Steve, is here but not so computerish. We both ride, Steve has a '78 GL1000 & I ride a '05 Sportster. In heavy long freeway rain, the Wing spits sputters and won't run after awhile. I have the prob with my Sporty, but my carb hangs out there, I tend not so much to ride in heavy rain. Any others with probs water getting in carbs? they really could use a rebuild I think., the fairing is intact. any info would be appreciated. Thanks & we like your site!
Patty & Steve

welcome from kennewick wa

_________________
2011 Triumph Rocket 3 Roadster (Totalled)
2008 Triumph Rocket 3 Standard.
1977 gl1000 cafe project for my brother
1993 xr250l 280 kit
1968 Husqvarna 250t Commando (Needs a lot of work. been sitting outside since 1971)

there is something awesome about a blue 78 with vetter attachements

mine sputter in the rain as well. could be a couple of problems. water getting around the park plugs (there should be drain holes, but also the caps not sealing well. but often it is water getting around the coils and after 30+ years there can be mico cracks.

If you haven't changed the timing belts, change them (nothing to do with the sputtering). Also, never a bad idea to go through all the connections and make sure they are clean and making good contact.

btw, I bought my 78 in 1978 in Gold Beach OR.... to too far (as the crow flies) from you

_________________
-Rodger-
The question is not how much time do you have, it is what you do with the time that you have Gandalf
"One of the greatest dignities of humankind is that each successive generation is invested in the welfare of each new generation." Fred Rodgers
78 wing we have had since.... well.... 78, been in nearly every state, 76 Ltd "cookies bike" up and running, still needs some work, 79 project, back in pieces while I move, '86 1200 (Beth's) with motrvation sidecar, 05 HD Road king and 08 HD Heritage softail (Beth's). I guess you can say we have MBS
viewtopic.php?f=30&t=27685
viewtopic.php?f=30&t=35846

Welcome to the 'Wingdom.

I'd bet on cracks in the old coils.

Gord

_________________
"I'd rather Ride than Shine" -
'80 GL1100 Interstate, 'R2B' (RAT TO BE)
My Original 'RAT' was an '82 CB900/1100F
And now Team 898

Welcome from SC. ; use a spray bottle at night and check for fireworks.

_________________
Jake's past rides
1973 Suzuki TC 100
1976 Suzuki GT 550
1983 Honda ATC250R
1975 Elsinore 250
1977 custom hawg chopper
1952 Pan Shovel
2x 76 gl1000s

Welcome to NGW from Massachusetts

_________________
Laura

1978 GL1000

Welcome from Olympia WA. I got caught in a torrential rain last year in Kansas City and the bike never missed a beat. Probably ignition and not carb. I agree on the old coils being the first suspect.

_________________
Russ
77 GL1000
75 GL1000
82 CB900F
83 CB1100F project


States visited by Goldwing...

Welcome from Georgia

_________________
"Try to be the person your dog THINKS YOU ARE"

'75 Red Wing Now Greene and Tan
'76 Yellow Wing...Sold
'77 Blue Wing
'77 Red/black wing with side car...Sold
'79 Silver/black CBX...Sold
'81 CB1100RB Red and white...Sold
'06 Ducati MTS 1000DS

Welcome from California and to the NGW. A 'mixed' marriage! We approve!!

_________________
Placerville - 1976 Yellow

Survivor - BOTM - May 2011

New and Confused ?
Push the Big Button

Wow, a tag team! I don't think I've seen that yet, that's pretty cool. Welcome aboard from Minnesota!!

_________________
1976 GL1000
To be old and wise, you must first be young and stupid.

Old Wings don't like rain! I'm sure it's the coils....I had to ride 6 hours in heavy rain recently and the poor old '76 was not happy...misfiring, backfiring, running on 3 cylinders intermittently etc..

When it'd dried out and I'd hit the ignition system with silicone spray, it ran perfectly again. I need to do the darkness test to see what's leaking sparks, and rectify the system.

_________________
"The Moving Finger writes, and having writ, moves on,
nor all your Piety nor Wit
can lure it back to cancel half a line...
so....probably best use Tipp-Ex in future?"

1976 GL1000 "Mitzi"
1976 GL1000 and Héchard sidecar "Mitzi 2"
1977 GL1000 'The Parts Bike' now in bits
1976 XT500 'C'
1976 TT500 'C'
1980 Paris-Dakar XT500 (replica)
1992 Grinnall Scorpion SC3 prototype
1993 'Big Valve' BMW R1100RS "Red Sonja"


Hal's Nalbum

Thank you for the Welcomes, and the suggestions, we are pretty sure it's the coils now, but wont know until next rainstorm! Thanks for the advice. Ride the Wing & the wind forever & stay on the Hi-side....Cheers!

Welcome, I too have a 78 wing. Same problem in the rain was fixed by spraying the plug wires down with silicone. I spray em about twice a year and they are the original 78 wires. Hope this helps.

Welcome from Indy. I don't go so great in the rain either.

_________________
Faith, Family and Friends
'75 GL1000 (Feb 2012 BOTM)
2012 Harley Street Bob
Riding a motorcycle...95% exhilaration, 5% terror.
Working on your own motorcycle is half of the fun...it's also half of the problem.
My Album on PhotoBucket!
First Fire on Youtube!

it never rains in Oregon

another thing you might try is a hose and create your own rainstorm

_________________
-Rodger-
The question is not how much time do you have, it is what you do with the time that you have Gandalf
"One of the greatest dignities of humankind is that each successive generation is invested in the welfare of each new generation." Fred Rodgers
78 wing we have had since.... well.... 78, been in nearly every state, 76 Ltd "cookies bike" up and running, still needs some work, 79 project, back in pieces while I move, '86 1200 (Beth's) with motrvation sidecar, 05 HD Road king and 08 HD Heritage softail (Beth's). I guess you can say we have MBS
viewtopic.php?f=30&t=27685
viewtopic.php?f=30&t=35846