Donor 1200 EFI
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- wingrider
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Donor 1200 EFI
Hello All,
I have plans to put a 1200 engine with EFI into my 78 frame. I am slowely learning what I will need to do to accomplish this. Lets say that I have the engine and EFI rack, what more do I need?
I would assume that I need a high pressure fuel pump, and then something to manage the EFI. I have heard the 1200 computers are tough to find, so I wonder if a type of Megasquirt system would be better for the stock set up? I would assume I will need a couple sensors as well, but not sure how many are really needed.
Thanks for any help!
I have plans to put a 1200 engine with EFI into my 78 frame. I am slowely learning what I will need to do to accomplish this. Lets say that I have the engine and EFI rack, what more do I need?
I would assume that I need a high pressure fuel pump, and then something to manage the EFI. I have heard the 1200 computers are tough to find, so I wonder if a type of Megasquirt system would be better for the stock set up? I would assume I will need a couple sensors as well, but not sure how many are really needed.
Thanks for any help!
2002 1800 Wing
2001 Valkyrie Interstate
1978 1200 EFI Wing with Motorvation Coupe Royale sidecar
1977 1200 Wing cafe/bobber project
1974 Suzuki GT550
2001 Valkyrie Interstate
1978 1200 EFI Wing with Motorvation Coupe Royale sidecar
1977 1200 Wing cafe/bobber project
1974 Suzuki GT550
- CYBORG
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Re: Donor 1200 EFI
The stock cdu units also control the spark timing. And the EFI engine has a larger stator, and stator housing, which will require you to modify the frame at the rear of the engine where the stator housing is
1978 custom GL1000
1977 custom with 1200 engine
1985 gl1200
1977 custom with 1200 engine
1985 gl1200
- wingrider
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Re: Donor 1200 EFI
Thanks Cyborg! I kind of wondered if the back side of that engine might be a little bigger. Nothing an afternoon can't fix. 

2002 1800 Wing
2001 Valkyrie Interstate
1978 1200 EFI Wing with Motorvation Coupe Royale sidecar
1977 1200 Wing cafe/bobber project
1974 Suzuki GT550
2001 Valkyrie Interstate
1978 1200 EFI Wing with Motorvation Coupe Royale sidecar
1977 1200 Wing cafe/bobber project
1974 Suzuki GT550
- ericheath
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Re: Donor 1200 EFI
If you're still planning on your 78 frame, it might be a bit to adjust. The non EFI stators touch the frame on some frames and miss by a few thousandths on others. I don't know how much more the efi stator protrudes more than stock.
Whatever I suggest here should be given ample time for a moderator to delicately correct. I apologize in advance.
77 WING, 1200 engine with 77 heads, cams, gl1100 foot pegs, Magna V65 front end, 764A carbs, [-gone Suzuki M109 monoshock--, replaced with gl1100 shocks] gl 1200 swing arm, gl1500 final drive, wheel and rear brakes Valkyrie seat, Meanstreak tank, Sportster pipes, Power Arc ignition off crank.
77 Wing. black
83 Wing, in pieces
"Continuing education is important even if the subject matter is fairly useless (as in this case)."---Greg Foresi
77 WING, 1200 engine with 77 heads, cams, gl1100 foot pegs, Magna V65 front end, 764A carbs, [-gone Suzuki M109 monoshock--, replaced with gl1100 shocks] gl 1200 swing arm, gl1500 final drive, wheel and rear brakes Valkyrie seat, Meanstreak tank, Sportster pipes, Power Arc ignition off crank.
77 Wing. black
83 Wing, in pieces
"Continuing education is important even if the subject matter is fairly useless (as in this case)."---Greg Foresi
- wingrider
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Re: Donor 1200 EFI
That is possible...seem to recall someone modified a frame for a different reason, but seemed to work.
2002 1800 Wing
2001 Valkyrie Interstate
1978 1200 EFI Wing with Motorvation Coupe Royale sidecar
1977 1200 Wing cafe/bobber project
1974 Suzuki GT550
2001 Valkyrie Interstate
1978 1200 EFI Wing with Motorvation Coupe Royale sidecar
1977 1200 Wing cafe/bobber project
1974 Suzuki GT550
- ericheath
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Re: Donor 1200 EFI
The 84 model would need mods because its ignition is in the back like 1100's. It can be done, just a bit more work.
Whatever I suggest here should be given ample time for a moderator to delicately correct. I apologize in advance.
77 WING, 1200 engine with 77 heads, cams, gl1100 foot pegs, Magna V65 front end, 764A carbs, [-gone Suzuki M109 monoshock--, replaced with gl1100 shocks] gl 1200 swing arm, gl1500 final drive, wheel and rear brakes Valkyrie seat, Meanstreak tank, Sportster pipes, Power Arc ignition off crank.
77 Wing. black
83 Wing, in pieces
"Continuing education is important even if the subject matter is fairly useless (as in this case)."---Greg Foresi
77 WING, 1200 engine with 77 heads, cams, gl1100 foot pegs, Magna V65 front end, 764A carbs, [-gone Suzuki M109 monoshock--, replaced with gl1100 shocks] gl 1200 swing arm, gl1500 final drive, wheel and rear brakes Valkyrie seat, Meanstreak tank, Sportster pipes, Power Arc ignition off crank.
77 Wing. black
83 Wing, in pieces
"Continuing education is important even if the subject matter is fairly useless (as in this case)."---Greg Foresi
- wingrider
- SUPER BIKER!!!!
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Re: Donor 1200 EFI
Yep! That was what it was.
2002 1800 Wing
2001 Valkyrie Interstate
1978 1200 EFI Wing with Motorvation Coupe Royale sidecar
1977 1200 Wing cafe/bobber project
1974 Suzuki GT550
2001 Valkyrie Interstate
1978 1200 EFI Wing with Motorvation Coupe Royale sidecar
1977 1200 Wing cafe/bobber project
1974 Suzuki GT550
- irishcarbomb
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- Location: Humble, TX
Re: Donor 1200 EFI
If you use a microsquirt you'll need at minimum a crank sensor and throttle position sensor (the one that comes on a 1200 works). It can be tuned without a MAP sensor(unless you're planning forced induction)but it would make it a bit easier. A wideband O2 sensor would be helpful in tuning if you don't plan to put it on a dyno.
The microsquirt can control ignition, which may free up some room on the rear of the engine if that's a problem.
The microsquirt can control ignition, which may free up some room on the rear of the engine if that's a problem.
1983 GL1100 Fuel Injected Turbo Build Thread
- wingrider
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Re: Donor 1200 EFI
ICB, I have spent the last 45 min reading back through your post to see what you did. Much of it is above my head, but hopefully I can learn.
I keep looking over this stuff, and think maybe I should stick with carbs, but know the bike would like EFI better.
I keep looking over this stuff, and think maybe I should stick with carbs, but know the bike would like EFI better.
2002 1800 Wing
2001 Valkyrie Interstate
1978 1200 EFI Wing with Motorvation Coupe Royale sidecar
1977 1200 Wing cafe/bobber project
1974 Suzuki GT550
2001 Valkyrie Interstate
1978 1200 EFI Wing with Motorvation Coupe Royale sidecar
1977 1200 Wing cafe/bobber project
1974 Suzuki GT550
- wingrider
- SUPER BIKER!!!!
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Re: Donor 1200 EFI
I should also point out that this system will be on a two up touring bike...slightly sporty in nature, but no additional induction systems, nor any dyno pulls will be done.
2002 1800 Wing
2001 Valkyrie Interstate
1978 1200 EFI Wing with Motorvation Coupe Royale sidecar
1977 1200 Wing cafe/bobber project
1974 Suzuki GT550
2001 Valkyrie Interstate
1978 1200 EFI Wing with Motorvation Coupe Royale sidecar
1977 1200 Wing cafe/bobber project
1974 Suzuki GT550
- wingrider
- SUPER BIKER!!!!
- Posts: 3815
- Joined: Thu May 24, 2012 12:15 pm
- Location: Maple Lake, MN USA
Re: Donor 1200 EFI
Does anybody know what the 1200 EFI weakness was? I have heard it was anything from bad wiring connections, to bad sensors, to simply a complicated setup, to the ECU's acting up.
I am simply trying to figure out if I can somehow upgrade whatever was bad.
The Megasquirt seems like it will adapt to the system well, and might be a good upgrade to this system, but I simply do not know enough about it...
I am simply trying to figure out if I can somehow upgrade whatever was bad.
The Megasquirt seems like it will adapt to the system well, and might be a good upgrade to this system, but I simply do not know enough about it...
2002 1800 Wing
2001 Valkyrie Interstate
1978 1200 EFI Wing with Motorvation Coupe Royale sidecar
1977 1200 Wing cafe/bobber project
1974 Suzuki GT550
2001 Valkyrie Interstate
1978 1200 EFI Wing with Motorvation Coupe Royale sidecar
1977 1200 Wing cafe/bobber project
1974 Suzuki GT550
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Re: Donor 1200 EFI
Hi Wingrider,
The experts on the Honda 1200 efi system tend to hang out at goldwingfacts.com. They are very knowledgeable and can probably help with getting the stock system running.
As for converting to Microsquirt, the stock Honda efi system is not really very compatible. Honda used 2 MAP sensors and three engine position sensors, not a common setup. You would have to graft in something that Microsquirt does support, like a Ford style 36-1 crank wheel.
Good luck with the project, will be following along!
The experts on the Honda 1200 efi system tend to hang out at goldwingfacts.com. They are very knowledgeable and can probably help with getting the stock system running.
As for converting to Microsquirt, the stock Honda efi system is not really very compatible. Honda used 2 MAP sensors and three engine position sensors, not a common setup. You would have to graft in something that Microsquirt does support, like a Ford style 36-1 crank wheel.
Good luck with the project, will be following along!
1981 Goldwing Standard - efi'd, other stuff
- wingrider
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Re: Donor 1200 EFI
Thanks socrace! I became a member over there, will do a little more digging.
I wasn't sure if building a squirt system up had any better way of adapting vs buying one premade...sadly, I don't know what I need to yet to even ask an intelligent question.
I wasn't sure if building a squirt system up had any better way of adapting vs buying one premade...sadly, I don't know what I need to yet to even ask an intelligent question.

2002 1800 Wing
2001 Valkyrie Interstate
1978 1200 EFI Wing with Motorvation Coupe Royale sidecar
1977 1200 Wing cafe/bobber project
1974 Suzuki GT550
2001 Valkyrie Interstate
1978 1200 EFI Wing with Motorvation Coupe Royale sidecar
1977 1200 Wing cafe/bobber project
1974 Suzuki GT550
- Rat
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Re: Donor 1200 EFI
Dumb questions produce more informative answers .......
Gord (mostly) Jones
Gord (mostly) Jones

"I'd rather Ride than Shine"
‘14 KLR650 ... not a rat ... yet
‘84 GL1200i ‘R2B6' (Rat to Be 6, the last, adopted by twowings)
My Original 'RAT' was a hybrid '82 CB900/1100F
‘14 KLR650 ... not a rat ... yet
‘84 GL1200i ‘R2B6' (Rat to Be 6, the last, adopted by twowings)
My Original 'RAT' was a hybrid '82 CB900/1100F
- wingrider
- SUPER BIKER!!!!
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Re: Donor 1200 EFI
Yea Rat, but when you don't even know WHAT to ask, it does make one wonder why I am taking on this project. 

2002 1800 Wing
2001 Valkyrie Interstate
1978 1200 EFI Wing with Motorvation Coupe Royale sidecar
1977 1200 Wing cafe/bobber project
1974 Suzuki GT550
2001 Valkyrie Interstate
1978 1200 EFI Wing with Motorvation Coupe Royale sidecar
1977 1200 Wing cafe/bobber project
1974 Suzuki GT550