Buffet Racer: Propav8r's '78 GL1000

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Easter
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Re: Buffet Racer: Propav8r's '78 GL1000

#136

Post by Easter »

About a year or so back, one of my bikes with Pistol Pete carbs that had always run really well (a '75) started acting like the carbs were getting gummed up, hard to start and hard to keep running, stumbled off idle. I tried sea foam and premium, even had to use starter fluid to get it going without too much trouble.
I am ashamed to admit that I finally realized the idle screw had backed way off from vibration and as soon as I turned it back in three or four turns it was its old self again. The bike had electronic ignition and a digital speedometer with no tach.
Bikes at present:

83 XL 600r with a 2004 XR650L engine
And a slightly worse for the wear BMW GS adventure bike awaiting repair
83 GL in process :IDTS:
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Re: Buffet Racer: Propav8r's '78 GL1000

#137

Post by robin1731 »

Easter wrote:About a year or so back, one of my bikes with Pistol Pete carbs that had always run really well (a '75) started acting like the carbs were getting gummed up, hard to start and hard to keep running, stumbled off idle. I tried sea foam and premium, even had to use starter fluid to get it going without too much trouble.
I am ashamed to admit that I finally realized the idle screw had backed way off from vibration and as soon as I turned it back in three or four turns it was its old self again. The bike had electronic ignition and a digital speedometer with no tach.
I always tell people to turn the idle to where the engine is happy. Don't use the tach, too inaccurate. The engine will tell you where it wants to idle. All you have to do is listen. ;)

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1976 Goldwing Super Sport
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propav8r
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Re: Buffet Racer: Propav8r's '78 GL1000

#138

Post by propav8r »

Thanks for the tip on the idle speed...Bumped that up to 1000-1050, and it's super happy. Rides like a dream.
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Re: Buffet Racer: Propav8r's '78 GL1000

#139

Post by CYBORG »

Glad it worked out for you.....happy riding
1978 custom GL1000
1977 custom with 1200 engine
1985 gl1200
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Re: Buffet Racer: Propav8r's '78 GL1000

#140

Post by propav8r »

I started putting clearcoat on the body panels yesterday...it turned out pretty nice. I have one small run on the right side cover, but I should be able to wetsand/polish that out.

It's difficult to get a picture of the color with my phone, but it's somewhere between this:

Image

And this

Image

I rode it about 20 miles on Sunday...it runs really, really well. Very easy to handle at low speeds, and it cruises like a champ on the highway. I'm waiting for my shocks to arrive before I take it down any backroads around here.

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Re: Buffet Racer: Propav8r's '78 GL1000

#141

Post by page3man »

That's great, propav8r! Once you get it all together, you will have lots of fun! I bet you will even get lots of looks and people will be surprised when you tell them how old the bike is. Taking time to do it right really pays off. Even in today's world, the old goldwings still look awesome!
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Re: Buffet Racer: Propav8r's '78 GL1000

#142

Post by propav8r »

page3man wrote:That's great, propav8r! Once you get it all together, you will have lots of fun! I bet you will even get lots of looks and people will be surprised when you tell them how old the bike is. Taking time to do it right really pays off. Even in today's world, the old goldwings still look awesome!
Thanks Page3man. I finished up the paint and clear on the Darkwing seat yesterday...it's not perfect (couple of small runs in the clear), but it's not super obvious unless I were to point it out. I'll probably just leave it.

Here's how it sits, minus the seat.

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Easter
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Re: Buffet Racer: Propav8r's '78 GL1000

#143

Post by Easter »

Looking very sharp.
Bikes at present:

83 XL 600r with a 2004 XR650L engine
And a slightly worse for the wear BMW GS adventure bike awaiting repair
83 GL in process :IDTS:
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Re: Buffet Racer: Propav8r's '78 GL1000

#144

Post by doubleminded »

very nice
Future owner of a oldewing.#12 in my goldwing history.
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Re: Buffet Racer: Propav8r's '78 GL1000

#145

Post by propav8r »

I'm so excited...got the seat painted and cleared and went out for a 40ish mile ride last night.

It's burning far more fuel than it should, so I'm going to double-check ignition timing, and sync the carbs at the first opportunity, but it's very driveable as-is.

Image

I'll be checking in here from time to time for maintenance help and tech tips...I really appreciate the help, parts, and knowledge I've found here so far. Cheers!
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Re: Buffet Racer: Propav8r's '78 GL1000

#146

Post by BigSherm »

Beautiful bike, Prop!
Ride like you mean it.
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Re: Buffet Racer: Propav8r's '78 GL1000

#147

Post by OhioBill »

How do you like the headlight? Is the light pattern effective for night riding?
OhioBill

I now have GPS so I no longer get lost, just confused.
Retired and Loving it.
When I die send my body to the scrap yard.
Two hips and a shoulder replaced.

1975 Blue/ Green (Now Black) My main ride
1975 Red Gone to my son! (Burned Feb 2013)
1979 Black (to be restored)
1979 Blue (Sold)
1978 Black (back in the fold) sold again. Bought it back, again
1993 blue 1500 Sold
1976 Restoring
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Re: Buffet Racer: Propav8r's '78 GL1000

#148

Post by propav8r »

The headlight is AWESOME. Seriously, go get one. Plus, it's a huge load off the charging system.

Side note: I'm not actually getting terrible fuel economy...I made the mistake of trusting the gauge instead of filling up and doing the math. I'm actually getting about 35mpg, which I feel like is about right for a guy my size with no windshield going up and down mountains.
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Re: Buffet Racer: Propav8r's '78 GL1000

#149

Post by OhioBill »

I assume it is an ebay item. Do you have a link or name so I can find it?
OhioBill

I now have GPS so I no longer get lost, just confused.
Retired and Loving it.
When I die send my body to the scrap yard.
Two hips and a shoulder replaced.

1975 Blue/ Green (Now Black) My main ride
1975 Red Gone to my son! (Burned Feb 2013)
1979 Black (to be restored)
1979 Blue (Sold)
1978 Black (back in the fold) sold again. Bought it back, again
1993 blue 1500 Sold
1976 Restoring
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Re: Buffet Racer: Propav8r's '78 GL1000

#150

Post by codyjames707 »

Very cool build! Liked the whole process. Good thoroughness of work and I really dig the classic color choice! Well done sir!
1977 Gl1000 DARKGREEN-WING
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