New Project 1978 Gl1000 "Trickster"

[desertrefugee]

Great! Sounds like you'll be fine. With idle jets sorted, the only other real potential pitfalls are the float level and the needle/seat seal. OEM stuff is expensive but worth it. I think I paid around $50 just for four OEM float needles..

[Jonesz]

Thanx for the encouragement desertrefugee. Had a good day and a bad day. New timing belts installed, cleaned out fuel pump, reinstalled the newly cleaned carb set-up and the rad. Ready for initial fire-up. Didn't happen. PO has butchered the starter solenoid set-up etc. he apparently removed the stock set-up and inserted something from another bike. Anyway my guru friend is thinking it over. In the meantime I have ordered new parts and will have to wait for them unless my buddy comes up with an alternative solution. Would have been nice to have "fire in the hole".

[Jonesz]

Yesterday got the 78 to fire on ONE cylinder. That was a plus after seeing the crud that was built up in the carbs after 17 years of laying around in a shed without being run or drained and the butcher job on the starter solenoid. Hard to imagine she would ever run again. Even after the first cleaning NO fuel to 1.3 and 4 carbs. Off came the carbs today and another go round with carb cleaner, air etc. and after reinstall the bike fired up immediately. Needs some tuning but she started and idled pretty well, very good response and no hesitation when hitting the throttle. Thanx to my good friend Ian and his wizardry.

[Jonesz]

"IDLE"

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[Jonesz]

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Progress the last few days slow but sure.
-have a new solenoid (Rick's from Fortnine)and replaced some of the butchered starter wiring set-up (see previous video).
-polished the timing covers, flushed the rad/cooling system with distilled h20 and cleaned the radiator in SHMBO's bath tub while she was out. New rad hoses installed.
-Replaced the broken hose barbs on the Rad overflow reservoir with two L shaped barbs and grommets.
-Flushed the old brake fluid from the rear brake system. Have pedal will now see if they need a rebuild.
-Fuel tank cleaned with vinegar, put some diesel plus 10-30 weight oil in tank to stop rust returning.
-Got my headlight mounting ears from ebay supplier and cleaned them using vinegar and aluminum foil to get rid of surface rust spots. Worked GR8. They also came with mounting rubbers and turn signal warning buzzer, that wasn't expected thanx to the seller.
-lubricated the throttle cables and got the throttle working properly.
-BUSTED the clutch cable while being too aggressive lubricating and trying to get it loosened up.
-Ordered new pull throttle cable (old one was kinked and frayed) plus a new clutch cable.
Tomorrow will be adjusting the valves and then polishing the valve covers.

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[Jonesz]

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After ordering rear turn signal mounting bolts from Saber Cycle for my bike which did not fit my 78 gl1000 (even after asking them before ordering on Amazon.com). I forwarded my negative review to Amazon who replied that they would not post same. Shame on Amazon! My buddy thankfully found a correct bolt size/pitch
14 mm with 1.5 pitch, bored the bolt and tapped it to accept the 12 mm with 1.25 pitch which Saber cycle sent. He manufactured adapters to correct their error. Do not order items from these people, they are fraudulent dealers. I was warned on NGW before ordering but thought no company would sell items that were blatantly wrong. Anyway this is a pic of the adapter sleeves, took him all afternoon.

[CrazyJerry]

You did a great job polishing the timing covers - they look better than new!
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~CrazyJerry~

[Jonesz]

Thanx CJ my mechanic friend thinks I have some crow DNA, shiny things grab my attention. I was able to score a chrome upper motor mount bolt with a matching acorn nut out of his surplus goody box today! The valve covers, intakes and carb tops are the next thing to hit the polisher. Want to run the bike for a bit before taking the carbs back out. It may be several months before I get them back in as it looks like riding season may have arrived.

[Jonesz]

Still picking away, cleaning polishing etc. New clutch cable installed to replace the one I broke. A few goodies added here and there. Started Loki up today after she sat for a couple of weeks with new oil and Seafoam in the crankcase. Tested the compression cold with throttle wide open before starting and had #'s a tad over 160 on numbers 1,2 &4 but only 125 on # 3. After running the bike for over half an hour to check temp gauge(it worked), fan operation (cycled on and off), rad operation (worked as it should and overflow worked properly & perhaps loosen a stuck ring on #3 let her cool and rechecked this evening and # 3 cylinder was at 175 (Hooray). The bike operates well and has very good throttle response. Very happy with what started as a"seized" engine. My buddy says she is a runner. New headlight bucket on order and Harley sportster slip-ons waiting for me to drive the 100 miles to pick them up.

[CrazyJerry]

After running the bike for over half an hour to check temp gauge(it worked), fan operation (cycled on and off), rad operation (worked as it should and overflow worked properly & perhaps loosen a stuck ring on #3 let her cool and rechecked this evening and # 3 cylinder was at 175 (Hooray). The bike operates well and has very good throttle response. Very happy with what started as a"seized" engine. My buddy says she is a runner.

That's great news Jonesz! These things are like roller coasters - they can send you way up on a high or plummet you down to the depths of the deep!!

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~CrazyJerry~

[Jonesz]

Well there have been a few things done over the past while. The weather is getting around to thoughts of winter work in the shop. Had what will be my final ride for the year last Thurs. to and old hotel about 75 miles away, had the best burger, home fries and beer(one) I can remember. Wish I had taken a pic of the place. Will next time.
Have done some prep and painting on small parts. Polished all the engine bits, cleaned the engine top and bottom while the carbs and exhaust manifolds were off.. Took apart and painted the side and center stands, footpegs, airbox etc. Have the manifolds off, scrubbed and ready to paint with VHT ceramic flat black. Polished the front fork parts which are now ready to install after putting new seals in on Monday.
Will be getting back at her in earnest as the forecast is for cool/rain/flurries!!

[Jonesz]

OK so some spit and polish have gone into this old girl. Plus a new set of Battleax BT45's.

[Track T 2411]

Very nice!

[Easter]

Were those the original fenders? Both look new now. Nice work.

[Jonesz]

Hey Easter they were the original fenders and had a bit of surface rust. Cleaned them with aluminum foil and a bit of vinegar, washed with nice soft water then some chrome polish to slick them up. They look good to go IMHO. Thanx