That is one of the nicest dressed 1000's I've seen. The more original paint you can keep, the better.

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

Roady

Thanks for the compliment. The paint looks good in the original picture but closer inspection would reveal lots of scratches and damage from break fluid. Is there anything that would fix the break fluid stains without re-paint?

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Sam Butler
Madison, WI
GL1000 1976

I have been busy the last two days. Tonight I removed the carbs and found the right rear intake filled with gas. The other three were dry. This explains the gas in the air chamber and occasional hydro-lock I was experiencing. It is amazing that the bike ran so well.

In this picture I think you can see the gas



This is what the bike looks like tonight



Today I went to see a fellow who does chrome plating. He quoted $250 to plate the grab bar and $125 per headlight bracket. This seems very expensive. Both of these pieces of some rust but not that much. At these prices I may give up on the show bike.

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Sam Butler
Madison, WI
GL1000 1976

Beautiful bike and you definately got a jump start on that project, you're halfway there!

Those prices seem a bit steep for the plating. Good thing is you've got time to figure that out and come up with another solution or a different shop before having to put those two parts back on.

I remember reading a thread that someone had some plating done. I remember it being spendy but I don't think it was a high as you were quoted. If I find the thread I'll let you know.

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

Check with CyclePsycho (link on the Home page), they've got tons of parts for these old bikes and may be able to supply some good quality chrome for you. Call them, talk to Dave and tell him what you're doing. Bet they can help you out.

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

That is going to be a very sweet machine, whether you make it a show bike or not.

If you're planning on riding it much, I would re consider about making it a 100% show winner also. The extra money and effort required to get that last 1% of perfection may make you afraid to ride it much or park it in public. Best of luck.

JP

Environmental regulations have driven plating prices up. I'd make sure you go to a place that has a good reputation and warranty.

I've had good luck with Brown's Plating in Kentucky http://www.brownsplating.com/
They have an on-line price catalog for estimates. Find a local dealer and they can firm up what's its going to cost. I had several parts plated for the CB750. I got all of them back in 7 days. One of the turn signal stems wasn't to my liking (I'm real picky). They sent it back, quick turn around, no charge.

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-Ray

1977 GL1000 - daily driver viewtopic.php?f=30&t=40398
1975 CB750K5 - stock restoration viewtopic.php?f=13&t=40426
1971 CB175K5 - stock restoration viewtopic.php?f=30&t=43695&start=0
1972 CB350 - resto-mod cafe project
2004 Rune - cruiser
1977 CT70 - swap meet scooter

"Remembering the Past... Liv'n the Dream"

Guitar1580

Thanks for the advice, i do want to ride it and maybe show it. I have never entered a bike in a show and have no idea what they are like. It just seemed like a good goal and something fun to do with the family. I do want to ride it though. So I am sure I will moderate my goals. Especially when it comes to high priced parts such as labels and decals.

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Sam Butler
Madison, WI
GL1000 1976

Since my last post I have been continuing the tear down. I have been thinking a lot about the show bike idea. I really want a bike that I can Ride and be proud of. The level of detail necessary for a show bike seems excessive.

I would also like to improve reliability and safety when possible. I am interested in Randakk's front break master cylinder replacement and I would like to replace the points with a dyna. So I have decided to abandon the show bike.

This opens up possibilities. I was considering replacing chrome parts with powder coated parts. What experience have people had with PC ing chrome parts such as fenders, headlight bucket and bracket. I was told the price to re-chrome the headlight bracket would be $250.00!

Also I have another question. Now have i have the engine out what should I replace. Of course I will replace the timing belts but what else is very difficult to replace without taking the engine out. The bike has 38 k miles and ran very well with good compression. No noises and clutch did not slip. The neutral light switch worked as well.

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Sam Butler
Madison, WI
GL1000 1976

I'd shop around a little more for chrome plating. It might be possible to get your parts done for a more reasonable price. My friend used Ogden Chrome Plating in Utah for the bumpers on the Cougar he restored. (http://ogdenchrome.com) They did a show quality job for $250 per bumper, but the guy I spoke to there said that bumpers are actually a lot easier and more automated to do than motorcycle parts. Small parts like trim pieces and headlight buckets are all done by hand - very labor intensive.

As far as powder coating goes, I've PC'd over chrome many times, but I can never guarantee that the durability will be the same as it would be on bare metal. I use aluminum oxide to blast the plating, but if the plating was done right, then it won't come off - it will just get dulled up. If there are pits, then there's always the chance that they'll eventually erupt through the powder coating later on too. There are reflective chrome powders out there and I have used them many times, but you'll never get the same look as you do with real chrome. Here's an example of what it looks like:



It's more like a nicely polished aluminum after the clearcoat goes on. Other parts such as calipers, brackets, swingarms, etc. look awesome powder coated and will hold up much better than they would with paint.

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2001 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Classic
1983 Honda CB1100F Super Sport
1982 Honda CB900F Super Sport
1982 Honda CB750F Super Sport (under restoration)
1977 Honda GL1000
1974 Honda CB750K4

http://www.tomscyclerecycling.com

I have a question for the group. I am in the process of stripping paint of the engine. I have removed the timing belts for the time being. Can I remove the gears attached to the cam shaft so I can strip and paint the engine side of the covers?

It seems easy to remove the gears but how do I make sure that the go on exactly the way they were removed.

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Sam Butler
Madison, WI
GL1000 1976

the gears are keyed to the cams. can only go on one way. they are the same for both sides, however there is a left and a right. they are marked with a "R" and "L"

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Thanks

In the manual there is a "pulley holding tool". Do most people have one of these or do you use something else to hold the pulley?

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Sam Butler
Madison, WI
GL1000 1976

I have made some progress recently
I cleaned and stripped the dirty engine

With Aircraft Stripper from O'Reillys

Ready for paint

Painted

Frame powder coated

The tension wheels were coated with rubber. I decided to get new ones. Pictures to follow

It feels great to have transitioned from tearing apart to putting back together.

I have been doing a lot of thinking about show bike and I have decided to abandon that goal and shoot for a reliable like new naked wing. I am going to try my hand at powder coating things that were chromed like the fenders, headlights and grab bars. I found that re-chroming is very expensive and toxic to the operators which is why the price is so high. I have seen lots of great looking custom bikes frequently set up in the cafe racer style. I am going to keep it stock accept for safety features such as new front master break cylinder from Randakk and the lack of chrome. Will see, I may change my mind after a seeing it. I won't powder coat my rare grab bar until I am sure.

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Sam Butler
Madison, WI
GL1000 1976

Hi Sam,
I'm in about the same place with one of my 78's. Starting to reassemble after powder coating the frame. Your painted engine looks great!
One thing to try if you'd like to reuse the emblems is a heat gun. I've had good luck with that method.
I've never tried to enter any of my bikes or cars in a show, and I might be crazy, but since you'd like to get your family involved, maybe once it's together show it as is. I'm sure the judges will give good "feedback". I've been to several Porsche shows and most of the older cars there certainly weren't perfect.

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'75 GL1000 naked
'78 GL1000 dressed
'78 GL1000 naked
'78 GL1000 complete - no title
'79 GL1000 naked
'79 GL1000 complete - no title

'85 GL1200 Limited - very bad shape
'86 GL1200 Interstate - daily rider