ST1100 Timing Belt, Upper Fairing

[paulcb]

Doing my valves, timing belt and forks this weekend on my 2001 ST11 ABSII. Looking at the Honda service manual, it says to remove the upper fairing to remove the radiator, which is necessary to get at and remove the timing belt cover.

Do I really need to remove the upper fairing? I’ve got the mid and lower removed, but stopped there. TIA!

 

[Bush]

For the few minutes it takes to remove it, it will make the job that much more accessible and easy. Never tried doing it without full fairing removal, so I can't comment if it is possible.

 

[ReSTored]

As per Bush, once you're that far into plastic removal the upper fairing is just a few minutes more. With everything off this gives you a great cleaning opportunity so everything is spic and span before reassembly.

 

[paulcb]

Done. Thanks for the push. My bike’s never been so naked.

 

[kiltman]

It’s good to get naked every once in awhile. I have had the timing belt done twice, once on a 1990 and then again on a 1997 ABSII. I brought the bikes to a dealer with the mid fairing and lower cowl removed. They did not remove the upper.
I have found it beneficial to remove everything and be able to inspect connectors, replace bulbs. In fact when it’s in that state is the best time to replace the headlight bulbs, put in a fresh set and your good for another year or two.

 

[STraymond]

Done. Thanks for the push. My bike’s never been so naked.

It's OK, I have averted my eyes. Let us know when your ST is again dressed....

 

[SMSW]

Done. Thanks for the push. My bike’s never been so naked

This is embarrassing. How would you like it if someone stripped you bare and posted your pic here?

Lesson to be learned: Beauty is only fairing deep.

 

[Upt' North]

Disgusting, cover er up at once.
I hope Joe clamps down on this sort of vulgarity.
Upt'North.

 

[STraymond]

It may be inappropriate to mention the 'F' word, but you may want to change the Fork oil with the bike as it is....

 

[beemerphile]

Paul, be sure to pull the carbs off and play around with them. Great fun.

Scouting around, you might find some hoses and o-rings in the cooling system that ain't just so...

 

[paulcb]

Did the carbs and everything in the V last year.

Things 'look' pretty good under the tupperware, just a bit dirty. On to the valve check, now that the engine is stone cold. Then the TB and then the forks.

 

[DeanR]

How many miles on the timing belt Paul?

 

[STraymond]

If you are going to do a fork oil change, taking the front wheel and forks off will give you better as access to the timing belt area.

 

[dwalby]

If you are going to do a fork oil change, taking the front wheel and forks off will give you better as access to the timing belt area.

do this, even if you're not going to change the fork oil. I expected that you were, but since they're still attached in the picture, I guess its worth mentioning.

 

[SMSW]

While you are in there, you might as well do an @Igofar tweak of the whole bike. Give him a PM and I'm sure he will tell you what to check.

 

[red one]

Paul, be sure to give us a detailed picture of the old timing belt as I still have the old 20 year old belt on mine.

 

[John OoSTerhuis]

+1 on pulling the forks for the timing belt R&R, Paul. But as we discussed, loosen the bottom fork bolts first. Good luck with the STOC loaner kit for the fork seals.

Dang, wish I lived closer, would be fun to kibitz and hand you the occasional tool while drinking your beer.

Good Luck, John

 

[DeanR]

While you are in there, you might as well do an @Igofar tweak of the whole bike. Give him a PM and I'm sure he will tell you what to check.

Pretty sure Paul knows what to check.

 

[paulcb]

How many miles on the timing belt Paul?

Hey Dean. About 110k. The old belt looks nearly perfect, with no detectable stretch. Glad to get it done though.

 

[paulcb]

+1 on pulling the forks for the timing belt R&R, Paul. But as we discussed, loosen the bottom fork bolts first. Good luck with the STOC loaner kit for the fork seals.

Dang, wish I lived closer, would be fun to kibitz and hand you the occasional tool while drinking your beer.

Good Luck, John

I wish you were closer too John, would be happy for you to drink my beer! Thanks for the tips on getting the TB cover off. I finally did get it off and then dremeled off the interfering plastic, as you mentioned... went back on much easier. Had 51 teeth between marks, before and after, as you've previously recorded. Shimmed two exhaust valves (cyl #2), the rest were in the middle of the range. Got it all back together and she fired right up. Doing the forks tomorrow.