New 1995 ST1100 Project Wiring Issues

Joined
Mar 3, 2026
Messages
3
Age
37
Location
Chicago
Bike
1995 ST1100
Hello all!
Picked up this Honda St1100 and here with the question of what electric systems can be bypassed as I had purchased this ride without headlights and there seems to be a few missing connections as seen in these photos.
Ordered a manual and wanted to get some insight while it's on the way as am charging battery for another attempt at getting the starter going.
In neutral gear, I attempted to start the engine with nothing at all but a fast click sound. I see Demo engines running on YouTube without wiring harness and am looking to see if I can do similar, like no headlights or turn signals, no dash, no break lights, Just for the reason of getting running and maybe bobber it out and just make stand alone systems for the rest even if so it be ghetto, sounds worst that it might be... Any help please
 

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I suggest checking the main relay. It’s on the left side of the bike just above the footpeg, usually there’s a spare green 30 amp fuse in a holder on the rubber cap. Remove the cap to expose the red connector. Open the red connector and check to see if the connector is melted at the terminals. Then check the 6 wire white connector to the voltage regulator/rectifier. Pull it apart and see if it has issues,
Spray WD40 or contact cleaner into the stop switch, and rock the switch a few times, do the same with the highbeam switch on the left.
Check your battery terminals, to make sure they are tight,
Check the main ground on the loom, it is most likely bolted to the frame via the grab handle on the left side of the bike or it may be attached to the pannier rail behind the grab handle.
 
Hello all!
Picked up this Honda St1100 and here with the question of what electric systems can be bypassed as I had purchased this ride without headlights and there seems to be a few missing connections as seen in these photos.
Ordered a manual and wanted to get some insight while it's on the way as am charging battery for another attempt at getting the starter going.
In neutral gear, I attempted to start the engine with nothing at all but a fast click sound. I see Demo engines running on YouTube without wiring harness and am looking to see if I can do similar, like no headlights or turn signals, no dash, no break lights, Just for the reason of getting running and maybe bobber it out and just make stand alone systems for the rest even if so it be ghetto, sounds worst that it might be... Any help ple

I suggest checking the main relay. It’s on the left side of the bike just above the footpeg, usually there’s a spare green 30 amp fuse in a holder on the rubber cap. Remove the cap to expose the red connector. Open the red connector and check to see if the connector is melted at the terminals. Then check the 6 wire white connector to the voltage regulator/rectifier. Pull it apart and see if it has issues,
Spray WD40 or contact cleaner into the stop switch, and rock the switch a few times, do the same with the highbeam switch on the left.
Check your battery terminals, to make sure they are tight,
Check the main ground on the loom, it is most likely bolted to the frame via the grab handle on the left side of the bike or it may be attached to the pannier rail behind the grab handle.
Ok I'm seeing a lot of videos with people got burned out that main relay to where they bypass it "red wire bypassing" on the YouTube and Facebook comments, completely new to this ride.
It has no lights other then dash glow MAYBE (cause nothing turns on) and rear light, just got the battery fully charged up and I'll see about that one in the morning when I get back at it.
 
Ok I'm seeing a lot of videos with people got burned out that main relay to where they bypass it "red wire bypassing" on the YouTube and Facebook comments, completely new to this ride.
It has no lights other then dash glow MAYBE (cause nothing turns on) and rear light, just got the battery fully charged up and I'll see about that one in the morning when I get back at it.
Also do any of you know if there is a thread in here I can get a link to with wiring? Having issues navigating this site
 
Also do any of you know if there is a thread in here I can get a link to with wiring? Having issues navigating this site
See the attached. You didn't state whether it is ABS of not so I attached both.
 

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Ok I'm seeing a lot of videos with people got burned out that main relay to where they bypass it "red wire bypassing" on the YouTube and Facebook comments, completely new to this ride.
It has no lights other then dash glow MAYBE (cause nothing turns on) and rear light, just got the battery fully charged up and I'll see about that one in the morning when I get back at it.
At the moment I wouldn’t worry about bypassing it. Start with keeping the original wiring first, so a problem can be isolated. If the connector is burned out, you can replace the connector with female spade connectors. If the red wire in that connector is burned, splice in a replacement red wire.
In the meantime You can get H4 bulbs from an auto store and plug them into the headlight sockets to see if they light up, this will only cost you a few dollars.
If you don’t have a multimeter, then acquire one, a cheap $12 one will do for trouble shooting. Without load and just measuring the battery with no load you should read between 12volts to about 13 volts. With the key on you might see just over 11 volts, if you have less than that it will just click.
Given this is a 1995 model, there’s a good chance it still has a 28 amp oil cooled alternator. If you see oil leaking where the five wires ( 3 yellow, 1 black, 1 white) come out, or evidence of oil drips on the ground under the alternator, Let’s put a stop to this exercise right now, ‘cause if you wish to continue to have a running machine, you will need to invest in the 40 amp upgrade. That upgrade is about $500 and a weekends work over a case of 2/4.
 
I recommend a test probe for troubleshooting. Start with checking for power at the fuses.

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