SlyDog's Cafe' Project 2 - '80 GL1100 (SDC)

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!

Moderators: Brant, Sagebrush, Forum Moderators

Post Reply
User avatar
SlyDogJeff77
Titanium Member
Titanium Member
Posts: 472
Joined: Fri Jun 17, 2011 11:24 am
Location: Albany, New York

Re: SlyDog's Cafe' Project 2 - '80 GL1100 (SDC)

#121

Post by SlyDogJeff77 »

It's been 2 weeks since I touched the engine. just a quick catch up. I got new piston rings and installed them without checking if they were upside down and without checking the gap.
SOOoo.. turns out about half of them were upside down.
for other noobs like myself. Let me teach what I have learned in 2 weeks.
This set of Honda rings came with only one marking on the rings. The letter "R". It's right next to the gap and it's very hard to see.
It has to be face up. Piston rings HAVE A TOP AND A BOTTOM!! the edge of the rings are not perfectly 90 degrees straight up and down. It's important to have them right side up. they will keep the oil on the correct side of the compression.

I stupidly learned about the gap after re-installing the rings on the pistons last night so I'll take them off the pistons AGAIN and check the gap tonight.

Here is what Dan taught me on facebook last night about piston ring expansion! very cool stuff.

They should be manufactured to be within those tolerances, but it's crucial they not be any tighter/smaller than what's shown. Check them towards the bottom of the cylinder bore (any 'taper' will be towards the cylinder head/top) It's very important that they have plenty of room to expand with heat from dynamic conditions. -On yours Honda should've made the rings with enough precision that little if any filing will be necessary - especially since the motor has been run and honed and all- but this is something you always want to check and be sure of because they (the rings) will expand more than you think they would. On a supercharged, turbo, etc... motor one would even make the end gap greater than what you've got here! -If they heat up and expand to where they butt it will really tear up your engine bad- and (at least back in the day...) ring sets -most all- came still needing the end gap set to allow for variations in the bore (yes, most all had to be filed to work right) -You're just basically making sure you don't have a set there that needs you to file them.
You might take a bare piston and square up the rings in the bore- move around to different cylinders and check them at the top of the cylinder as well as the bottom - you'll know what kind of taper you're dealing with (if any)
-Just make sure when those rings get hot that they're not going to jam up and trash your pretty new motor (make sure to check where those 'pock-marks' are, that may even be raised metal)
-And no, those " .004 to .012 in gap seems like a lot..." is not.

and here is something else from Matt about filing the rings if needed.

if you do find that you need to open the ring gap, use a fine Emory file and only file from the outside edge to the inside edge so you don't chip or peel any coating on the outside edge of the ring ... And make sure to gently debur all four edges of the ring end ...
Attachments
IMG_2233.JPG
IMG_2233.JPG (68.13 KiB) Viewed 493 times
IMG_2234.JPG
IMG_2234.JPG (42.88 KiB) Viewed 493 times
IMG_2235.JPG
IMG_2235.JPG (96.26 KiB) Viewed 493 times
Life is short! Live it now because today will NEVER happen again!
My 1983 GL1100 restoration Project (In Progress) 3rd times the charm!
https://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic ... 30&t=72987
My 1980 GL1100 restoration project (DEAD) and sad...
http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=52276
My 1982 GL1100 restoration project (DEAD) and sad...
http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=34697
User avatar
robin1731
Membership Admin
Membership Admin
Posts: 21724
Joined: Mon May 29, 2006 8:31 am
Location: Decatur, Indiana

Re: SlyDog's Cafe' Project 2 - '80 GL1100 (SDC)

#122

Post by robin1731 »

I thought you were joking when I said something about tops and bottoms and ring end gaps and you questioned it. Sorry. There are specifics to gapping the rings. Don't have time right now but if interested I'll put up those numbers. Although if you look around I do know I've put it in some other posts.
1976 Goldwing Super Sport
1985 Honda Elite
1976 KZ900 Dragbike
1992 ZX7 Dragbike (KZ900 style motor w/NOS)
and a rotation of various purchases
Randakk approved Carb Rebuilder
User avatar
SlyDogJeff77
Titanium Member
Titanium Member
Posts: 472
Joined: Fri Jun 17, 2011 11:24 am
Location: Albany, New York

Re: SlyDog's Cafe' Project 2 - '80 GL1100 (SDC)

#123

Post by SlyDogJeff77 »

No worries robin! I'm on the ball now! :)
Life is short! Live it now because today will NEVER happen again!
My 1983 GL1100 restoration Project (In Progress) 3rd times the charm!
https://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic ... 30&t=72987
My 1980 GL1100 restoration project (DEAD) and sad...
http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=52276
My 1982 GL1100 restoration project (DEAD) and sad...
http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=34697
User avatar
ehadams
Silver Member
Silver Member
Posts: 575
Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2008 12:07 pm
Location: Monkton, VT

Re: SlyDog's Cafe' Project 2 - '80 GL1100 (SDC)

#124

Post by ehadams »

Looking good Jeff!
Eric
75 GL1000 w/ California SideCar Friendship 1 (mine)
79 GL1000 w/ Sweet SideCar (Heather's)
75 GL1000 destined to be customized
89 GL1500 (still undecided)
79 GL1000 was Scott's (what to do with this one?)
GRN75
User avatar
SlyDogJeff77
Titanium Member
Titanium Member
Posts: 472
Joined: Fri Jun 17, 2011 11:24 am
Location: Albany, New York

Re: SlyDog's Cafe' Project 2 - '80 GL1100 (SDC)

#125

Post by SlyDogJeff77 »

WOW... no posts since June 17!! I feel like such a jerk to you guys! I build up a decent rebuild story and then never finish the book! :)
OK well the book finally has an ending! SHE LIVES!

I picked up the bike from the mechanic yesterday. He came up with a new term. "He had to DeJeff the bike"
basically here is what HE had to do.
ANOTHER HEAD JOB!
Somewhere along the rebuild project, i dropped a screw or a bolt into the spark plug hole and FUBAR!
the head got messed up, bent the exhaust valve, cracked the valve guide, did a little damage to the piston (but nothing hairy), the belt skipped a few teeth and that messed up the timing and that bent the other valves and it was a mess!
Even though I took apart the whole engine and replaced all the piston rings, this was the continuous reason why i still had no compression across 2 of the cylinders.
i had sent my carbs out to Pete's so they were cleaned up fine (i had done a terrible rebuild job on those) so i'm glad i had his help there.
and then there was the spark issue.
"Single spark on initial crank and then nothing"...... turns out the pin was missing from the Pulse Generator shaft that goes into the spark advance unit...
had to take out the swing arm to get at it.... MYSTERY SOLVED!
once my mechanic replaced the pin (and the bolt on the end that holds it in) the bike started RIGHT UP.
there was a little smoke at the start (to be expected with a newly rebuilt engine) but that cleared right up.
now it runs SO smoooooooooth!
it starts cold with NO choke!
it's SOOOOOOOOoooo nice!
it has such a nice deep breathing sound!

On the way home, the c-clip that holds the drive shaft in place slipped of and fell out but that is nothing. I pushed the drive shaft back on and made it home fine.
I ordered a new one online and i'll get that taken care of.
My new digital multi gauge speedometer needs some tweeking. Somewhere along the lines at the Mechanic the Tach stopped working (easy fix).
and i have the settings wrong for the speedometer (tire size must be wrong) but other than that... the bike is a RUNNER!! Finally!
I'll take it easy and break it in for 100-200 miles and then change the oil and filter. I have a performance K&N oil filter for it.
and then i'll get some nice glory shots for the site. you guys are going to LOVE this bike as much as I do!

And I think I've settled on a name. I'm going to just go with "El Jefe 2"
Life is short! Live it now because today will NEVER happen again!
My 1983 GL1100 restoration Project (In Progress) 3rd times the charm!
https://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic ... 30&t=72987
My 1980 GL1100 restoration project (DEAD) and sad...
http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=52276
My 1982 GL1100 restoration project (DEAD) and sad...
http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=34697
User avatar
SlyDogJeff77
Titanium Member
Titanium Member
Posts: 472
Joined: Fri Jun 17, 2011 11:24 am
Location: Albany, New York

Re: SlyDog's Cafe' Project 2 - '80 GL1100 (SDC)

#126

Post by SlyDogJeff77 »

here is the "NO Spark" or "One spark on initial crank" thread if anyone should every run across this problem and how to diagnose it
http://goldwingdocs.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=17035
this details EXACTLY how to figure this out.
Life is short! Live it now because today will NEVER happen again!
My 1983 GL1100 restoration Project (In Progress) 3rd times the charm!
https://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic ... 30&t=72987
My 1980 GL1100 restoration project (DEAD) and sad...
http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=52276
My 1982 GL1100 restoration project (DEAD) and sad...
http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=34697
User avatar
SlyDogJeff77
Titanium Member
Titanium Member
Posts: 472
Joined: Fri Jun 17, 2011 11:24 am
Location: Albany, New York

Re: SlyDog's Cafe' Project 2 - '80 GL1100 (SDC)

#127

Post by SlyDogJeff77 »

http://youtu.be/Wfv1-cKyEXQ

Here's a little video I made today! :) She's finished
Life is short! Live it now because today will NEVER happen again!
My 1983 GL1100 restoration Project (In Progress) 3rd times the charm!
https://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic ... 30&t=72987
My 1980 GL1100 restoration project (DEAD) and sad...
http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=52276
My 1982 GL1100 restoration project (DEAD) and sad...
http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=34697
User avatar
SlyDogJeff77
Titanium Member
Titanium Member
Posts: 472
Joined: Fri Jun 17, 2011 11:24 am
Location: Albany, New York

Re: SlyDog's Cafe' Project 2 - '80 GL1100 (SDC)

#128

Post by SlyDogJeff77 »

So I'm going to add some Final Pictures to this thread. There won't be much more after this guys. (unless requested)
:) I want to say thanks for following along on this build and for everyone's help.
anim-cheers1
Attachments
IMG_2663.JPG
IMG_2663.JPG (102.57 KiB) Viewed 420 times
IMG_2661.JPG
IMG_2661.JPG (112.35 KiB) Viewed 420 times
IMG_2671.JPG
IMG_2671.JPG (89.96 KiB) Viewed 420 times
IMG_2669.JPG
IMG_2669.JPG (75.94 KiB) Viewed 420 times
Life is short! Live it now because today will NEVER happen again!
My 1983 GL1100 restoration Project (In Progress) 3rd times the charm!
https://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic ... 30&t=72987
My 1980 GL1100 restoration project (DEAD) and sad...
http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=52276
My 1982 GL1100 restoration project (DEAD) and sad...
http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=34697
User avatar
duke182
SUPER BIKER!!!!
SUPER BIKER!!!!
Posts: 3375
Joined: Mon Jul 05, 2010 11:33 pm
My Album: http://ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingmans/duke182/
Location: hope,ark

Re: SlyDog's Cafe' Project 2 - '80 GL1100 (SDC)

#129

Post by duke182 »

Very nice work.
There is a lot to like about this bike.
One small detail I really like is the placement of the ngw decal. action1
God bless those who protect our freedom, at every level

Knees in the breeze makes miles of smiles

"Strive for progress, not perfection"-a wise man

1984 1200 standard
Image
click pic to see my gallery

vote in my poll
User avatar
SlyDogJeff77
Titanium Member
Titanium Member
Posts: 472
Joined: Fri Jun 17, 2011 11:24 am
Location: Albany, New York

Re: SlyDog's Cafe' Project 2 - '80 GL1100 (SDC)

#130

Post by SlyDogJeff77 »

Thank you... Thank you... *bow* Thank you...
Life is short! Live it now because today will NEVER happen again!
My 1983 GL1100 restoration Project (In Progress) 3rd times the charm!
https://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic ... 30&t=72987
My 1980 GL1100 restoration project (DEAD) and sad...
http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=52276
My 1982 GL1100 restoration project (DEAD) and sad...
http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=34697
User avatar
Patriccio
Silver Member
Silver Member
Posts: 984
Joined: Thu Mar 07, 2013 3:57 pm
Location: San Diego, Ca.

Re: SlyDog's Cafe' Project 2 - '80 GL1100 (SDC)

#131

Post by Patriccio »

Absolutely, w/ out a doubt, I'm impressed. Very nice ride. And you got it done before you needed a four point walker. Congratulations.
If there is one thing I have learned throughout this process it is this: Check your respirator for spiders before you put it on.
User avatar
SlyDogJeff77
Titanium Member
Titanium Member
Posts: 472
Joined: Fri Jun 17, 2011 11:24 am
Location: Albany, New York

Re: SlyDog's Cafe' Project 2 - '80 GL1100 (SDC)

#132

Post by SlyDogJeff77 »

I got some recognition on Reddit today!
http://www.reddit.com/r/motorcycles/com ... g_down_to/

This was the first ride of the Season. Took a trip from Albany, NY down to NJ for my uncle's Poker Run.
did about 400 miles. She ran like a champ.


Some additions over the winter include:
BREAKS!!
New front drilled Rotors
new steel braided break lines all around
new straight pipe exhaust
re jetted the carbs to match the exhaust
Attachments
RxAmtHW.jpg
RxAmtHW.jpg (81.88 KiB) Viewed 378 times
Life is short! Live it now because today will NEVER happen again!
My 1983 GL1100 restoration Project (In Progress) 3rd times the charm!
https://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic ... 30&t=72987
My 1980 GL1100 restoration project (DEAD) and sad...
http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=52276
My 1982 GL1100 restoration project (DEAD) and sad...
http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=34697
User avatar
CYBORG
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 24538
Joined: Mon Jan 14, 2008 12:52 pm
Location: Muskegon mich

Re: SlyDog's Cafe' Project 2 - '80 GL1100 (SDC)

#133

Post by CYBORG »

Looking good
1978 custom GL1000
1977 custom with 1200 engine
1985 gl1200
Post Reply
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post

Return to “Members Restorations and Projects”