Say hello to ‘Dixie’

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sphen
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Re: Say hello to ‘Dixie’

#31

Post by sphen »

thanks for the feedback - i'm going thru the wiring harnesses now hoping to do enough setup to get her to start.

itching to get to the fun stuff (cosmetics)
Project bike "Dixie" - 1986 GL1200 Aspencade being rebuilt from ground up to be a naked 'wing. Build progress thread here: viewtopic.php?f=30&t=71959

Build log video: View it here

BOTM November '22
sphen
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Re: Say hello to ‘Dixie’

#32

Post by sphen »

I haven't posted in a while, but then again I havent worked on Dixie in a while. Current status:

-wiring has been sorted, labeled, and reconnected enough to get going

- carbs roughed in and the bike starts, idles, and revs pretty well. i've kinda been stuck on the carbs for a while chasing down leaks and oddities. I'm no carb tuner- it may be time to take it to a local guru for tuning.

Current issues:

- as mentioned, carbs are still being a little fussy. Bike vibrates noticeably when running, presumably due to carb tune (or lack thereof)

- after pulling the carbs in and out 6-7 times now, i've done a pretty bad number on my paint job (and gas leaks haven;t helped either)...so some repainting to be done

- i feel like i'm at a "gate check" where i want to make sure there is nothign major wrong that would prevent this bike from street service, before i spend any more money; and the time has come where i need to start sourcing parts.

- going to tackle the brakes next, after carbs. they are all in bad shape - the master cylinders have been thrown out, to be replaced. All the slave cylinder pistons are stuck, and i've only been able to remove 2 of them with the grease gun technique. may end up ebay-ing all "new" caliper assemblies

-need to test the clutch/slave cylinder rebuild

- leaky petcock ... rebuild or replace

- gear indicator quit working after i reinstalled the front cover - need to open up and troubleshoot

- fuel gauge works, but low fuel indicator does not

-need to figure out brake lines, clutch line, throttle and choke cables, throttle tube, switchgear, etc (new handlebar)

- after that its the fun stuff - body, seat, tank shelter , and electrical work (lights, dash, etc)

in summary, i need a little encouragement, and some input from a more experienced mechanic before i continue this project further.
Project bike "Dixie" - 1986 GL1200 Aspencade being rebuilt from ground up to be a naked 'wing. Build progress thread here: viewtopic.php?f=30&t=71959

Build log video: View it here

BOTM November '22
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Re: Say hello to ‘Dixie’

#33

Post by Rat »

Wellll .... I can certainly encourage you to get on with it .... as for expert help .... that'd be someone else

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Re: Say hello to ‘Dixie’

#34

Post by Track T 2411 »

I don't recall all that you've tested (and I'm too lazy to go back and reread), but I'd check for consistent spark on all four before pulling the carbs again, or taking it to a shop. These engines are so well balanced that it takes a pretty significant miss to be really noticeable, especially when not under load. Perseverance and persistence there, lad!
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sphen
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Re: Say hello to ‘Dixie’

#35

Post by sphen »

I actually did pull the carbs again, and noted that at least one of the intake runner o-rings had gotten smashed against the head wrong on the last install (must have slipped a little). current theory is air was getting in, causing idle to jump and bike to run rough. in a little while im going to test again - i reinstalled everything properly at lunch today.

If it'll run leak free i can move forward. (i do need to fix or replace the petcock apparently)

I also noted on last run that a tiny bit of oil was collecting on the bottom of the RH valve cover gasket - the high side when on side stand.

EDIT: just ran her for a while - no leaks at all, other than the petcock. Idles pretty good, revs good, not very much vibe (probably get better once i tune and sync the carbs). Smells a little rich and backfires a bit under hard throttle (headers only no exhaust at this time)
Project bike "Dixie" - 1986 GL1200 Aspencade being rebuilt from ground up to be a naked 'wing. Build progress thread here: viewtopic.php?f=30&t=71959

Build log video: View it here

BOTM November '22
Explorer
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Re: Say hello to ‘Dixie’

#36

Post by Explorer »

The petcock is available brand new. Honda part # 16950-371-025. Does not come with screws so just remember when pulling it, the screws are JIS not Phillips.
sphen
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Re: Say hello to ‘Dixie’

#37

Post by sphen »

Explorer wrote: Wed Oct 14, 2020 8:19 pm The petcock is available brand new. Honda part # 16950-371-025. Does not come with screws so just remember when pulling it, the screws are JIS not Phillips.
For 1986 1200?
Project bike "Dixie" - 1986 GL1200 Aspencade being rebuilt from ground up to be a naked 'wing. Build progress thread here: viewtopic.php?f=30&t=71959

Build log video: View it here

BOTM November '22
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Re: Say hello to ‘Dixie’

#38

Post by Explorer »

My bad, that number is for an 1100 and it would appear that the part you need, 16950-MG9-005, is for now unobtainium.
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Re: Say hello to ‘Dixie’

#39

Post by sphen »

Explorer wrote: Thu Oct 15, 2020 11:15 am My bad, that number is for an 1100 and it would appear that the part you need, 16950-MG9-005, is for now unobtainium.
Saber cycle claims theirs fits 1200 also. I read the comments and apparently it does if the bolt spacing is correct, and fuel line ID.

What I don't know is what the reserve position would do - nothing? same as 'on'? shrug

i ordered one - its only $20....all i can do is try, since theres no rebuild available, and i dont want to chance a used one.
Project bike "Dixie" - 1986 GL1200 Aspencade being rebuilt from ground up to be a naked 'wing. Build progress thread here: viewtopic.php?f=30&t=71959

Build log video: View it here

BOTM November '22
sphen
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Re: Say hello to ‘Dixie’

#40

Post by sphen »

For those following along at home: the saber cycle petcock does indeed fit my 86 1200 aspencade. Bolts right up. The reserve position does nothing, as expected - just another “off” on this bike.
Project bike "Dixie" - 1986 GL1200 Aspencade being rebuilt from ground up to be a naked 'wing. Build progress thread here: viewtopic.php?f=30&t=71959

Build log video: View it here

BOTM November '22
sphen
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Re: Say hello to ‘Dixie’

#41

Post by sphen »

Long time no update. I had to pull the bike back apart to address some nagging clutch issues. While at it, I decided to do some repainting bc all of the troubleshooting has led to scratches and fuel/chemical damage to the previous paint job.

So for this time I’m using a 2K engine paint from Eastwood, hoping for better chemical resistance. This is the cast iron color - in the can it was a nice dark silvery metallic, but once applied seems like a cold gray without much metallic:
3EC12F03-4922-49D1-A076-19257946D22B.jpeg
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50419342-A4D0-48D2-ADC9-2E63A432981E.jpeg (415.18 KiB) Viewed 664 times

So question for the group- I’m tempted to respray the valve covers in that bronze metallic that I had previously (see project photos earlier in thread), for contrast against the gray block. What say ye? Do it, or leave as is?
Project bike "Dixie" - 1986 GL1200 Aspencade being rebuilt from ground up to be a naked 'wing. Build progress thread here: viewtopic.php?f=30&t=71959

Build log video: View it here

BOTM November '22
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CYBORG
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Re: Say hello to ‘Dixie’

#42

Post by CYBORG »

Leave it......or use chrome covers
1978 custom GL1000
1977 custom with 1200 engine
1985 gl1200
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Re: Say hello to ‘Dixie’

#43

Post by Oldewing »

I say leave it, possible black out the numbers by hand.
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Re: Say hello to ‘Dixie’

#44

Post by Sugs »

Hold the carbs up to it. From the current pictures the colors almost look the same. I did like that bronze like color against the silver.
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sphen
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Re: Say hello to ‘Dixie’

#45

Post by sphen »

Sugs wrote: Mon Jan 25, 2021 9:47 pm Hold the carbs up to it. From the current pictures the colors almost look the same. I did like that bronze like color against the silver.
In real life there’s a little more visible difference but it’s a lot closer to this color than it was to the silver
4DA46333-E0F3-45D2-940E-DBEAC3E23096.jpeg
4DA46333-E0F3-45D2-940E-DBEAC3E23096.jpeg (351.78 KiB) Viewed 627 times
Project bike "Dixie" - 1986 GL1200 Aspencade being rebuilt from ground up to be a naked 'wing. Build progress thread here: viewtopic.php?f=30&t=71959

Build log video: View it here

BOTM November '22
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