1980 GL 1100 Cafe build

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wannabridin
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Location: Hurst, TX

Re: 1980 GL 1100 Cafe build

#16

Post by wannabridin »

would you mind shooting a pic of the bike from behind? I'm curious how wide that seat is on the frame.

I have a corbin, but it needs the flames removed! how comfortable is the texavina seat?

bike is looking great so far!!!!
kermit
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Joined: Thu Jul 02, 2015 12:10 pm
Location: Goulais River, on

Re: 1980 GL 1100 Cafe build

#17

Post by kermit »

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I was feeling tired after a busy week and a retirement party for a friend so I decided a short nap was in order and the next thing I know it is 9:30 at night and I am wide awake, so out to the garage. It was very productive period between 9:30 and 3 :30 am....The exhaust was wrapped dry however it was wrapped very tightly and came out good. I did not want to wrap it wet as it will be a bit before it is installed and cured. The engine was prepped for paint and all things not getting painted were taped. The engine was hung and painted with 4 solid coats of paint. The old belts were left on and the area around them given a blast of paint (the cam gears needed a clean up). After the engine was put back on the bench and all tape was removed. New belts were installed and the "chromed" covers are ready to install. This morning the false tank lid which was converted from a dual door to a single door was covered in leather and the tank seal re-installed. The emblem that came on the false tank needs to be refinished so I will either refinish or procure a new one. The coolant lines are a real mess so I found a good used set that I will refinish....
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1988 Goldwing Aspencade (now sold to a good home)
1984 Goldwing Interstate (presently very pissed at me due to new child)
1978 Goldwing modified Cafe Racer (first out for 2017 and now dirty)
1979 Gl1000 Nasty Child Build
1980 Gl1100 running around naked (presently looking at me with a disapproving look)
kermit
Cast Iron Member
Cast Iron Member
Posts: 95
Joined: Thu Jul 02, 2015 12:10 pm
Location: Goulais River, on

Re: 1980 GL 1100 Cafe build

#18

Post by kermit »

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The seat was removed however I will put it back on tomorrow afternoon when I get back in from work and take a picture from behind for you....it feels nice ...this is the 28 inch seat and not the 30 by the way...
1988 Goldwing Aspencade (now sold to a good home)
1984 Goldwing Interstate (presently very pissed at me due to new child)
1978 Goldwing modified Cafe Racer (first out for 2017 and now dirty)
1979 Gl1000 Nasty Child Build
1980 Gl1100 running around naked (presently looking at me with a disapproving look)
kermit
Cast Iron Member
Cast Iron Member
Posts: 95
Joined: Thu Jul 02, 2015 12:10 pm
Location: Goulais River, on

Re: 1980 GL 1100 Cafe build

#19

Post by kermit »

Hi Wannabridin

Sorry for the late posting...here are the promised seat pics....

The exhausts were put on to see what they look like with the paint. I am not happy with the flat black mufflers and I am either going to paint them gloss black or silver which would match the paint. I am working on polishing the front forks and the rear shocks so I can get the frame rolling.
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1988 Goldwing Aspencade (now sold to a good home)
1984 Goldwing Interstate (presently very pissed at me due to new child)
1978 Goldwing modified Cafe Racer (first out for 2017 and now dirty)
1979 Gl1000 Nasty Child Build
1980 Gl1100 running around naked (presently looking at me with a disapproving look)
kermit
Cast Iron Member
Cast Iron Member
Posts: 95
Joined: Thu Jul 02, 2015 12:10 pm
Location: Goulais River, on

Re: 1980 GL 1100 Cafe build

#20

Post by kermit »

Things have been very busy so it has been hard to sneak off to the garage and get some work done. I ordered some buffing wheels and polishing compounds and went at the forks and the carb manifolds. Here is the results after a couple hours work. The forks were done twice and had to be scotch bright padded first due to corrosion and to remove the protective layer. The investment was well worth the outcome.
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Attachments
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1988 Goldwing Aspencade (now sold to a good home)
1984 Goldwing Interstate (presently very pissed at me due to new child)
1978 Goldwing modified Cafe Racer (first out for 2017 and now dirty)
1979 Gl1000 Nasty Child Build
1980 Gl1100 running around naked (presently looking at me with a disapproving look)
kermit
Cast Iron Member
Cast Iron Member
Posts: 95
Joined: Thu Jul 02, 2015 12:10 pm
Location: Goulais River, on

Re: 1980 GL 1100 Cafe build

#21

Post by kermit »

Due to some vacation time, I have been able to catch up on my build and with some parts finally making it in, I have been able to move ahead. The engine cooling tubes came in so they were blasted and painted along with some other items and installed on the already finished engine. The engine and frame were mated together on the bench, this was easier for me as I placed carpet under the engine and just slid it into place. The engine mounting bolts and hardware were in good shape and just needed to be cleaned up on the buffing wheel. All engine hardware was able to be saved too with running them under the 6 inch buffing wheel. I purchased a four pack of the 6 inch wheels for $24.00 which has already paid for itself by not having to buy new hardware and send things out. The mess was minor and the outcome was satisfying.

The engine was attached to the drive and the C clip installed. To make it easy the boot was safety wired together on two sides and slid back which gives plenty of room to work the C clip.

So after torquing up the engine mounting hardware and having the engine fully mounted, I decided to have a sip of tea and guess what was sitting beside that cup of tea... THE ENGINE HARNESS.... After beating my head against the tool box, I then decided that I was going to install the engine harness without taking the engine back out. I released one mounting bolt to get the thermostat wire under the plate. The neutral switch was another matter and needed a more creative solution. An access port was created through the mount to allow a screw driver to go through...( yeah go ahead and say it...I know that you are thinking it...I drilled a 3/16 hole... :IDTS: ).

Other than the old guy mistake the rest went well and I managed to move ahead.
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The wiring that was removed from the bike was completely gone over and all connectors were checked for high resistance and any corrosion was removed. The only connector that was unserviceable was the stater connector which was replaced with blade connectors. The new headlight was installed with smaller ears than the stock ones and will require some pushing to get it all in. The original head light was removed to install a Vetter fairing.

The rims were cleaned and polished and the brake disks were polished up using a 2 inch scotch brite pad.

The original gauge cluster was cleaned and polished and the lights came back to their original luster.
Attachments
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1988 Goldwing Aspencade (now sold to a good home)
1984 Goldwing Interstate (presently very pissed at me due to new child)
1978 Goldwing modified Cafe Racer (first out for 2017 and now dirty)
1979 Gl1000 Nasty Child Build
1980 Gl1100 running around naked (presently looking at me with a disapproving look)
kermit
Cast Iron Member
Cast Iron Member
Posts: 95
Joined: Thu Jul 02, 2015 12:10 pm
Location: Goulais River, on

Re: 1980 GL 1100 Cafe build

#22

Post by kermit »

I tried to clean up the rear air shocks which had some corrosion and after cleaning them up, decided to go with some progressive shocks in the rear and then figured that I might as well go with a set of progressive springs in the front. I like the look of the springs as well, so the decision was easier.
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Sorry for the poor pics as the lighting sucks, the camera is not the best and I suck as a photographer.
Attachments
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20160728_150631.jpg (147.43 KiB) Viewed 230 times
1988 Goldwing Aspencade (now sold to a good home)
1984 Goldwing Interstate (presently very pissed at me due to new child)
1978 Goldwing modified Cafe Racer (first out for 2017 and now dirty)
1979 Gl1000 Nasty Child Build
1980 Gl1100 running around naked (presently looking at me with a disapproving look)
kermit
Cast Iron Member
Cast Iron Member
Posts: 95
Joined: Thu Jul 02, 2015 12:10 pm
Location: Goulais River, on

Re: 1980 GL 1100 Cafe build

#23

Post by kermit »

Sorry for the crappy pics as the lighting is poor, the camera is not the best and I truly suck as a photographer....
1988 Goldwing Aspencade (now sold to a good home)
1984 Goldwing Interstate (presently very pissed at me due to new child)
1978 Goldwing modified Cafe Racer (first out for 2017 and now dirty)
1979 Gl1000 Nasty Child Build
1980 Gl1100 running around naked (presently looking at me with a disapproving look)
kermit
Cast Iron Member
Cast Iron Member
Posts: 95
Joined: Thu Jul 02, 2015 12:10 pm
Location: Goulais River, on

Re: 1980 GL 1100 Cafe build

#24

Post by kermit »

The next project to handle is the carb set and get the radiator cleaned out. I tried using CLR and soaking the inside of the radiator for almost a week however since they changed to "environmentally Friendly" the stuff is a waste of time. I then tried a suggestion of Apple Cider Vinegar which appears to not being doing to much. I think it might have to go to the rad shop...another delay and more money.....

The carbs are going to need a good scrubbing and I have had the tops power coated ( I am not that happy with the results of the power coating). I think that my decision to power coat the tops in " Polished Aluminium" was wrong and I should have just polished them. Live and learn.... I may just end up buying another set of tops and polishing them however we will see what everything looks like and go from there....
I have not opened the carbs up yet and I am planning on doing that today. Hopefully it will be ok....
1988 Goldwing Aspencade (now sold to a good home)
1984 Goldwing Interstate (presently very pissed at me due to new child)
1978 Goldwing modified Cafe Racer (first out for 2017 and now dirty)
1979 Gl1000 Nasty Child Build
1980 Gl1100 running around naked (presently looking at me with a disapproving look)
kermit
Cast Iron Member
Cast Iron Member
Posts: 95
Joined: Thu Jul 02, 2015 12:10 pm
Location: Goulais River, on

Re: 1980 GL 1100 Cafe build

#25

Post by kermit »

After a huge push to get the bike done and staying up till 02:00, I have a completed 1980 Gl100. My garage looks like a tornado went through and now to get the garage back to a normal state of affairs. All electrical systems work and all gauges work so I am pretty happy about that. The bike started right up however I have a dead spark plug which resulted in some pretty spectacular back fires and flames. I swapped over the plugs from left to right and the backfires came out the opposite side. I am waiting on some new ones to give it another go. The fluids were all changed ....



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Attachments
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1988 Goldwing Aspencade (now sold to a good home)
1984 Goldwing Interstate (presently very pissed at me due to new child)
1978 Goldwing modified Cafe Racer (first out for 2017 and now dirty)
1979 Gl1000 Nasty Child Build
1980 Gl1100 running around naked (presently looking at me with a disapproving look)
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Sugs
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Joined: Sun Aug 09, 2015 6:12 pm
Location: Springfield, MO

Re: 1980 GL 1100 Cafe build

#26

Post by Sugs »

Sweet! Great job!
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'79 Honda GL1000 Goldwing
kermit
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Posts: 95
Joined: Thu Jul 02, 2015 12:10 pm
Location: Goulais River, on

Re: 1980 GL 1100 Cafe build

#27

Post by kermit »

Thanks Sugs, I appreciate the comments1
1988 Goldwing Aspencade (now sold to a good home)
1984 Goldwing Interstate (presently very pissed at me due to new child)
1978 Goldwing modified Cafe Racer (first out for 2017 and now dirty)
1979 Gl1000 Nasty Child Build
1980 Gl1100 running around naked (presently looking at me with a disapproving look)
kermit
Cast Iron Member
Cast Iron Member
Posts: 95
Joined: Thu Jul 02, 2015 12:10 pm
Location: Goulais River, on

Re: 1980 GL 1100 Cafe build

#28

Post by kermit »

The bikes radiator was flushed several times and then painted flat black to go with the frame and the "wings" were installed after some looking at it and going " yes ...no...yes...no" and finally went yes....The carbs turned out not too bad and after opening them up and seeing that they were slightly dirty, I decided to do a good exterior cleaning and a good soaking would be good enough for now. The bowls only had a slight amount of crud....

The exhaust tips were cut off and the exhaust were repaired however I see a pair of Dunstalls in its future....I will ride it like it is and see how it goes.....

The intake box was cut away to expose the K and N filter and the crankcase breather opening was plugged.

The bike needs a real good cleaning to get all the paw prints off before we can take some nice photos of it. I have a couple of drain lines to install and a couple little jobs that will be today's project...as well as the garage...
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1988 Goldwing Aspencade (now sold to a good home)
1984 Goldwing Interstate (presently very pissed at me due to new child)
1978 Goldwing modified Cafe Racer (first out for 2017 and now dirty)
1979 Gl1000 Nasty Child Build
1980 Gl1100 running around naked (presently looking at me with a disapproving look)
kermit
Cast Iron Member
Cast Iron Member
Posts: 95
Joined: Thu Jul 02, 2015 12:10 pm
Location: Goulais River, on

Re: 1980 GL 1100 Cafe build

#29

Post by kermit »

The horns from Sick Speed are really loud and sound like a freight locomotive...I was going to put back the originals however they are very weak in comparison to the Sick Speed units. They are large however they catch your attention and will get you a slap in the head from the wife when you blast them without warning her.....
1988 Goldwing Aspencade (now sold to a good home)
1984 Goldwing Interstate (presently very pissed at me due to new child)
1978 Goldwing modified Cafe Racer (first out for 2017 and now dirty)
1979 Gl1000 Nasty Child Build
1980 Gl1100 running around naked (presently looking at me with a disapproving look)
kermit
Cast Iron Member
Cast Iron Member
Posts: 95
Joined: Thu Jul 02, 2015 12:10 pm
Location: Goulais River, on

Re: 1980 GL 1100 Cafe build

#30

Post by kermit »

All air shocks were replaced with Progressive Springs front and rear. There was no issues with the front set however the after polishing the rears the chrome still did not look that great and so all the units were changed to progressive units. I think it looks a bit more retro too...
I have to find out if the front fork caps can be changed to the older style as I would like to remove the air filler units. I think it will clean up the bars too....
1988 Goldwing Aspencade (now sold to a good home)
1984 Goldwing Interstate (presently very pissed at me due to new child)
1978 Goldwing modified Cafe Racer (first out for 2017 and now dirty)
1979 Gl1000 Nasty Child Build
1980 Gl1100 running around naked (presently looking at me with a disapproving look)
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