Honda ST1100 Restotre Scrap or Parts?

[Tyre Tread]

Alhough I have been on PH a Loooong time, this is not a forum I ever thought I'd be posting in. However due to unusual circumstannces, I have become the custodian of a 1991 Honda ST1100 with 70K miles on it.

Sadly it has been stood for several years (last MoT'd 2019) and not kept under cover. When I saw it I expected it to be worse but it seems to have held up surprsingly well considering.

I now have a dilemna that I would like the collective knowledgable mind of the PH biker crew help me decide. Do I scrap it, break for parts, try and sell "as is" or get it up and running and through an MOT?

I'm still at the assessment stage of how much needs doing but so far I know it will need the fuel tank either replacing or cleaing out and coating (rusty inside) and a battery (not sure yet if it's electrically alive but I'll connect some jump leads to one of the cars and find out in the next few days).

I understand from the brief time I've spent researching these bikes that they have a cambelt which I think would be best to change although not sure how difficut that is.

Until I connect the battery I don't know even if it will turn over but it probably will... it's a Honda!

It seems to have had a service just before it was laid up.

Reason for the lay up was that the couple who owned it had a babay and became risk averse ovenight so it got parked.

I know these bikes aren't worth a great deal but it would be nice to see it saved if possible. Howver I don't wnat to pour a lot of money into it in parts.

I don't mind putting some tinkering time into it and am a fairly capable spanner wielder.

I am unlikely to ever ride the bike as it's 40 years since I last cocked my leg over one and I thnk I'd have a divorce on my hands (SWMBO was a theatre sister in orthopaedics for 2 decades so she has seen and been involved with delaing with most of the outcomes from motorcycles meeting other objects).

I hope I've given a clear picture but fire away with any questions.

Sage input greatly appreciated.

[ssray]

If you are not going to ride it then I'd sell it as is, it will cost a fair amount to restore, lot's of them and are around and readly available.
If you were going to use it then go ahead as a hobby/ project

[Moulder]

As nobody else is going.... I would take some good pictures, write a good description, put it on eBay with a 99p starting price with no reserve, and "project or for spares and repairs" in the title.

Thinking behind this is...

1/ Selling it whole your altruistic goal of it being saved stands a chance of being achieved.
2/ If you break it for parts you'll spend the rest of your life with an ST1100 airbox.
3/ The more you pull it apart the more you will find. E.g. If the battery is properly done for you'll not be able to jump it through the battery. E.g. 2, the carbs will likely be blocked and need an overhaul.

I have taken on vintage bikes with bigger problems, but it was the riding it in the end that made it worth it. From your post, it sounds like you won't have this to see you through the "for fks sake why are you fking doing this to me" moments.

[the cueball]

I have 3 st1100s, 2 on the road and one about to be restored and sold.

Have you already started to strip the bike down?

The fuel tank is under the seat, low down in the bike and needs a lot removed to get into it, what you can see from the ‘spout’ is only the very top. It may not be as bad as you think.

Most things can be DIY on them, if you have the time and space - cambelt is pretty easy and right at the front of the bike.

I would check the swing arm and collector box under the bike - known week points.

Minimum I do on these bikes is service, brake and fork rebuild and new tyres. Then go from there.

Well worth keeping them going, I think they are great bikes with a lovely smooth V4 engine. They can last well over 200k miles with a bit of care.

Good luck!

[carinaman]

I am not a sage but just a fan of Allen Millyard:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBMUyW31a7k&li...

I don't know if Allen Millyard is a sage or a genius but I saw one of his multi cylinder 2 Stroke Kawasakis parked up in Thatcham, Berks. in the 1990s and regret not hanging around to see who was riding it. It was a real 'that doesn't look right' moment, not quite an instantly WTF moment as I saw it and thought 'Nice KH' and then I noticed the number of exhausts.


I agree with the post that says you need an objective before starting on it.

[Tyre Tread]

Thanks all for the comments so far


I was told by previous owner that the swing arm was done just before he laid it up and there is a receipt to show that and a service.

He also told me that the front fork seals were done also but they seem to have gone.

I spent an hour or so yesterday having a closer look at it and removing some of the covers.

The oil seems very clean and the air filter is brand new so it does seems as if it was serviced.

There is no battery on it.

[OutInTheShed]

Tidy, sorted ones with half the mileage change hands on ebay for about a grand.

You won't make money by working on it.
Unless you want it to ride, there's no point investing time in it.
You might make money by breaking it and ebaying parts.
Simplest thing is to ebay it as a project.

[the cueball]

Stick a battery on it, free the brakes if needed and go for a ride..

It'll be fine..

[Tyre Tread]

Took the collective advice and put it up for sale on a local car group I run and it sold within hours for a few hundred quid profit.

Thanks all for the support.It's been emotional!