GL1000 oil dipstick - wire rod

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

Moderators: CYBORG, Oldewing, robin1731, Forum Moderators

Post Reply
shopguy
Zinc Member
Zinc Member
Posts: 51
Joined: Mon Jun 29, 2020 9:31 pm

GL1000 oil dipstick - wire rod

#1

Post by shopguy »

I searched back on old threads about using a piece of wire to fashion a "dip stick" to check oil level on the GL1000.

I made a nice 10" piece from welding rod....and was able to slip it down pass the gears to what I THINK is the bottom of that case area. The oil level seems to be at 3/4" while on the center stand.....which corresponds to a "top line" fill on the window....again on the centerstand.

If you are using the "wire" method....is this dimension sound about right? thanks
ob1quixote
Titanium Member
Titanium Member
Posts: 460
Joined: Thu Oct 09, 2008 8:15 am
Location: Charleston SC

Re: GL1000 oil dipstick - wire rod

#2

Post by ob1quixote »

I use a stainless steel zip tie, with a mark scored into it with a chisel.
1979 GL1000
2001 DRZ400
1983 CR480
And a few late '60's - early '70's British thumpers
bum
Gold Member
Gold Member
Posts: 1067
Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2009 3:13 pm
Location: Merced California

Re: GL1000 oil dipstick - wire rod

#3

Post by bum »

one of my parts bikes has a manufactured dip stick. screws into the drain plug hole.
bum
8 wings + 1 Triumph +2 Musclecars = 1 pissed off wife !!!
User avatar
ericheath
Honored Life Member
Honored Life Member
Posts: 9580
Joined: Wed Jul 29, 2009 11:20 am
Location: Winnipeg, Manituba

Re: GL1000 oil dipstick - wire rod

#4

Post by ericheath »

Sounds right. If you’re new to Wings, many find the oil consumption goes quickly from the high mark to the middle mark, then barely budges. If you keep topping it up, you keep consuming it. Mine would lose 1/2 quart in 500 miles. I ran oil change to oil change just filling to the middle line in the window.
Whatever I suggest here should be given ample time for a moderator to delicately correct. I apologize in advance.
77 WING, 1200 engine with 77 heads, cams, gl1100 foot pegs, Magna V65 front end, 764A carbs, [-gone Suzuki M109 monoshock--, replaced with gl1100 shocks] gl 1200 swing arm, gl1500 final drive, wheel and rear brakes Valkyrie seat, Meanstreak tank, Sportster pipes, Power Arc ignition off crank.
77 Wing. black
83 Wing, in pieces
"Continuing education is important even if the subject matter is fairly useless (as in this case)."---Greg Foresi
redglbx
Gold Member
Gold Member
Posts: 1116
Joined: Tue Jun 02, 2020 8:39 am
Location: NW Indiana,

Re: GL1000 oil dipstick - wire rod

#5

Post by redglbx »

One of the things I found on my 76 when it started using oil was that the PCV/crankcase vent had come loose off of the air cleaner, it was always good about never using oil but on a 300mi trip it went through a lot requiring several quarts to top it backup. Kind of surprised me because it NEVER EVER used oil prior to that point.

After reconnecting the PCV/crankcase vent it is back to not using any oil. If fact on that trip there was a slight increase in fuel economy as well. This all prompted me to clean/rebuild the little oil separation tank &drain on the back of the engine as well, it was in bad shape with the foam all disintegrating and it was full of bugs with the drain Tube plug gone.

So why would this simple thing cause a lot of oil consumption ? Here’s my thoughts & therory, I believe that having the crankcase vent/PCV plugged into the airbox creates a negative slight vacuum in the crankcase that reduces or removes any piston ring flutter so you have better piston ring seal.

I have redone a number of Wings over the years and most have a simple hose and breather attached to the crankcase vent which provides no vacuum to the crankcase, I have spent a fair amount of time repairing & restoring this system that I think most attribute to the “evil” emissions thing so it has to be bad, but is incorrect. So if your Wing uses oil try hooking this system back up and I’d bet the oil consumption will go down if not completely away. I have found this to be the case on several bikes now.
Red 1976 oe owner
1976 LTD restored
1980 CBX , in the que, to fix the ignorant heavy handed owner
1981 CBX
1977 CB750 K7
2014 FJR OE owner, sold
1980 GL1100
1984 GL1200 naked
1969 CL350, in the que
User avatar
Oldewing
Secretary
Secretary
Posts: 8177
Joined: Wed Jun 08, 2005 8:19 pm
Location: Gahanna Ohio

Re: GL1000 oil dipstick - wire rod

#6

Post by Oldewing »

Put me in the zip tie class, works fine.
82 GL1100 Interstate-Oldewing October 23 BOTM
06 GL1800 Road bike, as in Rode alot...
Sometimes I wrestle with my inner demons.........
Other times we just hug.......

Team 898
Team LTD 993
Team 76 R2B3
And always remember: beer has some food value--but food has NO beer value...
pjlogue
Billet Alum. Member
Billet Alum. Member
Posts: 278
Joined: Thu Jun 07, 2018 8:30 am

Re: GL1000 oil dipstick - wire rod

#7

Post by pjlogue »

ob1quixote wrote:I use a stainless steel zip tie, with a mark scored into it with a chisel.
What is a stainless steel zip tie? This is a new one for me.

-P.
User avatar
CYBORG
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 24537
Joined: Mon Jan 14, 2008 12:52 pm
Location: Muskegon mich

Re: GL1000 oil dipstick - wire rod

#8

Post by CYBORG »

It's azip tie.........made of stainless steel. I use them all the time
1978 custom GL1000
1977 custom with 1200 engine
1985 gl1200
ob1quixote
Titanium Member
Titanium Member
Posts: 460
Joined: Thu Oct 09, 2008 8:15 am
Location: Charleston SC

Re: GL1000 oil dipstick - wire rod

#9

Post by ob1quixote »

Think I got mine at Lowe's.
1979 GL1000
2001 DRZ400
1983 CR480
And a few late '60's - early '70's British thumpers
pjlogue
Billet Alum. Member
Billet Alum. Member
Posts: 278
Joined: Thu Jun 07, 2018 8:30 am

Re: GL1000 oil dipstick - wire rod

#10

Post by pjlogue »

CYBORG wrote:It's azip tie.........made of stainless steel. I use them all the time
Where are they sold? I have never seen one. Zip tie, in my mind, is plastic with a ratchet head.

-P.
User avatar
CYBORG
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 24537
Joined: Mon Jan 14, 2008 12:52 pm
Location: Muskegon mich

Re: GL1000 oil dipstick - wire rod

#11

Post by CYBORG »

I get mine at Harbor Freight
1978 custom GL1000
1977 custom with 1200 engine
1985 gl1200
User avatar
5speed
Honored Life Member
Honored Life Member
Posts: 5311
Joined: Sat Jul 11, 2015 2:37 pm
Location: Nova Scotia Canada

Re: GL1000 oil dipstick - wire rod

#12

Post by 5speed »

I have custom ones for all my wings..Image
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)
twooldwings
Cast Iron Member
Cast Iron Member
Posts: 95
Joined: Mon Nov 26, 2018 9:22 pm

Re: GL1000 oil dipstick - wire rod

#13

Post by twooldwings »

pjlogue wrote:
ob1quixote wrote:I use a stainless steel zip tie, with a mark scored into it with a chisel.
What is a stainless steel zip tie? This is a new one for me.

-P.
i have seen them on machinery, but never in a store. looks like they are available online and not too expensive either.
User avatar
CYBORG
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 24537
Joined: Mon Jan 14, 2008 12:52 pm
Location: Muskegon mich

Re: GL1000 oil dipstick - wire rod

#14

Post by CYBORG »

5speed wrote:I have custom ones for all my wings..Image
Got pictures?
1978 custom GL1000
1977 custom with 1200 engine
1985 gl1200
User avatar
5speed
Honored Life Member
Honored Life Member
Posts: 5311
Joined: Sat Jul 11, 2015 2:37 pm
Location: Nova Scotia Canada

Re: GL1000 oil dipstick - wire rod

#15

Post by 5speed »

CYBORG wrote:
5speed wrote:I have custom ones for all my wings..Image
Got pictures?
you made them. anim-cheers1
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)
Post Reply
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post

Return to “GoldWing Tech Discussions”