1977 GL1000 Restoration that started in 2009! "C O M P L E T E D"
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- Titanium Member
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- Joined: Mon Feb 09, 2009 8:03 pm
- Location: Southern Maine
1977 GL1000 Restoration that started in 2009! "C O M P L E T E D"
Hi all, I’m guess I’m a little late starting my restoration postings but I wasn’t sure where this would all end up, life happens and sometimes gets in the way of our plans. This might be one of the longest restorations reported here, not sure. I didn’t want to start this and never finish it so decided not to post at the time. I think I was also very intimidated with the amount of knowledge on this site and what some of you guys have done to these bikes. This bike was also one of the best training aides I have could have asked for giving me much knowledge into the GL line of bikes for a 1982 GL1100 and a GL1500 I have also owned.
This all started back in February 2009 when I heard a guy was selling a Honda motorcycle he couldn’t get running. I needed some therapy and thought, “It’s a Honda, if he can’t get it running I’ll try it.” At the time I hadn’t been riding motorcycles for 30 years or so and wasn’t even sure what model a Goldwing was and new very little about them!
The bike had 20,400 miles on the odometer and was in an old garage with a snow bank in front of the doors but it looked like a good project. I listened to the previous owners story how he used to ride HDs and didn’t know much about Hondas but he said he couldn’t get it started and was kind of vague on what he knew about the bike. Later as I worked on the bike I realized the PO probably wasn't a real mechanical guy.
The brakes were all seized up so it was difficult to move and roll around. The inspection sticker on the fork indicated it had last been inspected in New Hampshire in 2002. I bought the bike and brought it home imagining what it would look like after working on it for awhile. When I got it home I let it sit for awhile, joined the NGW site and another GL forum trying to read everything I could about the bikes, what to do for repairs, etc. I couldn’t believe how much knowledge there was on this site from all of the people here and how invaluable it would be over the next 9 years. I was a bit naïve about the amount of time and money I would have to spend on it to get it back on the road in the condition I wanted.
This all started back in February 2009 when I heard a guy was selling a Honda motorcycle he couldn’t get running. I needed some therapy and thought, “It’s a Honda, if he can’t get it running I’ll try it.” At the time I hadn’t been riding motorcycles for 30 years or so and wasn’t even sure what model a Goldwing was and new very little about them!
The bike had 20,400 miles on the odometer and was in an old garage with a snow bank in front of the doors but it looked like a good project. I listened to the previous owners story how he used to ride HDs and didn’t know much about Hondas but he said he couldn’t get it started and was kind of vague on what he knew about the bike. Later as I worked on the bike I realized the PO probably wasn't a real mechanical guy.
The brakes were all seized up so it was difficult to move and roll around. The inspection sticker on the fork indicated it had last been inspected in New Hampshire in 2002. I bought the bike and brought it home imagining what it would look like after working on it for awhile. When I got it home I let it sit for awhile, joined the NGW site and another GL forum trying to read everything I could about the bikes, what to do for repairs, etc. I couldn’t believe how much knowledge there was on this site from all of the people here and how invaluable it would be over the next 9 years. I was a bit naïve about the amount of time and money I would have to spend on it to get it back on the road in the condition I wanted.
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Last edited by OldRider2 on Wed Jun 05, 2019 1:07 pm, edited 1 time in total.
2001 GL1800 Illusion Red
- 5speed
- Honored Life Member
- Posts: 5312
- Joined: Sat Jul 11, 2015 2:37 pm
- Location: Nova Scotia Canada
Re: 1977 GL1000 Restoration that started in 2009!
welcome to the site..looking forward to the progress.
1982 1100 standard. (sold)
1986 Yamaha FJ1200
2000 Yamaha Roadstar
1976 GoldWing. running but not on the road
1978 Goldwing. future cafe project.
2019 Can-Am ryker (boss's new ride)
2002 Shadow American Classic(sold)
1983 Shadow 500. (sold)
1986 Yamaha FJ1200
2000 Yamaha Roadstar
1976 GoldWing. running but not on the road
1978 Goldwing. future cafe project.
2019 Can-Am ryker (boss's new ride)
2002 Shadow American Classic(sold)
1983 Shadow 500. (sold)
- Easter
- True Blue Steel Biker
- Posts: 2999
- Joined: Thu Sep 13, 2012 11:33 am
- Location: South of Houston 100 miles
Re: 1977 GL1000 Restoration that started in 2009!
Don't leave us hanging--what came next?
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
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
- chewy999
- SUPER BIKER!!!!
- Posts: 3214
- Joined: Tue Oct 16, 2012 11:21 am
- Location: Haddenham, Cambs, UK
Re: 1977 GL1000 Restoration that started in 2009!
Going to follow this story!
Previous Rides,
1980 CB250N Good to learn on
1981 CX500 good mid range tourer, went to Austria on it!
1983 GL1100C Pride and joy, sold when I bought my 1st house, big mistake
1985 GL650 Silverwing another mistake, horrible bike
1986 CBX550 Good commuter
1989 Suzuki GS750 (1976) cheap and cheerful until a dog ran out in front of me on Xmas Eve, 1991
Current bikes
2010 CB1300 back on a bike after 19 years, two divorces, children grown up etc
1980 GL1100 NOW ON THE ROAD, still use CB1300.
1980 CB250N Good to learn on
1981 CX500 good mid range tourer, went to Austria on it!
1983 GL1100C Pride and joy, sold when I bought my 1st house, big mistake
1985 GL650 Silverwing another mistake, horrible bike
1986 CBX550 Good commuter
1989 Suzuki GS750 (1976) cheap and cheerful until a dog ran out in front of me on Xmas Eve, 1991
Current bikes
2010 CB1300 back on a bike after 19 years, two divorces, children grown up etc
1980 GL1100 NOW ON THE ROAD, still use CB1300.
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- Titanium Member
- Posts: 480
- Joined: Mon Feb 09, 2009 8:03 pm
- Location: Southern Maine
Re: 1977 GL1000 Restoration that started in 2009!
I read the posts on the Shop Talk under Buying/New Owner and found Randakk’s information on “Starting a GL1000 after a long layup” invaluable along with the other information. I also read about what others did to get their bikes going when they first got them. My first actions at that point were to see if I could get the bike running and if I couldn’t I may have stopped right there.
I picked up cheap oil at Walmart, Transmission Fluid, oil and gas filters, Yamaha Carb Cleaner, and lots of cans of brake cleaner. I found when I drained the crankcase that it was black and very full with 1- 1 ½ (?) gallons or so of a gas/oil mixture. The excessive amount of oil and gas in the crankcase is what I assumed the PO said caused oil to leak out of the back of the engine. I never did find any oil leak out of the engine so I started to question that and other things the PO had told me. After putting in new oil, oil filter, gas filter, and letting the carbs sit with Yamaha Carb Cleaner in them I was able to get the bike going with a little help from some Starting Fluid. It ran poorly and wouldn’t really idle but the fact that it would run really encouraged me at the time. As I gained more knowledge I later realized that the inside of the gas tank was in terrible condition with a coating that was flaking off and when I rebuilt the carbs was amazed the bike would even run with the conditions I found inside the carbs.
Suffering from "GAS" (Goldwing Attachment Syndrome) I started to visualize the bike as it rolled off the showroom floor and wanted shiny chrome, nice paint, polished aluminum, and obviously a smooth running bike. I prepared a spreadsheet of the things the bike needed based on what I initially saw and a guess at what the items would cost for the restoration. I then rapidly realized that $$$ would be an issue. At the time I had two daughters in college, a busy work and family schedule, my Mother was in a nursing home, and I didn’t have a lot of disposable income or “me time”, to work on the bike. I started surfing eBay, Craigs List, and this site looking for some of the first obvious parts I wanted. Picking up GL1000 manuals was one of the first things I did, along with a couple of fenders (one of which I later sold because of some dents), the instrument light cluster, and foot pegs. I decided I wanted to keep it as stock as possible and I’ve pretty much kept to that except for the Triumph T-100 mufflers, the circuit breaker in place of the 30 amp dog bone fuse, and a new 7V regulator.
Condition of bike:
All brakes were seized and moist from brake fluid
Timing belts needed replacement
Forks were leaking
Stem bearings were, ratchety, and very stiff
Carbs needed to be obviously rebuilt
Gas tank inside was unuseable
No lights worked on the bike, no headlight, taillight didn’t’ work, and no directional signals were on it or came with it
The wiring harness was butchered up and in poor shape
The stator wires were melted together
A fairing came with the bike but wasn’t mounted
Side covers, clamshell covers, and top cover in poor condition
Wheels, spokes, were corroded and tires were in bad shape
Fenders rusted and pitted
No Grab bar
Seat needed replacement
Coils were bad
It needed numerous nuts, bolts, and hardware
No drivers foot pegs or shifter
No directional light mounts/stays
(I tried to attach a copy of what I think is my original spreadsheet but I can't attach a pdf, txt, or xls file for some reason.)
I picked up cheap oil at Walmart, Transmission Fluid, oil and gas filters, Yamaha Carb Cleaner, and lots of cans of brake cleaner. I found when I drained the crankcase that it was black and very full with 1- 1 ½ (?) gallons or so of a gas/oil mixture. The excessive amount of oil and gas in the crankcase is what I assumed the PO said caused oil to leak out of the back of the engine. I never did find any oil leak out of the engine so I started to question that and other things the PO had told me. After putting in new oil, oil filter, gas filter, and letting the carbs sit with Yamaha Carb Cleaner in them I was able to get the bike going with a little help from some Starting Fluid. It ran poorly and wouldn’t really idle but the fact that it would run really encouraged me at the time. As I gained more knowledge I later realized that the inside of the gas tank was in terrible condition with a coating that was flaking off and when I rebuilt the carbs was amazed the bike would even run with the conditions I found inside the carbs.
Suffering from "GAS" (Goldwing Attachment Syndrome) I started to visualize the bike as it rolled off the showroom floor and wanted shiny chrome, nice paint, polished aluminum, and obviously a smooth running bike. I prepared a spreadsheet of the things the bike needed based on what I initially saw and a guess at what the items would cost for the restoration. I then rapidly realized that $$$ would be an issue. At the time I had two daughters in college, a busy work and family schedule, my Mother was in a nursing home, and I didn’t have a lot of disposable income or “me time”, to work on the bike. I started surfing eBay, Craigs List, and this site looking for some of the first obvious parts I wanted. Picking up GL1000 manuals was one of the first things I did, along with a couple of fenders (one of which I later sold because of some dents), the instrument light cluster, and foot pegs. I decided I wanted to keep it as stock as possible and I’ve pretty much kept to that except for the Triumph T-100 mufflers, the circuit breaker in place of the 30 amp dog bone fuse, and a new 7V regulator.
Condition of bike:
All brakes were seized and moist from brake fluid
Timing belts needed replacement
Forks were leaking
Stem bearings were, ratchety, and very stiff
Carbs needed to be obviously rebuilt
Gas tank inside was unuseable
No lights worked on the bike, no headlight, taillight didn’t’ work, and no directional signals were on it or came with it
The wiring harness was butchered up and in poor shape
The stator wires were melted together
A fairing came with the bike but wasn’t mounted
Side covers, clamshell covers, and top cover in poor condition
Wheels, spokes, were corroded and tires were in bad shape
Fenders rusted and pitted
No Grab bar
Seat needed replacement
Coils were bad
It needed numerous nuts, bolts, and hardware
No drivers foot pegs or shifter
No directional light mounts/stays
(I tried to attach a copy of what I think is my original spreadsheet but I can't attach a pdf, txt, or xls file for some reason.)
2001 GL1800 Illusion Red
- chewy999
- SUPER BIKER!!!!
- Posts: 3214
- Joined: Tue Oct 16, 2012 11:21 am
- Location: Haddenham, Cambs, UK
Re: 1977 GL1000 Restoration that started in 2009!
Yes, but apart from that!!!!!OldRider2 wrote: Condition of bike:
All brakes were seized and moist from brake fluid
Timing belts needed replacement
Forks were leaking
Stem bearings were, ratchety, and very stiff
Carbs needed to be obviously rebuilt
Gas tank inside was unuseable
No lights worked on the bike, no headlight, taillight didn’t’ work, and no directional signals were on it or came with it
The wiring harness was butchered up and in poor shape
The stator wires were melted together
A fairing came with the bike but wasn’t mounted
Side covers, clamshell covers, and top cover in poor condition
Wheels, spokes, were corroded and tires were in bad shape
Fenders rusted and pitted
No Grab bar
Seat needed replacement
Coils were bad
It needed numerous nuts, bolts, and hardware
No drivers foot pegs or shifter
No directional light mounts/stays
I understand what you mean when you mention the costs involved just to get it running after all the po's have been at it. Know I've spent far more than I probably should have, but there is so much satisfaction to be had when you finally get to ride it in the road. Don't regret a thing and despite the costs, tears and frustration I've experienced, I've enjoyed being a (small) part of what is a great GL community. So much help and support here and not just with the bike stuff, I am truly grateful, thankful and honoured to be a member on this wonderful site.
Previous Rides,
1980 CB250N Good to learn on
1981 CX500 good mid range tourer, went to Austria on it!
1983 GL1100C Pride and joy, sold when I bought my 1st house, big mistake
1985 GL650 Silverwing another mistake, horrible bike
1986 CBX550 Good commuter
1989 Suzuki GS750 (1976) cheap and cheerful until a dog ran out in front of me on Xmas Eve, 1991
Current bikes
2010 CB1300 back on a bike after 19 years, two divorces, children grown up etc
1980 GL1100 NOW ON THE ROAD, still use CB1300.
1980 CB250N Good to learn on
1981 CX500 good mid range tourer, went to Austria on it!
1983 GL1100C Pride and joy, sold when I bought my 1st house, big mistake
1985 GL650 Silverwing another mistake, horrible bike
1986 CBX550 Good commuter
1989 Suzuki GS750 (1976) cheap and cheerful until a dog ran out in front of me on Xmas Eve, 1991
Current bikes
2010 CB1300 back on a bike after 19 years, two divorces, children grown up etc
1980 GL1100 NOW ON THE ROAD, still use CB1300.
- Easter
- True Blue Steel Biker
- Posts: 2999
- Joined: Thu Sep 13, 2012 11:33 am
- Location: South of Houston 100 miles
Re: 1977 GL1000 Restoration that started in 2009!
Hobbies take time and money. Sometimes (often) that means delay or compromise if your hobby interferes with more pressing issues. But hobbies also keep us healthy and better able to cope with life's other issues. Some wise person on here said something to the effect that "restoring bikes is our hobby and when we are finished, the bike is free."
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
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
-
- Titanium Member
- Posts: 480
- Joined: Mon Feb 09, 2009 8:03 pm
- Location: Southern Maine
Re: 1977 GL1000 Restoration that started in 2009!
Things slowed down for me in the Spring and Summer of 2009 because about that time I started having some serious shoulder rotator cuff problems on my dominant arm and found out I needed surgery with the recovery forecast as long as 6 months. At that point I decided to pull the motor from the bike knowing that it would be almost impossible during recovery to work on it or anything else. So I pulled the motor and cleaned and scrubbed it up so I could paint it, replace the timing belts, and paint the frame and other small parts I could manage. During this time I also bought Randakk’s Carb Kits to rebuild the carbs. I also decided to try my hand at polishing the carb tops and intake manifolds after rebuilding the carbs.
Replacing the timing belts was unknown territory for me and something that was initially a little confusing. Using the How To’s and reading the posts it became much clearer but I didn’t realize then that I wouldn’t know how good a job I did until about 7 years later (2016) when I would start the bike. I cleaned things up inside the timing belt area but looking at the pictures I had and some of the knowledge I’ve picked up over the past few years I could have cleaned up more surface rust, etc inside that area. I did replace the springs that hold the idlers. The idler bearings seemed to spin free so I didn’t replace them. The motor was down obviously low to the floor and I had a difficult time I thought lining up the pulleys. When I got down on the same eye level of the motor I used a carpenters square and it showed they were right on the mark. This wasn’t obvious when looking at the pulleys from above them. After the belts were on the engine I made sure the motor was as clean as I could and then repainted it with some silver engine paint. I also replaced some orings on the coolant pipes that had been leaking on top of the engine and replaced a dented coolant pipe as well.
Replacing the timing belts was unknown territory for me and something that was initially a little confusing. Using the How To’s and reading the posts it became much clearer but I didn’t realize then that I wouldn’t know how good a job I did until about 7 years later (2016) when I would start the bike. I cleaned things up inside the timing belt area but looking at the pictures I had and some of the knowledge I’ve picked up over the past few years I could have cleaned up more surface rust, etc inside that area. I did replace the springs that hold the idlers. The idler bearings seemed to spin free so I didn’t replace them. The motor was down obviously low to the floor and I had a difficult time I thought lining up the pulleys. When I got down on the same eye level of the motor I used a carpenters square and it showed they were right on the mark. This wasn’t obvious when looking at the pulleys from above them. After the belts were on the engine I made sure the motor was as clean as I could and then repainted it with some silver engine paint. I also replaced some orings on the coolant pipes that had been leaking on top of the engine and replaced a dented coolant pipe as well.
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2001 GL1800 Illusion Red
- sparkyrasmus
- Titanium Member
- Posts: 463
- Joined: Sun Jun 08, 2008 7:52 am
- Location: Marshall, MN, USA
Re: 1977 GL1000 Restoration that started in 2009!
Good, another fella with a long term project or two!
Goldwings don't accelerate, they gain inertia.
1978 GL1000 - almost stock - needs a head replaced, parts are ready to install!
1979 GL1000 - Winter project/parts bike - custom "Busted"
1983 GL1100 Standard- raised from the dead and back to organ donor status
And the newest acquisition, 1979 XS 650F to be a sidecar tug.
1978 GL1000 - almost stock - needs a head replaced, parts are ready to install!
1979 GL1000 - Winter project/parts bike - custom "Busted"
1983 GL1100 Standard- raised from the dead and back to organ donor status
And the newest acquisition, 1979 XS 650F to be a sidecar tug.
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- Titanium Member
- Posts: 480
- Joined: Mon Feb 09, 2009 8:03 pm
- Location: Southern Maine
Re: 1977 GL1000 Restoration that started in 2009!
Awhile after buying Randakk’s Carb Kit I started in cleaning and rebuilding the Carbs. I was thoroughly amazed that the bike would even run when I first got it after seeing the inside of the carburetors. Since then I’ve seen many of the Carburetor jobs done by NGW members and the outside appearance is much better than mine but I was more focused at the time in just getting them back together with no leftover parts! I polished the Carb Tops a little but "sunnbobb" won’t have to worry about me taking any business away from him any time soon. On doing the Carb tops I found a wooden dowel that fit very tight in the center hole of the cover. Initially the dowel was just to hold the tops onto a box but I realized I could put the dowel in my drill press and at a slow speed turn the top to shine it up. I also cleaned up the valve covers pretty good but some of my pictures aren't the best. I polished this stuff at the time in my basement in the cold months on one of my Craftsman power tool motors. The motor wasn't all that powerful and I think the polishing compounds weren't really warm enough and didn’t do their best in those conditions. When I rebuilt the forks, I also tried to clean up the fork tubes of the 40 year old bugs, abrasions, and surface corrosion as I got to the front end of the bike.
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2001 GL1800 Illusion Red
- sparkyrasmus
- Titanium Member
- Posts: 463
- Joined: Sun Jun 08, 2008 7:52 am
- Location: Marshall, MN, USA
Re: 1977 GL1000 Restoration that started in 2009!
Looking good. Buffing out the aluminum parts is quite relaxing, as long as one keeps a tight hold on the part so the buffer doesn't grab it from you! (Or maybe that's just me?)
Goldwings don't accelerate, they gain inertia.
1978 GL1000 - almost stock - needs a head replaced, parts are ready to install!
1979 GL1000 - Winter project/parts bike - custom "Busted"
1983 GL1100 Standard- raised from the dead and back to organ donor status
And the newest acquisition, 1979 XS 650F to be a sidecar tug.
1978 GL1000 - almost stock - needs a head replaced, parts are ready to install!
1979 GL1000 - Winter project/parts bike - custom "Busted"
1983 GL1100 Standard- raised from the dead and back to organ donor status
And the newest acquisition, 1979 XS 650F to be a sidecar tug.
- Track T 2411
- Honored Life Member
- Posts: 8482
- Joined: Thu May 29, 2008 9:37 pm
- My Album: http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingmans/Track+T+2411/
- Location: Prairie du Sac Wisconsin
Re: 1977 GL1000 Restoration that started in 2009!
Oooo! Shiny!
"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.
"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.
- rcmatt007
- Treasurer
- Posts: 31305
- Joined: Fri Oct 21, 2005 12:48 pm
- My Album: http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingmans/rcmatt007/
- Location: New River Valley, Virginia
Re: 1977 GL1000 Restoration that started in 2009!
nice shine.... and I thought it took me forever to finish a project
-Rodger-
all it takes for evil to prosper is the want of a few good men to do nothing-Edmund Burke
The question is not how much time do you have, it is what you do with the time that you have Gandalf
"One of the greatest dignities of humankind is that each successive generation is invested in the welfare of each new generation." Fred Rodgers
"it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert" ancient saying
78 constantly modified/customized since 1978, BOTM June 2015 de-evolving this very moment viewtopic.php?f=30&t=65511
76 Ltd "cookies bike" ALMOST DONE
79 project, finished, FOR SALE
'86 1200 (Beth's)(FOR SALE) with motorvation sidecar (sidecar sold) , July 2017 BOTM
'17 HD Road king and 08 HD Heritage softail (Beth's) (FOR SALE). I guess you can say we have MBS
all it takes for evil to prosper is the want of a few good men to do nothing-Edmund Burke
The question is not how much time do you have, it is what you do with the time that you have Gandalf
"One of the greatest dignities of humankind is that each successive generation is invested in the welfare of each new generation." Fred Rodgers
"it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert" ancient saying
78 constantly modified/customized since 1978, BOTM June 2015 de-evolving this very moment viewtopic.php?f=30&t=65511
76 Ltd "cookies bike" ALMOST DONE
79 project, finished, FOR SALE
'86 1200 (Beth's)(FOR SALE) with motorvation sidecar (sidecar sold) , July 2017 BOTM
'17 HD Road king and 08 HD Heritage softail (Beth's) (FOR SALE). I guess you can say we have MBS
-
- Titanium Member
- Posts: 480
- Joined: Mon Feb 09, 2009 8:03 pm
- Location: Southern Maine
Re: 1977 GL1000 Restoration that started in 2009!
This rebuild really languished for a few “years” trying to find the time, parts, or money to complete it. I also had other bikes and I preferred to ride rather than “wrench”. A couple of times I even listed it on CL but I didn’t have any luck. I retired in 2015 and did a few things to the project and in the Spring of 2016 decided it was time to see if the bike would start and run. My original gas tank was in poor shape so I picked up a used gas tank at a local bike junk yard. I cleaned and painted it up before putting it in but it still got scratched trying to get it in place! Next time I’ll use a shoehorn. You all know after 7 years of having the bike in pieces I relied on the parts manual as well as the maintenance manual to put the bike back together. Thank goodness the parts manual gives the diameter and length of screws and bolts. Any bolt or screw I put back together I cleaned up real well, chased the threads if necessary or in many cases just bought new hardware. I put the engine back in, installed the carbs, put the shelter frame back on along with all the components on it and proceeded to get the bike ready to start. I thought this would give me a decision point for me to either keep going on the refurb or stop it and sell the parts off in case it didn’t start or something else came up.
At this point I was invested in the project but I still had the expense of the brake system, new tires and tubes, battery, probably another muffler, fork rebuilds, paint job, etc. The bike did start, it still needed to have the carbs sync’d but this step encouraged me to go further. I was pumped at this point that after having it in pieces for over 7 years my carburetor rebuilding and cleaning, along with the timing belt replacements, it was running!
At this point I was invested in the project but I still had the expense of the brake system, new tires and tubes, battery, probably another muffler, fork rebuilds, paint job, etc. The bike did start, it still needed to have the carbs sync’d but this step encouraged me to go further. I was pumped at this point that after having it in pieces for over 7 years my carburetor rebuilding and cleaning, along with the timing belt replacements, it was running!
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2001 GL1800 Illusion Red
- Track T 2411
- Honored Life Member
- Posts: 8482
- Joined: Thu May 29, 2008 9:37 pm
- My Album: http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingmans/Track+T+2411/
- Location: Prairie du Sac Wisconsin
Re: 1977 GL1000 Restoration that started in 2009!
Looking great! I can relate to having a project languish seemingly forever. There's always something else that needs/wants attention, but hitting milestones like actually hearing it run are invigorating! Keep at it!
"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.
"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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