My poor bike.

[Larry Fine]

You expect a Honda shop to actually gap the plugs?

Well, it is easy to assume they came pre-gapped (and not banged around after).

 

[bstig60]

Whatever happened to a test ride after working on the bike? My car mechanic does a test ride before and after customers drop their cars off. It's good business, too. And this guy is probably the most honest mechanic in town.

At the very least, a test ride should be done by the shop following any repair.

 

[Pop-Pop]

Unfortunately this might not be practical for Mike, but I do agree with you. I think Mike is in Boston, and I think his ST is stored in a parking garage so the prospect of DIY becomes a less likely option.

The meter maids hate my guts!

 

[Uncle Phil]

Well, it is easy to assume they came pre-gapped (and not banged around after).

Let me fix it -
"You expect a Honda Shop to actually check the gap before they install them?"

 

[Pop-Pop]

At the very least, a test ride should be done by the shop following any repair.

I have a feeling they idled it and called it done. At this point, they are losing money and i requested he test ride it.

 

[Uncle Phil]

As I told the mechanic after he hosed mine -
"Do what you wish but since it is on your nickel I suggest you check the plugs first!"

 

[Pop-Pop]

As I told the mechanic after he hosed mine -
"Do what you wish but since it is on your nickel I suggest you check the plugs first!"

Yea, I called him this morning and gave him the opinions offered here. Plugs and wires won, a couple on battery and on gas, which (gas) is a non starter (perhaps I should phrase that differently!), even tho I appreciate the suggestions. I'm hoping to b on the road next week with a vastly improved bike, camping gear and a thicker wallet. I got jipped last tour by two weeks and want that back! I have a tire ride to New Hampshire this Friday. Avon Spirits and shiny steel stems!

 

[Sunday Rider]

OK, it runs, but not well. It sounds like it may be electrical, I suggest the bypass as sometimes they fail, I have experienced that. It was a suggestion,
My next thought is the vacuum hoses from the carbs might be leaking, one of the hose covers may have come lose.
All the best in resolving your issue

Kiltman has a good point here as the red wire connection eventually fails. You might want to carry a repair for it in your tool kit just to be ready as you don’t want to be stranded on the road.
I guess this just adds to your list of things before you hit the road.

Red Wire bypass

just a couple of pieces of wire and 30 amp fuse connector.
Good luck with the shop finding the problem.

 

[tnbill]

IMHO if you are going to do this it is a lot better to go with the relay route. By doing it this way you remove the current load out of the ignition switch and that side of the wiring harness.

 

[Sunday Rider]

Hey double Pop what’s happening with the bike? We gots to know.

 

[Obo]

Hey double Pop what’s happening with the bike? We gots to know.

Quick synopsis, when he goes to ride it, it calls his name "pop, pop"

 

[Pop-Pop]

Hey double Pop what’s happening with the bike? We gots to know.

Dropped it iff fri. They are closed sun and mon. I told them i needed the bike fri morn as im scheduled my tire install then. Im planning on giving them a call this afternoon. I have a feeling im going to use the dealership from now on. Im still a bit upset. I understand people make mistakes but certified mechanics get more formal training.
Will let you know later. Im hoping to leave on tour tues.

 

[Pop-Pop]

Kiltman has a good point here as the red wire connection eventually fails. You might want to carry a repair for it in your tool kit just to be ready as you don’t want to be stranded on the road.
I guess this just adds to your list of things before you hit the road.

Red Wire bypass

just a couple of pieces of wire and 30 amp fuse connector.
Good luck with the shop finding the problem.

Thanks, ill look this up

 

[red one]

Dropped it iff fri. They are closed sun and mon. I told them i needed the bike fri morn as im scheduled my tire install then. Im planning on giving them a call this afternoon. I have a feeling im going to use the dealership from now on. Im still a bit upset. I understand people make mistakes but certified mechanics get more formal training.
Will let you know later. Im hoping to leave on tour tues.

I don't want to bust your bubble but a stealership oops sorry a dealership won't be much better either. It's just a sign of the times. Nobody takes pride in their workmanship anymore. As far as a certified mechanic that bar is real low now. Probably computer based training with a little hands training on the machine. I remember one course I took for a Xerox printer that had no requirement to even have the machine. Just computer based training and take a quiz and pass with 80% or higher and you guessed it certified.

 

[Pop-Pop]

I don't want to bust your bubble but a stealership oops sorry a dealership won't be much better either. It's just a sign of the times. Nobody takes pride in their workmanship anymore. As far as a certified mechanic that bar is real low now. Probably computer based training with a little hands training on the machine. I remember one course I took for a Xerox printer that had no requirement to even have the machine. Just computer based training and take a quiz and pass with 80% or higher and you guessed it certified.

Yea, it does seem like a bit of poker. I called them and they are putting a new battery in, which i already bought. I agree with them that the battery i had was a poor one. Then the plugs, wires and vacuum hoses.
He says that unless he has to order parts, my red will b ready tomorrow. I need my tires installed friday. I fail to understand the parts comment as the bike ran fine when i dropped it off.
A couple of hours work tomorrow and saturday, packing sunday, a appointment monday, and im on the road tuesday hopefully.

 

[Al st1100]

Yea, it does seem like a bit of poker. I called them and they are putting a new battery in, which i already bought. I agree with them that the battery i had was a poor one. Then the plugs, wires and vacuum hoses.
He says that unless he has to order parts, my red will b ready tomorrow. I need my tires installed friday. I fail to understand the parts comment as the bike ran fine when i dropped it off.
A couple of hours work tomorrow and saturday, packing sunday, a appointment monday, and im on the road tuesday hopefully.

what did he say was wrong or is he guessing? They crack a plug or break a wire ? better take it on a good ride before your trip

 

[Pop-Pop]

what did he say was wrong or is he guessing? They crack a plug or break a wire ? better take it on a good ride before your trip

Yea, they changed the plugs. Sid some other things that dont matter. Fog lites, bled the clutch valve cover gasket etc. it has to b plugs or wires.
My tire girl in in new hampshire , which is about 60 mi each way. I agree on the road test. Thankfully, i also have towing ins.

 

[Sunday Rider]

Good luck and hopefully they will not need any new parts. Wonder what they connected the fog lights to? How come you had to change the valve cover gasket; leaking?

 

[Pop-Pop]

Good luck and hopefully they will not need any new parts. Wonder what they connected the fog lights to? How come you had to change the valve cover gasket; leaking?

Yea, apparently the gasket had been cobb jobbed before i bought it. The bike is and was excellent, but the battery was connected poorly and the v cover gasket. Not a huge deal for four tours and over 50,000 mi.
The ambers were wired to the output of the low beam relays.

 

[Ron]

... The ambers were wired to the output of the low beam relays.

Hope they ran them through a relay.