Disclaimer.
The contents of this page are suggested solutions to members, to problems submitted by fellow members. Make sure you are competent to undertake changes and/or adjustments, and that you do not compromise the safety of any vehicle.
Subject:- Wet Speedo
This question was asked by a member:-
A few weeks ago I left my ST1300 - on its sidestand - outside a cafe whilst I did a bit of R&R. The heavens opened and the bike got a real soaking. Later I rode off. A mile down the road my speedo started to play up. I knew Ii was really making progress but the speedo only read 40mph (sometimes even less) and tickover showed me doing 10mph. Later I was officially doing nothing at all whilst keeping up with the traffic. I had to rely on the rev counter - until that went as well! In a 30mph limit behind a slow moving car, in 4th gear reading 5000 revs! Got home in one piece - bike in the garage to dry out - two days later back on the bike everything as normal. Problem sorted itself out I thought. Last week in the lake district on holiday - bike left out in the rain for a day - same problem as a result. This time I was riding in the dry and the problem 'dried itself out' within ten miles or so. Obviously the problem is water getting in to something somewhere. Does anyone have any idea where the water is getting in, to what and how do Ii sort is out?
These replies were submitted by members:-
1. The problem is most certainly water getting in and short circuiting the electrics. In the early 80's i owned a Suzuki GS750 and when water got into the electrical contacts on the gearbox switch,the LED gear indicator on the clocks would tell you that the bike was in 8th gear!
Not too helpful with sorting out the problem, but I thought you'd all like to here about an 8 speed Suzuki - Editor.
Subject:- Side Stand Switch
This question was asked by a member:-
I wonder if any members could give advice on a problem before I end up spending money or perhaps making the problem worse.
I have a 1997 ST1100. It seems sound but recently the sidestand switch seems to have been going a bit dodgy - the light does not go on or goes out when the sidestand is down. The bike occasionally will not start with the sidestand up until you have flicked the sidestand up a down a couple of times. More recently the bike has cut out a few times when running. This is generally when the engine is under load i.e. accelerating or going up hill and at roughly the same revs. After stopping and putting the sidestand down the bike starts without problem. This is not happening all the time and often happens early in a journey and the bike is fine after that. I am assuming that the two problems are linked and intend replacing the switch but does anyone have any suggestions. The bike has recently been serviced and the dealer said the switch seemed fine and the bike had run Ok when he test rode it after the service.
These replies were submitted by members:-
1. You could try an experiment. Disconnect the sidestand switch and connect the wires together, the engine should not start in gear. Then disconnect the wires and see how the bike runs. If the fault does not reappear after a period of time then logic would suggest an intermittent fault with the switch which may not show up under a static test. Vibration can do lots of things. If the fault does not appear with the switch out of the system then you have diagnosed the problem. Had a similar problem with my old VFR regarding the electronic speedo sensor, it turned out to be a broken wire in the connector which was intermittently breaking and making. It doesn't sound like that's the problem with your bike. Try taking the switch off and checking the action of the microswitch it could be sticking and if possible get a squirt of switch cleaner inside it, preferably the kind with a protective lubricant.
2. There are known problems with dicky sidestand switches that would cause all the symptoms you describe. I don't know the cost of a new one but if you try David Silver Spares www.davidsilverspares.co.uk they should be able to help; alternatively your friendly local breaker can probably help, or perhaps an NPR member who has broken a Pan (Pete Smith knows someone who broke a Pan last year).
3. Seems to me you have a intermittent fault which are the worst, check where it goes in the loom where the plug goes into from the switch, check for voltage with ignition on, I think you have a faulty switch by the sound of it. The dealer should be able to deal with it if they can not, change dealership.
CAUTION - Be extremely cautious if you disconnect your sidestand switch. Forgetting to raise the stand before riding off, could prove to be catastrophic. - Editor
Subject:- ST1300 Headlamp Bulb Change
This question was asked by a member:-
Do we have any tips on the web site about replacing the headlamp bulb on a 1300.
We do now - Editor.
Ths replies were submitted by members:-
Changing the headlight bulb is easy, - if you know how.
Make a mistake and you could find yourself forking out for a new headlamp, yes a new headlamp, or have to do a make do and mend "Araldite" adhesive repair !!!
For some reason Honda do not specify that to remove the 3Pin bulb connector on the ST1300, the release tabs on the connector must be squeezed (some 3pin connectors on other marques just push on and pull off without any retaining tabs). The tabs are very tiny and cannot be easily seen when the connecter is in place, they can be difficult to locate, unless you know exactly how to feel for them with your fingers and feeling for them with your fingers appears to be the only way as looking to find them is nigh impossible.
Do not use force to try and pull off the connector, it cannot be removed without squeezing the tabs. The force you are likely to use could break the bulb spring clip retaining lug, which is part of the headlight reflector moulding.
See the pictures for location of the tabs on the 3Pin Connector and the reflector moulding lug. Once the socket has been removed from the Bulb, remove the bulb from the headlamp by releasing the retainer spring (see drawing). Take care when replacing the bulb - hold the new replacement bulb with dry cotton cloth as any fingerprints on the bulb could cause the glass to fracture when the light is switched on. Good Luck !
