Date: Thu, 16 Jun 1994 02:32:48 -0700 (PDT)
From: Jim Alexander <jalexand@netcom.com>
Subject: STuff#08

June '94

Stuff #8 -- The ST riding continues

As most of you know, this is the first STuff I am putting out. I am looking
forward to all of the contributions we have from everyone. I hope to
continue in the same tradition and style Derek started and hope you enjoy it
and find it beneficial. I have a little bit of experience (74k miles)
with an ST1100, and since I am just stepping down as the California state
director of the Honda Sport Touring Association I have been exposed to
a number of riders of STs and those who would like to own them. I hope that
experience will be meaningful, but I know each and everyone of you have your
own experiences which will provide all of us with alternate views of our
chosen mounts!

I will be on the road to Colorado this weekend, with about a 5 day stay in
the general area of Denver, leaving on Friday morning, June 21st from
Loveland, CO and Jim Petersen's home. Jim is the Colorado state director for
the HSTA. He, Elbert Silbaugh of Redmond, WA (he rides a VFR so I guess
he's OK <gg>) who is the HSTA membership director, and I will be on our way
to STAR '94 in Nashville, Indiana. STAR is short for Sport Touring
Association Rendezvous and any on this list are welcome to information about
it. I am including an item I wrote about the HSTA and posted in a few
USENET newsgroups (rec. ba. & tx.motorcycles). Some of you already
responded and more of you might like to see the information. I will not
make it a habit of carrying 'Advertisement', but since the national rally is
coming up in two weeks, I thought some of you might be interested.

OK .... Here goes. Ride safe, but have fun while you're doing it!

Jim Alexander 1991 ST1100
STOC#0009 HSTA#2307 HRCA#HM700461 AMA#415932

Traditional Cheesy Table of Contents:

Report of Derek's Memorial Service Greg Wilhelm
Note about Derek and a question for ALL George Catt
STOC is still growing??? STKotL
Avon Tire update George Catt
Bearings in your head update George Catt
The Box on the BACK! Norm Young
Anyone else going to Loudon? Tom McMath
ST1100--VFR clutch lever Russ Madsen

><><><><><><><><><>< Derek's Memorial Service

From: Greg Wilhelm <gpwilhel@silver.ucs.indiana.edu>
Subject: Derek Catt Memorial Service

I just got back 5 minutes ago from Derek's funeral. I met George and
expressed my deepest sympathies from all of the STOC and DoD crowd. It
was a nice ceremony, held at an outdoor park. A fife and drum corps were
there (Derek loved playing the fife.) The entire eulogy was also signed
by some friends of Dereks for other friends who were hearing impaired.
Derek loved motorcycles, signing, and people in general. The director of
the central Indiana chapter of the HSTA rode in on his 'Wing, George rode
his silver ST, and I my black ST. The following passage was imprinted in
the 'program':

Every blade
in the field
Every leaf
in the forest
Lays down
its life
in its season
As beautifully
as it was taken up
-Thoreau

(Thanks Greg, I think we all appreciate having you share this)

><><><><><><><><>< Note about Derek and a question for ALL

From: George A Catt +1 708 979 9424 <gac@intgp1.att.com>
Subject: Note about Derek and a question for ALL

Two quick notes:
Derek's final odometer was 55,130 miles.
Who has experience with personal injury lawsuits? I'm looking for
some experienced advice.

><><><><><><><><><>< STOC is still growing???

From: STKotL (Keeper of the List)
Subject: STOC update

I've often wondered why with 50 or so people on the email posts why only 10
have requested STOC numbers?

(This question came up in a while STKotL and I were discussing various
items and I said I would put it in the next STuff. I asked for the
'application' to the STOC which follows below.)

STOC (ST Owners Club)

Purpose: To scratch the itch of letting others on the Internet know that you
own one of the best sport touring motorcycles ever made (MCN survey,
reprints available for $100)

To be acknowledged as one of the elite, an ST1100 owner.

To receive the mini-FAQ and STuff (via e-mail) whenever published.

Membership Requirements:

1) Own or in the process of buying a Honda ST1100.
2) Have an Internet, CompuServe, AOL, etc. address.
3) May, or may not, wear neon laces in your tennis shoes while
riding.
4) Must have experienced or dreamed about the satisfied feeling
knowing "you'll make it" when the road sign says, "No services
for the next 310 miles." (pertaining to the 7.4 gallon gas tank
on the ST1100)
6) Have achieved the STOC nominal speed at least once (125 mph).
7) Understand that the STOC in not associated with or in
communication with the ST Newsletter, or editor.
8) Realize that until further published, there are no real
advantages, rewards, services, or otherwise offered with member-
ship.
9) Agree to hold dear the name Derek Catt (founder and originator
of the Internet STOC.

NOTE: STOC membership does not include or preclude membership in
the DoD (Denizens of Doom) and not in association with the DoD.

Still interested in membership:

Send your application to the STOC member by solving the following:

ST Gas Tank Capacity (Gallons) / 3.7

Include your:

First and Last Name
City and State
Internet address

If you correctly solve the formula, and email the correct member (STKotL),
you will be issued a STOC number and will be provided with a current list
of the STOC members.

IN MEMORIAL: Derek Catt STOC 001

><><><><><><><>< Avon Tire update

From: George A Catt +1 708 979 9424 <gac@intgp1.att.com>
Subject: Avon Tire update

Jim, here's a little something on Avon tires: I went through a rear tire
(Avon ST23 160/70x17) in 8,000 miles. That happened in about 9 weeks this
spring. Those miles included 2 major tours: Texas hill country and
TWISTAR. Lots of other side trips, too. I was very satisfied with how
this tire performed (except maybe for a couple thousand more miles). It
always gave good signals when running close to the limit. Only on the last
trip, on a newly blacktopped road, did it slip out without warning. And that
was probably my fault. No harm, no foul.

I put back on the used Avon that I had punctured earlier this spring. Derek
used it temporarily coming back from Texas. I'll use it until my new set
arrives later this week. It looks like it'll go the 10,000 miles. And I
will replace both front and rear next time.

Any other tire comments? Anybody finished off a set of Michelins or Pirellis yet?

><><><><><><><><>< Bearings in your head update

From: George A Catt +1 708 979 9424 <gac@intgp1.att.com>
Subject: Bearings in your head update

The tapered steering head bearings are doing the job. They have about 6,000
miles on them. I found it necessary to adjust them twice. The first time, it
was very loose. Be sure, if you do this mod, to fully seat the bearing races
before reassembly!

><><><><><><><> The Box on the Back!

From: Norm Young <young@uranus.dgrc.doc.ca>
Subject: The Box on the Back!

Dave Dorfman asked if I could send in an article on how I got the
top box on my ST so here it is:

First the disclaimer, it isn't available in the US or Canada so
if you don't want to order off-shore, read no further.

My work takes me to Europe fairly often, ya I know, dirty job
but.. Any way soon after the ST came out I noticed them
running around Europe with these very slick colour-matched
Hondaline top boxes. When I got home I asked my local Honda
dealer to order me one only to be told that there was no such
thing. I argued for a while but gave up however on my next
trip to France I got the Honda part number for the luggage rack
and top box. I then brought these numbers to my dealer and said
"OK, now you can see that they do exist so can you please order
me one, I don't care how long it takes or if it has to come
directly from Japan". His answer was "can't be done". This
ticked me off but he just flatly refused to order the parts so
on my next trip I bought the parts from a shop in Germany and
brought it back as carry-on luggage.

The kit actually consists of a luggage rack that bolts to
the four bolts on the top of the grab rails and the top box
itself which slips on to the luggage rack. Both pieces are
typical excellent Honda quality and come in all the colours
that the ST does (several in more in Europe than North America).

The bottom part of the box is in grey which matches the inner
part of the saddlebags and the hinged top is in the body
colour of the bike. There is a carrying handle which is
molded into the box and it has two locking hasps. The box
can only be removed by an internal release pin which is very
solid and secure. It comes off the rack in seconds, I find
it much easier than removing/replacing the saddlebags. The
lid has a rubber gasket and is completely water tight. A
negative might be that it only comes in one size that is not
as large as the large Givi box. I'm not sure how big it is
but you can't fit a helmet in it.

The luggage rack has shock mounts for lateral movement and can
be used as a general purpose rack when the top box is not
required.

Here are the part numbers and prices as of last year:

Luggage Rack 08L42-MT3-B00 DM 128.03
Top Box 08L55-MY3-E40 DM 342.61

Note that the Top Box part number I've shown is for the
'92 Candy Glory Red ST. You have to quote the Honda colour
number when ordering, R101C-U in my case.

I'm not absolutely certain of the current exchange rates but
I think the prices above work out to about $US 80 and 205
respectively plus 15% VAT. To me this was VERY reasonable
in comparison to the price of a saddlebag or other plastic
body parts from Honda here in Canada.

In summary I am very happy with the box and use it all the
time when touring, especially two-up. It's secure, easily
removed and looks good on the bike. It's a real shame
they aren't available here in North America. Perhaps if
every ST owner complains to the dealers and to Honda US
and Honda Canada things might change?

><><><><><><><>< Anyone else going to Loudon?

From: Tom McMath <MCMATH@delphi.com>
Subject: Anyone else going to Loudon?

Jim, I'm glad STuff will continue. I'm still very interested in hearing
about other people's experience with the ST1100. I just bought mine in
May so I have not really had any long rides yet. I do plan on attending
the Loudon Classic this weekend 6/17, 6/18, and 6/19. It's only about
2 hours away from Boston. My parents own a camp on Lake Winnipasuakee
so I have a nice place to stay. I going to my eyes open for anyone else
with an ST1100. I don't see to many of them around here. I just ordered a
seat from Corbin. It's a rumble seat that there going to trim a little
for me so I will have a firmer foot hold on the ground. The sales rep. I
spoke to said it should lower me about 2 inches which will be plenty.
I was saddened to hear about Derek's death, and will miss his insight on
STuff. He sounded like a very bright young man that everybody thought
highly about. I only wish I could have met him in person.

Thats about it on this end. Keep up the good work, and if your ever in Boston
area look me up Tom McMath) (617)321-5998. If you need any help with STuff
don't hesitate to ask.

Thanks Again! Tom McMath

><><><><><><><>< ST1100--VFR clutch lever

From: Russ Madsen <76550.1366@compuserve.com>
Subject: ST1100--VFR clutch lever

Put an adjustable VFR clutch lever on the ST1100 the other day. It Works! And
it's a simple bolt-on replacement for the stock lever. Nothing more than
unbolting the old one and slipping in the new. Everything is identical except
that the VFR's adjustability makes it possible to get the lever right down
close to the bar. Brings the actuation point an inch or more lower when set as
low as possible.

Price of the VFR lever (doesn't matter which year VFR, they're all the same)
was $26 or so from the dealer.

I like change a lot. Makes it possible to reach and "cover" the clutch much
more easily. It's also more effective for shifting, more comfortably natural
hand position.

Only drawback I've encountered so far has come with setting the adjustment at
it lowest point. While this is my preference for best shifting, I keep
squashing two fingers under the lever when making a stop and pulling the
clutch all the way to fully disengage the engine.

-Russ

(There was a later comment that you might want to avoid the 1986 VFR. It
work but the later years work better)

><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
If you make a submission to the STuff newsletter it implies that
you have granted permission to use and distribute that information.
Under the laws of a compilation copyright, I grant rights for this
information to be distributed, providing that it is done for
non-commercial purposes and is distributed freely. I certify that
the information contained in this publication has been released for
free distribution, providing that the authors receive credit for
each contribution.

Jim Alexander CIS: 73373,2113 jalexand@netcom.com