What to do first? Saw something mentioned about a read new owners should partake of - was it Randakk's deal? Where is that again?

It does run and I have ridden it.

I would like to fix these first so I can ride it while I work on things.

1..Headlight works and then it does not. Mostly not.

2.turn signal switch sticks and rt. signal blinks at a slower rate.
also would like to get the turn signals off of the headlight bucket where they are now and back on the forks.
3.start button sticks.

Previous owner did some funky stuff. Not uncommon i am sure.


There is more. Basic maint., adjusting things,

I have worked on motorcycles (vstar 1100) and have rebuilt vw motors.

I don't just dive in anymore. I am more methodical in my old age (58)

I am very much looking forward to getting into this.

I bought the bike for $800. I don't necessarily have a budget right now, but that I am sure will change. What kind of $ are we talking about to get it pretty clean/semi restored? I know that is subjective. If I kept it under 2k total including bike could I get a paint job(good rattle can), fine running motor, carb rebuild, brakes, some control issues? Ball Park $ is what I am looking for.

It needs some mufflers - Can those be removed from the existing headers and new ones put on? On my vstar there are clamps the mufflers are attached.

I doesn't have to be pristine, (yet) just nice.

Thanks,

bob

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1980 GL 1100 standard - looooong term project "Pony Ruiz"
1983 gl 1100 interstate - running good - 17k on motor
1978GL1000 gonna be a bagger. 39k

first thing..........change the timing belts......if you don't know the age of them. {can't believe SOMEONE hasn't told you that yet}. then get a good manual, and go after it, one thing at a time

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the electical may be previous owner problems. very had to sort out without a manuel. they can be downloaded from somewhere on this site. someone will be along shortly to tell you where

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click the banners below:

PO bought it with a vetter fairing on it and took it off.

Not interested in putting it back on - I looked inside - a wiring rats nest.

Anyone looking for a Fairing?

As I said the head light works/did work so maybe some dialectic grease would fix it. It was sitting outside. I do have a clymers.

As far as the turn signal switch. Can I open up the perch/box and clean it or is a bunch of springs and parts gonna come flyin right out and be a bitch to put back in there?

Should I look for some used controls? The housing is cracked a bit on the left one. They are pretty weathered? I wouldn't mind changing those out depending on how much.


Anyone interested in a fairing?


Oh yeah and I did see the note (everywhere) to change the belts.

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1980 GL 1100 standard - looooong term project "Pony Ruiz"
1983 gl 1100 interstate - running good - 17k on motor
1978GL1000 gonna be a bagger. 39k

when PO'S take fairings off, the wiring suffers most of the time. usually best to just redue it with shrink tubing and solder. turn signal sw. is pretty old, but the insides usually hold up pretty well. might try spraying some contact cleaner into the opening as best as you can and work it a bit. if that don't work they will come apart. just be careful for small pieces that like to run away. failing that used ones can be got from some of our sponsors.

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click the banners below:

Click on Shop talk at the top of the page. When that opens go to the bottom left corner and there will be a link to schematics. I think you have to go through another thread to get there. Make sure to follow the directions on that thread about opening the pics.

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"I prefer the abstract concept of incoherence in the face of great feeling to beautiful, full sentences that convey little emotion." DDL
1978/9 Arthur Fulmer Dressed Road bike
1975 Naked Noisy and Nasty in town bike
and a whole garage full of possibilities!!

Take some time and read some of the restoration threads from other members ... will give you some ideas on where to start compared to the condition of your bike.

The wiring schematic found through ShopTalk will help you sort out the wiring issues.

When buying an older bike of any kind I find it best to tear it apart and inspect everything, take lots of digital pictures, use different size baggies and clearly mark them with a perm marker.
Replace all your rubber hoses, clamps, filters, drain and replace all fluids, check and more than likely rebuild the MC's front and rear as well as the calipers and put new brake pads on.

Have a problem, ask questions we are all here to help each other.

Good luck and above all else ... enjoy the process

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"Live Long, Ride Free"
"Life is too short to work all the time ... get out and ride"
"Integrity is doing the right thing when no one else is watching"

1982 GL 1100

1972 CB 750 K2 SOHC
1973 CB 450 K6 DOHC
Member AMA

Hey Doc... Glad to have another GL1100 owner... welcome!
I heard too many horror stories about the Clymers manuals leading you astray. Here is a link to a Haynes Manual free download compliments of Roady. HERE
Somewhere around here is a link to the Factory Service and Parts manuals as well free download as well...
Here it is! http://www.goldwingdocs.com/index.asp

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Bulldoged '81 GL1100 "BOMBER!" BUILD THREAD
Cafe' '74 CB350F "Lil Sister" LINKY
Bratstyle GS750L "GADZOOKS!" LINKY

rainstromrider say's I'm "addicted to the build"... I think he might onto something

Doc, now that you have a wing you need to update your Signature in your profile. Add the info and we'll all be able to answer your questions better.

The thread you referred to is New 2 U? Read Me and there's a button in my sig that will get you there.

Have fun, ask lots of questions, take lots of pictures and you'll be riding a lot this Spring.

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Steve -- IBA #8078 -- Winnie, the '81 Nekkid Bagger build

HD

Thanks for the heads up on Clymer and the manuals

I downloaded them.

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1980 GL 1100 standard - looooong term project "Pony Ruiz"
1983 gl 1100 interstate - running good - 17k on motor
1978GL1000 gonna be a bagger. 39k

Hey Roady

I will read the new2me thread.

I got the belts on order.

How do I update my sig? I would like to load up a personal avatar is there a link somewhere explaining how to do that?

Thanks

Doc.

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1980 GL 1100 standard - looooong term project "Pony Ruiz"
1983 gl 1100 interstate - running good - 17k on motor
1978GL1000 gonna be a bagger. 39k

Click "Profile" at the top of the page (under Randakk's ad). That'll get you in to your signature and the avatar change.

For the avatar, just browse to find a pic on your pc and select it.

If you have any trouble with it, send me a PM.

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Steve -- IBA #8078 -- Winnie, the '81 Nekkid Bagger build

Solder and shrink tubing - worked like a charm on the blinking intermitant headlight. thanks cyborg. I am going to put on a different headlight/bucket one of these days though.

Next up on the elec _ the turn signal issue. One blinks faster - Someone said replace all the bulbs and go from there. The front signals are some aftermarket ones attached at the sides of the headlight that I think are sealed. So, maybe I have to replace the whole maryann or buy some used ones to put it back to stock - which is what I wanted to do anyway.
the switch is not working quite right either - sticky/not smooth.
Funny how one thing leads you down many paths. I am having fun!

I got the starter switch to free up with a little wd sprayed around it not in it - then working it till it freed up.
I am worried about wd in the switch housing since gravity is not my friend here. Someone mentioned contact fluid to try and loosen things up. I'll check that out. That must evaporate faster than wd.

I ordered belts, but just found out a bit about the damage that can occur if one breaks. Wow! I guess no riding/running it until that is done.

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1980 GL 1100 standard - looooong term project "Pony Ruiz"
1983 gl 1100 interstate - running good - 17k on motor
1978GL1000 gonna be a bagger. 39k

There is a little tiny hole maybe 1/32" in the case at the bottom of where the water pump is.

It leaks a little tiny bit of oil. I hope this is supposed to be there.

So it is meant as a weap hole. Just found it in the new owner reading.

I think I will do some more reading and ask q's later.

Getting a little ahead of myself.

thanks

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1980 GL 1100 standard - looooong term project "Pony Ruiz"
1983 gl 1100 interstate - running good - 17k on motor
1978GL1000 gonna be a bagger. 39k

Sounds like you need a water pump. Best time to change it is when you have the radiator off to change the belts. You can check the water pump by removing the neck where the lower radiator hose connects to the water pump. Wiggle the impeller of the pump. No side to side or up down motion is allowable. You may get some rotational movement and that is OK.

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Dean Spalding
Raleigh, NC

"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe." - Albert Einstein

'82 Yellow GL1100
'81 Blue GL1100

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