1977 barn find

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leggman
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1977 barn find

#1

Post by leggman »

I have posted a lot on the forum and received a lot of good advice from it's members but I have never done a build thread.
I saw this bike a couple of months back on CL and jumped on it. It was really clean and new tires but no carbs were on it and evidently it has been that way for a while. The PO said there was a box of carb parts that went with it and he was right, enough parts to make two sets of carbs but they were all junk. Every carb had a float post broken off and everything was in bad shape . The good news is I just recently had very good luck getting my 79 to run with a single carb so that is the plan with the 77.
I tried the other day to get it to run with a set of carbs off a 1100 I bought from a scrapper but the carbs were junk as well. I did a compression check on the block and only one cylinder had good compression. 135, the other three were around 60 ish.
I remember the night I bought the bike I looked down into the heads and the valves were very rusty so I am guessing this is keeping the valves from closing all the way. Tomorrow if I can get up early enough I will pull the heads and see if the valves are salvageable. Here are a few pics of the bike as I bought it. I have removed the fairing and currently the bike is on the lift with the radiator fluid drained and ready for surgery tomorrow.
Is there anything special I should know about before I pull the heads???
Dave
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Track T 2411
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Re: 1977 barn find

#2

Post by Track T 2411 »

Don't forget the smaller bolt at the bottom center of the head, outside the valve cover. I typically loosen the valve lash adjusters before hand so there's no issues. Sometimes turning over the engine will help pop the heads loose by using the compression...
"I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

"He that is good with a hammer tends to think everything is a nail" - Abraham Maslow

"If you can't take the time to do it right the first time, how are you ever going to find the time to do it over?" -Unknown

Current Rides:
'Grumpy' - '81 Standard, now fully dressed.
'Layla' - '81 Standard w/dealer installed fairing and Hondaline bags.
'Scarlett' '76 'Survivor' nekkid as a j-bird!

Under Construction:
The 'Jalopy' '78-'79 Mash-up
'Quikie' '81 gl1100I back on the lift, project with the step-son!

In The Shed:
'81 gl1100I barn find aka "Josie, the farmer's daughter." (almost comatose build)
'77 gl1000, roller parts bike.
'82 gl1100I, 'Old Crusty' titled roller parts bike (free!)
'82 gl1100I, My first 'Wing, and an expensive lesson!
New2U Bike? Read Me.
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salukispeed
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Re: 1977 barn find

#3

Post by salukispeed »

Taking it apart is probably the correct and best way. I had similar compression on my 84 shed find.But being anxious and pressed for time I tossed a set of belts on for safety and managed to get it started on one then two cylinders and after a complete heat cycle it ran on all four. I did toss a little Marvel mystery oil in the gas as top end lube and that was years ago and 25,000 miles. You are doing the right way and I got lucky.
Honda 72 CL100 sold
74 CB750 K4 nice driver
1966 CA77/305 Dream nostalgic driver
84 GL1200I work in progress
1970 CT 70
1982 GL500 Interstate
leggman
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Re: 1977 barn find

#4

Post by leggman »

I pulled the heads this morning and I believe I have found my problem.
But maybe not, I just went to the garage and turned the cams over by hand and everything seems to be opening and closing as it should?
Everything was really dirty and a little water in the cylinders but I am hoping everything will clean up good.
I am wonder about the best way to clean the old gasket material off? I have a air die grinder and some small scotchbrite pads but I don't want to be too aggressive?
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The cylinders look good with a little off color but no pitting or scoring. And I did check to make sure all four pistons come all the way out so that tells me no bent rods.
I am open to all advice and suggestions as I have never taken one this far down before.
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Rednaxs60
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Re: 1977 barn find

#5

Post by Rednaxs60 »

These are resilient engines, and it takes a lot to keep these from operating well even after years of down time. Look forward to your build.

Looks like you could use some new timing belt tensioners as well. You are probably aware of the tensioner mod that has been done with aftermarket bearings.

Cheers
"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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Easter
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Re: 1977 barn find

#6

Post by Easter »

I have seen much worse. Valves should be lapped though while it is open.
Bikes at present:

83 XL 600r with a 2004 XR650L engine
And a slightly worse for the wear BMW GS adventure bike awaiting repair
83 GL in process :IDTS:
leggman
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Re: 1977 barn find

#7

Post by leggman »

Yes I will clean and lap the valves while I have it apart. Not sure I have seen the tensioner mods. Please explain. Thanks Dave
leggman
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Re: 1977 barn find

#8

Post by leggman »

Should the cylinders be honed or just cleaned with scotchbright or something similar
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Easter
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Re: 1977 barn find

#9

Post by Easter »

I have used a blade type hone but with the pistons still in you can only do so much. Emery cloth will probably work as well. This isn't going to be a race engine but as someone said they are resilient and will put up with a lot.
Bikes at present:

83 XL 600r with a 2004 XR650L engine
And a slightly worse for the wear BMW GS adventure bike awaiting repair
83 GL in process :IDTS:
heraldhamster
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Re: 1977 barn find

#10

Post by heraldhamster »

re: removal of the old gasket material, I like using a hard plastic drywall taping knife or putty knife... not metallic!
I'll liberally wet the gasket with WD-40 or PB-Blaster and gently scrape it off. then use the Scotch brite pads... after all the 'gunk' is off I'll use isopropyl alcohol to clean off all the WD-40 residue.
usually due to the heat/cool cycling and age if you can get an edge of the gasket lifted you can slip/slide the edge of the 'knife' up & under the lifted edge.
OR, if you're handy with a new razor blade scraper that works well, but they're less forgiving in case of slips... (don't ask).
YMMV.
sorta bulldogged custom 1978 GL1000 - "geekster"
full Vetter dress 1979 GL1000 - "Barge" (currently down)
1986 1200 Aspencade - "Heart of Gold" - daily rider
1990 1500 Aspencade - It's ALIVE! but very, very naked. not in a good way.
1978 for $100 - project in worx
1978 from a previous member here - taking up space
my original '79 bought in '91 - replacing engine (eventually, maybe someday)

H2G2=42

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Rednaxs60
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Re: 1977 barn find

#11

Post by Rednaxs60 »

Have a PDF file regarding the tensioner rebuild but can't post a PDF. PM me with email if you want PDF file as well. Here is the parts list I used for my tensioner rebuild:

hacksaw
Punch/chisel - to remove old stud after hacksaw used to remove old idler
17 mm socket
6 mm hex drive
10 mm by 25 mm flat countersunk bolt
nylock nut with flat washer
Gates 42105 idler

Here is a site regarding this rebuild. My post is near the bottom - good information all round. https://goldwingdocs.com/forum/viewtopi ... 11&t=10919

Cheers
"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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robin1731
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Re: 1977 barn find

#12

Post by robin1731 »

There is no need to hone the cylinders. Just clean them with a lint free rag and carb or brake clean. Then wipe with fresh oil.

I use a razor blade to clean gaskets off. But yes they can do damage. They can cut in to the aluminum if not careful. I wet my gaskets with carb cleaner if they are real old and hard. Removing the dowel guides makes it much easier. Be careful not to get any gasket material down in the water passages or in the crankcase. Stuff rags where you can to help stop that. When finished removing gaskets spray carb clean in the cylinders and again using the lint free rags clean them out well. (then oil them again as above)

.
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
leggman
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Re: 1977 barn find

#13

Post by leggman »

Good stuff here, Thanks guys.
leggman
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Re: 1977 barn find

#14

Post by leggman »

Been doing a lot of very careful scraping and using scotch brite. I stopped by the local glass place today and got a 8" x 10" piece of 1/4" thick glass and some sandpaper from the auto parts store. Is soda blasting OK for the combustion chambers in the heads?
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robin1731
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Re: 1977 barn find

#15

Post by robin1731 »

leggman wrote:snip...………. Is soda blasting OK for the combustion chambers in the heads?
Yes, I use it all the time. You can clean the whole head up inside and out.

.
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
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