MAKING A TRIKE

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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transitman
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MAKING A TRIKE

#1

Post by transitman »

Had a lot of help from you good people already, thanks, so time to get the project up on show. Bought a non-running 78 GoldWing from this old chap in Dudley, (UK)
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apparently not been running for some years and has had 11 owners, mostly I presume unable to get to grips with the snags. Only has 22,000 miles on the clock and looking at the discs may be true. Has had added lights and stuff which IMHO contribute to the 'electrical problems' it was advertised with. It's in a sorry state. Afraid to say I parted with £700 for it, purely on the basis that the throttle slides moved freely and the engine turned easily enough in second gear.
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Had to send long suffering wife off to Machine Mart to buy the crane to get it out of the Transit, and son in law Mark helped it out.
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finally got it home, to Tarvin, village near Chester, the wet end of the UK.
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had it here for some 4 weeks but have to play at being Grandad or risk the wrath of wife, so time limited on it.
Plan is to check it runs, take engine out and clean up it and frame, build a rear frame to take a Ford Capri axle, and join the bits together, using the drive from the swingarm and the swingarm as the front rear suspension pivot. the seat and upper rear frame to be supported on the original shocks.

Any comments on this plan would be greatly appreciated, I am new to GoldWings (only just learnt how to spell it) and haven't done much bike work for 30 years.

Electrics are a sorry mess. Been building bikes and cars and stuff for over half a century (sorry, I am old, and sadly, not getting younger) and not seen anything quite so grim.
Using an old car battery, turned on the ignition and the starter engaged, the solenoid shorting on the frame. Smoke rising from 2 or 3 places assisted decision to disconnect battery and have a closer look.
Took out the carb drains and a foul smelling green stuff ran out. Wonder what happened to the petrol. The drillings in the drain plugs are stuffed hard with grey silt so if it ever runs the first job will be to overhaul the carbs. Looked in tank, big mistake, foul and rusty!
The new crane makes a great bike stand. Removed radiator, nothing looking nice at all!
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Back wheel and drive unit came out easily enough. Removed the tank, will probably have to cut the side out, clean it up and replate it, unless anybody has a better idea. Tried to post another picture but found that 5 is enough, so will continue later.

I need all the help I can get from you people, so don't be shy!
"Say not the struggle naught availeth." A H Clough.

'78 GL1000 Trike
1st bike: '58 150cc Ambassador 2 stroke. learned how to chuck it down the road
'31 BSA 500 single long stroke Sloper, dug out of a wall in Sussex, never went that well...
'49 Sunbeam S8, built from bits in '67, used daily, sold to a US biker in '84, still miss it
3 BSA Bantams, now a daughter has one
'78 Honda 500T
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sgwilly
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Re: MAKING A TRIKE

#2

Post by sgwilly »

You are going to know Goldwings VERY well by the time you finish this project. Maybe more than your grandkids!

Hopefully you won't have to get into the engine internals - that's not an economically viable proposition in most cases. Electrical and fuel systems are tackled all the time here so you should find good resources.

There are a few trike-knowledgeable members around and they should be around shortly. I'd suggest you also get onto some Trike forums as well to get good info on that aspect.

Looking forward to it!
Steve
'09 Yamaha FJR1300AE
'99 Valkyrie Tourer
'89 Isuzu Trooper 3.4L
'83 GL1100 MonkeyWing (on IR)
'75 GL1000 (in the queue)
'70 Suzuki T500 Titan (in the queue)
'64 MGB
IBA #58082
All my stuff is old. It makes me feel young.
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gltriker
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Re: MAKING A TRIKE

#3

Post by gltriker »

I'm one of those guys building a GL1000 "trike", too.

I'm sure a Ford Capri on your side of the "pond" is altogether different than the Capri that was built over here in the mid70s-early 80s.

My build thread may be of some interest to you. Read everything you can about making the bike run well. Replace those timing belts, straight off! The engine you save, will be yours.
Cliff (74yrs ;) )

Keep your eyes and ears open and you'll learn something new, everyday. tumb2

New users please visit our "Shop Talk" for common tips and help: <---jdvorchak
http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/page/ST
^^^^^^^click up here^^^^^ :oldies

RE: a thorough fuel tank cleaning
"And your carbs will thank you. They no longer live down stream from a sewage plant." -gregforesi tumb2
"Can't see the paint when your looking thru the handlebars..........." -Oldewing ;)
"I'd rather Ride than Shine" -RAT tumb2 Me Too!!

Cliff

'75 GL1000 home built trike; http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=39996
October,2017 BOTM :shock: https://nakedgoldwingsclub.com/forum/page/Welcome

previous rides:
1953 H-D Servi-car, naked, 1969-1978 (serial#53G1559 committed to memory!)
1980 CB900 Custom (triked) 1997-2003 .... R.I.P.
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transitman
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Re: MAKING A TRIKE

#4

Post by transitman »

Thanks Steve. and gltriker - will read yours
I need plenty support!
"Say not the struggle naught availeth." A H Clough.

'78 GL1000 Trike
1st bike: '58 150cc Ambassador 2 stroke. learned how to chuck it down the road
'31 BSA 500 single long stroke Sloper, dug out of a wall in Sussex, never went that well...
'49 Sunbeam S8, built from bits in '67, used daily, sold to a US biker in '84, still miss it
3 BSA Bantams, now a daughter has one
'78 Honda 500T
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transitman
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Re: MAKING A TRIKE

#5

Post by transitman »

sorry Cliff, missed your moniker when I read your post!
"Say not the struggle naught availeth." A H Clough.

'78 GL1000 Trike
1st bike: '58 150cc Ambassador 2 stroke. learned how to chuck it down the road
'31 BSA 500 single long stroke Sloper, dug out of a wall in Sussex, never went that well...
'49 Sunbeam S8, built from bits in '67, used daily, sold to a US biker in '84, still miss it
3 BSA Bantams, now a daughter has one
'78 Honda 500T
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transitman
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Re: MAKING A TRIKE

#6

Post by transitman »

day 2 of posting this saga.
trying to get a spark to see if the engine will run before I pull it apart.
plug lead fell off in my hand
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and this is my temporary repair
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not pretty is it.
Don't know at this stage how to replace a lead that is not accessible at the coil end.
As the pipes are off and it's Sunday evening can't attempt to run it now, so will have another go in the morning. At least retirement gives the time, if not the money!
"Say not the struggle naught availeth." A H Clough.

'78 GL1000 Trike
1st bike: '58 150cc Ambassador 2 stroke. learned how to chuck it down the road
'31 BSA 500 single long stroke Sloper, dug out of a wall in Sussex, never went that well...
'49 Sunbeam S8, built from bits in '67, used daily, sold to a US biker in '84, still miss it
3 BSA Bantams, now a daughter has one
'78 Honda 500T
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robin1731
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Re: MAKING A TRIKE

#7

Post by robin1731 »

They do make repair splices for those cables. You could also go with GL1100 coils which have removable wires. Although most of us go with aftermarket coils and wires.
1976 Goldwing Super Sport
1985 Honda Elite
1976 KZ900 Dragbike
1992 ZX7 Dragbike (KZ900 style motor w/NOS)
and a rotation of various purchases
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gltriker
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Re: MAKING A TRIKE

#8

Post by gltriker »

The ignition wire splice that I think robin spoke of (NGK?) would serve that purpose IF the wires aren't punky, like mine were, to even within an inch ( =25.4mm) of the GL1000 coil. http://www.z1enterprises.com/ItemDetail ... =TU38-1024

As robin had also suggested, The GL1100 coil with replaceable ignition wires is a much better option. ( I can't remember the specific details, but get a set of GL1100 coils that incorporate the ballast resistor into their stock assembly configuration from Honda. ) I believe the first year GL1100s had no ignition ballast resistor. There was a thread somewhere in the past detailing an NGW Club member's trials with both GL1100 coil installation configurations, and they had best finished performance with the later production ones.

IMHO, The Dyna 3 ohm coils are the best option.
Last edited by gltriker on Sun Aug 05, 2012 6:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Cliff (74yrs ;) )

Keep your eyes and ears open and you'll learn something new, everyday. tumb2

New users please visit our "Shop Talk" for common tips and help: <---jdvorchak
http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/page/ST
^^^^^^^click up here^^^^^ :oldies

RE: a thorough fuel tank cleaning
"And your carbs will thank you. They no longer live down stream from a sewage plant." -gregforesi tumb2
"Can't see the paint when your looking thru the handlebars..........." -Oldewing ;)
"I'd rather Ride than Shine" -RAT tumb2 Me Too!!

Cliff

'75 GL1000 home built trike; http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=39996
October,2017 BOTM :shock: https://nakedgoldwingsclub.com/forum/page/Welcome

previous rides:
1953 H-D Servi-car, naked, 1969-1978 (serial#53G1559 committed to memory!)
1980 CB900 Custom (triked) 1997-2003 .... R.I.P.
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transitman
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Re: MAKING A TRIKE

#9

Post by transitman »

thank you both kindly for your advice, much valued.
"Say not the struggle naught availeth." A H Clough.

'78 GL1000 Trike
1st bike: '58 150cc Ambassador 2 stroke. learned how to chuck it down the road
'31 BSA 500 single long stroke Sloper, dug out of a wall in Sussex, never went that well...
'49 Sunbeam S8, built from bits in '67, used daily, sold to a US biker in '84, still miss it
3 BSA Bantams, now a daughter has one
'78 Honda 500T
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sgwilly
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Re: MAKING A TRIKE

#10

Post by sgwilly »

I wouldn't bother with the stock 1100 coils. Yes, they do have detachable spark wires but they're still the same crappy stock coils. Dyna's are nice but even the used ones are pretty expensive. I recently replaced my stock coils with a coil pack from a Dodge Neon. Nice hot spark, clean install and cheap as beans. Lot's of write ups out there on the Steve Saunder's site. Here's how I did mine for about $35...

Neon coil pack installation

It's been in the bike for about 2 months now - 1,500 miles and running great.
Last edited by sgwilly on Mon Aug 06, 2012 8:42 am, edited 1 time in total.
Steve
'09 Yamaha FJR1300AE
'99 Valkyrie Tourer
'89 Isuzu Trooper 3.4L
'83 GL1100 MonkeyWing (on IR)
'75 GL1000 (in the queue)
'70 Suzuki T500 Titan (in the queue)
'64 MGB
IBA #58082
All my stuff is old. It makes me feel young.
SGWilly Gallery
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transitman
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Re: MAKING A TRIKE

#11

Post by transitman »

I was beginning to wonder what the difference was between a GoldWing coil and a cheap auto coil, nice to know it can work - one of my son in laws dad is an auto electrician, come the day, I shall lean on him. Thank you kindly for your post, I shall follow your link now...

Barry
"Say not the struggle naught availeth." A H Clough.

'78 GL1000 Trike
1st bike: '58 150cc Ambassador 2 stroke. learned how to chuck it down the road
'31 BSA 500 single long stroke Sloper, dug out of a wall in Sussex, never went that well...
'49 Sunbeam S8, built from bits in '67, used daily, sold to a US biker in '84, still miss it
3 BSA Bantams, now a daughter has one
'78 Honda 500T
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transitman
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Re: MAKING A TRIKE

#12

Post by transitman »

nice one Steve, thanks again, couldn't be clearer. I'm no auto electrician either, and duplicate your toolkit. No cnc either, and just sold my 1935 Myford to help finance the Wing. Shall get a bigger Boxford (copy of your Ward) another day.
"Say not the struggle naught availeth." A H Clough.

'78 GL1000 Trike
1st bike: '58 150cc Ambassador 2 stroke. learned how to chuck it down the road
'31 BSA 500 single long stroke Sloper, dug out of a wall in Sussex, never went that well...
'49 Sunbeam S8, built from bits in '67, used daily, sold to a US biker in '84, still miss it
3 BSA Bantams, now a daughter has one
'78 Honda 500T
BearWing
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Re: MAKING A TRIKE

#13

Post by BearWing »

.
Last edited by BearWing on Thu Jan 17, 2013 10:34 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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transitman
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Re: MAKING A TRIKE

#14

Post by transitman »

Hiya Bearwing, I live in Tarvin, a village near to Chester, just south of Liverpool, about 80 miles from Birmingham. and yes, sir, I drive a Transit, bought it new 10 years ago, only done 110,000 miles so nearly run in, and it has an American Braun tail-lift to get my powerchair and scooters in. An incredibly useful and reliable old van which I hope to run until it outlasts me!
"Say not the struggle naught availeth." A H Clough.

'78 GL1000 Trike
1st bike: '58 150cc Ambassador 2 stroke. learned how to chuck it down the road
'31 BSA 500 single long stroke Sloper, dug out of a wall in Sussex, never went that well...
'49 Sunbeam S8, built from bits in '67, used daily, sold to a US biker in '84, still miss it
3 BSA Bantams, now a daughter has one
'78 Honda 500T
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transitman
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Re: MAKING A TRIKE

#15

Post by transitman »

post no 3 of trike build, finding problems. Couldn't get fuel into carbs but pump working perfectly. decided to remove carbs.
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don't know what I'm laughing at - just got a lapful of trouble
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the float chambers are full of crud, the floats don't move, one of the float pins is seized so cant remove it. decided to leave it in a bucket of diesel for a few days, see if that will shift it. Any better ideas out there, please?
"Say not the struggle naught availeth." A H Clough.

'78 GL1000 Trike
1st bike: '58 150cc Ambassador 2 stroke. learned how to chuck it down the road
'31 BSA 500 single long stroke Sloper, dug out of a wall in Sussex, never went that well...
'49 Sunbeam S8, built from bits in '67, used daily, sold to a US biker in '84, still miss it
3 BSA Bantams, now a daughter has one
'78 Honda 500T
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