Hi all. Strange issue (to me)

Joined
Nov 9, 2026
Messages
2
Age
71
Location
Ireland
Bike
ST1300 Pan European
I`ve been riding Pans for over 15 years. Based in Galway in Ireland.
This past weekend I`ve been away with my current 2010 1300.
On Saturday morning it almost failed to start. Would turn over but not fire up. Eventually did start and worked fine all day until evening. Same problem. Sunday morning I topped up the header tank for radiator. Bike started first turn of the key. Started every time all day until evening. No go. Topped up the header tank again. only took about a cupful. Started straight away. Parked it at my hotel overnight, started first thing this morning.
Decided enough was enough, so headed for home without stopping the bike.
Took the fairings off and ran the bike up to temperature, but can see no signs of a leak.
Okay !!
Just wondering if anyone on here has had a similar experience and could maybe shed some light on this.
Sean
 
You have two problems that are not related (probably). Adding coolant is almost always due to a minor leak. ST hose clamps are notorious for needing to be tightened regularly or replaced. They spawned a number of threads (likely all gone down in the big 'updating' purge almost a year ago). The threads discussed constant tension clamps (with springs), worm screw type hose clamps and even (Gates brand, I think) heat shrink clamps that are a one time use type (you cut them to remove the hose). The narrow OEM hose clamps cut into and compress the rubber and need occasional tightening.

When you say no signs of leak you mean no green stains or were you only looking for liquid drips? Another source of leakage is the radiator cap hose to the expansion bottle on the left side of the bike. Since most of this hose is hidden, it is often overlooked. Did you check the square and round holes on the right side of the motor? These route leaked coolant from the V between the cylinders and down from a leaking water pump.

Hard starting is usually an electrical problem. Did you hear the fuel pump start and then stop after a few seconds? This is usually ignored because you cannot hear it if the starter is spinning the engine.
 
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