Adventure Bike Project
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Adventure Bike Project
I have an 83 1100 and a 76 parts bike (seized motor). I am putting together a dirt road machine or adventure bike. My goal is something for use on Forest Service and other gravel/dirt roads with the obvious on road manors of the Goldwing.
I just finished putting the 1100 motor back together. It had a bent shift fork and gear damage. The guy I got it from said it ran great 10 years ago when he pulled the motor! Next I will start working on frame/body/suspension.
This is a cool forum so I thought I would start a thread and post questions along with progress and/or lessons learned.
For context I am an avid lifelong rider, I have a well equipped shop and experience rebuilding and repairing bikes of all flavors but this is my first deep dive into a GL. The modifications I intend to make will lean more towards offroad performance and reliability and less to looks.
I just finished putting the 1100 motor back together. It had a bent shift fork and gear damage. The guy I got it from said it ran great 10 years ago when he pulled the motor! Next I will start working on frame/body/suspension.
This is a cool forum so I thought I would start a thread and post questions along with progress and/or lessons learned.
For context I am an avid lifelong rider, I have a well equipped shop and experience rebuilding and repairing bikes of all flavors but this is my first deep dive into a GL. The modifications I intend to make will lean more towards offroad performance and reliability and less to looks.
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2018 Goldwing Tour
2021 KTM 890
2020 KTM 300
1998 Gasgas 270
1983 Honduro DirtWing D-CAT Limited Edition
2021 KTM 890
2020 KTM 300
1998 Gasgas 270
1983 Honduro DirtWing D-CAT Limited Edition
- Fred Camper
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Re: Adventure Bike Project
It will be nice to view your build over the winter. Several have done a good job of doing a similar thing so do look at their builds also.
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
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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- Tin Member
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Re: Adventure Bike Project
I need to decide on the frame/forks/shocks/rims/brakes to use. Note that I have not started comparing/researching the interchange-ability of this stuff yet but these are my thoughts and questions.
If anyone has knowledge or suggestions on the best choice I would appreciate the feedback.
Frame
I would lean towards the 83. Do the other systems swap over? Example, rear wheel/drive from 76? Forks?
Forks
I do NOT want linked brakes or TRAC anti dive. I also don't think I want the complexity of air. The 76 forks look pretty simple and are in good shape. They are 37mm as opposed to 39 for the 83's. I wonder how they compare as far as strength? Are the steering head bearings the same?
Shocks
I might look at aftermarket but the 76 shocks look pretty simple...
Rims
I think the spoked wheels on the 76 would be better for offroad. The 19" front wheel is a bonus too.
Brakes
I will try to fit the 76 brakes for simplicity. I might even delete one of the front rotor/calipers to lower the unsprung weight for improved off road performance.
If anyone has knowledge or suggestions on the best choice I would appreciate the feedback.
Frame
I would lean towards the 83. Do the other systems swap over? Example, rear wheel/drive from 76? Forks?
Forks
I do NOT want linked brakes or TRAC anti dive. I also don't think I want the complexity of air. The 76 forks look pretty simple and are in good shape. They are 37mm as opposed to 39 for the 83's. I wonder how they compare as far as strength? Are the steering head bearings the same?
Shocks
I might look at aftermarket but the 76 shocks look pretty simple...
Rims
I think the spoked wheels on the 76 would be better for offroad. The 19" front wheel is a bonus too.
Brakes
I will try to fit the 76 brakes for simplicity. I might even delete one of the front rotor/calipers to lower the unsprung weight for improved off road performance.
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2018 Goldwing Tour
2021 KTM 890
2020 KTM 300
1998 Gasgas 270
1983 Honduro DirtWing D-CAT Limited Edition
2021 KTM 890
2020 KTM 300
1998 Gasgas 270
1983 Honduro DirtWing D-CAT Limited Edition
- Lucien Harpress
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Re: Adventure Bike Project
Now, I'm not nearly well-versed enough in the specifics to be really knowledgeable, but having owned a GL1000, I would call the wheels and shocks.... "adequate". They do the job, but there's also a reason they got beefed up in the later models. It's fine for road use, but I'm not sure how it would hold up off-road.
Then again, I could be wrong and they would be fine.
Then again, I could be wrong and they would be fine.
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.
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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Re: Adventure Bike Project
Scroll to the bottom of the page for some related threads …
Gord
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
‘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
- CYBORG
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Re: Adventure Bike Project
If you are keeping it in the vintage honda stuff, I would go with then1200 forks, (anti dive can be disabled), but when it works, might be helpful on rough r0ads. Later model swing arms were also a little better.
1978 custom GL1000
1977 custom with 1200 engine
1985 gl1200
1977 custom with 1200 engine
1985 gl1200
- Fred Camper
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Re: Adventure Bike Project
Keep in mind the early 76 fork has sliders that cannot be easily replaced. The fork legs do wear down and are not as hardy as 1200 forks. I do agree with you on the 19 inch spoked front wheel as being a good choice if you can get it to work with the 1200 fork. The calipers from the 1976 are fine also but they need to go with a 14 to 15mm master which is now commonly available. That makes the brake effort contemporary.
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
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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- Tin Member
- Posts: 10
- Joined: Tue Dec 20, 2022 10:12 pm
Re: Adventure Bike Project
I searched for info on disabling the TRAC but couldn't find anything. I am leaning towards using the '83 frame and forks and modifying that as I go. I might even mount up the motor, rebuild carbs and ride it around a little before making suspension and brake mods.
Cyborg, what is "a little better" about the swing arm? Also, I ride a offroad often and think anti-dive would be knarly, especially trail braking into a corner and hitting a root, rut, rock, log, etc. .
Anyone have specific info on TRAC delete methods?
Thanks,
Jim
2018 Goldwing Tour
2021 KTM 890
2020 KTM 300
1998 Gasgas 270
1983 Honduro DirtWing D-CAT Limited Edition
2021 KTM 890
2020 KTM 300
1998 Gasgas 270
1983 Honduro DirtWing D-CAT Limited Edition
- CYBORG
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Re: Adventure Bike Project
The later swingarms are stiffer, and don't flex as much as the early ones
1978 custom GL1000
1977 custom with 1200 engine
1985 gl1200
1977 custom with 1200 engine
1985 gl1200
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Re: Adventure Bike Project
Not mine, but a cool GL dual sport.
2005 Suzuki DL1000
1977 GL1000 rider
1977 GL1000 project
1999 WR400 off road
2000 WR400 Supermoto
2003 TTR125 Pit Bike
1984 ATC200M
1977 GL1000 rider
1977 GL1000 project
1999 WR400 off road
2000 WR400 Supermoto
2003 TTR125 Pit Bike
1984 ATC200M
- Rednaxs60
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Re: Adventure Bike Project
This fellow did the 2017 Iron Butt with his refurbished GL1000. Finished with no issues en route:
"When writing the Story of your life, don't let anyone else hold the pen."
Ernest
1985 GL1200 Limited Edition
2014 Can-Am Spyder RT LE
2021 Royal Enfield Himalayan
1995 GL1500 SE CDN Edition (sold)
2012 Suzuki DL1000 VStrom (sold)
Ontario 1985 GL1200 Limited Edition (sold)
2008 GL1800 (sold)
Ernest
1985 GL1200 Limited Edition
2014 Can-Am Spyder RT LE
2021 Royal Enfield Himalayan
1995 GL1500 SE CDN Edition (sold)
2012 Suzuki DL1000 VStrom (sold)
Ontario 1985 GL1200 Limited Edition (sold)
2008 GL1800 (sold)
- Rednaxs60
- Silver Member
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- Location: Victoria, BC, Canada
Re: Adventure Bike Project
Last pic:
"When writing the Story of your life, don't let anyone else hold the pen."
Ernest
1985 GL1200 Limited Edition
2014 Can-Am Spyder RT LE
2021 Royal Enfield Himalayan
1995 GL1500 SE CDN Edition (sold)
2012 Suzuki DL1000 VStrom (sold)
Ontario 1985 GL1200 Limited Edition (sold)
2008 GL1800 (sold)
Ernest
1985 GL1200 Limited Edition
2014 Can-Am Spyder RT LE
2021 Royal Enfield Himalayan
1995 GL1500 SE CDN Edition (sold)
2012 Suzuki DL1000 VStrom (sold)
Ontario 1985 GL1200 Limited Edition (sold)
2008 GL1800 (sold)
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