77 GL1000 - 3 questions

Discuss everything about Honda GoldWing. Feel free to ask any question related to GoldWing.

Moderators: CYBORG, Oldewing, robin1731, Forum Moderators

Post Reply
User avatar
garagedog
Tin Member
Tin Member
Posts: 11
Joined: Sun Aug 20, 2017 5:04 pm
Location: Tulare, CA
Contact:

77 GL1000 - 3 questions

#1

Post by garagedog »

Hi. I'm working on a GL1000 for the first time. 1977 with 31,000 miles.

Question #1: Final Drive... The orginal final drive had been leaking oil and the rear rim was a mess. After all the reading I did, I decided to just get a used unit off ebay. I found a 79 final drive with 15,000 miles. The unit does look to have low hours. I mounted the unit and put in Lucas Hub oil (with seal swell). I rode it for a while and felt the final drive to see if it was hot. It was pretty hot. I could only put my had on it for just 1 or 2 seconds. I did some research and decide to loosen and re-tighten everything in the correct order (Axle, 3 final drive nuts, shock, brake caliper), changed to semi synthetic gear oil 75-90 and replaced the wheel bearings. Old bearings were not damaged. I then went for another ride and the thing is still hot to the touch. Forum thread research says that the final drives run a little hot and some other threads say it should be hot. My next attempt will be full synthetic gear oil but after that, I'm out of ideas.

Question #2: Front brakes.... I fully rebuild the front master cylinder and calipers. Originally the lever was stuck but now after the full clean and rebuild it is working OK but not great. I'm not fully satisfied because the first pull the lever moves about 3/4 way and the 2nd pull will go about 1/2. Braking is fine but I do not prefer to have that pump action. I've bleed it several times (vacuum and reverse). Am I correct to assume this issue is from the original hoses that might be swelling up a bit on the first pump? Or are these 77 just like that?

Question #3: Radiator fan... I have yet to see the fan kick on. Anyone have an easy way to test/trouble shoot this? Is there a fuse somewhere?

Your knowledge and shared experience is appreciated. Thank you!
Attachments
SAM_5775.JPG
SAM_5775.JPG (189.49 KiB) Viewed 362 times
User avatar
Track T 2411
Honored Life Member
Honored Life Member
Posts: 8482
Joined: Thu May 29, 2008 9:37 pm
My Album: http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingmans/Track+T+2411/
Location: Prairie du Sac Wisconsin

Re: 77 GL1000 - 3 questions

#2

Post by Track T 2411 »

I'll start with the fan, because that's an easy one, lol! Pull the plug off the thermo switch (on the side of the thermostat housing) and jump the wires with the ignition switch on. The fan should run. If it doesn't, it is most likely the fan motor (or bad wires). If it runs, you will need to investigate more. The thermo switch is notorious for failing, BTW. Typically, the fan should kick on after several minutes with the engine running/idling, and cycle on and off.
"I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

"He that is good with a hammer tends to think everything is a nail" - Abraham Maslow

"If you can't take the time to do it right the first time, how are you ever going to find the time to do it over?" -Unknown

Current Rides:
'Grumpy' - '81 Standard, now fully dressed.
'Layla' - '81 Standard w/dealer installed fairing and Hondaline bags.
'Scarlett' '76 'Survivor' nekkid as a j-bird!

Under Construction:
The 'Jalopy' '78-'79 Mash-up
'Quikie' '81 gl1100I back on the lift, project with the step-son!

In The Shed:
'81 gl1100I barn find aka "Josie, the farmer's daughter." (almost comatose build)
'77 gl1000, roller parts bike.
'82 gl1100I, 'Old Crusty' titled roller parts bike (free!)
'82 gl1100I, My first 'Wing, and an expensive lesson!
New2U Bike? Read Me.
User avatar
RB
Honored Life Member
Honored Life Member
Posts: 4268
Joined: Sun Apr 29, 2007 7:26 am
Location: AZ

Re: 77 GL1000 - 3 questions

#3

Post by RB »

Brakes could be the hoses..only way to know is to replace..if you are sure it's been bled completely. Most say best improvement to their bikes was getting braided lines for the brakes. several guys sell them on the GL sites.
98 1500 SE..
99 1500 SE SOLD
97 SE 1500 SOLD
83 SOLD
82 REBUILT sold!!!
81 DAILY RIDER sold her :(((!
81 REBUILT SOLD!!!
81 REBUILT SOLD!!
80 REBUILT SOLD
79 IN BASKET PARTS FOR SALE
79 CLEANED UP AND SOLD
78 REBUILT SOLD
77 REBUILT SOLD
76 SOLD/PARTIAL REBUILD
76 REBUILT AND SOLD
75 REBUILT SOLD
75 REBUILT SOLD
75 REBUILD SOLD


FAIR WINDS,
RB
User avatar
flyin900
Gold Member
Gold Member
Posts: 1489
Joined: Sun Jan 10, 2010 3:50 pm
Location: Canada

Re: 77 GL1000 - 3 questions

#4

Post by flyin900 »

On the rear drive unit did you lube the gear assembly on the inside of the unit that engages both the drive shaft spline on the front of the drive unit and the rear wheel spline inside the hub. These are best lubed with moly paste 70% from Honda or another supplier that has at least 50-60% Moly lube in the paste. Failure to have these gears lubed sufficiently will generate heat and excessive wear on the gears quite quickly.
I use the Honda dealer moly paste since it is the easiest to obtain up here in Canada, since most aftermarket car supply stores don't have anything with enough Moly % wise in the paste.

On the front brakes you can try using a zip tie and tie the front brake lever back to the throttle assembly. I usually place a piece of wood from a paint stir stick against the throttle grip to stop the zip tie leaving a permanent mark in the rubber or foam grip. Leave it for at least overnight or 24hrs and any air that may be trapped in the 3way joint will migrate back up through the top fluid reservoir. Usually works wonders for the issue you have or it maybe soft lines from age.
Sirus Consolidated in Canada sells a complete set of OEM style replacement brake hoses (3 pcs) for a very good price and the quality is excellent for a rubber set just like OEM yet new. Just check your bars are stock if you decide to go this route or measure your existing hoses and compare the length they list for the replacement units.
Current Bikes:

1966 CL77 - Honda 305cc - Dual purpose - "Gentleman's Scrambler" was a period moniker.
1967 CL175K0 - Low production number with #802 engine serial- winter 2019/2020 full restoration.
1972 CB350F - Baby Four with low mileage - Cosmetic refresh to the next level 2021/2022.
1978 CB550K - Very original bike with only 7499 Km. from new - light cleanup and refresh done.
1983 CB1100F - Canadian model - DOHC Supersport in pristine low kilometre condition from new.
1984 GL1200 - Standard model in showroom condition - two owner bike from new.
1984 CX650E - Restored summer 2017 - a rare Eurosport model - excellent one owner bike.
User avatar
desertrefugee
SUPER BIKER!!!!
SUPER BIKER!!!!
Posts: 3947
Joined: Fri Nov 11, 2011 9:33 pm
Location: Chandler, AZ, USA

Re: 77 GL1000 - 3 questions

#5

Post by desertrefugee »

1, 2, 3! (Welcome)

Also on the brakes, a lot of folks have had good results tying the brake lever down almost all the way and turning the handlebars until the master is the highest point in the system - and leave it overnight. Take appropriate cautions to avoid spilling brake fluid should the master be over painted surfaces.
- Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass. It's about learning to ride in the rain.
User avatar
robin1731
Membership Admin
Membership Admin
Posts: 21724
Joined: Mon May 29, 2006 8:31 am
Location: Decatur, Indiana

Re: 77 GL1000 - 3 questions

#6

Post by robin1731 »

You ever crawl under your RWD car or truck right after driving a few miles? They get pretty warm. It's normal.

.
1976 Goldwing Super Sport
1985 Honda Elite
1976 KZ900 Dragbike
1992 ZX7 Dragbike (KZ900 style motor w/NOS)
and a rotation of various purchases
Randakk approved Carb Rebuilder
User avatar
garagedog
Tin Member
Tin Member
Posts: 11
Joined: Sun Aug 20, 2017 5:04 pm
Location: Tulare, CA
Contact:

Re: 77 GL1000 - 3 questions

#7

Post by garagedog »

Wow. Quick answers. This forum is great.

Honda 77 moly paste is on the splines.

I have bungeed the front brake once before and have it on again tonight. Hope it helps. If not, I'm going hose shopping. Thanks for reminder about longer bars.

Fan check sounds easy enough. I'll be doing that tomorrow.

Thanks for the tips men!

Proverbs 15:22 Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.
User avatar
Easter
True Blue Steel Biker
True Blue Steel Biker
Posts: 2999
Joined: Thu Sep 13, 2012 11:33 am
Location: South of Houston 100 miles

Re: 77 GL1000 - 3 questions

#8

Post by Easter »

Sometimes it is just really, really difficult to get a system to bleed properly. Sometimes just riding it for a few days will jar those pesky bubbles out of hiding and they will migrate up to the master cylinder and disperse.
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:
User avatar
CYBORG
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 24536
Joined: Mon Jan 14, 2008 12:52 pm
Location: Muskegon mich

Re: 77 GL1000 - 3 questions

#9

Post by CYBORG »

Vacuum bleeder works well too
1978 custom GL1000
1977 custom with 1200 engine
1985 gl1200
User avatar
garagedog
Tin Member
Tin Member
Posts: 11
Joined: Sun Aug 20, 2017 5:04 pm
Location: Tulare, CA
Contact:

Re: 77 GL1000 - 3 questions

#10

Post by garagedog »

I've pinned back the brake lever before but it was always on the center stand. This time (on the side stand) it worked. I left it overnight and now it's firm and consistent.
User avatar
rcmatt007
Treasurer
Treasurer
Posts: 31305
Joined: Fri Oct 21, 2005 12:48 pm
My Album: http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingmans/rcmatt007/
Location: New River Valley, Virginia

Re: 77 GL1000 - 3 questions

#11

Post by rcmatt007 »

robin1731 wrote:You ever crawl under your RWD car or truck right after driving a few miles? They get pretty warm. It's normal.

.
yeah.... they get WARM... could add one of these...
DSC_0089.jpg
DSC_0089.jpg (97.79 KiB) Viewed 233 times
-Rodger-
all it takes for evil to prosper is the want of a few good men to do nothing-Edmund Burke
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
"it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert" ancient saying
78 constantly modified/customized since 1978, BOTM June 2015 de-evolving this very moment viewtopic.php?f=30&t=65511
76 Ltd "cookies bike" ALMOST DONE
79 project, finished, FOR SALE
'86 1200 (Beth's)(FOR SALE) with motorvation sidecar (sidecar sold) , July 2017 BOTM
'17 HD Road king and 08 HD Heritage softail (Beth's) (FOR SALE). I guess you can say we have MBS
User avatar
77Gowing
True Blue Steel Biker
True Blue Steel Biker
Posts: 2724
Joined: Wed Jul 22, 2015 4:31 pm
Location: San Angelo, Texas

Re: 77 GL1000 - 3 questions

#12

Post by 77Gowing »

Nice looking heat sinks!
"Less is More" Anonymous

77Gowing
1977 GL1000 "O'le Blue." (sold :crying)
2014 Yamaha 950 V Star (sold)
2017 Indian Scout Std w/ABS (sold)
2009 Honda VTX1300R "Me Brudder's" (sold)
1984 Honda Interstate "84' 2outa4." Gone
1982 Honda GL1100 "After thought." Gone
User avatar
desertrefugee
SUPER BIKER!!!!
SUPER BIKER!!!!
Posts: 3947
Joined: Fri Nov 11, 2011 9:33 pm
Location: Chandler, AZ, USA

Re: 77 GL1000 - 3 questions

#13

Post by desertrefugee »

I'm no thermodynamics engineer, but given the mass of the rear drive assembly versus the mass of those piddly little "heat sinks", I wouldn't waste my money.

If you want them for decoration, then go for it, but I certainly wouldn't expect a cooler running diff by installing one...
- Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass. It's about learning to ride in the rain.
User avatar
CYBORG
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 24536
Joined: Mon Jan 14, 2008 12:52 pm
Location: Muskegon mich

Re: 77 GL1000 - 3 questions

#14

Post by CYBORG »

desertrefugee wrote:I'm no thermodynamics engineer, but given the mass of the rear drive assembly versus the mass of those piddly little "heat sinks", I wouldn't waste my money.

If you want them for decoration, then go for it, but I certainly wouldn't expect a cooler running diff by installing one...
I thing I have to agree. Especially where they would be located
1978 custom GL1000
1977 custom with 1200 engine
1985 gl1200
User avatar
rcmatt007
Treasurer
Treasurer
Posts: 31305
Joined: Fri Oct 21, 2005 12:48 pm
My Album: http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingmans/rcmatt007/
Location: New River Valley, Virginia

Re: 77 GL1000 - 3 questions

#15

Post by rcmatt007 »

I think the ones I got were in a 4 (or was it 8) pack and were for a 750. Don't know if it does much. has sort of a flat washer, not an O-ring. The first one I saw was on warrens 1000 at Sturgis in 2009
-Rodger-
all it takes for evil to prosper is the want of a few good men to do nothing-Edmund Burke
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
"it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert" ancient saying
78 constantly modified/customized since 1978, BOTM June 2015 de-evolving this very moment viewtopic.php?f=30&t=65511
76 Ltd "cookies bike" ALMOST DONE
79 project, finished, FOR SALE
'86 1200 (Beth's)(FOR SALE) with motorvation sidecar (sidecar sold) , July 2017 BOTM
'17 HD Road king and 08 HD Heritage softail (Beth's) (FOR SALE). I guess you can say we have MBS
Post Reply
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post

Return to “GoldWing Tech Discussions”