Honda ST1100 Pan European repairs - Engine reassembly Episode 4 

It feels strange watching Allen put an engine together with the same amount of cylinders as it had when he took it apart.

thats a great tip for checking the torque wrench 👍👍

I am a time served engineering fitter since 1966 and have been riding motorcycles since 1961 and I find it an absolute pleasure to watch Alan at work, I really appreciate your videos, keep up the good work.

What an unbelievable era. I can watch a video from a country far away. It made it a sir with a rare talent making engineering magics and i can comment in same time and interact. So many conveniences has to offer our era and i forget to remember that they are not granted. Thank you very much for these nice and educational videos sir.

Greetings Allen from Jensen Beach Florida. I was a Honda motorcycle mechanic for 20 years and this sure did bring back so many fond memories! It illustrates nicely how good Honda four stroke motorcycle engines are! Thanks 👍

At the Honda Retirement Village for former mechanics, this video is rated No 1.

Every year, while doing the motorcycle maintenance, I make a video record of the work performed. It reminds me HOW DIFFICULT it is to make such good videos as yours. Not to mention the time to edit them! We watch every episode. Oh, and the Tea Delivery Service is just perfect.

This man is a mechanical wizard. Knowing where to go for all the important information to rebuild an engine properly is 95% of the battle. I can't get enough of it.

I have even more appreciation for my ST1100 after seeing how excellently made the motor is on the inside. A rare sight to see, as they regularly go for 100,000 miles without a hiccup.

I used to be so daunted by engines, but your videos have given me such clear, in-depth, no-nonsense information that I have bags of confidence now for getting stuck in. Always a pleasure to watch, both here and on Henry programmes on the box 😊

Great viewing Mr M. Your narration of each step if very helpful

It’s like one of those mechanical watch assembly videos where you always wonder how they know where all the bits go. 🙂

Working on the engine and your girl brings you home cook cupcake and tea for a break and back to work. Can’t find a better life than this!

So fascinating! So many different camera views and setups for each action stage - so impressed with the attention to detail so that viewers miss nothing of this meticulous rebuild for our benefit!! A mission of perfection! Thanks Allen!! Two days work done in 20 minutes viewing pleasure!!

Excellent mate.... Your vids should be on NHS prescription for lowering blood pressure and stress lol. Chills me out every time. "PLEASE SIR CAN I HAVE SOME MORE"

You know what, I bet Alan is only one of a few guys in the entire world that has ever done this imaculate restoration on this engine. The vast majority of owners, just continue to ride it worn, then sell it or scrap it. This level of perfection on such a complex unit is unique and kind of convinces me I should be able to complete the comparitively simple rebuild of the bits of Norton in the garage, which is just like Mechano in comparison. Love the series (and so well filmed).

Excellent video, as always. Brings back memories of my 10 year ownership of an ST1100. Should never have sold it in hindsight.

Best feeling in the world seeing a cup of tea being handed to you through the garage door.

I have never been a big fan of V4's Allen but this one is a real beauty. From the design, engineering and quality build it is pure Honda through and through. As a retired mechanic with 60yrs under my belt it pleases me to no end to see that our methods of doing things are almost identical. Hope to see more of your quality work. Stay warm Allen, I know what the weather is like in the UK this time of year.

I'd like to congratulate you Alan on your video filming technique, which is just something else you must have to think about and plan the shots and angles, along with the engine rebuild. Very easy to watch with your interesting commentary.

Hands clean enough to eat with but not clean enough to handle the timing belt lol brilliant. I’ve often done the same to go for a wee lol

Fell asleep watching this and awoke on the t140 primary mod video, very confused for a moment 😐! Great content 👍

In the beginning there was the word, "I'm really pleased with that!"

Tea break will Always be my favourite part 🤭

Another great and inspiring video, thanks Allen. That engine is a work of art, and the mechanic is certainly a maestro!

National treasure. Loved this rebuild.

when i used to rebuild engines, i'd smear thin film of LM grease on both sides of any paper gaskets. they would never leak, plus, if you ever needed to strip the engine in the future, the gaskets would just peel off in one piece, rather than have to scrape them off, which is tedious and time consuming

Like nothing else on RU-vid. Brilliant.

Allen your straight up a brilliant mechanical genius. I'm learning a lot just by watching. Thank you sir. Also love the laid back relaxed format.

Allen your videos are a pleasure to watch,you edit them perfectly.I think you have earnt a knighthood for your contributions to the engineering world

I'm glad you mentioned that some torque settings are for dry threads, others are for oiled threads. I doubt if many people realise it makes a big difference, that oiling the threads when they should be dry will result in serious overtightening.

Allen is most soft spoken engineering genius in history. 😊

Allen, I’m in awe and I’m sure the Honda mechanics are getting a lesson on how it’s done too (all about speed sadly on a production line). The engineering of that bike looks perfect, we are only going backwards in engineering quality.

I learn so many cool shop tricks watching this. Thanks for the education!

ST owners hit the jackpot with Allen. Extremely good video of the engine assembly. I am definitely intrigued by Honda Vee Four engines and the ST11 seems to be a top notch design.

Tech tip) always wind your torque wrench back down to zero after use. to relieve the tension on the spring.🇺🇸🛠🇺🇸

Thank you for sharing your torque wrench stories Allen. Your testing method confirms what I saw done in the calibration department during my apprenticeship. Your ‘hey now right mate’ Henry story is totally believable, and probably a good thing on reflection. Great rebuild.

Allen is to motorcycle people what Mr. Rogers was to children watching TV in the 70 and 80s! Greetings from California!

Always a Joy to see your video. Mr Millyard.

Hi Allen. I truly appreciate the effort you put into making these videos. I watch them not just to to learn but I also find them incredibly calming and heartwarming. Cheers!

That looks like a really good engine to bolt into a go cart. It does have some tricky parts but you do an excellent job as usual to point out how to handle those areas

I can't believe I never learned how to actually check a torque wrench. That's very useful. Plus, another fascinating video, thanks!

Really enjoying this series of films, thank you for sharing this Allen!😊

It's a pleasure to watch you work, even to do just a rebuild(different than adding cylinders, making a new engine case, etc). I'm always intrigued, my attention captivated! Cheers!!

The only channel in which video content IMO repeatedly deserves a click of the 👍🆙 'Like' button.

The engine looks so well thought out and beautifully engineered, this one will run so well after such a careful rebuild. Was desperately hoping a cupcake would make an appearance, and I wasn’t disappointed ☺️

The appreciation I have for your videos I can only describe as similar to those who love the arts have for a fine ballet. Accuracy and very precise. Thank you for sharing. 🙂

I'm certain those connecting rod bearings were NOT cheap. Went through the same thing on my vintage goldwing. The NOS replacement bearings were double the cost of an entire engine with a quarter the mileage. Too bad there isnt a manufacturer who would reproduce these - bulletproof engines these are.

Brilliant video Allen you make everything look and sound so easy the way you explain everything.keep the good work up your a national treasure 👍👍🤘🤘

Amazing build sir, people tend to panic while rebuild an engine and do mistakes which leads to catastrophic failures, but you have been quenched in time which makes you so damn good and have expertise 👍 Great work

Absolutely mesmerising! The dispassionate monologue is soporific, and the action so engrossing, I could watch all day long. Thank you Sir, you're a National Treasure!

Great job as usual. Aren't these engines just marvels of engineering. I was almost worried you weren't going to have a cake break. It gives me an excuse to pause the video, and go down to the kitchen to grab something.

Perfectly well designed and goes together so simply, for an expert like Allen maybe but not so for us mortals! This is a fascinating series of videos, the first whe you didn't use the magic hacksaw or add a few more cylinders!

The st1100 engine seems more like a car engine in its cam assembly and alternator set up. Stunning work as always Allen!

Great vid Allen, Tracy looks after yo well

Thanks for such an entertaining video. This is probably of more use to just about all of your audience, rather than your usual (ab)normal performances which we watch with our mouths agape- and our heads shaking- but only a select few can REALLY comprehend.( I mean, who REALLY knows how to work out the engine firing order; the correct camshaft timing or the crankshaft phasing or the myriad other things etc etc etc. And then actually build it. FROM SCRATCH!) At least we can relate to the Honda strip down and repair; and not feel so terribly inadequate. Thank you also for the tip on the crankcase sealant you used. So many builders ( and one’s mates) say “this sealant or that sealant ” is the best- or worst -in the World . “Never use this one. Or only use that one”. Etc etc etc. An unbiased demonstration by a consummate professional using Permatex on his OWN engine is a more than good enough recommendation for me.

"Next episode, I'll get the engine back in the bike - if I can lift it up: it's really heavy!" He says, sitting in front of his Viper V10 motorcycle ;)

you're an incredible mechanic, a pleasure to watch.

I've been dreaming about brown bearing shells since your last episode great to see they arrived and fitted perfectly no need for plastigaguage checks. Great tip on checking torque wrench calibration will be checking mine asap. Using a dial indicator to check big end clearances another great tip. Looking forward to seeing the engine refitted and running smoothly and quietly as only you can do perfectly.

I am so impressed with the quality of the design of the ST1100 engine. Your quiet, logical approach makes the whole procedure crystal clear. I bought an ST1100 in 1998 and rode it for many years happily. I now have an ST1300, and I'm sure it's engineering won't be as good. The ST1100 was silky smooth and a torque monster. The 1300 is faster, but it never feels as quiet and completely effortless as the 1100 did.

Hi Allen, another nice job, what a lovely engine these are. Looking forward to the refit into the bike next. Alex.

coming on nicely Allen and I can see that the time you spend with Henry has taught you a lot about engine reconditioning, you must be forever greatful to him :)

Thankyou for letting us watch you assemble your engine

ive been watching Allen for awhile, Tracy makes an appearance but we never get to see her face.... at least this was my first time, she has a happy nice face, thanx Allen for including her, remember a good man always has a magnificent wife....

Absolute pleasure to watch all your videos on the V4 thanks so much

The first tools any budding motorbike mechanic should buy is a good quality 3/8 and 1/4 drive torque wrench, thanks for the video Allen 👍

Always a pleasure to see you reassemble an engine, Allen! This machine will run like the proverbial watch. Thank you for a great video, and cheers to you & yours & family!

It is so pleasing to hear that Allen is so pleased with that. Although he is so times very pleased with this.

Finally someone else who uses silicone grease in the same as i do.

I truly enjoyed riding the ST-1100 that came to Canada. Your work is always inspiring and enjoyable. May you ride and be happy!

I love how Honda engineers designed their motors... 👍🏻👍🏻

Yay another vid to slake my AM addiction!!

What a lovely series Alan - loving this series and the wonderful engineering that went into these beautiful engines.

Honda do know how to make an engine. You certainly know how to fix them. Another great Sunday watch.

If I was your son Allen I would be in that garage everyday with you learning from your exceptional knowledge. What a talent. You might know them my dad Ian Brown and my uncle Gordon Pusey were trials riders back in the day and often in the motorcycle news.

It's reassuring to do this detailed work knowing that the original engineering of the engine means it will last many years and several hundred thousand miles of enjoyable riding.

One day I'm gonna be like your friend, Henry. Bought a decent tool, never found a reason to use it, loan it to a friend.

Excellent Alan looking forward to the start up 👍

Wouldn't it be great to apprentice under Allen's watchful eye. this is the absolute correct way an engine should be assembled 👌 Ive seen way to many people do some incredibly sloppy jobs cutting corners and leaving things that definitely need to be addressed a she'll be right attitude is never good during assembly, Alan is the master 👌 never a corner cut, if anything he goes above and beyond what is required 👌👌👌👌👍👍👍

My favorite motorcycle channel and some more rebuild footage, I’m gonna enjoy this.

Been waiting for this 👍🏻🇬🇧

Love the torque wrench calibration tip, so easy!

Just proof that hedgehogs find somewhere warm in winter to save on heating bills and woolies . Let the humans fiddle about with spanners to their hearts content . Can't wait till spring now .

That magnet on a telescopic aerial has saved me many times over the years! Best tool in the box!

Thanks for dropping the bolt Allen, we all know you did it on purpose to make us all feel better. 🤭 I like the torque wrench calibration test. Very helpful 👍👏🏻👍👏🏻

Well if the green pan poops out in another 20 years you can make a bitchin 2200 V8 marrying the two together! Imagine the sound of that

Great tip on the torque wrench calibration.

God broke the mould when he made you Allan, your up there with the greats….

You are an amazing Mechanic, inventor, extraordinary genius. A real pleasure to watch you do what you do. Amazing :-)

I really appreciate this series. I rode a 1998 ST1100A for a little over 10 years. It was a great bike and last I heard, is still going strong. It was interesting getting to see how all the internals look and go together.

07:00 And this is what makes for a lovely quiet engine, well done Honda

I'm so happy for you! Finding rare parts for a motorcycle you love is always a thrill. THANK YOU so much for the torque wrench test. It never occurred to me to use a scale. Simple yet brilliant. PS: You okay? Seemed a bit melancholy on this vid. Be well ✌

Brilliant job Allen, that engine is good as new now. You were lucky to find that big end shell. If I was a hedgehog I'd be tucked up nice and warm in the bottom of a hedge somewhere saving my energies for the springtime snumping activities. Just a few more cold weeks to go then it will be Spring :)

When Henry bought the torque wrench, he may have thought it was a talk wrench and used it as a microphone lol (:forgive me Mr Cole) . The advice and learning will benefit anyone who assembles and disassembles any machinery, learns so much via the videos, and enjoy every minute. Cheers Allen

Never fails to impress. Calm intelligent description, priceless 👍🇬🇧

Fantastic as always. It’s good to see Charlie’s on the job.

Never tired of watching these 😎

Seeing as you now have 2 st1100’s… I look forward to seeing an st2200 😉

Allen could make working on an egg cup interesting. Fabulous.

Really nice video series, just perfect...