One thing you wont like so much about the ST is changing the oil filter. What a pain, especially compared to changing the oil on the CB. THe oil filter on the ST is on the back of the engine over the centerstand pivot. Oil runs all over the exhaust unless you cover it with aluminum foil. I curse it eveytime I do it and I've done it like 17 times now lol. Rear end oil is a piece of cake.
Coolant inspection is behind left inspection cover by cyclinder head. HArd to see. BUt if you pull the little rubber cap and can see any coolant in there you are good to go.
Btw those covers have a push pin, and after removing push pin they have to swing out to the side horizontally before they will come off.
ST-Owners.com is a great site, very helpful and friendly like this one. I actually use Joe (moderator over there) as an mentor for moderating here.
Thanks for the heads-up on the filter, ferret. Sounds like a real pain. Would a funnel of appropriate size and shape with a rubber hose on the end work or is there not enough room to get it under the filter?
I started checking out ST-owners.com. As you said, it looks like a great forum.
Ferret, someone on the ST board suggested putting a plastic bag over the filter and catching the oil. I did that and had no oil all over anything. Didn't seem that bad to me, although the filter is a pain.
Curly, I would also suggest going here and printing out the pages for removing the panels. I did and it made them so much easier to get off. Easier than following the service manual.
http://www.touringmotorcyclists.com/tech...moval.html
Although you can get a Fenda Extenda for it if desired, You can get a really nice carbon fiber one from the UK. I can look it up if you want. Looks good on the black bikes.
Not much room because of the centerstand. Use the search engine over there for changing the oil filter and you will see a dozen methods guys have come up with to change it. Some use aluminum foil, some use turkey basting pans wrapped around the centerstand legs, some do it on center stand some do it on side stand and some use a combo of the two.
If you find a way that isn't a (1) pain and (2) mess, let me know lol
Edit: popgun, that's a thought. I have another change coming up soon, I will try that.
Thanks for pointing me in the right directions guys.
I remember the fun of changing the oil filter on my ST1300. I would place aluminum foil around everything near the filter. Correct me if wrong ferret, but I seem to remember having to put the ST on the side stand to get at the filter. I would do this after having drained the oil pan whilst on the center stand.
Beauty of a bike there CJ. Mine was red also but a 2005.
I don't own an ST but I do like them. Would using a front wheel chock, which would allow you to retract the center stand, make oil changes any easier?
back from a great CB ride. Um no LR actually it seems the easiest way to get to the filter is on the sidestand but at the same time pulling the centerstand down (and holding on to it) and out of the way.
I was out west of Jaffrey, NH on route 124 which is one of my "new" favorite roads. Mount Monadnock dominates the skyline in this area.
Mt. Monadnock
Lucky folks in houses that have a view of Mt. Monadnock.