Adventure Bike Project

A forum for stories, pics and updates of your resto's. Be it a barn find, Grampas hand me down or a bike being brought back to it's former glory.If you are restoring it, show us your stuff!

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jasowiii
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Adventure Bike Project

#1

Post by jasowiii »

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.
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2018 Goldwing Tour
2021 KTM 890
2020 KTM 300
1998 Gasgas 270
1983 Honduro DirtWing D-CAT Limited Edition
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Fred Camper
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Re: Adventure Bike Project

#2

Post by Fred Camper »

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
jasowiii
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Re: Adventure Bike Project

#3

Post by jasowiii »

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.
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2018 Goldwing Tour
2021 KTM 890
2020 KTM 300
1998 Gasgas 270
1983 Honduro DirtWing D-CAT Limited Edition
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Lucien Harpress
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Re: Adventure Bike Project

#4

Post by Lucien Harpress »

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.
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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Rat
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Re: Adventure Bike Project

#5

Post by Rat »

Scroll to the bottom of the page for some related threads …

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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CYBORG
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Re: Adventure Bike Project

#6

Post by CYBORG »

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
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Fred Camper
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Re: Adventure Bike Project

#7

Post by Fred Camper »

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
jasowiii
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Re: Adventure Bike Project

#8

Post by jasowiii »

CYBORG wrote: Mon Dec 26, 2022 9:24 pm 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.
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. crying1 .

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
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CYBORG
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Re: Adventure Bike Project

#9

Post by CYBORG »

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
sos
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Re: Adventure Bike Project

#10

Post by sos »

A6387C53-A73B-4AF1-8D01-F33ABC24C8FF.jpeg
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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
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Rednaxs60
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Re: Adventure Bike Project

#11

Post by Rednaxs60 »

This fellow did the 2017 Iron Butt with his refurbished GL1000. Finished with no issues en route:
1000 GW - 1.jpg
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1000 GW - 3.jpg
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1000 GW - 4.jpg
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"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)
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Rednaxs60
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Re: Adventure Bike Project

#12

Post by Rednaxs60 »

Last pic:
GL1000 - 6.jpg
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"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)
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