Yellow '76: Getting Some Sun

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pidjones
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Re: Yellow '76: Stop Making Fun Of Me!

#211

Post by pidjones »

As long as it's not the water pump tell-tale, radiators are copper and easily soldered up.
"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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Lucien Harpress
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Re: Yellow '76: Stop Making Fun Of Me!

#212

Post by Lucien Harpress »

I'm hoping it's an easy fix. I plan on taking it to a radiator shop to get a quote or two- see what that costs to get it repaired vs. getting a replacement.

Image

I'm still not used to pulling parts and having things be clean behind them. I did take a look at the radiator, and... I'll be honest, I'm not sure where it's leaking from. Best possibility I got is along a top seam, but I can't be 100% sure. Regardless, hopefully this turns out to be a minor setback. And it's better this happened in the garage, rather than out on the road.
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete

All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
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pidjones
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Re: Yellow '76: Stop Making Fun Of Me!

#213

Post by pidjones »

Put about 5 psi air pressure in it and spray with soapy water like you were looking for a puncture in a tire.
"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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Dr. Frankenstein
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Re: Yellow '76: Stop Making Fun Of Me!

#214

Post by Dr. Frankenstein »

What pdjones said...but FWIW I had the same problem when I rebuilt my '75 GL1000. I came out to the garage one day and was horrified to see a little puddle right under that same mounting bolt you referenced, so I took a flashlight and went looking. In my case there was some coolant leaking past a not-quite-screwed down ring fastener at the top radiator hose that ran down the engine and dripped onto the floor, right from that very bolt and about the same amount, too; it was hard to see, but then I saw it happen, one little drop oozing out and down. I tightened that up and since then no problems. Never hurts to check, y'know?
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Lucien Harpress
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Re: Yellow '76: Stop Making Fun Of Me!

#215

Post by Lucien Harpress »

It's been a second since I checked in here, but much like any project I have, it's anything but straightforward. Here's how the sequence of events went:

1- Radiator leaks. Replacements are cheaper than getting the original fixed, so order replacement.
2- Install replacement. Still leaks, even worse.
3- Come to find out, it's not my radiator, it's my radiator cap.
4- Replace radiator cap. Works great. Until I get coolant from the middle of my (replacement) radiator. Turns out my ebay replacement ACTUALLY leaks.
5- Guess it's time to repaint and rehab my original radiator, which never leaked in the first place.

I still need to re-install my (original) radiator, set the timing (so I can cook the paint on), THEN still figure out my original oil leak. But it still runs great, so small potatoes I guess.
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete

All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
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Lucien Harpress
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Re: Yellow '76: Stop Making Fun Of Me!

#216

Post by Lucien Harpress »

In the meantime, here's another vanity shot during a test run.

Image
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete

All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
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Lucien Harpress
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Re: Yellow '76: Exxon Valdez

#217

Post by Lucien Harpress »

Not a whole lot of movement on this front. Most of my time has been spent getting my CB750 back together. But I did find a bit of time today to warm my Goldwing up a bit and get some of the Stay-bil into carbs.

I'm still chasing an oil leak behind the points plate. I got a new valve cover, new OEM valve cover gasket, and glued the snot out of it TO the valve cover with Three-bond. In the time I had it running (idle for about 15 minutes, then one lap around my yard), nothing I did seemed to stem the leak at all. Next step I think is to try the baby powder trick to TRY to nail down the source of it, but I've also got a plan.

Here's the thing- I've thrown valve covers and valve cover gaskets at this thing 16 different ways- no change. Same with cam seals- no change. I would think I would learn something if it changed the amount of oil leaking, but nothing I seem to do affects the rate one bit. Literally the only thing I haven't done is dab a bit of sealant on the short metal-to-meal joint between the cam holder and the head. I can't think of any place where else this oil could be coming from.

(At this point, normally I'd just do that thing where I carry a rag with me and keep it wiped down. But the amount of oil leaking is a bit excessive. Just idling for 15 minutes puddled enough oil in the points housing to start leaking out the drain hole, with plenty left inside.)

Ah well. It's a long winter.
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete

All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
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pidjones
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Re: Yellow '76: Exxon Valdez

#218

Post by pidjones »

Have you tried a cheap UV flashlight to trace the leak?
"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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Lucien Harpress
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Re: Yellow '76: Exxon Valdez

#219

Post by Lucien Harpress »

Yeah, but it's not super helpful. I've got a whole thread in the tech forum that goes into that whole saga. Long story short, the spinning of the advance mechanism tends to muddy where the actual source is, and the fact that so many different parts converge in one place makes it even more difficult.
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete

All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
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pidjones
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Re: Yellow '76: Exxon Valdez

#220

Post by pidjones »

You might try putting mild pressure in the crankcase and watch for the result. That can be done with the advance mechanism removed.
"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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Lucien Harpress
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Re: Yellow '76: Exxon Valdez

#221

Post by Lucien Harpress »

Ooo, that's an idea. I might give that a try this weekend.
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete

All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
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ericheath
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Re: Yellow '76: Exxon Valdez

#222

Post by ericheath »

Did you ever mic the cam and cam holders? If the cam is worn too much the seal… won’t. Another suggestion (which is disputed, some manuals call for it, some don’t) is to put a dab of sealant where the cam holder meets the head by the seal.
28D3AAA8-1750-48F8-930C-90C7FD1931BE.jpeg
28D3AAA8-1750-48F8-930C-90C7FD1931BE.jpeg (128.08 KiB) Viewed 463 times
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77 WING, 1200 engine with 77 heads, cams, gl1100 foot pegs, Magna V65 front end, 764A carbs, [-gone Suzuki M109 monoshock--, replaced with gl1100 shocks] gl 1200 swing arm, gl1500 final drive, wheel and rear brakes Valkyrie seat, Meanstreak tank, Sportster pipes, Power Arc ignition off crank.
77 Wing. black
83 Wing, in pieces
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robin1731
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Re: Yellow '76: Exxon Valdez

#223

Post by robin1731 »

ericheath wrote: Fri Dec 02, 2022 12:11 am Did you ever mic the cam and cam holders? If the cam is worn too much the seal… won’t.
Good idea but you would need precision measuring tools to get an accurate reading. Mike may or may not have those. More of an engine builder type of tool. ;)
1976 Goldwing Super Sport
1985 Honda Elite
1976 KZ900 Dragbike
1992 ZX7 Dragbike (KZ900 style motor w/NOS)
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Lucien Harpress
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Re: Yellow '76: Exxon Valdez

#224

Post by Lucien Harpress »

I'd have to check with my dad. He was a tractor mechanic for about 40 years, and has collected tools for all 40 of those years. So he may have something.

That said, I've replaced the cam as well, with no apparent change, better or worse. Unless the cam holders are that wallered out, so who knows.

I had three-bonded the old valve cover gasket to the old cover, and when that came off I tried to see where it was leaking from, if anywhere, but it looked surprisingly clean. And a new valve cover and gasket (again, glued in) didn't affect anything, other than confirming the leak was coming from the points cover.

Honestly, sealing up that short metal-to-metal joint between the cam holder and head is the only idea I got left.
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete

All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
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Lucien Harpress
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Re: Yellow '76: Exxon Valdez

#225

Post by Lucien Harpress »

I figured before I tore everything down again, I'd give last try to isolate the actual source of the leak and hit the area with some baby powder. I spritzed it pretty good, got everything buttoned back up, and let it run until the fan kicked on. I am happy to report I found the source of the leak!

My upper radiator hose clamp isn't tightened down enough. :IDTS:

Yup, all that, and the only leak I found was a coolant one. Coming, of course, from the only clamp I can't get to without removing the radiator. As for the points cover leak? After running for about a half hour, nothing.

I'm going to try a trip around the block before I tear it all apart again, but knowing what I know about the radiator hose, looks like I'm going back in regardless.

Ah well. At least my bike smells nice now. :lol:

UPDATE: Another half hour of running did it. Enough to get me some discoloring (drum roll please).... right around BOTH metal-to-metal joints where the cam holders bolt to the head. So looks like there's my problem.

I'm in the "waiting for parts" stage on my CB750, and my chromer just called about the parts I sent over for my Honda Dream, so I'm SUPER broke right now. Thankfully, I don't have to buy anything to fix my 1000. So I guess I got my project for this week lined up.
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete

All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
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