Topic: Worked on my first ST1300

[Markcb750]

Interesting bike.  BIL needed Oil change and brake fluid change so I have glad the opportunity to work on one of these technological wonders.

As usual Honda did a  interesting job of stuffing everything inside the design envelope.  Still not enamored with the plastic but every thing is reasonable to reach except the oil fill port.  I hate designs which  require removing a cover to get to a standard service point but I guess the fact that in 5800 miles the bike has not needed any oil is an indication the engineers felt an oil add point did not have to be readily accessible.  The cosmetic cover over the fill port /spark-plug wires is held on by two rubber hooks and a pin/grommet it is a real bugger to get on & off. It took a lot of self control not to grab a big screw driver and leverage the SOB off.

I also drained the Hypoid gear fluid to replace it;  and found an old friend over the fill port.

My guess is Honda has a bunch of these and stock and someone got told to incorporate these to reduce inventory...or it could be a tip of the hat to the SOHC who knows?

The one on the left is from a 1975 FO, and it screws right in. 

[Old Scrambler]

I call the CB400F a parts-bike because it has dozens of parts originally designed for other models. Of course HD used the same side stand from 1941 to 1999.

[RRRToolSolutions]

Mark, I have one of the '09s ST1300's with ABS and really like it. That head cover has a secret - you lift up on the forward edge 1/2" and then slide it forward and it's slides out easily - one handed. Now I did buy the 3" factory manual which is absolutely needed to safely remove the plastic. That is my biggest beef - to get to any part of the internals, that entire set of tupperware has to come off. I installed my own Hondaline accessory harness, their quadruple harness, and their heated grips - I could buy the accessories and the manual cheaper than the labor to install it. I later took it all back off to install a J&M intercom and CB, then again to replace the hose clamps on the thermostat housing.

The plastic is nice when traveling - most of the rain is deflected away and it's easy to clean. I will admit that it's like an oven in the summer though. That big tank is made of metal and once hot - it just radiates everywhere and there is no escape.

Gordon

[Markcb750]

Gordon:

I looked at removing the plastic because I am one ham-handed SOB but about 10min of fumbling around convinced me to just cover it in towels.

This is a 2007 that only had 3600 miles on it when BIL bought it. The dealer would not change the oil as part of the deal, hard times in retail land last fall.  Told him the "breakin oil"  needed to be in for 6000miles or some such BS. 

I bled the brakes, no problems, the rear pedal circuit which activates the fronts and rears is nice.  I look forward to a test ride tomorrow to see how this feels. 

It does feel top heavy to me, particularly when I hop on a Goldwing sitting right next to it in the show room, or a BMW RT down the road.

[RRRToolSolutions]

Mark, that bike is top heavy. I will tell you though that it dissapears at 3 miles an hour. I can't say enough good things about it - seriously it fits me like a glove and I like the fact that it feels you are "in it" as opposed to a GW or my vintage stuff - sitting on it. The brakes are awesome, simply put.

Let's hear your reviews...

[Markcb750]

The weather cleared out yesterday so got to test ride the ST twice.  Both times a trip to the hardware store for new bolts on the CL450 I am restoring. I lowered the seat nice, feet flat on the floor. It started instantly and Idle at 1500 for a min, then drop to 1000.

It is a great machine, fast, virtually vibration free and with the smaller diameter wheels it whips left & right confidently and quickly.  parking lot maneuvers are smooth and precise the top heaviness is forgotten quickly.

I rode the two lane out past the poultry farms much like I would on the K6. The difference is throttle control. Where the K6 delights in large right arm rotations, the ST would easily put one at or beyond without precise micro rotations to keep the machine within my abilities.


On the Freeway the ST is a mile gobbler. An easy chair at 80mph.  I am sure it could be ridden 500 miles a day, getting 45mpg  for days on end making a memorable cross country adventure.  The only thing missing would be the Zen of Motorcycle Maintenance. (But there are two big glove boxes in which to keep Pirsig's classic on your Nook)


On top of that it is the perfect metal flake silver for the repaint on my 1969 CL450 project, even had two ladies in a white Toyota Corolla point at it and mouth "Nice Bike" at a stop light.

I might talk myself into a VFR yet.

Mark