Longest resto ever

A forum for stories, pics and updates of your resto's. Be it a barn find, Grampas hand me down or a bike being brought back to it's former glory.If you are restoring it, show us your stuff!

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Pony Ruiz
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Longest resto ever

#1

Post by Pony Ruiz »

I thought I had pics of my progress but this bike wasn't going to be mine so I guess I forgot/didn't think to do it. I picked it up for a co-worker then well it never left my garage.

It started out as your typical blue 78 with a full Vetter setup. Turned over but didn't run. I did a compression test. checked out. loaded it up in my pickup and took it home. My co-worker was interested in gettin a bike. He was going to do some work for me but wanted (needed) $ instead. I had a 78 previously which I missed so I kept it. There were times though during the process I'd tell myself - "you woulda been $ ahead if you had sold it for a loss". doh!

I kinda had an idea but no real vision. I put shorter bars and cables on it. New brake lines, new rect/reg. new tires, gas tank cleaned and redcoated, rebuilt 1100 carbs, led's in dash and turn signals. Lucked out and scored a corbin on another GL site too -that was a high point :guitar .
By far the most time consuming was the paint. I had some extra skins so I wanted to paint them. I found a guy on CL that made decals and had the Honda aka triumph decals made. Long story short, I painted with duplicolor and then put 2k clear (a lot) over that. At first i used the two part 2k clear in the can then tried my hand at a proper spray gun then went back to the aerosol. I made a little spray booth but - I had runs, I had dust, I had fish eye, I had it all. In the end I had enough clear on there I could wet sand and buff out.

I made some muffler brackets (with Tbranth's help) and put a set of harley dyna's on it. I'm amazed how good they sound. They look cool too! The headers are from an 1100 exhaust. I cut the mufflers off had adapters welded on. The orig. exhaust was toast.
Cudos to tbranth for encouraging and helping me with a few elec. issues as well. If it wasn't for his smarts I'd probably be stuck back at that stage.

The final go round was getting the carbs working. I mentioned I had another 78 not long I think after I started hereon this forum. It was my first carb rebuild. I had an almost full 1100 rebuild kit and extra carbs so I decided to go for it. It ran good so I decided to do it again. First go round #1 and #4 i think weren't gettin gas to the cylinder. Gas was gettin to the bowl but something was plugged. Spark checked out. So rather than look for the problem I just swapped out the offending carbs. I bolted the new re-re-built rack back on and it runs good.

It is running on points at the moment but I have a choice of either a hondaman unit, a first generation dyna, or a C5 ignition to put in. I'm leaning toward the hondaman at the moment.

The picks I took today. I've had this bike since 2013. 6ys. I wasn't sure I was going to get it done. I had other bikes inbetween, needed inspiration, procrastinated, and did other things. I have since sold off my beloved 83 interstate and abandoned my 80 so I'm pretty happy to get to this point. If your project is draggin just keep doin a little here and there -that is what I did - it will get done. There are a few minor things I need to do but I rode it around the neighborhood today. dancr If all checks out the next couple weeks I'm going to ride it over to the Vashon Island vintage rally in September. Maybe its not the longest restoration ever but it felt like that to me.

Oh and I would have never, ever, have been able to take this journey if it weren't for this forum and its members.
Thanks!
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Last edited by Pony Ruiz on Mon Aug 19, 2019 9:31 am, edited 4 times in total.
1978GL1000 naked - kinda sadly gone. no bike at the moment.

"The greatest shortcoming of the human race is our inability to understand the exponential function." Albert A. Bartlett.
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Jonesz
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Re: Longest resto ever

#2

Post by Jonesz »

Pony I like it! Nice work.
Jonesz

1983 GL1100 Aspencade named "Freki" currently undergoing change to a standard. Sold
1999 Valkyrie CT 1500 goes by the moniker "Valerie"
1978 Gl1000 "Loki" new project going to be a Cafe Convertible
1979 Suzuki GS850. Sold
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JamesPal
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Re: Longest resto ever

#3

Post by JamesPal »

Sweet looking bike, nice job!
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desertrefugee
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Re: Longest resto ever

#4

Post by desertrefugee »

Love the color choice!
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Pony Ruiz
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Re: Longest resto ever

#5

Post by Pony Ruiz »

Thanks!
1978GL1000 naked - kinda sadly gone. no bike at the moment.

"The greatest shortcoming of the human race is our inability to understand the exponential function." Albert A. Bartlett.
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Sugs
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Re: Longest resto ever

#6

Post by Sugs »

Nice! Way to persevere and get it done!
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Old Fogey
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Re: Longest resto ever

#7

Post by Old Fogey »

That's a real nice build. Good job!
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5speed
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Re: Longest resto ever

#8

Post by 5speed »

that is sweet and reconfirms that the 78-79 wings are the best looking.
ETA..any reason you went with red reflectors on the forks?
1982 1100 standard. (sold)
1986 Yamaha FJ1200
2000 Yamaha Roadstar
1976 GoldWing. running but not on the road
1978 Goldwing. future cafe project.
2019 Can-Am ryker (boss's new ride)

2002 Shadow American Classic(sold)
1983 Shadow 500. (sold)
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Pony Ruiz
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Re: Longest resto ever

#9

Post by Pony Ruiz »

Thanks Everyone!
I really appreciate it.

I love the lines on a 78. Its a classic.

I have some of those knee banger engine guards I am debating putting on. I like the looks without them but knowing I have forgotten to put the kickstand down at least once on a bike :) and not wanting to get pinned under it in the event of a get off, maybe they should get put on. I know you can't plan a get off - sheesh might get pinned under the crash bars; I'll at least keep it from getting scratched if I do drop it.
For the moment I like the looks of it without them.
1978GL1000 naked - kinda sadly gone. no bike at the moment.

"The greatest shortcoming of the human race is our inability to understand the exponential function." Albert A. Bartlett.
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Pony Ruiz
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Re: Longest resto ever

#10

Post by Pony Ruiz »

5 speed. good eye.

to be honest I never noticed they weren't orange. They were some I had layin about and they were round. I think I had some not so attractive square ones on there before that. They were probably orange. :) Maybe I should correct that one of these days.
the 78-79 wings are the best looking.
I think so too.!
1978GL1000 naked - kinda sadly gone. no bike at the moment.

"The greatest shortcoming of the human race is our inability to understand the exponential function." Albert A. Bartlett.
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77Gowing
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Re: Longest resto ever

#11

Post by 77Gowing »

Nice job pony, she looks great.
It took me 3 1/2 years on mine, but I dallied a bit too much.

All the best.
"Less is More" Anonymous

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1977 GL1000 "O'le Blue." (sold :crying)
2014 Yamaha 950 V Star (sold)
2017 Indian Scout Std w/ABS (sold)
2009 Honda VTX1300R "Me Brudder's" (sold)
1984 Honda Interstate "84' 2outa4." Gone
1982 Honda GL1100 "After thought." Gone
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Track T 2411
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Re: Longest resto ever

#12

Post by Track T 2411 »

Very nice! I like the color choice!
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Current Rides:
'Grumpy' - '81 Standard, now fully dressed.
'Layla' - '81 Standard w/dealer installed fairing and Hondaline bags.
'Scarlett' '76 'Survivor' nekkid as a j-bird!

Under Construction:
The 'Jalopy' '78-'79 Mash-up
'Quikie' '81 gl1100I back on the lift, project with the step-son!

In The Shed:
'81 gl1100I barn find aka "Josie, the farmer's daughter." (almost comatose build)
'77 gl1000, roller parts bike.
'82 gl1100I, 'Old Crusty' titled roller parts bike (free!)
'82 gl1100I, My first 'Wing, and an expensive lesson!
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low-side
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Re: Longest resto ever

#13

Post by low-side »

I love the color too. What is it?
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tlbranth
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Re: Longest resto ever

#14

Post by tlbranth »

BOTM, no doubt.
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1999 GL1500 SE
2002 Honda VT750 "ACE"
1975 GL1000
1970 CB750
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