Please help. North Carolina

babydiego

babydiego

Joined
Mar 18, 2025
Messages
64
Age
37
Location
Jupiter Florida
Bike
gl500i
My ST1100 began severely overheating 20 miles outside maggie valley nc. I didnt let it get too hot but I am perplexed. I think I can get it towed but I have no idea why its overheating. Iam 800 miles from home and the bike will only go a few hundred yards before overheating. I verified the coolant level. Fan is working. Found black residue I'm overflow tank. Thanks in advance.
 
If the ground cables are dirty, the gauge will register too high.
Check the ground at the battery and the one just to the right of the handle used for putting the bike on the center stand.
Also, check the overflow hose that connects just below the radiator cap.
If it is cracked, the radiator will not be able to draw the needed coolant out of the overflow jug.
I just had that hose collapse on the inside when the hose looked 'good'.
If it is bad, you can replace it with 5/16" heater hose from any autoparts house (make sure it is heater hose and not vacuum hose).
 
Uncle Phil said:
If the ground cables are dirty, the gauge will register too high.
Check the ground at the battery and the one just to the right of the handle used for putting the bike on the center stand.
Also, check the overflow hose that connects just below the radiator cap.
If it is cracked, the radiator will not be able to draw the needed coolant out of the overflow jug.
I just had that hose collapse on the inside when the hose looked 'good'.
If it is bad, you can replace it with 5/16" heater hose from any autoparts house (make sure it is heater hose and not vacuum hose).
Click to expand...
Overflow tank spilled over when she got hot
 
One of the most common issues with the ST1100 overheating is the coolant overflow tube splitting. When this happens the overflow tank will have coolant in it but the engine and radiator will be low on coolant. Having the hose being split won't allow the coolant to return to the engine/ radiator when everything cools down and over time the coolant runs low in the system. Let everything cool down completely and then remove the radiator cap and see if the coolant in the radiator/ engine is low. If it is this, it is most likely the problem. Sometimes the overflow hose can simply be trimmed back and then reattach where it attached to the nipple on the radiator filler neck. Most times the host splits or rots out at this point. You will need to remove the tank shelter to easily access the filler neck and overflow hose. Uncle Phil can most likely give you other tips if this does not work.
 
bdalameda said:
One of the most common issues with the ST1100 overheating is the coolant overflow tube splitting. When this happens the overflow tank will have coolant in it but the engine and radiator will be low on coolant. Having the hose being split won't allow the coolant to return to the engine/ radiator when everything cools down and over time the coolant runs low in the system. Let everything cool down completely and then remove the radiator cap and see if the coolant in the radiator/ engine is low. If it is this, it is most likely the problem. Sometimes the overflow hose can simply be trimmed back and then reattach where it attached to the nipple on the radiator filler neck. Most times the host splits or rots out at this point. You will need to remove the tank shelter to easily access the filler neck and overflow hose. Uncle Phil can most likely give you other tips if this does not work.
Click to expand...
There was coolant and I replaced the hose recently
 
The bottom line is that you need to get coolant from the overflow jug back into the engine, whether by normal suction during cool-down, or transfer it back manually. The engine must be filled with coolant.
 
Larry Fine said:
The bottom line is that you need to get coolant from the overflow jug back into the engine, whether by normal suction during cool-down, or transfer it back manually. The engine must be filled with coolant.
Click to expand...
I took the body work off and added coolant via the thermostat cap. Still overheats very quickly. The coolant escaped via the expansion tank. No leak detected front or rear of engine.
 
babydiego said:
There was coolant and I replaced the hose recently
Click to expand...
Was the coolant to the top of the neck?
If you replaced the overflow hose, did you use the Honda one or something else?
You might take the hose loose from the neck and try to force some air through to see if you get a reaction in the overflow bottle.
Is the gauge needle all the way into the right 'red' or about a 1/8-1/4 inch from the red?
Also, it is very difficult (at least for me) to determine if the coolant level is correct in the overflow jug.
I carry a piece of 14 gauge wire with a mark on it to check it.
If I put it down the neck of the jug to the mark and the end has coolant on it, I know I am at the proper level.
 
Coolant was filled to the tippy top at the radiator in addition to the expansion tank. I allowed to run a few minutes with the cap off. It would push into the red if I let it. It begins to overheats/boul really quick.
 
You might check the RAN list - there are three members listed in NC, one is about two hours away from you. Go to blue band atop this page, >Riding>RAN List USA. Rider Assistance Network
 
docw1 said:
Or a bad ground. When I had an ST1100 at one time the temp gauge seemed to rapidly go to the red. Tightened the ground (near the handle to put the bike on the center stand, like UP said) and all was good.
Click to expand...
He said that the engine actually overheats.
 
If the problem is not with the temperature gauge circuit - there are three other possibilities - 1) thermostat is bad - 2) bad water pump - 3) plugged radiator core. I've heard of all three happening.
 
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