Hi guys
Now onto my second ST1100, bought it just before Christmas last year.
Late 1998 (registered 1999) "W" model ST1100 Pan European (UK spec) non-ABS, 45,000 miles, colour metallic green.
PO didn't ride it much, small distance commuting (not always a good thing I know), maybe about 1000 miles per year. Said he'd had it serviced last April ... with hindsight I think he meant April Fool's Day ... yes I know who the fool might be ;-D
Anyway, bike was delivered to me by a transport company, so my pre-ride checks showed it was very over-filled with oil ... top of the sight-glass! I drained it to the middle point and it started fine.
First ride, she was obviously down on one cylinder. Tested Ignition Leads, the lead to Cyl 2 was out of Ohms/range so I replaced that with a brand new one (Honda OEM). Now had spark at all plugs.
Then serviced the bike, the usual:
New oil (new 10w 40 semi-synth motorcycle oil to just the middle sight-glass marker)
new OEM oil filter
new NGK plugs gapped to spec
new OEM air filter
new carb to head rubbers
Cleaned carbs (without separating them) cleaned the bowls and lower parts of the carb thoroughly with carb cleaner, then inspected the upper diaphragms, all fine.
And then ...
When I started it after the service, after about 40 secs of idling (after turning choke off) the bike started blowing smoke out the exhaust. Grey puffs of mid-grey smoke, like burning oil but accompanied by the faint smell of fuel.
When I turned the bike off, I saw a liquid sludge at the end of each exhaust (oily but a mid-grey colour and a faint smell of fuel).
Checked the choke mechanism (perfect), crankcase breather hose and air filter and housing (perfect), no oil anywhere. Pulled the plugs and no oil on them but Cyl 2 plug still had a fuel smell.
I thought I could see oil (very clear oil, as I suppose it would be after passing through the oil filter) running down the exhaust at the header of No 4 (not Cyl 2 that had the plug issue). I tightened the exhaust flange bolts (they were loose) and this stopped - but there was obviously oil getting to there. I took the valve cover off and checked the spark plug holes/gasket - no oil anywhere there. Weird - oil in the cylinder bore?
Decided WTH, took it for a run.
Exhaust smoke (mid grey) came out the exhaust (heavier clouds of smoke on acceleration) then after about 10 minutes of riding at 50-60 mph, it totally cleared!
I stopped at a car park and it idled perfectly, didn't smoke at all, even when throttle was opened ... so I thought (hoped) all is maybe OK ... as they say, we all know how that goes.
Next day, started the bike ... same again, clouds of smoke and a bit of sludge, then clears if ridden.
Did all the checks again, no oil anywhere I can see.
I am thinking valve seals due to PO's over-filling with oil (high oil pressure?) or float bowls next.
Bike doesn't overheat and always starts fine and sounds good, seems to ride all day long with no other issues.
Sorry for long post ...
Grateful for any suggestions.
Now onto my second ST1100, bought it just before Christmas last year.
Late 1998 (registered 1999) "W" model ST1100 Pan European (UK spec) non-ABS, 45,000 miles, colour metallic green.
PO didn't ride it much, small distance commuting (not always a good thing I know), maybe about 1000 miles per year. Said he'd had it serviced last April ... with hindsight I think he meant April Fool's Day ... yes I know who the fool might be ;-D
Anyway, bike was delivered to me by a transport company, so my pre-ride checks showed it was very over-filled with oil ... top of the sight-glass! I drained it to the middle point and it started fine.
First ride, she was obviously down on one cylinder. Tested Ignition Leads, the lead to Cyl 2 was out of Ohms/range so I replaced that with a brand new one (Honda OEM). Now had spark at all plugs.
Then serviced the bike, the usual:
New oil (new 10w 40 semi-synth motorcycle oil to just the middle sight-glass marker)
new OEM oil filter
new NGK plugs gapped to spec
new OEM air filter
new carb to head rubbers
Cleaned carbs (without separating them) cleaned the bowls and lower parts of the carb thoroughly with carb cleaner, then inspected the upper diaphragms, all fine.
And then ...
When I started it after the service, after about 40 secs of idling (after turning choke off) the bike started blowing smoke out the exhaust. Grey puffs of mid-grey smoke, like burning oil but accompanied by the faint smell of fuel.
When I turned the bike off, I saw a liquid sludge at the end of each exhaust (oily but a mid-grey colour and a faint smell of fuel).
Checked the choke mechanism (perfect), crankcase breather hose and air filter and housing (perfect), no oil anywhere. Pulled the plugs and no oil on them but Cyl 2 plug still had a fuel smell.
I thought I could see oil (very clear oil, as I suppose it would be after passing through the oil filter) running down the exhaust at the header of No 4 (not Cyl 2 that had the plug issue). I tightened the exhaust flange bolts (they were loose) and this stopped - but there was obviously oil getting to there. I took the valve cover off and checked the spark plug holes/gasket - no oil anywhere there. Weird - oil in the cylinder bore?
Decided WTH, took it for a run.
Exhaust smoke (mid grey) came out the exhaust (heavier clouds of smoke on acceleration) then after about 10 minutes of riding at 50-60 mph, it totally cleared!
I stopped at a car park and it idled perfectly, didn't smoke at all, even when throttle was opened ... so I thought (hoped) all is maybe OK ... as they say, we all know how that goes.
Next day, started the bike ... same again, clouds of smoke and a bit of sludge, then clears if ridden.
Did all the checks again, no oil anywhere I can see.
I am thinking valve seals due to PO's over-filling with oil (high oil pressure?) or float bowls next.
Bike doesn't overheat and always starts fine and sounds good, seems to ride all day long with no other issues.
Sorry for long post ...
Grateful for any suggestions.
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