The Cadaver Project Thread

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Goldwingologist
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The Cadaver Project Thread

#1

Post by Goldwingologist »

I picked up a free and long forsaken GL1000 for me to dissect like a medical student dissects a cadaver for educational purposes. And from my first inspection of this bike it sure looks like I will be learning a thing or two on this project.

Years of rodent nesting has ruined the air box and basically everything inside the shelter housing of the faux tank. If any electrics are not ruined then they are at least a little too gross for me to deal with right now. A lot of the wiring crumbles to the touch. The carbs and the engine appear to look solid from the outside at first glance.

But the really interesting thing is that when I went to drain the oil and coolant, all that came out was sand. It was slimy sand. I have seen this before but not quite like this. My best explanation is that automotive coolant from the 1970's was loaded with silicates and at some point something must have started to allow that coolant to dump into the lower engine case. Someone must have just kept adding more and more coolant until the engine hydro locked. The bike was left in a corner of a barn to deal with it later and now it is 40 years later and the silicates have all settled and turned into sand. The radiator is completely clogged. This is going to be an interesting project...
1976 GL1000

"The Elimination of the Insignificant and Simplicity of Vision"
-Frank Lloyd Wright
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Goldwingologist
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Re: The Cadaver Project Thread

#2

Post by Goldwingologist »

ngw2.jpg
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She's actually cleaning up nicely considering what this bike has been through. There is a lot to this bike that can be salvaged, but battery acid has corroded a few holes right through the fuel cell and completely corroded the rear brake line. Then brake fluid has corroded the right foot peg, frame and subframe. I am hoping I can save the frame, but it looks damaged. So far the foot peg, radiator and gas tank cannot be salvaged and I'm just getting started....
1976 GL1000

"The Elimination of the Insignificant and Simplicity of Vision"
-Frank Lloyd Wright
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Fred Camper
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Re: The Cadaver Project Thread

#3

Post by Fred Camper »

Oh my, yet the PO said it ran when last parked under its own Power. Best to use this one for parts I am afraid.
Proud member of the NGW Cartel (Rochester MI)
1977 GL1000 BADDOG (April 2012 BOTM)
1976 LTD - '993 LTD...and so it begins'

You should remember that it's peace of mind you're after and not just fixing the machine. R.Pirsig
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Goldwingologist
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Re: The Cadaver Project Thread

#4

Post by Goldwingologist »

ngw3.jpg
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Oh yeah, the exhaust has crumbled to dust long ago as well. :lol: I am fully prepared for the possibility that this bike will never see the road again. There is a chance that I could turn this into a motorcycle, but I am not willing to bet any more than my preset budget of $20 USD per month on that one. But I am still very excited to have my own GL1000 engine to take apart...
1976 GL1000

"The Elimination of the Insignificant and Simplicity of Vision"
-Frank Lloyd Wright
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Re: The Cadaver Project Thread

#5

Post by Fred Camper »

Just recall it is the wrenching sport we pay for, and any running bike is free in the end and all salvaged parts are free. The entrance cost goes into wrenching fun and education so no way you can loose.
Proud member of the NGW Cartel (Rochester MI)
1977 GL1000 BADDOG (April 2012 BOTM)
1976 LTD - '993 LTD...and so it begins'

You should remember that it's peace of mind you're after and not just fixing the machine. R.Pirsig
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Re: The Cadaver Project Thread

#6

Post by Rat »

Fred Camper wrote:Just recall it is the wrenching sport we pay for, and any running bike is free in the end and all salvaged parts are free. The entrance cost goes into wrenching fun and education so no way you can loose.

Unless you try to sell it ....

Gord anim-cheers1
"I'd rather Ride than Shine"
‘14 KLR650 ... not a rat ... yet
‘84 GL1200i ‘R2B6' (Rat to Be 6, the last, adopted by twowings)
My Original 'RAT' was a hybrid '82 CB900/1100F
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Re: The Cadaver Project Thread

#7

Post by rcmatt007 »

Fred Camper wrote:Just recall it is the wrenching sport we pay for, and any running bike is free in the end and all salvaged parts are free. The entrance cost goes into wrenching fun and education so no way you can loose.
as I always say, it is cheaper than going to the bars
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Goldwingologist
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Re: The Cadaver Project Thread

#8

Post by Goldwingologist »

I am really having a lot of fun with this project while learning more about this machine. The more parts I take off of this bike the more I like it. It is starting to clean up nicely once I got rid of the parts that were the most offensive. These really are great motorcycles underneath it all. I'm getting closer to that GL1000 engine - looking forward to digging into it!
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1976 GL1000

"The Elimination of the Insignificant and Simplicity of Vision"
-Frank Lloyd Wright
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Re: The Cadaver Project Thread

#9

Post by Fred Camper »

Nice progress and I agree. They do stand the test of time well. Fuel tanks and carbs never were designed for abusive long term parking without proper prep so no crime on Hondas part for that.
Proud member of the NGW Cartel (Rochester MI)
1977 GL1000 BADDOG (April 2012 BOTM)
1976 LTD - '993 LTD...and so it begins'

You should remember that it's peace of mind you're after and not just fixing the machine. R.Pirsig
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Re: The Cadaver Project Thread

#10

Post by pidjones »

I disassembled a '79 that had already been scavanged and left in the rain with the carb rack off. Years of moisture are not kind to metal. It took two crowbars and a hand sledge to split the cases. Only ~40% of the carbs were useful. The frame had the VIN ground off but the sbframe under the engine was good. Learned a lot and had some useful parts in the end. All in all, it was worth the $100 and 400 mile (RT) trip for the parts and education. BTW, the front end (triples, stem, legs) will fit many larger Hondas like CB750s simply drop-in.
"Love 'em all.... let God sort 'em out!"
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Goldwingologist
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Re: The Cadaver Project Thread

#11

Post by Goldwingologist »

So now a vision for an actual bike build is starting to take shape in my head.
ngw5.jpg
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All the perfect lines for a bike were right there the whole time - hiding beneath the surface.

I have been fascinated for some time with the utilitarian beauty of the GL1000 engine. It is such a unique motorcycle engine.
But now I am noticing that this frame is a real thing of beauty as well. I have made a few BMX frames and I am a good enough fabricator to know that whoever made this frame is a far better fabricator than I will ever be. The welds on this frame are just gorgeous - every one is a true work of art done by a master craftsman. These days we have welding robots that do a perfect job every time and those robots did not exist when this frame was being made, but this frame has a kind of soul to it that you just don't find any more.

This machine really has a certain soul to it. It occupies my psyche in a way that no other bike really has. The people in my everyday world don't get it - I imagine if anyone does get it then they are likely right here on this forum.

This frame and engine together are so beautiful and well suited to each other I really think I want to build something that will highlight that. But I am getting ahead of myself - right now I only want to see if the engine will run. I just got to this point and I had to pause to take it in. I am going to swing back around to this point on my way back and hang out here longer next time. Stay tuned...
1976 GL1000

"The Elimination of the Insignificant and Simplicity of Vision"
-Frank Lloyd Wright
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Fred Camper
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Re: The Cadaver Project Thread

#12

Post by Fred Camper »

Will do, keep up the great posts.
Proud member of the NGW Cartel (Rochester MI)
1977 GL1000 BADDOG (April 2012 BOTM)
1976 LTD - '993 LTD...and so it begins'

You should remember that it's peace of mind you're after and not just fixing the machine. R.Pirsig
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Goldwingologist
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Re: The Cadaver Project Thread

#13

Post by Goldwingologist »

We had some summer-like January weather here in New England today. I finished the initial cleaning and dismantling of the bike. This bike was stored in a motorcycle-unfriendly environment for so long the disassembly was not pretty - only time will tell how the reassembly goes. The bike would not roll so I had to move it one part at a time. The final two pieces - the frame and the engine - finally made their way inside the house.
ngw6.jpg
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The frame went into the basement where I will wet sand it by hand and examine the rust damage more closely. The engine went onto the porch where I will finish cleaning up the outside of the engine and prepare to dig into it. So I will now continue my winter cadaver project indoors...
1976 GL1000

"The Elimination of the Insignificant and Simplicity of Vision"
-Frank Lloyd Wright
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Goldwingologist
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Re: The Cadaver Project Thread

#14

Post by Goldwingologist »

I brought the GL1000 engine in to the porch where I could finish cleaning the outside surface prior to taking it apart. I purchased an aftermarket top end gasket kit for $71, so now I have invested in belts, gaskets and a repair manual. Just need to clean more before I open it up. Cleaning the top:
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Over:
ngw8.jpg
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And Bottom:
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Water impeller before:
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And Water impeller after:
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I still have some road grime and chipping peeling paint to clean up before I dig in. Meanwhile I am still wet sanding the frame by hand. I will do the same with the subframe and swingarm next...
1976 GL1000

"The Elimination of the Insignificant and Simplicity of Vision"
-Frank Lloyd Wright
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Re: The Cadaver Project Thread

#15

Post by Rat »

That’s an original water pump .... might want to put a new one on your list if the engine's OK

Gord
"I'd rather Ride than Shine"
‘14 KLR650 ... not a rat ... yet
‘84 GL1200i ‘R2B6' (Rat to Be 6, the last, adopted by twowings)
My Original 'RAT' was a hybrid '82 CB900/1100F
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