GL1000 smokes when first cold started

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rjdoles
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GL1000 smokes when first cold started

#1

Post by rjdoles »

This is the barn find 77 GL1000 with 45k miles that sat for 15 years. The previous owner said that he parked it when it developed an ignition problem. Over the past couple of months I have gone over the whole bike, tires, brakes, electrics, carbs, fluids and gotten everything working and finally got it on the road again. During the spells when I was waiting on parts I removed and cleaned, polished or painted anything that unbolted so the bike looks pretty good. Now that I have actually ridden it a bit, this has come up.

When I use the choke for a cold start in the morning I get oil smoke that clears up within 30 seconds. The past couple of mornings I have finally gotten to go for a ride. I have been reluctant to take it very far from home until I am confident that there are no leaks and the bike is reliable. I don't notice any smoke once the bike warms up.

It doesn't seem to use any oil but I haven't put enough miles on it to really tell that yet. There is no sign of oil on the plugs. Compression is within a couple pounds in all four cylinders.

I have never had a Honda that smoked on a cold start but I have never had a Honda with 45k miles on it before and this is my first GoldWing. I suspect that this may be valve stem seals with a bit of oil leaking into the exhaust while sitting overnight. 45k is not that many miles but the seals are rubber parts and they could be 40+ years old. Maybe just sitting in the same spot for a long time is hard on them? Is there something else about these bikes that may cause that?

I am sure that as old as this bike is there is not much that others on this site have not experienced.
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Started with an Allstate stooter made by Cushman and then a series of Honda motorcycles. 305 SuperHawk, CB750, VT600DC, VT750CD and then 4 years ago I left motorcycles for scooters with an Elite 125, Reflex 250 and Silverwing 600. Most recent is a barn find 77 GL1000 that I plan to resurect.
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delling3
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Re: GL1000 smokes when first cold started

#2

Post by delling3 »

If you are parking on the bike on the side stand, it is not unusual for some oil to seep past the rings on the left side cylinders, which then has to burn off when the bike is started. Try parking it on the centerstand and see if that resolves the issue.
delling3

1979 Yamaha XS750SF

Previous:
1978 GL1000 - JUNE 2017 BOTM: Sold
2006 Kawasaki Concours: Sold
1995 Kawasaki Concours: Crashed/totalled.
1976 GL1000: LAST RESTORATION, sold
1981 Honda CB900F Supersport: 3rd restoration, sold.
1979 Yamaha XS-750F: 2nd restoration, sold.
1982 Honda FT-500 Ascot: First (only) new bike. Family forces sale.
1973 CB500 Four: First restoration, long gone.
1972 Suzuki TS-100: First bike, sold.

Only dead fish go with the flow . . .
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desertrefugee
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Re: GL1000 smokes when first cold started

#3

Post by desertrefugee »

Yep! As noted above and discussed here many times, they all do it and have done it essentially since new. By design, as the cylinder sits, oil can seep into (usually just) the downhill combustion chamber through either worn ring rings or ring gaps that happen to align.

Nature of the beast.
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Re: GL1000 smokes when first cold started

#4

Post by Rat »

Nice looking bike .... just needs riding I bet ....

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Re: GL1000 smokes when first cold started

#5

Post by pidjones »

Yep, the left bank smokes on startup. Ride it! BTW, I didn't see you mention it, so before you go farther - change the timing belts!
"Love 'em all.... let God sort 'em out!"
Ex 2006 GL1800 - the Black Pearl SOLD! to make room for:
2021 Can-Am Spyder RT Limited Dark Chalk Metallic
1975 Red GL1000 project - ex Pistol Pete project
1972 Triumph T150V Trident rescue - finished and FOR SALE!
1976 Yamaha RD400c
1978 GL1000 with '75 engine - the Hunley
Ex 1978 GL1000
Ex 1979 GL1000
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Re: GL1000 smokes when first cold started

#6

Post by txtriathlete »

Keep an eye on it just to be sure it doesn't get worse - they can leak at the head gaskets after sitting for a long period of time, especially if the water pump was bad before it was parked.

Sweet smelling white smoke is the tell tale of a bad head gasket.
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rjdoles
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Re: GL1000 smokes when first cold started

#7

Post by rjdoles »

Thanks for the information. I originally said that this was the first bike that I didn't have the strength to put on the centerstand. I kind of dismissed that as the downside of my being 72 years old. I discovered that after rebuilding both front and rear calipers, the bike rolled easily and I was able to put it on the centerstand.

I do park it on the side stand when I get back from a ride and then at the end of the day I move it to the back of the garage and put it on the centerstand to make room for the car. I will start making a practice of just using the centerstand and see how it works out.
Started with an Allstate stooter made by Cushman and then a series of Honda motorcycles. 305 SuperHawk, CB750, VT600DC, VT750CD and then 4 years ago I left motorcycles for scooters with an Elite 125, Reflex 250 and Silverwing 600. Most recent is a barn find 77 GL1000 that I plan to resurect.
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Re: GL1000 smokes when first cold started

#8

Post by gltriker »

An astute member stated he shuts his engine off, rocks the bike to the right and allows engine oil that normally accumulates under the pistons in the left side cylinder bores while the engine runs, to run back into the crankcase.
Makes perfect sense to me. tumb2

My trike doesn't have that issue. ;)
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'75 GL1000 home built trike; http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=39996
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previous rides:
1953 H-D Servi-car, naked, 1969-1978 (serial#53G1559 committed to memory!)
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pidjones
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Re: GL1000 smokes when first cold started

#9

Post by pidjones »

gltriker wrote:An astute member stated he shuts his engine off, rocks the bike to the right and allows engine oil that normally accumulates under the pistons in the left side cylinder bores while the engine runs, to run back into the crankcase.
Makes perfect sense to me. tumb2

My trike doesn't have that issue. ;)
I don't see how much oil could accumulate behind the pistons with them moving back and forth so fast.
"Love 'em all.... let God sort 'em out!"
Ex 2006 GL1800 - the Black Pearl SOLD! to make room for:
2021 Can-Am Spyder RT Limited Dark Chalk Metallic
1975 Red GL1000 project - ex Pistol Pete project
1972 Triumph T150V Trident rescue - finished and FOR SALE!
1976 Yamaha RD400c
1978 GL1000 with '75 engine - the Hunley
Ex 1978 GL1000
Ex 1979 GL1000
Ex '79 CB750F rat bike
Ex '86 SEi
Ex '77 GL1000
Ex '76 RD400
Ex '72 Penton 125 set up for flat track
Ex '73 RD250
Ex '68 TR6C - chopped
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ericheath
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Re: GL1000 smokes when first cold started

#10

Post by ericheath »

Shut it down, there’s a film if oil on the cylinders. Lean it to the side stand gravity pulls it down. Pools behind piston. If the gaps are aligned, easy entrance to combustion chamber. We’re not talking a lot of smoke, but the occasional at startup, “I’m not a leaking Harley, I’m a smoking Goldwing cloud.” It doesn’t take much oil to create a burn of blue.

It works for my bikes. I have no center stands. Hate them.

As mentioned, if it’s got a sweetish aroma, head gaskets are on their way south. The smoke is usually white.

It is also possible the valve seals are leaking, but that should lead to smoke more often and oil consumption.
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77Gowing
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Re: GL1000 smokes when first cold started

#11

Post by 77Gowing »

All good stuff to know.
Id ride it, after you change the belts if you havent already.
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77Gowing
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)
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delling3
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Re: GL1000 smokes when first cold started

#12

Post by delling3 »

One trick that folks have used for the centerstand is to get a small piece (12" x 12") piece of plywood (5/8" thick works) and roll the rear wheel up on the plywood. The small increase in height will make it easier to get the bike up onto the stand.
delling3

1979 Yamaha XS750SF

Previous:
1978 GL1000 - JUNE 2017 BOTM: Sold
2006 Kawasaki Concours: Sold
1995 Kawasaki Concours: Crashed/totalled.
1976 GL1000: LAST RESTORATION, sold
1981 Honda CB900F Supersport: 3rd restoration, sold.
1979 Yamaha XS-750F: 2nd restoration, sold.
1982 Honda FT-500 Ascot: First (only) new bike. Family forces sale.
1973 CB500 Four: First restoration, long gone.
1972 Suzuki TS-100: First bike, sold.

Only dead fish go with the flow . . .
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Re: GL1000 smokes when first cold started

#13

Post by aussiewingman »

Valve stem seals 100%
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Re: GL1000 smokes when first cold started

#14

Post by 914Driver »

Does it have forged pistons? My R-90 does, it takes a bit longer for forged to warm up, expand and seal than cast pistons do.
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Re: GL1000 smokes when first cold started

#15

Post by Gowing »

I believe that Honda has cast pistons. .?
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