SlyDog's '82 GL1100 restoration project - MAKE IT NAKED!!

[Track T 2411]

Not sure if you've fixed the coolant tube issue, but there's a member here (Backyardbob) who sells just the set of o-rings and elbow to head gaskets for less than $10.00 Fixed right, and not expensive... To jump directly to the starter, just run a jumper from the pos battery post to the side post on the starter. If it cranks, it's a solenoid issue, or bad cable.

Good wrenchin'
Todd

[SlyDogJeff77]

I had a chance to try to Jump the starter directly last night. No luck. When i ran one side of a pair of jumper cables from the positive terminal of the battery to the side post on the starter, i had a nice spark and the starter didn't do much. I think it may have twitched but really, nothing much at all. Def not enough to turn the engine. So just to make sure, i disconnected the bike battery and ran the jumper cables to my car. same thing. i'm starting to think that my STARTER went bad some time in the past 2 months?

It just seems weird that this starter was working before I started this project. I wouldn't say it was a perfect start every time. and now that i'm typing this out and thinking about it, the starter did seem sluggish at picky at times. Sometimes i had to move the bike forward in gear a little and try the starter again to get it to work.

more suggestions?

[HOTT]

(did you disconnect hot wire from starter or just battery ?) If the motor turns over by hand.... pull the starter and check. Me thinks it's probably got a burnt spot by now. Was most likely on it's way out. good luck.

[SlyDogJeff77]

OK I know I didn't explain it perfectly. I'll try again.
I don't know if i mentioned this or not but i removed the spark plugs and left them out for ALL of the following. (i wanted to eliminate the hydrolock possibility mentioned in a few posts earlier)

First test was just to run the red positive cable of a pair of jumper cables from the positive terminal of the battery to the side post on the starter. I didn't disconnect either the positive or negative battery wires. This was the first and most basic test. I did see a nice spark (so the battery wasn't DEAD dead) and the starter turned for a split second and then did NOTHING.

Second test was to try a regular jump from the car. positive bike terminal to positive car terminal. negative bike terminal to negative car terminal. I then tried to start the bike normally. I turned the key to on, turned the run stop switch to run and then pushed the starter button. starter relay next to the battery clicked and that's it.

third test, i disconnected the bike battery and took it out of the bike. i connected the negative car battery terminal (via jumper cable) to the negative wire on the bike and the positive car battery terminal to the positive cable. tried to start the bike normally like the second test. same results. click..

4th test, took the positive jumper cable off of the bike's positive wire and touched it to the side post of the starter. spark yes but starter didn't turn.

did i say that so everyone can understand?! My wife always tells me to dumb it down for her and sometimes I just CAN'T dumb it down ANY MORE than that and still explain it properly! lol... :D

[HOTT]

You splained it well. So if the answer is "yes" I did remove the hot wire from the starter and "yes" the motor turns over by hand. Than there can be no chance of a short in the wiring. Sounds like it's time to bench test starter. Good luck, you're closing in on it.

[SlyDogJeff77]

no i did NOT remove the hot wire from the side of the starter.. i just connected the jumper cable to the post with the hot wire still connected.. i'll try that tonight.

I've yet to ever turn the motor by hand... (1982 = no kick start but you know that)
i read how to change the timing belts like 5 times so i know there is a bolt i'm supposed to turn ONLY ONE WAY.... i just haven't done that yet.. i'm presuming i'm doing this test to make sure the engine isn't ceased or something?

But yes, i'm thinking the same thing.. yank that stupid f!@%@!#% starter out and bench test it.. replace it.. throw it of a cliff.. get it from the bottom of the cliff, go up and throw it again.. :D

[SlyDogJeff77]

crap!!! i was just looking this morning.. OEM starters are about 200 bucks.
2nd hand OEM starters are about 120-150
aftermarket go for about 90-100 bucks.

THEN...
http://www.randakks.com/TechTip54.htm
I HAVE TO DROP THE EXHAUST to get this thing out?! and randakk says that there are some manuals that say to drop the rear wheel, the final drive, swing joint? OH MY GOD...

I don't have a lift. I have limited tools. oh yea.. and my exhaust is rusty! I'm worried about taking it off the bike that it's going to break or just not fit back on. sigh..

ok so.. are there any better guides with photos of starter replacements?

[Track T 2411]

Don't panic! The starter will come out on the 1100 without dropping or removing anything except the shifter lever. You just have to wriggle it around some. They're a tad shorter than the 1000 starter. I've seen posts about Stocker's, some people have had good luck with using their starters, but I've not needed one yet, so not personal experience. The starter you have may just need a good cleaning, instead, and there is a plate inside with tabs that can be kind of finicky as well. All fixable with basic tools. Personally, I'd pull it pop it open, and see what you see, before replacing. I've also seen listings for rebuild kits, but again, no personal experience to pass along...

Good wrenchin'
Todd

[lcallison]

Starter at Stockers Starters www.stockers.com is $129.95 plus shipping. I've been running one of theirs in my 76 for 5 or 6 years now. They also have brushes and brush holders for the Mitsuba starters.

[SlyDogJeff77]

pictures pictures pictures... they say a 1000 words to me right now.. is there a set of instructions for starter rebuild or just the removal?

I'm going to bench test the heck out of this one before I buy a new one. I'm just waiting for a cooler day to work on it. Just standing out side I'm sweating bullets in like 5 mins

[SlyDogJeff77]

OH MY GOD I'VE HAD MY MOMENT OF GLORY TONIGHT!! I decided tonight I was going to get the bike back into the garage and tear out the starter but I saw my neighbor and I thought, let me try and pop the clutch..

SHE FIRED RIGHT UP!!! IT WAS AMAZING!! THE SURGE OF HAPPINESS THAT RAN THROUGH MY BODY I FROZE UP AND I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO!! I ALMOST JUMPED OFF THE BIKE AND RAN AROUND IN CIRCLES!! BUT IT WAS STILL IN GEAR AND THE KICKSTAND WASN'T DOWN!! lol.

OK so, I let it run, it was screaming at 4000 rpm at idle. So I put it in neutral, put it on the kick stand, RAN to the garage for a flat head screwdriver and tuned the idle down to a little over 1000.. el jefe PURRRRRRED..

no more low idle knocking noise AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, NO LEAKS!!!!
it was smoking a lot at first but i rode around the block a few times and burned off all the oil and fuel and grease and stuff.
after about 15 mins of riding, the smoke was almost completely gone!! everything is looking REALLY good right now!!

i still need a starter. but i'm not going to mess around with this old one. i'm just going to bring it to my shop and have them do it.
while they are at it, the turn signals still don't blink, and my neutral light is still out.

i parked the bike in my garage for the night and put the battery on the charger. i dressed up the intake manafolds with those chrome covers and i put the fuel pump cover back on. tightened down the false tank, put the seat back on and basically cleaned some more.

my buddy will help me push start it and follow me to the shop soon.

i just wanted to scream for joy and let you guys know that SHES ALIVE and I did a good job after all!!!!
surprised myself!

more pictures to follow..
Thanks for ALL of the help. everyone on this site has been so helpful.

by the way, there is a new show i found out about called "Cafe Racers TV"
i sent them a hello and linked them to this site and randakk's site. hope it helps some.

[brokentoe]

Congrats. Way to stick with it.

[macmusick]

[SlyDogJeff77]

I'M ALL DONE!!
Maybe not 100% but I'm riding!

OK so I put all the trimming back on that I wanted. The chrome intake manifold covers and the fuel cover. I tightened everything down, final inspection and of course, I cleaned some more.
And I went for a 25 mile ride today. I'd says that was SUCCESSFUL!!

NO leaking.. NO smoking.. It smokes a little when I started it up but it went away quickly. less that 5 mins of riding. I parked it in the garage and my wife said she smelled Gas in the living room above the garage, so I'll park it outside with a cover. No big deal. I'm not seeing any fuel leaking on the floor so I'm still happy!

Now, here is what's left. I have to push start it (pop the clutch) because the starter is still shot. I have an appointment on the 29th at a local Honda dealer with CERTIFIED TECHS.. I'm not going to some mom and pop shop. Not after I did this much work! I'm going to have them fix the turn signals not blinking and the dead neutral light. rebuild my petcock and give me an inspection. THATS IT!

On my wish list:
A Corbin Gunfire seat
some drag bars
new mirrors
new tail light w/ smaller turn signals
new helmet
new digital gauge (saw one that fits on the false tank right where the Goldwing name plate is)
Headlight Bucket

This winter:
timing belts
wheel bearings


AND HERE IS THE FINAL PRODUCT...

[SlyDogJeff77]

AHHHHHHHHHHHhhhhhhhhhhhh

I'm in love with my bike all over again!!!

THANK YOU to everyone who contributed and helped me out on this site!
Props to Randakk's carb rebuild kit. The instructions were good but not perfect, but the parts in the kit were 100% DEAD ON ACCURATE!