1st time owner '80 GL1100 update

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TerraKacher
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Re: 1st time owner '80 GL1100, revised update

#1

Post by TerraKacher »

I have an update regarding my 80 Gl1100.

I bought a Randakks Carb overhaul kit with instruction manual. Very good pictures, it helped a lot.

I removed the Carbs and cleaned them thoroughly. Cleaned the jets and the fuel bowls. Replaced all the gaskets. Re-installed the carbs. Also replaced the Timing belts, spark plugs, fuel lines and filter, Cleaned the tank.

I bought the snyc gauges, After installing the carbs and hooking everything back up. I purged the fuel pump, and the bike started yippiy. But it won't idle. I had to screw in the curb idle screw in a lot. I checked compression, all about 90 psi. I have spark on both sides, all four plugs. But after starting it up, the mufflers on #2 and #4 side were basically cold compared to the other side were very hot.

I ran the motor today to about 3000 rpms, let go of the throttle and it slowly backed off and died. I checked the choke, seems to be working ok. But when I ran it up higher, it started to backfire.

I did replace the timing belts and made sure it was on the mark. I cranked it over and rechecked and it was dead on. But the one thing I didn't do was check the valve clearance.

When I put the sync gauges on, the vacuum was about 2-3. Most of the other bikes on the forums seem to be around 15-20.

Any ideas?

And another problem I found, the Neutral Safety switch is not lighting up. I checked that the bulb is working. It will start by pulling the clutch.
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Re: 1st time owner '80 GL1100

#2

Post by Track T 2411 »

Well, the compression numbers are pretty low. That said, seeing as the bike has been sitting for some time, I wouldn't worry too much about that yet. Things I would check would be the clamps on the intake runners (they can be a PITA to get tight), make sure every carb is getting fuel by loosening the float bowl drain screw (some people compare amounts between the carbs). Being an '80, the carbs would have the pressed in idle jets. Did you remove those for cleaning, as well? Here's a link concerning that procedure... viewtopic.php?f=54&t=67428
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Re: 1st time owner '80 GL1100

#3

Post by rcmatt007 »

it is also easy to pinch an O-ring when attaching the manifolds.... so I have heard, never, ever happened to me
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Re: 1st time owner '80 GL1100

#4

Post by desertrefugee »

As counseled:

1) Slow speed jets.
2) Vacuum leaks
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Re: 1st time owner '80 GL1100

#5

Post by TerraKacher »

I wish I came here first for the rebuild of the carbs. I spent about a month on the internet researching the procedures, watching youtubes, reading manuals etc. before I even started. Taking the carbs off will go faster this time around, since I've done it once before. I bought the Randakks carb kit and booklet when I did it the first time. But it didn't come with new idle jets, so no, they didn't get replaced.

Would it be beneficial to replace the PITA clamps with regular hose clamps?

When I first found this bike, I thought it was going to be an easy project. If I had known that the 80's Gold Wing was the one series that had a lot of problems, I would of looked elsewhere. For couple of hundred more $$$, I could of got a newer and road ready wing.
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Re: 1st time owner '80 GL1100

#6

Post by rcmatt007 »

I would not use regular hose clamps. Once the bike warms up and cools down. retighten the clamps
-Rodger-
all it takes for evil to prosper is the want of a few good men to do nothing-Edmund Burke
The question is not how much time do you have, it is what you do with the time that you have Gandalf
"One of the greatest dignities of humankind is that each successive generation is invested in the welfare of each new generation." Fred Rodgers
"it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert" ancient saying
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76 Ltd "cookies bike" ALMOST DONE
79 project, finished, FOR SALE
'86 1200 (Beth's)(FOR SALE) with motorvation sidecar (sidecar sold) , July 2017 BOTM
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Re: 1st time owner '80 GL1100

#7

Post by chewy999 »

It is possible to take the jets out to clean. I screwed a long thin screw into the jet, and then gripped the screw with pliers and a large file handle as a fulcrum. Despite the carbs being professionally cleaned, some of the holes were still blocked. Cleared them with a guitar string and carb cleaner.

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Previous Rides,
1980 CB250N Good to learn on
1981 CX500 good mid range tourer, went to Austria on it!
1983 GL1100C Pride and joy, sold when I bought my 1st house, big mistake
1985 GL650 Silverwing another mistake, horrible bike
1986 CBX550 Good commuter
1989 Suzuki GS750 (1976) cheap and cheerful until a dog ran out in front of me on Xmas Eve, 1991
Current bikes
2010 CB1300 back on a bike after 19 years, two divorces, children grown up etc
1980 GL1100 NOW ON THE ROAD, still use CB1300.
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Re: 1st time owner '80 GL1100

#8

Post by desertrefugee »

... and you should not need new jets. The old ones can be cleared.

EDIT: Doh! I didn't see that Chewy is already giving you exactly that advice and provided much more detail.
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Re: 1st time owner '80 GL1100

#9

Post by TerraKacher »

rcmatt007 wrote:I would not use regular hose clamps. Once the bike warms up and cools down. retighten the clamps

I warmed up the bike, then tried to tighten the clamps. I was surprised on how loose they were. I know I tightened them when I put them on.
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Re: 1st time owner '80 GL1100

#10

Post by TerraKacher »

chewy999 wrote:It is possible to take the jets out to clean. I screwed a long thin screw into the jet, and then gripped the screw with pliers and a large file handle as a fulcrum. Despite the carbs being professionally cleaned, some of the holes were still blocked. Cleared them with a guitar string and carb cleaner.

anim-cheers1 anim-cheers1 anim-cheers1
The Randakks Carb kit with the book, says not to replace or remove those jets. I'm going to take the carb off the bike and break it down again. I will let everyone know how it goes.

When you insert the screw, does the threads mess up the inside of the jet? How do you fix that?

Thanks for all the help.
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Re: 1st time owner '80 GL1100

#11

Post by TerraKacher »

I've been a small engine mechanic for several years. There is one thing I would like to pass on to everyone that works on bikes. I see some people say use a guitar string to clean the jet holes. Lawnmower jets are very small and in the shop I was in, we used... Papered Wire Ties.

The kind you twist tie a bag shut kind. Not the plastic kind. Burn the paper off one end. Vwaa la! Very cheap, easy to come by, most times free.
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Re: 1st time owner '80 GL1100

#12

Post by chewy999 »

TerraKacher wrote:
chewy999 wrote:It is possible to take the jets out to clean. I screwed a long thin screw into the jet, and then gripped the screw with pliers and a large file handle as a fulcrum. Despite the carbs being professionally cleaned, some of the holes were still blocked. Cleared them with a guitar string and carb cleaner.

anim-cheers1 anim-cheers1 anim-cheers1


The Randakks Carb kit with the book, says not to replace or remove those jets. I'm going to take the carb off the bike and break it down again. I will let everyone know how it goes.

When you insert the screw, does the threads mess up the inside of the jet? How do you fix that?

Thanks for all the help.
I think I used a long 6mm screw, but you just need one that fits the jet and attains a grip. There obviously is some 'damage' but it is only in the top part of the body of the jet and not near the actual holes you are trying to clean. I didn't see a need to fix the damage. There are videos on YouTube that shows how to do it.
I think strictly speaking you're not meant to take these jets out, but with hindsight, some of the holes in mine were still blocked even after a professional clean.

anim-cheers1 anim-cheers1 anim-cheers1
Previous Rides,
1980 CB250N Good to learn on
1981 CX500 good mid range tourer, went to Austria on it!
1983 GL1100C Pride and joy, sold when I bought my 1st house, big mistake
1985 GL650 Silverwing another mistake, horrible bike
1986 CBX550 Good commuter
1989 Suzuki GS750 (1976) cheap and cheerful until a dog ran out in front of me on Xmas Eve, 1991
Current bikes
2010 CB1300 back on a bike after 19 years, two divorces, children grown up etc
1980 GL1100 NOW ON THE ROAD, still use CB1300.
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Re: 1st time owner '80 GL1100

#13

Post by bigscheaf »

TerraKacher wrote:I've been a small engine mechanic for several years. There is one thing I would like to pass on to everyone that works on bikes. I see some people say use a guitar string to clean the jet holes. Lawnmower jets are very small and in the shop I was in, we used... Papered Wire Ties.

The kind you twist tie a bag shut kind. Not the plastic kind. Burn the paper off one end. Vwaa la! Very cheap, easy to come by, most times free.
Nice tip. I'll have to store that one in the good ol' brain bucket.
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Re: 1st time owner '80 GL1100

#14

Post by calif wingnut »

Quote: When I first found this bike, I thought it was going to be an easy project. If I had known that the 80's Gold Wing was the one series that had a lot of problems, I would of looked elsewhere. For couple of hundred more $$$, I could of got a newer and road ready wing.

The 1100 series had few problems to speak of. The 80 had a swing arm defect in which yours may still have or not ? PM me.

Your vacuum readings are fine.
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TerraKacher
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Re: 1st time owner '80 GL1100 update

#15

Post by TerraKacher »

Since June 21st,

I took the carbs off the bike and carefully tore it down. Placing each carb piece in a numbered cup. I found the article regarding cleaning the Slow Jets. Took a #10 screw and screwed it in a few threads, the jet popped out easily..
Jet.jpg
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And this was after cleaning it the first time.



So this time I read on line that someone boiled their carbs. One person said his was really bad, so he boiled them in Pine Sol and water for three days, then boiled them in lemon juice. I didn't want to take 3 days, so I did boil the carbs individually with their jets. I used a commercial detergent for cleaning pot and pans. I also added Citric Acid. Essentially Citric Acid is the same as lemon Juice. Well I didn't have any citric Acid handy, but I did have a bottle of Descaling solution for my Keurig coffee maker. The main ingredient was Citric Acid. I added it to the detergent and boiled each carb for an hour. When they came out, I used pressured air. Boy were they clean this time. There wasn't any dirt, oil, grime. Super clean.
jets2.jpg
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I carefully reassembled the carbs one at a time. Taking particular attention to the gaskets. Put it all together and install back on the bike.

I replace the ignitors, there was a article that if the back side melts, you can fix them, I opted to get a pair from Amazon almost new pair.

Cranked it up last night and it purrrred, idled down and kept running. dancr

BUT

smoke was billowing from the left side of the engine. Gas was now pouring out from the bottom of the carbs. I checked the drain screw, yes they were in and tight. I pulled #2 and #4 intake manifold off and rechecked both screws and gaskets. They looked fine. Retighted and re-installed the manifolds. Started it up..... Still leaking gas fly into a rage.

The carbs are sitting on my table in my shop.....Again. Deal with it on Friday.
Last edited by TerraKacher on Sun Jul 21, 2019 7:06 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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