compressons test!

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takehikes
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compressons test!

#1

Post by takehikes »

My 1975 has been sitting since 1988, only 24,000 miles on it.
Soaked the cylinders down and let sit for a week. Then I it cranked over with kickstarter and pistons moved easily. I then tried the regular statrter. Cranked perfectly and strong. Everything I've found while weathered has been in good shape. Took apart every wiring connection and cleaned and lubed them. Amazing part is they came right apart and I broke none of them! While it was outside when I got it, Im thinking it spent its long sleep ina garage somewhere (I bought from original owner).

Did compression test and got between 110 and 140 on all of them. I'm thinking I'm solid and once I get it running the PSI will come right up to spec once rings get totally free and valves are adjusted.
Prior to this I was about 90% that it was worth bringing back to life but now I'm going for it with what appears to be a solid powertrain.
1975 GL1000 built 2/75
24,000 miles - not run since 1988
Frame GL1001751 Engine GL1E1001756
Price? $100...... dancr
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gltriker
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Re: compressons test!

#2

Post by gltriker »

takehikes wrote: Tue Mar 28, 2023 10:55 am My 1975 has been sitting since 1988, only 24,000 miles on it.
-
Did compression test and got between 110 and 140 on all of them. I'm thinking I'm solid and once I get it running the PSI will come right up to spec once rings get totally free and valves are adjusted.
set all 8 valves lash clearances at 0.006" tumb2 ( Yes, leave and maintain them set at that lash clearance dimension, too. )
Last edited by gltriker on Wed Mar 29, 2023 12:05 pm, edited 5 times in total.
Cliff (74yrs ;) )

Keep your eyes and ears open and you'll learn something new, everyday. tumb2

New users please visit our "Shop Talk" for common tips and help: <---jdvorchak
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RE: a thorough fuel tank cleaning
"And your carbs will thank you. They no longer live down stream from a sewage plant." -gregforesi tumb2
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Cliff

'75 GL1000 home built trike; http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=39996
October,2017 BOTM :shock: https://nakedgoldwingsclub.com/forum/page/Welcome

previous rides:
1953 H-D Servi-car, naked, 1969-1978 (serial#53G1559 committed to memory!)
1980 CB900 Custom (triked) 1997-2003 .... R.I.P.
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ericheath
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Re: compressons test!

#3

Post by ericheath »

Just one winter and my compression checks were disheartening, but a couple hundred miles and they were good.

See gltrikers posts on the 0.006” lash as suggested by him, Mike Nixon and others.
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
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gltriker
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Re: compressons test!

#4

Post by gltriker »

'tis Mike Nixon's advice to increase valves' lash clearance to 0.006". Why do I push it so often? It works. tumb2

read it here: paragraph 3-Spec cylinder compression

https://ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=54&t=63468
Last edited by gltriker on Tue Mar 28, 2023 8:43 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Cliff (74yrs ;) )

Keep your eyes and ears open and you'll learn something new, everyday. tumb2

New users please visit our "Shop Talk" for common tips and help: <---jdvorchak
http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/page/ST
^^^^^^^click up here^^^^^ :oldies

RE: a thorough fuel tank cleaning
"And your carbs will thank you. They no longer live down stream from a sewage plant." -gregforesi tumb2
"Can't see the paint when your looking thru the handlebars..........." -Oldewing ;)
"I'd rather Ride than Shine" -RAT tumb2 Me Too!!

Cliff

'75 GL1000 home built trike; http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=39996
October,2017 BOTM :shock: https://nakedgoldwingsclub.com/forum/page/Welcome

previous rides:
1953 H-D Servi-car, naked, 1969-1978 (serial#53G1559 committed to memory!)
1980 CB900 Custom (triked) 1997-2003 .... R.I.P.
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Re: compressons test!

#5

Post by Whiskerfish »

Also did you have the throttle wide open? Makes a really significant difference.
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takehikes
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Re: compressons test!

#6

Post by takehikes »

PLugs out, throttle wide open.
1975 GL1000 built 2/75
24,000 miles - not run since 1988
Frame GL1001751 Engine GL1E1001756
Price? $100...... dancr
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Rat
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Re: compressons test!

#7

Post by Rat »

Here I am again, fill it with good clean gas … ride 200 miles … fill it with good cle …

Gord crossy.gif
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NotSoLilCrippseys
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Re: compressons test!

#8

Post by NotSoLilCrippseys »

Takehikes: Start a build thread over in Projects/Restorations (or customs, if that's your goal).

Members like me like to see what's up. And photos are wonderful.

A '75 with 24k in ok (or better?) shape for $100. Nice deal.

I feel like I'm getting teased. And I'm not the only one eager to see what she looks like and how she's coming along.
Avatar is a summer '21 photo of the Blue Phoenix, our 1983 GL1100I rescue gone naked.

In the Stable and Ridable
1992 ST1100 - my longer haul tourer
1992 XJ600S - son's streetfighter
1987 VFR700 - son's latest, in blue/silver
1983 - GL1100I - naked Blue Phoenix (son's, really)
1982 GL1100I - naked bagger Cabernet
1979 GL1000 - Ginger Lynn, but not that Ginger Lynn (Wing and a Prayer)
1978 CB550K - son's cafe (carb issues still vex)

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1979 GL1000 - Confirmed one owner, with original paperwork. Vetter fairing and bags, off the road in dry, heated storage for 35 years.

Sold
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takehikes
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Re: compressons test!

#9

Post by takehikes »

I will start a build thread. Thanks
1975 GL1000 built 2/75
24,000 miles - not run since 1988
Frame GL1001751 Engine GL1E1001756
Price? $100...... dancr
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Oldewing
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Re: compressons test!

#10

Post by Oldewing »

Rode lots on bikes in the 120 range. Most really well kept are in the 150s.

My NOS crate motor, was 165, highest I have ever seen.


And yes , plugs out, battery happy, choke off, throttle wide open.
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Other times we just hug.......

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Re: compressons test!

#11

Post by Fred Camper »

Interference engine, so while belts do not help compression, those aged ones must be replace soon, or you will be looking for another engine. Perhaps preaching to the choir but...
Proud member of the NGW Cartel (Rochester MI)
1977 GL1000 BADDOG (April 2012 BOTM)
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redglbx
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Re: compressons test!

#12

Post by redglbx »

On my 76 Red bike that I bought new, I tested and found the compression in that brand new bike ranged from 135psi to 145psi. I raised cain with the service dept where I had bought it because the manual states it should be 171psi, we argued about that for a long time before I finally accepted that they just don’t have the advertised 171psi. Only ever seen one that had that, a 78, but that’s it.

Mine maintained that cranking compression for many years until I milled .040in off the heads and advanced the cams to +4 deg and then it would check at between 195 +205psi. But just a couple of weeks ago I rechecked the compression looking for a problem and found that they all ranged between 155 & 165psi. I was ok with it because they were very consistent between the 4 cylinders. My bike does run very sweet except for the occasional popping out the exhaust at idle. The compression test along with a leakdown test showed my motor is sound and the problem has to be in the Dyna ignition or the carbs, we’ll figure it out, once the weather warms and dries and my recently repaired knee heals.

I do believe that my bikes compression will improve if we ever get warm, dry weather & me healthy here to where I can put some miles on it. I do believe that your’s will improve with the more your ride it, but if it doesn’t and it doesn’t just blow all kinds of smoke, just ride it and enjoy it ,,,,,, after you change the belts !😜

I have a good friend who also has a 76 and for years has tested with really low compression on several cylinders, like around 80 psi or so, but that bike is one of the sweetest running GL’s you’ll ever find, it’s truly a sewing machine motor. So on yours just get the valves and ignition set up right, good sync on the carbs and just enjoy your ride ! These are great/fun bikes ! Oh,,,, and change your belts !
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1976 LTD restored
1980 CBX , in the que, to fix the ignorant heavy handed owner
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Re: compressons test!

#13

Post by Shadowjack »

Fred Camper wrote: Wed Mar 29, 2023 8:35 am Interference engine, so while belts do not help compression, those aged ones must be replace soon, or you will be looking for another engine. Perhaps preaching to the choir but...
I've been wondering about this for a while now: how aged is "aged"? The '77 I resurrected in 2007 got new belts then, but I've only put a few thousand miles on it since because, other bikes. Sits in a warm garage. Do you think the belts go bad from sitting, so, change every 15 years? Every 10? Five?
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Re: compressons test!

#14

Post by Fred Camper »

Some say 5, but I do 10 years if miles are low. Kind of a roll of the dice if you go 20 years, you might do fine.
Proud member of the NGW Cartel (Rochester MI)
1977 GL1000 BADDOG (April 2012 BOTM)
1976 LTD - '993 LTD...and so it begins'

You should remember that it's peace of mind you're after and not just fixing the machine. R.Pirsig
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robin1731
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Re: compressons test!

#15

Post by robin1731 »

Compare the cost of belts and the installation to the cost of bent valves and rebuilding a head. ;)

Every five years is good/cheap insurance.
1976 Goldwing Super Sport
1985 Honda Elite
1976 KZ900 Dragbike
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