Odd Knob?-ST1300

[Terry500]

Looking for a bit of help for this ST newbie here, please. Just changed the oil today on my ,new to me, 2006 ST1300. I noticed the small knob in the attached photo. May someone please tell me what it controls? Thanks in advance, Terry

 

[sirbike]

Idle adjustment

 

[GitSum]

Yep idle - It's not a cable, it's a sort of flexible rod that runs over to the throttle body and to the wax assembly

 

[Igofar]

Don’t break it by trying to turn it with your fingers, the knob is just cosmetic to direct you to the idle adjuster.
Use a JIS driver to adjust it.
Get a service manual.

 

[Terry500]

Ah, very much appreciate the very speedy and helpful replies. And the reminder for a manual. I don't plan on making any adjustments for she has been running smooth.

 

[ST Gui]

I noticed the small knob in the attached photo. May someone please tell me what it controls?

Here's a link to two ST300 Owner's Manuals. Not the same as a service manual but included with bikes on original sale and would have answered your question. There may be other helpful information for you.

There's no mention but should be — you need JIS and not Phillips screwdrivers (if you're not already aware of that).

 

[Terry500]

Thanks Gui, I see it on page 113 of the manual you sent. Noted on the Japanese size bit. Thanks again.

 

[Mr.E]

One last point, for future reference... hold the throttle open slightly if/when making an idle adjustment.

 

[MattSTlouis]

Thanks Gui, I see it on page 113 of the manual you sent. Noted on the Japanese size bit. Thanks again.

I just use the one in the tool kit for all the phillips on the bike.

 

[wjbertrand]

It adjusts the stop screw on the throttle body bell crank. It’s impossible to reach directly unless the air box is removed so Honda provided this remote adjustment. The stop screw can tend to freeze or bind at the TB end so if twisting that knob doesn’t result in any idle speed change, (don’t force it) you’ll have to pull the air box and apply some liquid wrench or other penetrant directly to the screw and then work it in until it loosens up.

 

[Terry500]

Thanks everybody. This forum is a friendly and helpful place.

 

[Igofar]

I just use the one in the tool kit for all the phillips on the bike.

That’s probably a good thing, as there are no Phillips screws on your Japanese bike

 

[MattSTlouis]

That’s probably a good thing, as there are no Phillips screws on your Japanese bike

I used a philips screwdriver on these up until a few months ago when I learned what a JIS was. Luckily there are not many on the ST and I was always able to get the air snorkels out of the airbox without destroying one with a philips screwdriver.

I will refer them as japhilips for now on.

 

[Andrew Shadow]

I used a philips screwdriver on these up until a few months ago when I learned what a JIS was. Luckily there are not many on the ST and I was always able to get the air snorkels out of the airbox without destroying one with a philips screwdriver.

I have a couple of sets of JIS screwdrivers but before I got them I used Phillips screwdrivers for years and have never had a problem. In my experience, the difference comes when a poor quality Phillips screwdriver is being used versus a good quality Phillips screw driver like a Snap-On or a MAC. Having written that, I will also write that JIS screwdrivers are readily available and not that expensive, so there really isn't a good reason not to use the proper driver and simply avoid any potential headaches.

I will refer them as japhilips for now on.

In the useless information department, I think that the proper name for this type of screw head is a cross recessed screw. This type of screw can be the American Phillips standard or the Japanese JIS standard. Just as we have come to refer to the American version simply as a Phillips screw, the most commonly used name for the Japanese version, in North America at least, seems to simply be JIS screw.

 

[Igofar]

Even though some people have gotten away using snap on, Mac, matco, etc. does not mean it’s the correct tool for the job.
I see folks using vice grips and pliers to loosen bolts too.

 

[Andrew Shadow]

Even though some people have gotten away using snap on, Mac, matco, etc. does not mean it’s the correct tool for the job.

Did you miss where I wrote;

Having written that, I will also write that JIS screwdrivers are readily available and not that expensive, so there really isn't a good reason not to use the proper driver ......

 

[Igofar]

No, I read that.
It was for all the other folks who will still use their Snap On or Mac because they believe they are the best.

 

[STRider]

Having written that, I will also write that JIS screwdrivers are readily available and not that expensive, so there really isn't a good reason not to use the proper driver and simply avoid any potential headaches.

I find it terribly distressing that it wasn't until just a few years ago that I learned that the screws on my various Japanese products over the years where indeed something other than a Philips screw, best attacked with a Philips screwdriver.

The horrors I would've avoided AND the fewer whacks on a hand-held impact driver sporting a PHILIPS bit I would've made had I known the difference. I attribute this to the democratization of information the internet has brought us.

And oh, those poor sidecover and case screws that were needlessly mangled.

On that note... may I suggest that when buying your first JIS drivers you consider specifically the Vessel Impacta line? These look like conventional screwdrivers except for the metal cap at the end of the handle. It doubles as a light duty impact driver. And works perfectly well as a simple handheld screwdriver when you aren't hitting it with a mallet.

Plus, JIS bits for use in an impact driver can be had too when the Impact may not be up to the task.

Vessel Megadora 980 Impacta P2x100 #2 Cross Point Impact Screwdriver



5/16" JIS Impact Screwdriver Bits | Made in Japan | +1 +2 +3 +4-10 (36mm long)

 

[Andrew Shadow]

On that note... may I suggest that when buying your first JIS drivers you consider specifically the Vessel Impacta line?

Have a look at the below. If you are considering the Vessel Megadora because of it being slimmer and lighter than a true impact driver I think that this is a better option. One impact driver handle can be used with multiple size JIS screw sizes as opposed to one for each size with the Vessel. The bits can also be used in any 1/4" driver, making them more versatile as well.
Impact Driver With Bits

 

[GitSum]