going strong.

And similar for mine. Bought a 99 model (11500 km) sight unseen (until I handed the money over) from private sale at Bendigo in 2006. Nine years later and now a few K short of a 180000 km. Caught the bus over and rode it back 900 km on day 1.

[Biggles]

There are nine ST1100s Australia-wide, six on the eastern side on BikeSales.
That's before you consider the seven ST1300s with ABS on the eastern side.
Lots of good gear among those.

[Old Steve]

Earlier this year I sold  2000 ex Police ST1100 with 150,000 km on the clock for $3000.  So that one seems over priced and a little bit dodgy.

ST1100s will be OK for over 200,000 km or more, I did oil and filter changes at 15,000 km.  Try to get a post 1996 one with the larger alternator and one thing to really check is the steering head bearings.

If you need a screen, I recommend "screens for bikes" in Melbourne, and get one with the vents.  Screens for bikes has a great product and delivery.

[Panman50]

I know it's a hell of a ride but I will be putting my baby up for sale in WA.
She's a 99 anniversary model with 79500km on the clock, new tread, ABS TCS and no scratches.
I paid $5900 just over 12 months ago but would be open to offers.
It's the golden girl on my profile pic.

[spanner]

I know it's a hell of a ride but I will be putting my baby up for sale in WA.
She's a 99 anniversary model with 79500km on the clock, new tread, ABS TCS and no scratches.

I could almost do that just for giggles ........ if I had the money that is.

when the lottery rolls around my way I guess ....... if I played the lotto ...... I think you need to buy a ticket don't you?......