Hello all;
In the almost 20 years that I've owned my '76 GL, the pump has caused me much head scratching, probably why I've got no hair left.
Every so often, I'll find drops of water, oil or both under the bike out of the pump, but it bears no relation to whether I've just used it, parked it for a month, what the season is or anything. In fact it can go for years without any sign of leaking; to be honest I've got so curious (paranoid?) about this that I check most days - there is simply no pattern to this. (Yes the weep hole is clear and no signs of water in oil and vice versa).
So I suppose my question is, am I safe to keep riding it unless it gets worse or is it at risk of sudden failure?
Cheers,
Pete
I don't know that I have ever known of a water pump - car or motorcycle - failing catastrophically to the point where it wouldn't actually pump. The typical failure modes are bearing squeal and/or leakage. If I were you I wouldn't sweat it. In fact, I have a 78 GL 1000 that behaves very similarly!
... and I'm not sweating it.
- Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass. It's about learning to ride in the rain.
desertrefugee wrote:I don't know that I have ever known of a water pump - car or motorcycle - failing catastrophically to the point where it wouldn't actually pump. The typical failure modes are bearing squeal and/or leakage. If I were you I wouldn't sweat it. In fact, I have a 78 GL 1000 that behaves very similarly!
... and I'm not sweating it.
Thank you sir, I was hoping that someone would say that - it leaves me free to worry about something else...
I have one that has been leaking intermittently for years. The thing is that this bike seldoms leave home town so it is not a concern. On my "over the road" bike I would change it out.
"Agreement is not a requirement for Respect" CDR Michael Smith USN (Ret) 2017
"The book is wrong, this whole Conclusion is Fallacious" River Tam
"Yea I do dance awkwardly, and I am having more fun than you" Taylor Swift
2008 GL1800 IIIA "TH3DOG"
1984 GL1200 Standard
1975/6/7/8/9 Arthur Fulmer Dressed Road bike
1975 Naked Noisy and Nasty in town bike
Psst. oh and by the way CHANGE YOUR BELTS!!!!
desertrefugee wrote:I don't know that I have ever known of a water pump - car or motorcycle - failing catastrophically to the point where it wouldn't actually pump. The typical failure modes are bearing squeal and/or leakage. If I were you I wouldn't sweat it. In fact, I have a 78 GL 1000 that behaves very similarly!
... and I'm not sweating it.
Here is some catastrophic water pump failure for you.
When it started to squeal it sounded like it was coming from the transmission. It squealed for about 2 or 3 minutes then stopped which made me think it was the throw out bearing. I decided if it started again I would find a garage and have it checked.
It started squealing on the highway then I lost my power steering. I got off the highway as soon as I could, opened the hood and the water pump pulley was sitting on the shaft leaning against the rad.
No lkeaks from the weep hole, no prior indications there was a problem. The pump wasn't that old either.
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1982 1100 standard. (sold)
1986 Yamaha FJ1200
2000 Yamaha Roadstar
1976 GoldWing. running but not on the road
1978 Goldwing. future cafe project.
2019 Can-Am ryker (boss's new ride)
2002 Shadow American Classic(sold)
1983 Shadow 500. (sold)
desertrefugee wrote:Yikes! Somehow I knew that one of our fun members would come up with a catastrophic failure. And even less surprised it was you 5speed!
... Must have been a Ford.
With regards to the intermittently dripping GL water pump, I don't think there's any looming emergency.
I void warranties.
Not a ford...my 86 IROC. My son refuses to go on road trips in it now with me. Twice he did, twice it let us down. lol
1982 1100 standard. (sold)
1986 Yamaha FJ1200
2000 Yamaha Roadstar
1976 GoldWing. running but not on the road
1978 Goldwing. future cafe project.
2019 Can-Am ryker (boss's new ride)
2002 Shadow American Classic(sold)
1983 Shadow 500. (sold)
desertrefugee wrote:Yikes! Somehow I knew that one of our fun members would come up with a catastrophic failure. And even less surprised it was you 5speed!
... Must have been a Ford.
With regards to the intermittently dripping GL water pump, I don't think there's any looming emergency.
It happens more often than you think. Across all brands.
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
If you stay close to home, it may hang in there. I checked a non leaker on my 78 that was parked for 20 years. It was really wobbly so I replaced it just because I don't mind spending on it and wanted the peace of mind for a thousand mile each way ride at 80 mph.
78 GL 1000, 70 CB750 sandcast, 70 CB836 hot rod, 1124cc 750 dragbike resto project.
You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.
