75 GL1000 redo

[Flatlander80]

I have had this bike for a few years now (originally bought it as a parts bike for another, but that one had a bent valve from timing belts skipping a few cogs, so this became the main bike). Got it out in the road last summer, and found out it has an intermittent ignition problem... so I made a list of things to do and started tearing it down this week...

Here is where it was at on Monday

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Here’s the “to do” list...

Check all wiring (ignition switch, coils)
Install new kill switch and throttle (vf)
Install new clutch lever and left hand controls (vf)
Install hydraulic clutch
Remount mufflers (raise at the back 1-2”)
Mount saddlebags
Paint bodywork and saddlebags

So I tore it down on Tuesday...

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So far, I opened up the carbs and just confirmed the float height and that everything was where it was supposed to be. Also changed up the handlebars from the flat one shown to more of a tracker bar (I think it’s a 2” rise and a 5” pull back)... and I started on the hydraulic clutch kit install... there is NO room at the back of that engine, so it’s tight getting it in there.

I’ll post updates as I get things done and take pics... hopefully it’s back up and running in a few weeks...

[Flatlander80]

I got the hydraulic clutch conversion done today... man, was that a tight fit getting the whole assembly in there! Thanks to Sunnbobb for the kit, and advice...

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Bled the system and it seems like it’s working. Of course I’ll have to get a few more things on there to make sure. Also re-bled the front brakes (since I had to change a line for the different bars)... now, onto the ignition system!

[desertrefugee]

I wish I had bought a kit for the hydraulic conversion. Instead, I sorted a bunch of parts independently and ended up with heartburn.

Nonworking slave, a leaky master and pinholes in the 1200 used clutch line to the slave all conspired to make me reverse course back to the mechanical clutch. I’m going to regroup, buy a few fresh parts, and go at it again when the weather cools around here.

...And yes it is extremely tight back there getting that slave cylinder in. I’ve heard it said that the motor needs to be dropped to do it. That’s very close to being gospel.

[cdwillis]

Looks like we've got similar taste. I just ordered some cheap emgo superbike bars for my 83. I think they've got a 3 inch rise and a 4 inch pullback. Where did you get your seat?

[Flatlander80]

I wish I had bought a kit for the hydraulic conversion. Instead, I sorted a bunch of parts independently and ended up with heartburn.

Nonworking slave, a leaky master and pinholes in the 1200 used clutch line to the slave all conspired to make me reverse course back to the mechanical clutch. I’m going to regroup, buy a few fresh parts, and go at it again when the weather cools around here.

...And yes it is extremely tight back there getting that slave cylinder in. I’ve heard it said that the motor needs to be dropped to do it. That’s very close to being gospel.

If you're looking for the whole kit, get in contact with sunnbobb on here. He hooked me up with all the parts needed, shipped as a whole, including a shorter stainless line than the standard 60" one. Parts were all new, excellent quality. I'm super pumped about it especially considering how hard my cable clutch was to pull. I know there was probably a problem there, but this is the cat's meow!

[Flatlander80]

A bit more progress after taking Saturday off to ride.

Remounted exhaust (it needed to be higher at the back), checked most of the electrical, and started working on the new hand controls (from a VF750)... wheeled it out in the sun to see how it sat... I’m pretty happy about the progress!

[Flatlander80]

Looks like we've got similar taste. I just ordered some cheap emgo superbike bars for my 83. I think they've got a 3 inch rise and a 4 inch pullback. Where did you get your seat?

I bought it off EBay... it was a 24” brat style seat... wasn’t the cheapest one out there (it was $300 CAD), but I’m really happy with it. A lot of the others seemed too short.

[rcmatt007]

[Flatlander80]

Now that the major mechanical work is done, it’s o to the list of little things. Started wiring up the new hand controls and hit a major snag. Can’t figure out how to wire the new ones to work with the goldwing wiring... so I shelved that for a bit and started working on the body...

Here is the start of my wiring mess...

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And just started the body, with the shelter panels first...

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Tomorrow is a riding day... good thing the 650 is running like a champ!!

[Flatlander80]

Here is the progress so far this week. Sorted out the right hand switch (starter and kill switch), but can’t get the headlight working even with the old left hand switch. Need to get it working so I can adapt a newer switch to control signals, horn, and hi/low.

So I’m between that I’ve been filling and priming the body panels. One more coat of primer and they’ll be ready to paint, and mocked up the saddlebags. So far, I’ve only roughed up the paint on those (they were white to begin with. I’m going to use this pic to decide on a paint scheme)...

I really want to get the controls/electrical sorted out so I can start putting things back together!

[Flatlander80]

Time for an update after a tough week...

I fought with wiring the new controls... I’ll admit that electrical and wiring are not my strong suit, but with the help of a few wiring diagrams and a really bad day where I just had to leave it alone for the rest of the day, I got it figured out. I didn’t have the kill/starter switch wired properly, so I had no headlight... so I swapped EVERYTHING I could think of over from my parts bike. Reserve lighting unit, diodes, fuses, resistor... prob a few other things I forgot. Hahaha... finally realized my mistake with a fresh brain, and voila! A headlight!!

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After a little mock-up in photoshop, I’ve decided on a colour scheme and where I wanted the bags, so I mounted the saddlebags...

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Then with the wiring done, I stripped all that off, removed the fender and wheel, and put all the hand controls on... I retested everything and it’s all good!

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So I put the carbs back on, rigged up a little fuel, and fired up the beast... it was awesome to hear that exhaust again... I took a video, but it’s too big to upload... I’ll work on that for another day... for now, it’s time for a beer!

[Flatlander80]

After a few setbacks, I’ve made some progress... the hydraulic clutch upgrade didn’t go as smooth as I thought it did, so it came back out, was diagnosed, fixed, and reinstalled. Haven’t test driven it yet since it’s half ripped apart again, but I’m way more confident that it’s working properly now!

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Also changed the ignition to a Prestalite that was on my parts bike. Got it in, timed it, and fired it up with the fuel that was in the carbs... I think that’s a pretty good upgrade as well!

So now it’s on to painting the bodywork, getting everything back on the bike, and tuning it... oh, yeah... then RIDING it.

Here’s the paint plan. White and grey... might mock-up a different option, and see which looks better.

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[Flatlander80]

More progress! After getting the clutch sorted out, put everything back together today (used the old bodywork)... then, the moment of truth... a TEST RIDE! Haven’t ridden this thing since last year, and all I have to say it it was a 99% success! Only glitch was no left turn signal, but fixed that as soon as I got home...

After a 45min test ride, she’s purring like a kitten. Haven’t really tweaked the idle mixture yet, and have to synch the carbs, but I’m super happy with the idle...

Now, it’s on to the bodywork!

[Track T 2411]

[Flatlander80]

After a week of painting bodywork and a few problems with paint cracking (I admit I’m an absolute amateur in this respect, so I decided not to do the stripes), the “oldWing” is done!