THE HONDA S. T. 1100

[@vintagebikes4215]

Risers wreak havoc with bike design...the slight forward lean puts you in the sport touring position...and optimizes your control of the bike. Risers have problems. More back strain. A slight forward lean turns your body into somewhat of a spring...able to absorb impacts, not so sitting straight up. You'll also find you are far more likely to drop the bike moving it around your garage if you have risers. It basically changes the balance, and not in good ways.

[@2001himax]

I do have trouble pushing it around but I am 5' 3"" tall and 73 years old. Once riding no trouble at all. This bike is so smooth.

[@davejacoby3129]

Enjoyed your video. I’ve owned my 1999 st1100 for almost 13 years and I still love it. Every time I ride it I’m still amazed it was developed in the late 80s.

[@2001himax]

Hi Dave, As I work on mine I find more and more things I like about it. Watch my next video coming soon. I found something very interesting about it that I haft to share. Sorry about the add on my video. You-Tube puts it there, not me. Norman.

[@glennwilson8192]

Thank you

[@2001himax]

@@glennwilson8192 Your are welcome Glenn. Norman.

[@glennwilson8192]

@@2001himax thanks

[@TheDoug9901]

100hp in at that time was very respectable, fairly fast 100mph is effortless

[@vintagebikes4215]

Very interesting video...lots of great advice.

[@robertiozia7309]

Norman, congrats on the new bike. Enjoy it. Don't forget about repairing the Boulevard now. Enjoyed the video. Ride safe.

[@2001himax]

Hi Robert, Good to hear from you. Going over the Honda I found the rear break pistons were frozen in place. Got it back like new. I will do another video on it soon. I wrote a letter to Suzuki about the trouble with the idle on my bike and many others out there. Can't wait to see what they say. All my best to you and your family. Norman.

[@poscidionmadalorian6271]

Nice buy! I have a 1991 st1100 and a 1992 st1100 I fill up at about every 260-265 miles. (I've calculated about 40 mpg). You may want to look into upgrading the alternator to the 40 amp. The original alternator is nearly impossible to find now. Both bikes did not run when I purchased them but I've fixed them up and love them both!.

[@2001himax]

Hi Poscidion, I will look into it. Thank you for the info. Ride Safe. Norman.

[@SinnerSince1962]

Early in your video, you talked about being careful about what sellers say; listening well, but ignoring the noise. That's good advice. Let me give everyone a couple of hints about sellers I've learned through the years. 1. What does his home look like? Does he take care of all of the other stuff in his life? What does his garage look like? How about his house? Is it all painted and kept up? The lawn? How about his other vehicles? Are they clean? These are very subtle clues about this person's integrity and their character. One guy I visited even had his motorcycle sitting on a nice 5x8 carpet in his immaculately clean garage. A TV was hanging on the wall and the garage was definitely his castle. These are all clues about his financial resources to have cared for the prospective ride you are looking at. 'Nuff said. 2: How well do the clues in your observations mate up with his story about why he's selling? If he told you he bought a new bike, is there a new bike somewhere? If he told you he's no longer going to ride, did he offer you all of his gear, maybe (at a price, perhaps)? 3: Look at every nook and cranny carefully, but don't be too critical verbally. Make mental notes as you assess the bike. Don't be so critical that you come across as a jerk. That might cause the seller to become defensive, and ruin your chances during a negotiation. Keep it friendly, especially if you think you're going to offer a sale. Often, after developing a relationship with the seller, I've had them walk to another area, and say, "Would you like to have this other stuff? I'm not going to need it.". It's all about their comfort level and knowing their prized bike is going to a good adoption home sometimes. 4: If the bike measures up to your expectations, and is a fair asking.... pay the asking. Don't insult a man for all of his good stewardship through the years. There is nothing wrong with asking, "I'm really liking the bike, can you do any better on the price?". That puts the ball in his court so you can make a decision. There is nothing worse than low-balling someone who took pride in their possession. You are going to profit from being the new owner, and money isn't everything that should make your decision. Good luck to you all!

[@2001himax]

Good advice.

[@OutsideTheTargetDemographic]

Picked up an ST1100, 1997 for $2400. 93k miles on it, it now has 105k. I have done multi-state drives, The Tail Of The Dragon, camping off of the bike, and getting groceries with it's cavernous saddlebags. Now I am a father, and have time to sh*t let alone ride. I just had to free up two brake pistons to get the grabbing brake to give. It took twenty minutes and two Allen wrench. Next tackle is figuring out why my bike peed gas the last time I started it..... Fantastic little tourer, quiet, turbine-delivery engine, 45mpg with the way I drive her. 👍

[@malone6t6]

enjoyed the video, good luck with the bike and keep safe

[@2001himax]

Thank you. Ride safe. Norman

[@josephcardaro2073]

Nice bike Uncle Norm! Buyer Beware = words of wisdom from you. Always amaze me with your knowledge And for ever guiding and helping me with all of my Adventurous bike ISSUES 🤣. Can’t wait too ride with you. We have some Trips too catch up on. With best regards, Ride Hard, Ride Long and Ride Fast Aka ------- Sling Shotttt

[@robertiozia7309]

Joseph, you are very fortunate to have a fantastic uncle like Norman. Good luck to both of you. Have fun!

[@2001himax]

I just saw your comment. I am suppose to get an E-Mail when anyone leaves a comment but did not get one. That's You-Tube. But they can sure put an add on the front of my videos.

[@almikelipscomb]

So good to see your new adventures with the Honda. I look forward to your videos. I am heading out to Vegas in the middle of June. Something like your ST 1100 would be nice. Believe it our not, I am taking my 05 Burgman 400 instead of my C-50 Boulevard. The Boulevard is an '06 and needs tires. The tread is plenty good but they are probably original tires. (Bike only has 5.000 miles)I couldnt trust going cross country and back. So I'm going do it!

[@2001himax]

The 1100 would be ideal to ride on a trip like that. ride safe. Norman.

[@jwagner1993]

New subscriber here! Very good stuff!

[@2001himax]

Welcome, Thank you for the comment. Norman.

[@MadStu]

Great vid. I've just bought myself another ST1100. KZbin sometimes put ads on videos if you're using copyrighted music on them? Not sure which ones you mean though. Look forward to seeing more videos 😊

[@2001himax]

I use Purple Planet Free Music. It's free as long as I don't make money off the videos. Norman.

[@glennwilson8192]

Congrats

[@SinnerSince1962]

Watching this video one year to the day!

[@2001himax]

I got the new barn building to make my shop bigger. Still need to get rid of some stuff. No more bikes. Norman.

[@SinnerSince1962]

@@2001himax Where have I heard that before? Oh, in MY garage!

[@sebastianwodzicki4295]

Hello from Poland, I really enjoying your videos about motorbikes, thanks for posting it. I also own C50 and your guides are really helpful, especially the ones how to set valve clearence. Well, I was also thinking to get a second bike (more for touring) and guess what, I was thinking about Honda ST 1100 and then I found this videos :) How is the comfort of riding Honda ST when you compare it to c50?

[@2001himax]

Hello to Poland from Western Pennsylvania, I have to say the C50 is more comfortable due to forward controls. Now some good and some bad. Some C50s are known to have an issue with the idle. Mine has it and it idles too fast or will go too low to where it will quit. I bought a tool that I can try to fix the problem but haven't had a chance to work on it so it has been setting for a while. If I do fix it will it come back?? The ST 1100 is more upright but rides so smooth due to the four cylinder motor. They don't make the ST anymore so you buy one that is older and you need to go over everything. It has a large gas tank so you can go around 300 miles on one tank. I am 5' 3" so the bike is tall for me. I shaved the seat down and bent the kickstand out a little to help. I have videos on doing this. It's a toss up. I like carbs on the ST. Easy to clean. Keep the C50 and see if you can buy the ST. Ride both then sell the one you like less. ST can be found for less money than the C50. My ST was $1800 American money. Not bad but I did a lot of work on it to get where I want a bike to be. Good luck with your choice. Norman

[@davidevans7350]

I'm going to look at a 97 with 1800 Mi. I'm kind of worried about the lack of maintenance on the bike. Does this have an ABS warning light that would tell me if the ABS is out on it. Had that on a 03 K1200LT I bought that had not run in 10 years.

[@2001himax]

Hi David, My 1993 does not have ABS. If the bike has ABS I think the light would tell you if something is wrong with it. When you first turn on the key the light should come on then go out after you start the bike. If you turn the key on and the light doe's not come on before starting the bike the bulb may be burnt out or may be disconnected due to a problem. Even with only 1800 miles the bike will need to be gone over. I have many videos showing things to look for. Before you buy put it on the center stand, turn the rear wheel and see if it turns smoothly with little or no sound like grinding. Have someone push on the seat of the bike to lift the front wheel off the ground then turn the front wheel and check it in the same way. Hope this helps you. Norman.

[@vintagebikes4215]

The most problematic bikes I've come across have sat unused for years. Everything goes to pot.

[@juans3728]

The Honda ST1100 Pan European , the emblem would say " Pan European" and when they were made for the United States the emblem was not included only the Make, Model and Trim on the sides of the gas tank cover. Peace to you Hi-max.

[@2001himax]

Hi Juan, Thank you for the info. Ride Safe. Norman.

[@garrymiller2769]

Looking foreword to this project

[@2001himax]

Hi Garry, Thank you for your comment. Norman

[@charleskasharyjr.9417]

PM me if you would like to work on my 92 ST 1100 same color

[@2001himax]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/oXickoN8atWdg6M

[@glennwilson8192]

How to check oil please

[@2001himax]

Hi Glenn, First put the bike on the center stand. Look on the right side of the bike at the motor. See the plastic lid where you put the oil in? Now go straight down past the little wing that sticks out the side. Down past it you will see a slot in the fiberglass body. Look inside and you can see a round window on the side of the motor. Notice that there are four lines on the motor, two low and two high. I keep my oil to the upper line. You can also set on the bike and take a small telescoping mirror and put it down to the window and angle it so you can see how much oil in in the bike. Be sure the bike is off the kickstand and setting level. Norman.

[@glennwilson8192]

Thank for answering question

[@2001himax]

@@glennwilson8192 Glad I could help. Norman.

[@squadman3376]

Can't have too many bikes bud !!

[@paulbunyun3663]

you need to get into better shape, your huffing and puffing pretty bad,,love your videos!!

[@2001himax]

I am trying. Started cutting down on eating. Working on the new shop is helping. On the roof yesterday with the sun beating down.

[@paulbunyun3663]

@@2001himax drink lots of water, your videos are one of the best out there! great job

[@2001himax]

@@paulbunyun3663 Thank you for a great comment. In the morning I take pills and eat one small white donut , Then I eat supper around 4 P.M. or 5 . Then tea and fruit latter on. With all the work we are doing on the new shop I am feeling better. Norman.

[@kbear373]

Do yourself a favor and use Genuine Honda Parts and fluids. Don't cut corners and use the stuff at Auto Zone or Walmart. You've been riding for 50 plus years and you get that cold riding without having a jacket close with you. Thought you would have learned by now. You better stop riding that ST if you can't find the kick stand.

[@olafjensen4508]

GPS aint the bike ffs