Shop Manual Worth It???

[retpd2001]

I noticed a shop manual for sale somewhere and wondered what people's opinion are as to the value of having one, and what they are actually worth. Thanks in advance.

[BigTom]

Are you going to do your own work?

Like MasterCard says "Priceless"!!

[sttourer]

If you are planning on doing any work yourself they are a great thing to have. Coupled with the information available on this site, it's a great combination.

New ones will run about $60 + shipping and can be found here (http://www.helminc.com/helm/product2.asp?class%5F2=AHC&mk=Honda+Motorcycle&yr=2006&md=On%2DRoad&dt=Shop%2FService+Information&module=&from=result&Style=&Sku=61MCS03&itemtype=N&mscsid=RGB9G7TFAN3W9GPMX99NCT3N624264X2).

Pat

[retpd2001]

I am just going to do minor stuff myself, so maybe the owners manual is good enough and I don't need the shop manual, maybe I just like having that info around! Also, thanks for the link to purchase one.

[zombiebritts]

or , if you know someone that has the PDF version for the computer , maybe they can hook you up with it . ;) ;)

[ChucksKLRST]

I noticed a shop manual for sale somewhere and wondered what people's opinion are as to the value of having one, and what they are actually worth. Thanks in advance.


YES, this way you know what it takes, When the dealer is working on your bike. Also you can start studying and progress into doing more of you own STuff. Such as taking off the Tupperware, ETC.
Always, always, have the service manual. If some one wants to help you do maint at a maint clinic then you have the book there. I will not assist some one with their bike maint unless they have the book or I have the book. Even though I do all my work I am always referring to the maint book.
It will also help you if the service shop is trying to bull **** you about lubing the drive splines with axle grease.ETC. You will have the book to show them the proper way, Honda Molly paste 60% molly. Buy the book. You have a 14000 dollar motorcycle. spend the 60 bucks for the proper maint instructions. Pay me now or pay me later. Learning to do some of the things that you read about here on the forum will pay for the book the first time you pull the plastic off the bike.

[racer1735]

Whether you do any 'serious' work on your bike, or just daily maintenance, the shop manual (for any bike) is well worth the money. It is the only place you can get capacities, torque values, etc. when you need them.

[BigBadblue]

At twice the retail price, I would still buy it and feel like I got a good deal. Worth every penny and then some.

[ST13Fred]

On several ocassions in past vehicle purchases, I bought the Service Manual BEFORE buying the vehicle, current ST included; that is how important it is to me. I knew the bike fairly well before laying the first wrench to it.

I must admit, it scares me a little to hear a question like that. Mechanics is complicated enough, w/o going in blind. Like Forest Gump would say, 'I'm not a smart man'.

:04biker:

[Mark]

I don't think I ever say it quite as forcefully as Chuck; but, if you are going to do *anything* to your bike other than pay a huge amount of money to the $Tealer you absolutely need a service manual.

MO
Mark

[retpd2001]

Thanks for all the info guys, I am going to pick one up.....

[Luis Vargas]

:06biker: I got mine on e-bay for $39.00 well worth it.

[STBNE]

I would also be interested in a service manual...Where could I find one for my '95 ST1100???

[zombiebritts]

I found this if you are so inclined .....

Taken from another forum;
Tincho

If you need a Service Manual or Parts list to your motorbike , please go below and see if the manual are in my collection …. All are electronic books in pdf format . The collection increases every month . Sorry , no direct download are possible , manuals are not online …..

The manuals are not for sale , but exchange with manuals I don’t have, this is the best way to get a manual to the bike…. If not possible , a small donation to the future grow of my collection can be a way to get a service manual to your bike……..

if you need a manual contact me at mega.bikes@gmail.com (mega.bikes@gmail.com)

My list: (I took out most of it)


Honda Model Languaje Notes
Honda ST 1100 92 to 96 English

[Mark]

ebay has ST1100 manuals regularly.
Clymer is good; honda is better, skip any other.

Mark

[Malks]

Shop manuals are essential if you need to know anything about your bike! As a matter of fact, it is the only book I have for my 97 as I bought it used and it did not come with an Owners' Manual. Since the ST1100 is an older dis-continued model, try going to your local STealer and looking through their inventory of older manuals. I found a Haynes shop manual for 90 to 97 ST1100's in the clearance bin for just $15.00CDN. It is a very good manual, hard cover with colour pics and good clear instructions. Bought the thing immediately, probably should have bought all three that were in the bin.

Since then the dealer (Cycle World in Toronto) has gone into receivership and is clearing out everything. I will try to get down there and look around to see if they have any of these manuals left.

Malks

[ST13Fred]

I would also be interested in a service manual...Where could I find one for my '95 ST1100???

http://www.helminc.com/helm/Result.asp?Style=&Mfg=AHC&Make=AHC&Model=STR&Year=1995&Category=1&Keyword=&Module=&selected%5Fmedia=&mscsid=B8M47SM55TN89KAGR47C798CN2UP6GJ5

:)

[STBNE]

http://www.helminc.com/helm/Result.asp?Style=&Mfg=AHC&Make=AHC&Model=STR&Year=1995&Category=1&Keyword=&Module=&selected%5Fmedia=&mscsid=B8M47SM55TN89KAGR47C798CN2UP6GJ5

:) I Thankyou ST13Fred...while I could problably have gotten this off of ebay...personally I dont like ebay so instead of possibly being out bidded I'd rather just pay the $60 bucks. I am sure it will pay for itself the first or by the 2nd time I use it.:cool:

[jaster]

Another option is to join the Honda Rider's Club of America (https://hrca.honda.com/). The on-line only version gives you electronic access to the Honda Common Service Manual and one motorcycle specific service manual ('94 to present) for $7.95 per year. Bad thing is you lose access if you cancel your subscription. Since you can print the pages, you could print your own manuals but they wouldn't be a nice as the one you can purchase.

Certain things require you have both manuals to understand what you're doing. This is because the specific manual assumes you know certain things from the start. The good thing is you can get the specific manual and the people here will fill you in on the rest if you have questions.

Get your specific manual and then consider the common manual as well.

[Biker George]

I could not imagine owning any vehicle and not purchasing the Service Manual.

It is absolutely worth it...I also recommend that you photocopy your wiring diagram and keep it with you on the bike. Simple, but also potentially invaluable.

Being absolutely anal, I .pdf'd mine and emailed it to myself so I could store it in my phone. This also is a good way to store oil filter cross references, spark plug specs, etc.

Regards,

-Geo

[killerST6]

I purchased the ext warranty as well as the service plan, but I would like one for the farkle and other things I will do.