New 1995 ST1100 Project Wiring Issues

[SMSW]

Hmm, I'm not aware of the ST1100 having a starter solenoid - but then I could be wrong.

Phil, I think every ice engine that has an electric starter has a solenoid. The inrush current for the motor is so large that it will fry normal contacts in a short time. The starter solenoid (aka relay, though some have an electromagnet to lever the starting gear against the flywheel) has heavy duty contacts that can handle 100 amps or more.

Small engines (snowblowers, lawn mowers, etc.) are the exception.

 

[Uncle Phil]

Phil, I think every ice engine that has an electric starter has a solenoid. The inrush current for the motor is so large that it will fry normal contacts in a short time. The starter solenoid (aka relay, though some have an electromagnet to lever the starting gear against the flywheel) has heavy duty contacts that can handle 100 amps or more.

Small engines (snowblowers, lawn mowers, etc.) are the exception.

As I said, I could be wrong. I thought it was probably more of a relay than a solenoid.
When I think of a starter solenoid go back to the old big round ones on top of the starter for GM motors and the sort of square and round ones for Fords.
It is interesting that I could not find a 'solenoid' in the parts listing for a ST1100 - at least not called that.
I'm sure Mother Honda called it a relay which is usually found on the left side near where you do the 'red wire' repair.
"To-ma-toe" or "tomat-too" (typically spelled "tomahto") - same thing I suppose.

 

[Sunday Rider]

Had a dead starter solinoid!
Difficult to work in a storage unit as being semi-new to restoring motorcycle.
Here's what I got going on lol just found solinoid on Amazon should have it in two days.

Where are the carbs?
Glad you found the problem with the relay (Solenoid for us old timers) as Kiltman had pointed out.

 

[andrew24]

Where are the carbs?
Glad you found the problem with the relay (Solenoid for us old timers) as Kiltman had pointed out.

Yeah I figured the way it looked not seeming like any of the cylinder shaped ones you see on most other motorcycles I tested it with only a battery, had no click or nothing though when tapped the starter at it then rolled over, I went to this site https://shop.nwtcycletronic.com/product/tc3-m/ after seeing these bare bones setups on motorcycle doctor's YouTube station if everything fails...the price is still kinda up there though not much off from whatever f'd harness there will be on eBay. The new solinoid gets here tomorrow maybe I will be riding this thing tomorrow night, I think those rear end wires are for the turn signals they gotta be so just gotta order some that match the connector from Amazon and slap on some mirrors.

 

[John OoSTerhuis]

 

[Sunday Rider]

Yeah I figured the way it looked not seeming like any of the cylinder shaped ones you see on most other motorcycles I tested it with only a battery, had no click or nothing though when tapped the starter at it then rolled over, I went to this site https://shop.nwtcycletronic.com/product/tc3-m/ after seeing these bare bones setups on motorcycle doctor's YouTube station if everything fails...the price is still kinda up there though not much off from whatever f'd harness there will be on eBay. The new solinoid gets here tomorrow maybe I will be riding this thing tomorrow night, I think those rear end wires are for the turn signals they gotta be so just gotta order some that match the connector from Amazon and slap on some mirrors.

I would try a used harness off eBay for the ST1100. Once bike starts you can start clipping wires to your liking. Was the bike working before you bought it? Are the carbs there in those piles of parts?

 

[andrew24]

I would try a used harness off eBay for the ST1100. Once bike starts you can start clipping wires to your liking. Was the bike working before you bought it? Are the carbs there in those piles of parts?

I got them off and home to be cleaned and checked out found some great videos on YouTube as I have only rebuilt 79KZ750, FZR600 and a Honda magna also from 95 like this ST, I'm a fan of this thing without riding it yet though I had a Hayabusa for half a year and can see it gets up there in speed and about the same weight so can guess how it's going to be, I dig the timing belt on this ride makes it way easy no digging out chains and counting links... But yeah I'm probably going to bobber it out and sell the fairings perhaps, chop the end of the frame and weld the pieces to make a seat mount to the frame though picture it in my mind and it looks like @#$& lol
JUST checked the valves and they are looking tight according to this guy

trying to find the specs cause I can't find them in my service manual And don't trust Google AI for that answer!

 

[Uncle Phil]

Usually the only issue with the carbs is the low speed idle jets get clogged if the bike sets for a while - especially if ethanol is involved.
Unless the diaphragms are dry rotted it should run even with the idle jets clogged.
It just won't idle without the choke (fuel enricher) on.

 

[Sunday Rider]

I picked up some parts from a guy who did this to the ST1100



I liked the look of it.