Honda ST1300 Fork / Brake & Clutch Hydraulic Service

[@martinevans6289]

On various ST1300 owners groups, I regulalry see folk asking for help/advice because they just can't get the brakes bled properly; I'll be sending them here from now on! Great explanation and video.

[@RodRidesWrenches]

Great to hear it hear it! Thanks for liking & subscribing!

[@mattthomson1689]

Bought my 2004 ST1300A only a few weeks back. Have to agree with knowing what enjoyment lays ahead is to get naked! Love your vids, camera work and voice work is great! Wiring is one of my passions too; you actually used the word “loom”! At 50,000 purchased miles, the bike is in my shop (garage), undergoing a complete inspection for reliability and safe performance. As a returning rider, I am so very excited to have dirty fingernails once again. Got to support my local salon on a regular schedule. So, Cooling system total overhaul in process with o-rings, gaskets and hose replacements, as expected. Found a crumbling vacuum ‘T’ connector that would have failed had I taken a longer test ride. The suspension felt mushy, but will service the preload system and ride for awhile before jobbing out a full suspension upgrade. Brakes come next. Budgeted for repairs at same cost as I paid for the bike, with DIY work as a major part of enjoyment of riding. I see I have many enjoyable evening hours ahead, watching your stuff. Thanks!

[@RodRidesWrenches]

Appreciate the feedback & good luck/safe riding on your new steed!

[@robbroy]

Great video Rod! Having just serviced my ST1300 forks I noticed that the Honda workshop manual is very specific in stating that the spring is to be installed with the tapered end facing upwards. I noticed that opening up my forks both LH and RH springs came out with the tapered end facing downwards. Rob's video also shows the tapered end facing downwards as he removes the spring - and then correctly installed the spring according to the manual with the tapered end facing upwards. Anyone else noticed this with their forks? I've seen other videos just follow the orientation that the springs came out and it's always tapered end facing downwards.

[@RodRidesWrenches]

Thanks for the feedback & View! Every shop manual shows the compressed springs at the top of the fork that I can recall. Rebuilding the forks on the KLR650 right now and they have progressive springs with the compressed springs at the top. I don't know how much of a difference this makes overall through...

[@GlideYNRG]

Left a milk crate under the side extensions on my bench the other day after finishing up the cooling system overhaul. I’ll have to admit A little bit of wee came out on lowering the bench and subsequent uneven lowering…. Disaster adverted but valuable lesson learnt in paying a bit more attention at the end of the job..

[@RodRidesWrenches]

I've done that with a roller stool, they always find their way inter the lift. Thanks for the feedback & View!

[@richardjeun]

It would help to mention to remove the bottom fork drain bolt, as ignoring this step would make it impossible to slam the seal out.

[@brianfromnh2596]

great description of the LBC

[@RodRidesWrenches]

Thanks for Liking & Subscribing, New Video this Friday!

[@ajcole3353]

Have an 06 st1300 that the clutch is having problems... When the clutch is all the way pulled in, the bike still pulls forward... When I come to a stop I can't get it to shift to neutral without shutting the bike off ... I rebuilt the clutch slave cylinder and still the problem persists

[@Silver1137]

Why don’t you bleed the middle valves? The manual says to after you do the outside ones

[@RodRidesWrenches]

To flush the brake fluid you don't need to mess with these ones. You only need them for the last bit air in the center piston (caliper rebuild) which is linked to the combined brake system. Using the proportioning valve bleeder avoids air pockets and is significantly faster to bleed the combined or linked braking.

[@İkitekerşart]

Are you using fork brace? Or do you recommend it?

[@richfjr1300]

so that linked system looks similar to the one on the VFR (i have a 5th gen) and i see from the manual i have to tilt that similar caliper 10-15 degrees and then bleed the proportioning valve that's right near the rear of the gas tank

[@RodRidesWrenches]

Same procedure on the 6th Gen as well, the VFR Servo Proportioning Valve looks smaller than the one of the ST, located by the battery to the rear of the fuel tank. Thanks for commenting!

[@michaeldobson8859]

Thats a pretty messy bleed job, Hahahaha.

[@billbonu1639]

I think a newer,low mileage bike that's ready to go would have been cheaper and more enjoyable and to have to work on a bike that much before you even ride it is out of the question.and at the end of the day it's still got jacked up wiring and no telling what other problems.not a fan of used bikes unless they're a couple years old with very few miles.I don't want anything I have to work on before I use it.if my lawnmower keeps breaking down it's time for a new one.

[@michaeldobson8859]

To each his own. That’s your opinion and ok, do it your way. Me I’m thankful Rod takes the time to show us his knowledge and experience. Because maybe we do our own maintenance and need that info. Its ok for you to go pay your dealer to customize / maintain your bikes.